Caviar unveils gold-plated Messi and Ronaldo limited-edition smartphones

Luxury customization brand Caviar has introduced its new "Legends" collection, a series of heavily modified smartphones designed to coincide with the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The release serves as a commemorative tribute to football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, marking what many observers anticipate will be the final international tournament appearance for both athletes. The collection is limited to a production run of 19 units for each design worldwide.

The collection fundamentally alters the exterior of standard flagship smartphones, replacing factory components with artistic materials, including cloisonné enamel and 24-karat gold plating. According to reports from The Gadgeteer, these devices function as luxury status symbols rather than technical upgrades; they retain the original internal specifications, chips, and camera systems of their base models. The customization process involves a jewelry technique where colored glass is fired inside wire enclosures at temperatures reaching 800°C to create detailed portraits of the athletes.

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The Legends Collection: Technical Specifications and Pricing

The Messi-themed edition is built upon the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Because this specific handset has not yet reached the general market—with an official launch scheduled for the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22, 2026—the Messi units currently serve as early, high-stakes pre-orders. The design utilizes cloisonné enamel in the white and sky-blue colors of the Argentina national team, featuring a portrait of Messi, his jersey number 10, and various national symbols, all framed by gold outlines. According to Stuff, pricing for this model can scale higher based on storage capacity, reaching up to R327,000 in specific regional markets.

The Ronaldo-themed edition utilizes the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max as its foundation. This design incorporates the red and green colors of the Portuguese national team, displaying the player’s portrait alongside the number 7 and the Portuguese coat of arms. The back panel is characterized by a rigid, geometric aesthetic. Stuff reports pricing for the Ronaldo units starting at R270,000.

For buyers, the purchase includes more than just the modified handset. Caviar provides custom packaging, a gold-plated key, a branded coin, and a multi-level certificate of authenticity. Each device features a unique serial number etched onto its frame, a detail intended to verify its place within the 19-unit run. The company maintains a one-year warranty on all Legends collection devices and offers optional services such as custom engravings, additional design modifications, or adjusted packaging upon request. Shipping for these items is expected to take approximately one week.

The launch reflects the business model of the Dubai-based luxury house, which frequently targets collectors by repurposing high-end electronics. Previous releases have included items ranging from real Tyrannosaurus rex tooth fragments to gold-clad iterations of mobile technology. Caviar has also confirmed plans for a future project featuring Erling Haaland, which is expected to be fulfilled following Apple’s hardware event in September 2026.

While these phones are designed for display, the production timeline creates a distinct scenario for the Messi edition. As noted by The Gadgeteer, buyers of the Samsung-based model are committing to an artistically modified version of a device whose final retail specifications and branding remain subject to the upcoming July 22 Samsung launch.

Key Upcoming Dates

• July 22, 2026: Official launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which will confirm the final retail specifications for the base of the Messi-themed units.
• September 2026: Apple’s upcoming hardware event, which will likely serve as the catalyst for the next entry in the brand's collection, featuring Erling Haaland.