• 2 min read
Caviar drops 19 Ronaldo and Messi luxury phones
Caviar unveiled a 19-unit 'Legends' series in Russia: a Ronaldo-themed iPhone 17 Pro Max and a Messi-themed Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Image: ITzine
Caviar has unveiled a new limited-run smartphone series in Russia built around one of football’s longest-running rivalries: Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo. The collection, called Legends, includes two devices — a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 with Messi’s portrait and an iPhone 17 Pro Max featuring Ronaldo.
The release is tied to the 2026 World Cup final, which the source says is already being described as a possible last major tournament for both players. That framing fits Caviar’s usual approach. The brand has long taken flagship phones from Apple and Samsung and turned them into ultra-premium collectibles using precious metals, enamel, and extremely small production runs.
For this series, both models were made by hand using hot cloisonné enamel. Caviar says the finish also includes elements coated in 999 gold. The two designs are sharply separated by color: the Messi version uses calmer white and sky-blue tones, while the Ronaldo edition is brighter and more contrast-heavy.

Recommended reading
Nubia teases 'first AI agent' phone for WAIC 2026
The run is tiny even by Caviar standards:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 “Messi” — from 799,000 rubles
- iPhone 17 Pro Max “Ronaldo” — from 679,000 rubles
- Total production — 19 units
- Materials — enamel and 999 gold coating
That makes the collection closer to a display piece or private collectible than a phone most buyers would carry every day. The source notes that standard Apple and Samsung flagships in Russia sell for far less, with the premium here driven by hand-finishing, rare materials, and the limited run.
Caviar is not alone in the niche. The source points to Goldgenie and Stuart Hughes as other luxury customizers producing gold-plated and jeweled versions of mainstream devices. But Caviar’s formula is distinct: take a high-profile cultural moment — from sports to space — and turn it into a souvenir for a very narrow audience.
This time, the pitch is less about hardware specs than timing. If the 19 units sell out quickly, the source suggests Caviar will likely extend the sports line to club tournaments and the next major season.
Gadgets Editor
Eli is obsessed with the tangible future. He reviews phones, wearables, and everything with a battery. Known for his rigorous testing protocols and unabashed teardowns, Eli has broken more review units than he cares to admit, all in the name of discovering the truth about durability and repairability.
via ITzine


