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Short answer: Caviar launched its Art & Gold collection in September 2024 as a luxury customization of Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Contemporary coverage put the starting price at $10,630. It was not an Apple-made or Apple-endorsed model, and “gold-plated” does not mean every part of the phone was solid gold.
The collection reinterpreted Apple’s Desert Titanium finish with precious-metal housings and ornamentation. The $10,630 figure is a historical launch price, not a confirmed August 2026 selling price.
What Caviar actually launched
Caviar’s Art & Gold collection covered the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. It offered three named designs:
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- Symphony: an Archimedean-spiral pattern associated with symmetry, architectural proportions and the golden ratio.
- Duomo: a white-gold design inspired by Gothic cathedral arches and ornamental architecture.
- Paramount: an Art Deco-influenced geometric treatment.
Caviar positioned the phones as limited-edition luxury objects, with reported 18K- and 24K-gold variants. The underlying device remained Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro platform.
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- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Phone case designed for iPhone 18 Pro (6.3" display) plus a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
- BUILT-IN MAGNETS: Compatible with MagSafe for seamless wireless charging. Easily alternate our matching magnetic accessories to customize your look and functionality.
- DESIGNED IN NYC: Join 1+ million social media followers wearing our Pretty yet Protective cases, hand-drawn by artists at our New York City headquarters since 2014.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Made with the highest grade materials and laser printing technology to deliver a vivid, scratch-resistant design that offers both style and protection.
- TOTAL PROTECTION: Drop tested up to 16ft, this FirmFlex shockproof case combines a soft TPU bumper, hard PC plate, and raised bezels to protect your phone’s screen and camera.
“Desert Titanium” was Apple’s color first
Desert Titanium was one of Apple’s four standard iPhone 16 Pro finishes, alongside Black Titanium, Natural Titanium and White Titanium. Apple’s model used a titanium frame and textured matte-glass back. Caviar did not own or create the Desert Titanium name; its distinction was applying a gold and ornamental interpretation to an Apple color.
That distinction matters. Calling this “Apple’s gold iPhone” incorrectly suggests an official Apple edition. The accurate description is a Caviar-customized iPhone 16 Pro in a Desert Titanium-inspired luxury treatment.
Was it solid gold or merely gold-plated?
The construction descriptions vary by design and product page. Caviar’s 2024 announcement described 750-fineness gold jewelry housings in different shades, and contemporary reporting described an 18K-gold shell with gold decorative elements. Related current Caviar specifications describe a body with double electroplated 24K gold at 7 microns, plus 18K-gold side buttons.
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- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Phone case designed for iPhone 16 Pro (6.3" display) plus a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
- BUILT-IN MAGNETS: Compatible with MagSafe for seamless wireless charging. Easily alternate our matching magnetic accessories to customize your look and functionality.
- DESIGNED IN NYC: Join 1+ million social media followers wearing our Pretty yet Protective cases, hand-drawn by artists at our New York City headquarters since 2014.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Made with the highest grade materials and laser printing technology to deliver a vivid, scratch-resistant design that offers both style and protection.
- TOTAL PROTECTION: Drop tested up to 10ft, this FirmFlex shockproof case combines a soft TPU bumper, hard PC plate, and raised bezels to protect your phone’s screen and camera.
Those descriptions are not interchangeable. “Gold housing,” “gold body,” “gold-plated” and “solid gold” can refer to different parts and processes. Unless a specific listing identifies a component as solid gold, buyers should not assume the entire phone was cast from a gold ingot. Before paying, request a written breakdown showing:
- Whether the frame, back, logo, buttons and decorative inserts are gold.
- The karat or fineness of each component.
- Whether the finish is solid metal, a bonded housing or electroplating.
- The plating thickness and how wear is handled.
Price: what the $10,630 covered
A September 2024 report cited a $10,630 starting price for the collection. That was a base figure, not a universal price for every phone. The final quote could change with the Pro versus Pro Max model, storage capacity, design, gold option, customization, shipping, taxes and import duties. See the contemporary report at ITHome.
For comparison, Apple’s US launch prices were $999 for iPhone 16 Pro and $1,199 for iPhone 16 Pro Max, while Apple’s UK announcement listed £999 and £1,199 respectively. Caviar’s premium therefore primarily paid for precious materials, design work, scarcity and luxury presentation—not a faster processor or a different camera system.
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- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Phone case designed for iPhone 16 Pro (6.3" display) plus a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
- BUILT-IN MAGNETS: Compatible with MagSafe for seamless wireless charging. Easily alternate our matching magnetic accessories to customize your look and functionality.
- DESIGNED IN NYC: Join 1+ million social media followers wearing our Pretty yet Protective cases, hand-drawn by artists at our New York City headquarters since 2014.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Made with the highest grade materials and laser printing technology to deliver a vivid, scratch-resistant design that offers both style and protection.
- TOTAL PROTECTION: Drop tested up to 16ft, this FirmFlex shockproof case combines a soft TPU bumper, hard PC plate, and raised bezels to protect your phone’s screen and camera.
| Option | What the buyer gets | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Caviar Art & Gold | Customized iPhone 16 Pro/Max with precious-metal treatment and ornamental design | Extreme premium and uncertain resale or repair economics |
| Standard iPhone 16 Pro | The same Apple platform at normal retail pricing | No gold construction or collector presentation |
Underlying iPhone hardware
Unless a Caviar listing states otherwise, buyers received the normal iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max hardware, including:
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- 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro display.
- 48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra Wide and 5x Telephoto cameras.
- Camera Control and 4K Dolby Vision video recording up to 120 fps.
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB storage options for the iPhone 16 Pro family.
- Apple’s IP68 rating under controlled laboratory conditions.
These are Apple specifications, not Caviar-exclusive upgrades. Apple says water resistance is not permanent, and liquid damage is not covered by its warranty. A third-party exterior modification should not be assumed to preserve every original protection.
Ownership and personal-finance risks
Repairs and warranty
Caviar states that its iPhone products include a one-year company warranty and a certificate of authenticity. That is separate from Apple’s warranty. Ask in writing who handles failures involving the modified housing, buttons, camera surrounds and finish, and whether Apple service remains available after customization.
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- Super Magnetic Attraction: Powerful built-in magnets, easier place-and-go wireless charging and compatible with MagSafe
- Compatibility: Only compatible with iPhone 16 Pro; precise cutouts for easy access to all ports, buttons, sensors and cameras, soft and sensitive buttons with good response, are easy to press
- Matte Translucent Back: Features a flexible TPU frame and a matte coating on the hard PC back to provide you with a premium touch and excellent grip, while the entire matte back coating perfectly blocks smudges, fingerprints and even scratches
- Shock Protection: Passing military drop tests up to 10 feet, your device is effectively protected from violent impacts and drops
- Check your phone model: Before you order, please confirm your phone model to find out which product is right for you
Durability
Gold plating and decorative components can scratch, dent or wear differently from Apple’s original finish. Gold and ornamental housings may also change the phone’s weight and handling, although an exact weight increase should not be assumed without a Caviar specification.
Insurance and resale
A $10,000-plus phone may need high-value personal-property or collectibles coverage rather than ordinary device insurance. Confirm coverage for theft, accidental damage, international shipping and custom components, and ask whether the insurer requires the certificate of authenticity. Scarcity may appeal to collectors, but customization can narrow the resale audience and make Apple’s standard trade-in process less predictable.
Delivered cost
Budget for customs, local taxes, shipping, payment fees and possible return costs. Obtain a final delivered quote rather than treating $10,630 as the amount that will leave your bank account.
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![VELVET CAVIAR for iPhone 16 Pro Case - Compatible with MagSafe [16ft Drop Tested] - It Girl Leopard Print](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31MlhbixA5L._SL160_.jpg)
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Phone case designed for iPhone 16 Pro (6.3" display) plus a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
- BUILT-IN MAGNETS: Compatible with MagSafe for seamless wireless charging. Easily alternate our matching magnetic accessories to customize your look and functionality.
- DESIGNED IN NYC: Join 1+ million social media followers wearing our Pretty yet Protective cases, hand-drawn by artists at our New York City headquarters since 2014.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Made with the highest grade materials and laser printing technology to deliver a vivid, scratch-resistant design that offers both style and protection.
- TOTAL PROTECTION: Drop tested up to 16ft, this FirmFlex shockproof case combines a soft TPU bumper, hard PC plate, and raised bezels to protect your phone’s screen and camera.
Can you still buy the original iPhone 16 version?
The launch was announced in September 2024, shortly after Apple announced the iPhone 16 Pro on September 9; Apple began preorders on September 13 and initial retail availability on September 20. The original $10,630 figure is therefore historical.
As of August 2026, Caviar’s live Art & Gold pages prominently feature newer iPhone customizations. A related Desert Gold 24K page displays $11,630 for an iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max product and describes 24K double electroplating at 7 microns, but its visible controls center on the iPhone 17 line. The page also references an iPhone 16 option, which is not enough to prove current stock of the original 2024 configuration. Contact Caviar directly for a current quote and written confirmation of model, storage, materials and delivery date.
Buyer checklist
- Confirm whether the phone is an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max and record its storage capacity.
- Identify every gold component and whether it is 18K, 24K, solid, bonded or electroplated.
- Request the edition number, certificate of authenticity and photographs of the exact unit.
- Verify that the device is unlocked and compatible with your carrier.
- Read Caviar’s warranty, return and cancellation terms, including exclusions for finish damage.
- Ask Apple or an authorized service provider how modification may affect service and trade-in assessment.
- Calculate taxes, duties, shipping and insurance before comparing the price with a standard iPhone.
Verdict
Caviar’s Art & Gold iPhone 16 Pro was a real September 2024 luxury customization, not a new Apple product launch. Its appeal came from gold treatments, architectural designs and scarcity while retaining the ordinary A18 Pro-based iPhone platform. For most buyers, the $10,630 starting price bought status and collectible presentation rather than additional performance. Treat the launch price as historical, verify the exact construction, and secure written warranty and insurance terms before committing.
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