In the months leading up to the introduction of the iPhone 6 last September, Moscow-based luxury modified iPhone company Feld & Volk shared a wealth of information about the device, starting with high-quality photos and video of a rough rear shell and moving on to individual components like the embedded Apple logo and protruding rear camera.

Later on, the company was able to obtain nearly all of the parts for the iPhone 6, including the logic board that revealed such details as an NFC chip, Qualcomm LTE modem, and a base 16 GB storage option.

iphone_6_fv

Feld & Volk's iPhone 6 built from parts shown booting to "Connect to iTunes" screen

Eventually, Feld & Volk was even able to build a working device from the parts, supporting theories the device would include a 1334 x 750 display, which were ultimately proven correct.

Many MacRumors readers are anxiously awaiting part leaks from the next-generation "iPhone 6s" expected to debut around the usual September timeframe, and while the device is expected to be visually nearly identical to the current models given Apple's pattern of iPhone designs, there will undoubtedly be some improvements and other changes any upcoming part leaks will help us identify.

Ahead of those part leaks, we spoke with Feld & Volk's Alexander Volkov about his background, the company's history and products, and the difficulties in offering luxury products built around Apple's designs.

Feld & Volk originated in 2007 following the launch of the original iPhone, when Volkov and a classmate set up a lab at the Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics where the pair was studying electronic engineering.

Born out of efforts to illuminate the Apple logo on the device, the pair launched Feld & Volk as an independent company in 2008 following the debut of the iPhone 3G, with an intent to build customized versions of the device.

Feld & Volk's efforts were aided by a partnership with Russian fashion designer Denis Simachev, whose bold prints led to the creation of the SimaPhone 3G and subsequent generations. As Volkov notes, the SimaPhone 3G with its illuminated Apple logo, 18K gold-plated buttons, and unique design variations quickly became popular with celebrities and other high-profile figures in the country.

simaphone_3g

Original SimaPhone 3G from 2008

We then varied the line; different models of SimaPhone had diverse combinations of colors with amazing visual effects, which took us nearly 6 months to develop. This was the sophisticated message of personalized design and function that I wanted to convey. [...]

It became the desired product for a wide variety of discerning people from business professionals to football and hockey stars, fashion and show business celebrities, politicians, and even former the president of Russia and current Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Feld & Volk has carried through with variations of the SimaPhone for each new iPhone model, and the company now has 32 full-time employees in engineering, design, and production to build the highly customized devices.

khabibulin_fv_iphone

iPhone 5s customized for former NHL and Russian Olympic team goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin with Ferrari logo and lighted jersey number

Throughout the process, Volkov and his team emphasize individuality while remaining true to the functionality and feel created by Apple, seeking to strike a balance that will appeal to luxury customers willing to spend thousands of dollars on a device.

From day one, I was determined to establish the principles we believe and follow them till now. We are aiming not to transform the genius shape of perfect Apple devices, but to offer the unique sense of individuality to a device used by millions of people around the world. It is an exclusive masterpiece that we offer to our customers while retaining the functionality of the original Apple product. I am obsessed with maintaining this goal through a very careful combination of the materials used to transmit a unique sensation of the well-known, but absolutely new device.

The latest version of the SimaPhone is based on the iPhone 6 and uses an anodized titanium back panel inlaid with Simachev's trademark Khokhloma Russian folk prints and covered by a 5-inch sapphire sheet. The iPhone frame and buttons are plated with 24K gold, and the Apple logo is illuminated.

simaphone_6

SimaPhone 6

In recent months, Feld & Volk has expanded its iPhone 6 collection with the same basic design but using new materials such as wood and carbon fiber. Most standard models are priced in the $4000 range, although individually customized devices can run much higher depending on materials.

Volkov points out that "time always plays against us" with the phones, as his company needs to invest heavily in bringing its modified iPhones to market quickly even as Apple is already moving toward the next generation.

You only have one year to:

1) Buy iPhones, which are sold at the maximum prices at the launch of each new model.
2) Develop technological platforms and axioms of the new design for our devices on the basis of which we will modify the device. This can take up to six months.
3) Supply our partners with the phone, inform the public about its release.
4) Sell the device.
5) Get paid.

This urgency is what has led Volkov to aggressively seek access to pre-production parts such as those leaked from the iPhone 6, with the company using the parts it obtains to get a head start on designing its own modifications.

Feld & Volk's success in the luxury iPhone modification market has drawn the attention of fashion retailers in Russia and beyond, with one of the more notable partnerships being with Colette, the same Parisian boutique where Apple held the first public viewing of the Apple Watch last September just weeks after it was unveiled in a media event. Colette is also one of a handful of high-end retailers selling the Apple Watch in their stores.

Volkov and his team are no doubt working through their connections to try to learn about the "iPhone 6s" ahead of its debut expected just three months from now. We certainly expect parts from the upcoming devices will begin leaking in the near future as is typical, ramping up over the next several months heading into the launch. As is true of most "s" generations given the design similarities to the previous generation, the difficulty will come in distinguishing parts intended for the new devices from the current ones.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

mw360 Avatar
102 months ago
Yay, for bribery, theft and industrial espionage.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anomie Avatar
102 months ago
Ugly. Looks like you cannot buy good taste with money.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr Fusion Avatar
102 months ago
Ugly. Looks like you cannot buy good taste with money.
They need to break the staleness and predicability of only releasing a new exterior design every other year. When I saw the 6's design, I knew it would be at least two years before I would consider a new iPhone. Some people obviously like it, but for me the only way it looks good is if you put a case over it.

The last quality looking design (antenna issues aside) was the 4. Since then, iPhone looks like it's being engineered to look as "flat" and cheap as possible. The 7 will probably remove the rubber lines and simply be a single milled block of al-you-minium, completing the transformation to become as minimalist as possible.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Romf Avatar
102 months ago
Leaking parts is a sure fire way to get Apple to cooperate in the future with access to new models before release. <face palm>
I don't think there is any way to get that
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thewebb Avatar
102 months ago
They need to break the staleness and predicability of only releasing a new exterior design every other year. When I saw the 6's design, I knew it would be at least two years before I would consider a new iPhone. Some people obviously like it, but for me the only way it looks good is if you put a case over it.

The last quality looking design (antenna issues aside) was the 4. Since then, iPhone looks like it's being engineered to look as "flat" and cheap as possible. The 7 will probably remove the rubber lines and simply be a single milled block of al-you-minium, completing the transformation to become as minimalist as possible.
Sure if you believe the iPhone 7 will be engineered to have no cell reception
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macs4nw Avatar
102 months ago
With such impressive accuracy, you've gotta wonder who their sources are.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

dynamic island

iPhone 15 Dynamic Island to Include New Integrated Proximity Sensor

Friday March 24, 2023 12:27 am PDT by
This year, all iPhone 15 models will include Apple's Dynamic Island that unifies the pill and hole cutouts at the top of the display, but there will also be a material change to the feature that wasn't included in the iPhone 14 Pro models. According to a new tweet by Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the proximity sensor on the iPhone 15 series will be integrated inside the Dynamic Island ...
apple park at night 1

Apple 'Tracking Employee Attendance' in Crackdown on Remote Working

Thursday March 23, 2023 3:41 am PDT by
Apple is tracking the attendance of its employees at offices using badge records in order to ensure they are coming in at least three times a week, according to Platformer's Zoë Schiffer. Since April 2022, Apple employees have been operating on a hybrid home/office work policy as part of a gradual return strategy following the pandemic, with staff required to work from the office at least...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Rumor Recap: 10 New Features and Changes to Expect

Thursday March 23, 2023 6:42 am PDT by
While the iPhone 15 series is still around six months away from launching, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes have been rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in particular. Below, we have recapped 10 changes rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A1...
maxresdefault

Nothing Launches $149 Ear (2) Wireless Earbuds to Compete With AirPods Pro 2

Wednesday March 22, 2023 9:48 am PDT by
Nothing today announced the launch of its second-generation wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2), which offer many of the same features as Apple's AirPods Pro 2 at a lower price point. We went hands-on with the Ear (2) earbuds to see whether they're a viable alternative to the AirPods Pro 2 for those who want to save some cash. The Ear (2) earbuds are the successor to the Nothing Ear (1),...
TMobile Sprint

Apple Stops Allowing Sprint iPhone Activations, Removes Sprint References From Online Store

Thursday March 23, 2023 12:06 pm PDT by
Apple is no longer allowing customers who purchase an iPhone, cellular iPad, or Apple Watch to activate a device with now-defunct mobile carrier Sprint. Apple has also removed remaining references to Sprint from its online store. When checking out with a new purchase, Sprint is no longer an option for connectivity, a change that Apple appears to have implemented today. Prior to now, Sprint...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 for iPhone Nearing Launch With These 5 New Features

Monday March 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT by
Apple says iOS 16.4 is coming in the spring, which began this week. In his Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should be released "in the next three weeks or so," meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April. iOS 16.4 remains in beta testing and introduces a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features ...
Hero0009

Best Apple Deals of the Week: Samsung's Smart Monitor M8 Gets Massive $250 Discount, Along With Year's Best AirPods Prices

Friday March 24, 2023 10:23 am PDT by
We saw a lot of great deals on Apple products and related accessories this week, including Samsung's iMac-like Smart Monitor M8 for $250 off, a 30 percent off spring sale at Anker, and the year's best prices on numerous AirPods models. All of these deals are still available to purchase right now, so we're recapping them and more below. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these ...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...