Goldstriker, who - depending on your taste in metal plating - either invent the iPhone even more beautiful courtesy of precious metals or turn it into a gaudy, over-blinged embarrassment, have once again unleashed their electroplater and come up with the Solar Star edition.  Both the front bezel of the handset, and the Apple logo on the rear, are 24ct gold plated.  Meanwhile, the rest of the casing, including the antenna cover, is painted in the same Balloon White as you might find on a Lamborghini Gallardo.

That

adds up to a white and gold cellphone, colors more usually found in the bathroom of a somewhat old-fashioned five star hotel.  Goldstriker do at least supply them updated to firmware 1.1.4 and unlocked for worldwide GSM use.  The iPhone itself is the 16GB version.

Personally, as with much of Goldstriker’s range, it’s not to my taste.  In fact I think Apple did a pretty good job with designing the iPhone as it is, and it doesn’t really need a 24ct makeover.  So that’s saved me £749.95 ($1,477).

[thanks Michelle!]