The smartphone company started by Android co-founder Andy Rubin is shutting down. Essential only ever released one smartphone. But since the Essential PH-1 hit the streets in 2017, it’s been one of the most well-supported Android phones on the market. Essential pushed out Android OS updates and monthly security updates the same day they were […]
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10 Comments on Essential Phone is essentially discontinued… but new “mobile product” is in the works
Essential Phone is essentially discontinued… but new “mobile product” is in the works
10 Comments on Essential Phone is essentially discontinued… but new “mobile product” is in the worksThe Essential Phone was the first smartphone to ship with a notch in the display and it was the first phone from the startup created by Android founder Andy Rubin. It was also not exactly a huge success in the market, and the company’s had a bit of a rough year… but that hasn’t stopped […]
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Essential releases second modular add-on for its phone (Audio Adapter HD)
A handful of phone makers have released models with support for modular add-ons in the past few years, with limited success. It’s unclear if modularity is going to continue to be a feature in the future… but it’s always nice when an existing device lives up to its promise. When Essential launched its first smartphone […]
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Essential is launching an HD audio module for its smartphone this summer
The Essential PH-1 smartphone has a set of Pogo pins on the back that you can use to attach modules that extend the phone’s functionality. But since launching the phone last year, Essential has only offered a single module: a 360-degree camera. This summer Essential plans to launch its second module. It’s a hi-fi audio […]
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Bloomberg: Essential cancels its next smartphone, company might be up for sale
Less than a year after releasing its first smartphone, it looks like Essential Products might be going out of business. Bloomberg reports that the company, which was started by Android co-founder Andy Rubin, has cancelled development of its next phone, and may be looking for a buyer interested in acquiring the company. The Essential PH-1 […]
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What if smartphone selfie cams took pictures through the display?
The Essential PH-1 was the first smartphone to ship with a cut-out in the display to make room for a front-facing camera in a device that otherwise has impressively slim bezels. These days the world has decided that phone with notches are taking their design cues from the iPhone X, but not only did Essential […]
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If Apple drops the notch in 2019, will Android phone makers follow suit?
Nearly a dozen new Android phones with camera cut-outs in their otherwise nearly full-screen displays debuted at Mobile World Congress last month. Rumor has it LG’s next flagship will also have a camera “notch.” And Google has officially added support for displays with cutouts to Android P. While the first modern smartphone with a notch was […]
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Deals of the Day (2-09-2018)
When the Essential Phone launched last year for $699, it was a striking-looking phone with decent hardware and a hard-to-justify price tag. But Essential has continued to improve the phone with software updates adding features that improve the camera performance, among other things. And in October the company reduced the price to $499. Now it’s […]
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Essential Phone price drops to $499
It’s only been about two months since the Essential PH-1 smartphone went on sale for $699. But Android co-founder Andy Rubin’s new company is already cutting the price by $200. Now you can pick up an Essential Phone for $499. Customers who already paid the higher price are eligible for a $200 credit that can […]
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Hands-on with the Essential Phone (and its camera cut-out)
The first phone from Essential Products is a striking device, thanks to its ceramic body and a display that covers nearly all of the front of the device, with the notable exceptions of a small bottom bezel and a cut-out for the front-facing camera. The Essential Phone went on sale last month, but I got […]