...May Start Shipping In A Few Weeks
Andy Rubin, Android creator and CEO of Essential.Getty Images for Wired
Essential, the new startup from Android creator Andy Rubin, announced on Friday that it's close to shipping its new smartphone.
In an email to potential customers who signed up for information on the device, Rubin says it'll start shipping "in a few weeks." Essential later tweeted the update as well.
Rubin originally said the Essential phone would launch in June, but missed that self-imposed deadline.
Since then, the company has lost its head of marketing and head of communications, a troublesome sign for a company that hasn't launched a product yet. Essential did not respond to multiple requests for comment in recent weeks.
The Essential phone starts at $699 unlocked and will be sold directly through the company's website. Sprint will be the only US carrier that sells the phone in stores. A few international carriers have also agreed to sell the Essential phone.
The new smartphone is just the first product on Essential's roadmap. It also plans to release a gadget called Home, which acts as a hub for your smart appliances and powered by a new operating system Essential calls Ambient OS.
(A close look at the Essential phone.YouTube/ReCode)
Here's what Rubin sent to potential Essential customers on Friday:
We've been working around the clock to get our first device in your hands. See this update from Andy.pic.twitter.com/bm5xm5XRKS
Essential Phone
Key Specs:
Screen Size 5.71-inch
Resolution 1312x2560 pixels
Storage 128GB
Processor 1.9GHz octa-core
RAM 4GB
Rear Camera 13-megapixel
Front Camera 8-megapixel
OS Android
Battery Capacity 3040mAh
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
Essential Phone detailed specifications
GENERAL
Alternate names : Essential PH-1
Release date : May 2017
Form factor: Touchscreen
Dimensions (mm): 141.50 x 71.10 x 7.80
Weight (g): 185.00
Battery capacity (mAh): 3040
Removable battery: No
Colours: Black Moon, Stellar Grey, Pure White, Ocean Depths
SAR value: NA
DISPLAY
Screen size (inches): 5.71
Touchscreen : Yes
Resolution: 1312x2560 pixels
HARDWARE
Processor: 1.9GHz octa-core
Processor make: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM: 4GB
Internal storage: 128GB
Expandable storage: No
CAMERA
Rear camera : 13-megapixel
Flash: Yes
Front camera: 8-megapixel
SOFTWARE
Operating System: Android
CONNECTIVITY
Wi-Fi: Yes
Wi-Fi standards supported 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
GPS: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
NFC: Yes
Infrared: No
USB OTG: Yes
FM : No
Number of SIMs 1
SIM Type : Nano-SIM
GSM/CDMA GSM
3G : Yes
4G/ LTE: Yes
Supports 4G in India (Band 40): Yes
SENSORS
Compass/ Magnetometer: Yes
Proximity sensor: Yes
Accelerometer Yes
Ambient light sensor Yes
Gyroscope Yes
Barometer: Yes
Temperature sensor: No
About Essential Phone
Essential Phone smartphone was launched in May 2017. The phone comes with a 5.71-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1312 pixels by 2560 pixels.
The Essential Phone is powered by 1.9GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and it comes with 4GB of RAM. The phone packs 128GB of internal storage cannot be expanded. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Essential Phone packs a 13-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies.
The Essential Phone runs Android and is powered by a 3040mAh non removable battery. It measures 141.50 x 71.10 x 7.80 (height x width x thickness) and weigh 185.00 grams.
The Essential Phone is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, USB OTG, 3G and 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope and Barometer.
 |
| Andy Rubin at wired business conference |
Essential, the new startup from Android creator Andy Rubin, announced on Friday that it's close to shipping its new smartphone.
In an email to potential customers who signed up for information on the device, Rubin says it'll start shipping "in a few weeks." Essential later tweeted the update as well.
Rubin originally said the Essential phone would launch in June, but missed that self-imposed deadline.
Since then, the company has lost its head of marketing and head of communications, a troublesome sign for a company that hasn't launched a product yet. Essential did not respond to multiple requests for comment in recent weeks.
The Essential phone starts at $699 unlocked and will be sold directly through the company's website. Sprint will be the only US carrier that sells the phone in stores. A few international carriers have also agreed to sell the Essential phone.
The new smartphone is just the first product on Essential's roadmap. It also plans to release a gadget called Home, which acts as a hub for your smart appliances and powered by a new operating system Essential calls Ambient OS.
Here's what Rubin sent to potential Essential customers on Friday:
We've been working around the clock to get our first device in your hands. See this update from Andy.pic.twitter.com/bm5xm5XRKS
Essential Phone
Key Specs:
Screen Size 5.71-inch
Resolution 1312x2560 pixels
Storage 128GB
Processor 1.9GHz octa-core
RAM 4GB
Rear Camera 13-megapixel
Front Camera 8-megapixel
OS Android
Battery Capacity 3040mAh
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
Essential Phone detailed specifications
GENERAL
Alternate names : Essential PH-1
Release date : May 2017
Form factor: Touchscreen
Dimensions (mm): 141.50 x 71.10 x 7.80
Weight (g): 185.00
Battery capacity (mAh): 3040
Removable battery: No
Colours: Black Moon, Stellar Grey, Pure White, Ocean Depths
SAR value: NA
DISPLAY
Screen size (inches): 5.71
Touchscreen : Yes
Resolution: 1312x2560 pixels
HARDWARE
Processor: 1.9GHz octa-core
Processor make: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM: 4GB
Internal storage: 128GB
Expandable storage: No
CAMERA
Rear camera : 13-megapixel
Flash: Yes
Front camera: 8-megapixel
SOFTWARE
Operating System: Android
CONNECTIVITY
Wi-Fi: Yes
Wi-Fi standards supported 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
GPS: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
NFC: Yes
Infrared: No
USB OTG: Yes
FM : No
Number of SIMs 1
SIM Type : Nano-SIM
GSM/CDMA GSM
3G : Yes
4G/ LTE: Yes
Supports 4G in India (Band 40): Yes
SENSORS
Compass/ Magnetometer: Yes
Proximity sensor: Yes
Accelerometer Yes
Ambient light sensor Yes
Gyroscope Yes
Barometer: Yes
Temperature sensor: No
About Essential Phone
Essential Phone smartphone was launched in May 2017. The phone comes with a 5.71-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1312 pixels by 2560 pixels.
The Essential Phone is powered by 1.9GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and it comes with 4GB of RAM. The phone packs 128GB of internal storage cannot be expanded. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Essential Phone packs a 13-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies.
The Essential Phone runs Android and is powered by a 3040mAh non removable battery. It measures 141.50 x 71.10 x 7.80 (height x width x thickness) and weigh 185.00 grams.
The Essential Phone is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, USB OTG, 3G and 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope and Barometer.