Essential Products is hard at work on a follow-up to its Essential Phone, which launched on August 17, 2017. The smartphone, designed by Android OS co-founder Andy Rubin, sold poorly – forcing the company to slash its $699 price tag by $200.
However, the Palo Alto-based firm is now gearing up to launch an all-new smartphone that will shift the focus away from the modular components of the Essential Phone towards an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and voice controls.
- 5 reasons why the Essential Phone could be your next smartphone
- Google Pixel 4 could be a fully customisable, modular smartphone
It's unclear exactly what form the new handset will take. According to an earlier report from Bloomberg, the Essential Phone 2 is intended to reduce the amount of time you have to spend staring at your phone screen.
As such, controlling the Essential Phone 2 will be handled primarily by voice commands, while an in-built AI assistant will be able to mimic your tone of voice to automatically respond to emails and text messages, as well as book appointments on your behalf while your busy enjoying time away from a screen.
According to Bloomberg, "the design of the new mobile device isn’t like a standard smartphone. It would have a small screen and require users to interact mainly using voice commands [...] Essential expects to market the product as a complement to people’s smartphones or as a phone for those who want to spend less time tethered to their screens."
Given the emphasis on AI – not to mention the fact that it's designed by one of the co-founders of the Android operating system now owned by Google – the Essential Phone 2 looks set to go head-to-head with the Pixel 4 set to launch in October 2019.
An alternative design has been imagined in a new concept video created by YouTube channel DBS Designing. It imagines the Essential Phone 2 not as a small-screened companion to your existing flagship, but as a fully-fledged sequel to the original handset, building on the design language and features introduced back in 2017. The resulting flagship looks stunning and more than capable to stand toe-to-toe with the Google Pixel range in terms of design and hardware features.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Watch the full video below:
The video shows the handset with an edge-to-edge display – with the front-facing camera housed in a small cut-out at the top of the display, similar to the Infinity-O screen seen on the Samsung Galaxy S10. This seems like the logical evolution from the design showcased with the Essential Phone, which has a tiny, teardrop-shaped notch to house the camera.
Like the first-generation Essential Phone, the small pogo pins used to connect 360-degree cameras and other accessories created by the company make a return in the top right-hand corner of the back panel. It's unclear whether this is based on sources speaking to DBS Designing, or whether it's simply wishful thinking on their part.
The circular, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner is nowhere to be seen in the concept video, which suggests that DBD Designing reckons Essential will opt for an in-display like the OnePlus 6T, Huawei Mate 20 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.
Elsewhere, the new Essential increases the number of cameras on the back of the handset from two to three. It's unclear what the additional lens would enable, although our money would be on ultra-wide photos or a much greater optical zoom.
Unfortunately, we don't yet have an Essential Phone 2 release date. However, last time around Essential Products announced the smartphone on May 30 and then released the handset on August 17, so we could see a similar timeframe the second time around, too.
As a former Staff Writer for T3, Aaron writes about almost anything shiny and techie. When he’s not barking orders at Alexa-powered microwaves or gawping at 5G speed tests, Aaron covers everything from smartphones, tablets and laptops, to speakers, TVs and smart home gadgets. Prior to joining T3, Aaron worked at the Daily Express and and MailOnline.
-
I used the Sony A1 II to shoot a Premier League football match — here’s what I learned
Sony’s new flagship camera is made for sports photographers — but is it any good?
By Sam Cross Published
-
This sleep hack can cut down your nightly bathroom visits – it’s not what you’d think
Cut down your nightly bathroom trip by trying this easy sleep hack
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Even after iOS 17, here's why I won't swap Android for an iPhone
Android still has its advantages, even with Apple's upcoming iOS 17 upgrades
By David Nield Published
-
These (3) Nothing Phone (2) features would instantly make it my next phone
Nothing’s next flagship could be something special
By Andy Sansom Published
-
Is Sony's Xperia 1 V going to be 2023's most underrated phone?
Don’t let Sony’s newest flagship fly under the radar
By Andy Sansom Published
-
Sony Xperia 10 IV review: Bossing battery life, but little else
A small and affordable Android phone with killer battery life, but underwhelming spec at this price point
By Andrew Williams Published
-
Nokia G21 review: Cheap and cheerful or a low-cost letdown?
The Nokia G21 is very cheap to buy – but is it value for money or too budget for its own good?
By David Nield Published
-
Moto G31 review: another excellent value budget phone from Motorola
The Moto G31 isn't 5G-ready or particularly fast, but it's still worth a look
By David Nield Last updated
-
Best gaming phones 2024: the top phones for mobile gamers
The best gaming phones of 2024, from budget bargains to premium powerhouses, ranked
By David Nield Last updated
-
Motorola Moto E6 Plus review: cheap smartphone, basic features
The Motorola Moto E6 Plus will be good for everyday tasks like messaging and calling
By Yasmine Crossland Published