Essential Phone PH-1
Andy Rubin's 2017 modular flagship with a titanium frame and ceramic back.
The Essential Phone PH-1 is a flagship Essential smartphone released Aug 2017, with a launch price of $699. It pairs the Snapdragon 835 with a 5.71" LCD display, a 13 MP + 13 MP mono main camera and a 3,040 mAh battery. In SpecEagle's editorial review it scores 58/100 — Andy Rubin's ambitious comeback. Standout strengths: titanium frame + ceramic back — virtually unbreakable. and magnetic accessory pins for snap-on mods. Main trade-off: mono speaker, no jack.
Andy Rubin's ambitious comeback.
Essential Phone was the Android co-creator's ambitious 2017 comeback — a titanium-ceramic flagship with one of the first notched displays and magnetic modular accessory pins. The unbreakable build was real; the camera and Mod ecosystem disappointed. A landmark "what could have been".
Read the full review- Titanium frame + ceramic back — virtually unbreakable.
- Magnetic accessory pins for snap-on Mods.
- Edge-to-edge display with notch (early adopter).
- Stock Android with timely updates.
Full specifications
Benchmarks
How the Essential Phone PH-1 compares
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Phone PH-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpecEagle score | 58 | 89 | 80 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 835 | SD 8 Elite | Snapdragon 835 |
| Display | 5.71" LCD | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | 5.71" QHD+ LCD w/ notch |
| Main camera | 13 MP + 13 MP mono | 200 MP · f/1.7 | — |
| Battery | 3,040 mAh | 5,000 mAh | — |
| Launch price | $699 | $1,299 | $700 |
Frequently asked questions
When was the Essential Phone PH-1 released?
The Essential Phone PH-1 was released in Aug 2017.
How much does the Essential Phone PH-1 cost?
The Essential Phone PH-1 launched at $699 (manufacturer suggested price at release; street and second-hand prices vary by region, storage tier and time since launch).
What is the Essential Phone PH-1 screen size and type?
The Essential Phone PH-1 has a 5.71" LCD display.
What chipset does the Essential Phone PH-1 use?
The Essential Phone PH-1 is powered by the Snapdragon 835 chipset.
How much RAM and storage does the Essential Phone PH-1 have?
The Essential Phone PH-1 ships with 4 GB · 128 GB (RAM · base storage); higher configurations may be available.
What is the Essential Phone PH-1 battery capacity?
The Essential Phone PH-1 has a 3,040 mAh battery.
How fast does the Essential Phone PH-1 charge?
The Essential Phone PH-1 supports 9 W wired charging.
What is the Essential Phone PH-1 main camera?
The Essential Phone PH-1 has a 13 MP + 13 MP mono main camera.
Does the Essential Phone PH-1 have a headphone jack?
The Essential Phone PH-1 does not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
How long will the Essential Phone PH-1 get software updates?
The Essential Phone PH-1 update policy: To Android 10.
How much does the Essential Phone PH-1 weigh?
The Essential Phone PH-1 weighs 185 g.
What colours does the Essential Phone PH-1 come in?
The Essential Phone PH-1 is available in 4 colours: Black Moon, Pure White, Stellar Gray, Ocean Depths.
Is the Essential Phone PH-1 worth buying?
Essential Phone was the Android co-creator's ambitious 2017 comeback — a titanium-ceramic flagship with one of the first notched displays and magnetic modular accessory pins. The unbreakable build was real; the camera and Mod ecosystem disappointed. A landmark "what could have been". SpecEagle gives the Essential Phone PH-1 an editorial score of 58/100.
Owner opinions
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