Phone PH-1
2017 Andy Rubin — first display notch.
The Essential Phone PH-1 is a flagship Essential smartphone released Aug 2017, with a launch price of $700. It pairs the Snapdragon 835 with a 5.71" QHD+ LCD w/ notch display, a capable main camera and a large battery. In SpecEagle's editorial review it scores 80/100 — Essential Phone PH-1. Standout strengths: first production phone with display notch (before iphone x). and andy rubin (android co-founder) company. Main trade-off: stock android slow updates.
Essential Phone PH-1.
Andy Rubin's 2017 Essential PH-1 — FIRST display notch industry pioneer + titanium/ceramic + pogo mods. Essential shuttered 2020.
Read the full review- FIRST production phone with display NOTCH (before iPhone X).
- Andy Rubin (Android co-founder) company.
- Titanium + ceramic premium build.
- Pogo pin modular accessories (360 cam mod).
Full specifications
Benchmarks
How the Phone PH-1 compares
| Phone PH-1 | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Essential Phone PH-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpecEagle score | 80 | 89 | 58 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 835 | SD 8 Elite | Snapdragon 835 |
| Display | 5.71" QHD+ LCD w/ notch | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | 5.71" LCD |
| Main camera | — | 200 MP · f/1.7 | 13 MP + 13 MP mono |
| Battery | — | 5,000 mAh | 3,040 mAh |
| Launch price | $700 | $1,299 | $699 |
Frequently asked questions
When was the Phone PH-1 released?
The Phone PH-1 was released in Aug 2017.
How much does the Phone PH-1 cost?
The Phone PH-1 launched at $700 (manufacturer suggested price at release; street and second-hand prices vary by region, storage tier and time since launch).
What is the Phone PH-1 screen size and type?
The Phone PH-1 has a 5.71" QHD+ LCD w/ notch display.
What chipset does the Phone PH-1 use?
The Phone PH-1 is powered by the Snapdragon 835 chipset.
How much RAM and storage does the Phone PH-1 have?
The Phone PH-1 ships with 4 GB (RAM · base storage); higher configurations may be available.
What colours does the Phone PH-1 come in?
The Phone PH-1 is available in 5 colours: Black Moon, Pure White, Stellar Grey, Copper Black, Ocean Depths.
Is the Phone PH-1 worth buying?
Andy Rubin's 2017 Essential PH-1 — FIRST display notch industry pioneer + titanium/ceramic + pogo mods. Essential shuttered 2020. SpecEagle gives the Phone PH-1 an editorial score of 80/100.
Owner opinions
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