For a brand with no track record of making smartphones, the Essential Phone is an interesting first attempt.

The phone, officially called the Essential PH-1, is a confidently-made, yet mysterious slab of glass and ceramic that seems rather basic in what it’s trying to attempt, but it’s hiding a few tricks up its sleeve – one of which it’s not quite ready to show off yet.

Launching at $699 (no price confirmed for UK) is a bold move for such a new player in the smartphone market, especially given OnePlus’ success at nimbly undercutting the flagship market.

For many, betting on a unproven phone is a tough sell in the midst of the iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and Google Pixel 2 launches. But the PH-1 gets some credit for accomplishing what the others haven’t, even if what the company considers to be “essential” won’t matter to some.
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https://www.techradar.com/reviews/essential-phone