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See the Essential Phone in its titanium flesh

The phone that wants to out-Google Google looks like a million.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
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1 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

This is the Essential Phone PH-1, a new device from Andy Rubin, the co-creator of Android, that's aimed at Android enthusiasts.

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2 of 26 Sean Hollister/CNET

  It's a pretty simple phone.

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3 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

But one thing makes the Essential Phone different. 

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4 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

It's a modular phone that takes a new approach to connecting add-ons.

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5 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

These two connector ports at the back magnetically attach to accessories.

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6 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

It's a wireless connection that transfers data, and even power, between the two.

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7 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

It's much more convenient than Motorola's multiple pins at the bottom of phones like the Z2 Force and Z2 Play. (The Essential's on the right.)

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8 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

The phone's made from titanium, and it looks really great in an understated way.

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9 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

There's a dual 13-megapixel camera on the back with one color lens and one monochrome lens.

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10 of 26 Sean Hollister/CNET

The default camera app is laughably bad right now, with all sorts of issues, even though the camera sensors are capable of taking decent photos. Essential says it's working on fixes and can push them out regularly.

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11 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

You'll find the volume buttons and power/lock key on the right.

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12 of 26 Sean Hollister/CNET

Another view of those buttons.

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13 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

The phone has 128GB of storage, so there's no microSD card slot in here, just the SIM.

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14 of 26 Sean Hollister/CNET

How did Essential avoid putting any writing or stickers on the phone? It hides some info on this pull-out tab inside the SIM tray. Clever!

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15 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

The fingerprint reader lives on the back and is easy to reach.

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16 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

There's very little bloatware on the Essential Phone.

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17 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

Its sides are straight and uncluttered.

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18 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

Same with the top, though traditionalists might regret the lack of headphone jack.

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19 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

You'll get a USB-C-to-3.5 millimeter headset adaptor in the box.

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20 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

There's also a reinforced charging cable.

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21 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

It's a fingerprint magnet.

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22 of 26 Sean Hollister/CNET

On the plus side, that mirror-like finish means you can actually use the phone as a mirror. Or to line up high-res selfies, I suppose.

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23 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

Here's another look at the 360-degree camera from the front.

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24 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

It looks like an eyeball.

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25 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

The 360 camera for the Moto Z phones (right) require a cover that snaps on to the entire length of the phone back.

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26 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

Here's everything else you need to know about the Essential Phone PH-1.

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