What to expect from Andy Rubin ‘Essential’ smartphone unveil

We’re expecting Andy Rubin’s ‘Essential’ smartphone to be unveiled tomorrow at the Code Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Though it was confirmed that the mysterious device will be announced tomorrow, we’re not exactly sure when, though Andy Rubin is expected to speak at the conference, with the keynote starting at 4pm PT/7pm ET.

Though not too much is known about the Essential device so far, we do know the smartphone will run Google’s Android operating system and that the phone will be nearly bezel-less.

We heard you @renan_batista – here's something to hold you over until next week: pic.twitter.com/QSIeXyjKNq

— Essential (@essential) May 25, 2017

From this tweet, shown above, it appears that the Essential smartphone will feature a volume rocker and power button on its right side.

Furthermore, the device appears to include some sort of apparatus for either AR or 360-degree video content. It’s quite likely the extra accessory will be for 360-degree video, due to the tweet (shown below) that Rubin sent out early April.

https://twitter.com/Arubin/status/852198868255199232

Unlike many other smartphones, not much has leaked about about the phone beyond GFXBench scores of the device. According to GFXBench, the smartphone will feature a Snapdragon 835 octacore chipset, 3.6GB of RAM and a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera, though these scores should be taken with skepticism given that the leak also mentions the device will have an 18-inch display (these were probably prototype specs).

More believable rumours suggest the smartphone will feature a 5.5-inch screen, some form of modularity, a significant focus on AI and 3D Touch haptic feedback technology, similar to the haptic feedback seen in Apple’s iPhones.

We’ll all have to wait until tomorrow to finally catch our first glimpse of Andy Rubin’s mysterious Essential device.

Source: Andy Rubin, Essential, GFX Bench