The Apple/Droid-Killing Essential Phone Is Out, Ready for War

It’s everything you always hoped your iPhone would be

August 17, 2017 9:00 am

Remember not so long ago when we told you about the Essential Phone, the unlocked, never-needs-an-upgrade, near-indestructible pocket computer we’ve been inching toward all after these years (and upgrades). The one with wireless charging, so no more “Can I borrow your cable?”

It’s now for sale — as in TODAY — which means given shipping times, you could be experiencing a whole new relationship with your phone by next weekend. (In a way, just kidding, because your relationship will probably still just consist of the same old mindless scrolling. But hey: wireless charging.)

Right now there’s a deal where you get “the world’s smallest 360-degree camera” and an unlocked 128gb Essential in a bundle for $749.

Brief background to all this, for the uninitiated: Essential Products is a new tech company that wants to reduce the headaches poorly designed everyday tech creates for us. The downside of endless (though critical) upgrades, if you will. Considering your correspondent spent the same amount on an iPhone 7 six months ago and it’s already showing signs of wear, I regret slightly not having the option to purchase the Essential back then, because I would have.

TL;DR: Longtime iPhone user strongly considers jumping ship. And you should too.

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