Tech

The Essential phone by the cofounder of Android will be shipping sooner than expected

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essential ph-1
YouTube/ReCode

Essential's Andy Rubin sent out an email on Wednesday to customers who pre-ordered the Essential smartphone stating that they should expect their smartphone to ship in the next seven days, according to 9to5Google.

That's great news for customers who pre-ordered the Essential smartphone, who originally expected the phone to be shipped in June. After Essential missed the original June release date for the smartphone, news that the company had lost its head of marketing and head of communications meant things were looking shaky for the startup.

But Essential has been on point with keeping customers up to date with the progress of their orders via Twitter. On July 21, Rubin posted a tweet that the Essential phone will be shipped "in a few weeks." While the update was welcomed, the shipment date of "a few weeks" was still a little vague. On August 9, Rubin posted another tweet saying that the device was in "full mass production," and he promised another update in the following week. Again, the progress update was positive, but the shipping date was still vague.

Indeed, Rubin kept his promise with Wednesday's email, and the device is being shipped to pre-order customers sooner than expected. However, those who ordered the white model will have to wait "a couple weeks," as only the "black moon" option will be ready to ship in the next seven days. Rubin offered the chance for those who pre-ordered the white model to switch their order to the "black moon" option.

essential ph 1 color pure white
Essential

There's no official word on when the Essential phone will be available to buy outside of pre-orders, but things are looking up. Considering that the company is hosting an event on August 21 in New York City and another on August 25 in Los Angeles, it's likely that the phone will be fully released some time after August 25. 

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Antonio Villas-Boas was a consumer tech expert with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and phone carriers.ExperienceAntonio joined the Business Insider team in 2015 as a tech reporter on the news desk and moved to the service journalism team in 2020. During his time as Business Insider’s senior tech reporter, Antonio developed industry-leading battery-life tests for smartphones and tablets, and covered and reviewed hundreds (if not thousands) of products from major brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus since as far back as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, the original Apple Watch, and the very first Google Pixel. This decade-plus of experience has given him tremendous insights into what consumer tech truly stands the test of time and what will be irrelevant in just a few years' time (RIP The Pebble).Antonio is also an experienced deal hunter, surfacing the best discounts on phones, laptops, and smartwatches for readers during sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Previously, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag and ran his own blog. Why you can trust AntonioAntonio approaches all his reviews not only as a tech expert but as a consumer himself. He reads every word of fine print in the phone carrier plans he reviews, and is deeply skeptical of deals that promise you the latest iPhone model for free. (Spoiler: it might be “free,” but you could be stuck with it for three years.)He largely recommends less expensive and small-scale fixes to upgrade your existing tech before considering buying the latest and flashiest in new tech. Antonio believes his role as the go-to “tech guy” for his family and friends extends to his readers as well; he only recommends products that have stood up to the testing process.Scripps News, NewsNation, Fox 5 DC, NBC LX, and Rich DeMuro’s “Rich On Tech” radio show have requested his commentary and expertise. ExpertiseHis expertise includes:
  • Phones, including the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy models
  • Phone accessories, including charging cables, phone cases, and protection plans
  • Smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch
  • Mobile carrier plans, including major carriers and MVNOs
  • Tablets, including iPads and Galaxy Tabs
  • Laptops and computers, including MacBooks and Windows models
  • Computer accessories, including mice, keyboards, and monitors
EducationAntonio graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in history.Outside of workBesides testing tech products, Antonio is also a full time dad to two young kids. His ideal day would be spent on a lake in the Adirondacks.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.