Essential Products, Inc. was founded in 2015 by Andy Rubin, the co-founder of Android, and Matt Hershenson. The company aimed to revolutionize the smartphone market with its premium Essential Phone. The Essential Phone (PH-1), manufactured, developed, and marketed by Essential Products, was announced on May 30, 2017, and released on August 17, 2017. It featured a titanium and ceramic body, an edge-to-edge display, and two rear cameras. Despite initial hype and significant investment, Essential struggled with poor sales, mixed reviews, and unfulfilled promises, leading to its shutdown on February 12, 2020.
The Essential Phone was noted for its premium build and innovative design, including being one of the first mainstream smartphones to feature a "notch". However, it received criticism for its camera performance, and its exclusivity with Sprint in the US limited its market reach. The company also failed to deliver on promised products like a smart home assistant and a new phone called "Project Gem". Andy Rubin's departure from Google amid sexual misconduct allegations also cast a shadow over the company. The company ceased operations on February 12, 2020, after struggling to gain traction in the competitive smartphone market. Essential was acquired by Nothing on February 15, 2021.
