The company of Android creator Andy Rubin Essential has reduced the cost of its first smartphone PH-1 by $ 200. It is down to $499 at its website.
It’s not clear why the company put a price on the market with a margin on an unknown device. The market is oversaturated. Manufacturers like Xiaomi earn only from apps and subscriptions. They try to sell Phones at prices close to the cost price.
The modular smartphone, which began selling in August 2017, has fallen in price from $ 699 to $ 499. Essential had to reduce the price because of low sales of the device. This could also contribute to competition with smartphones Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, which Google introduced in early October.
Essential introduced the device in May 2017. The smartphone is equipped with a 5.7-inch diagonal screen that occupies almost the entire front panel.
The device operates on the principle of a modular system, which allows you to connect accessories with magnetic contacts. Now only one removable module is available - a 360-degree camera. Project founder Andy Rubin plans to release new accessories every few months.
Users say that the main disadvantage of the device is the lack of an audio jack. But it can be attached by magnetic contacts in the near future.