From the creators of Android – no, seriously this is a phone made by one of the co-founders Andy Rubin. This phone has been teased over many times over the last few months and it’s now ready to face the world.

This is an attempt in making a modular phone – a bit like how Moto Mods work.

First off, let’s run through the usual FAQ. It comes with the expected specs from an Android flagship – with Qualcomm 835 processor, 3040mAh battery, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.

The rear camera is 13MP Dual RGB + Mono camera with image fusion technology and a f/1.85 lens. The Front Camera is 8MP resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio, with f/2.20 fixed hyperfocal lens. Both lenses allow 4K videos.

The phone features an edge-to-edge display that goes all the way to the top, with a notch for the camera – putting the Galaxy S8 to shame. There’s still a bezel at the bottom though. The screen is a 5.71” with radiused corners, resolution at 2560 x 1312 QHD. The phone will ship with a USB-C, and supports nano SIM.

It is built with a titanium body and ceramic back with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 cover glass so it can survive a drop test “without blemish, unlike the aluminium competitor devices.” (Ahem. Apple…Samsung…)

Now we’ve gotten that out of the way, the more interesting part is the upcoming accessories. Instead of clunky wires, the phone comes with a magnetic connector and wireless data transfer.  At the back of the phone is two points that allow accessories to be clipped on. Starting this off,  Essential will ship a 360-degree camera that can click in to the top of the phone, and the company will also offer a charging dock. Both connect to the phone with small metal pogo pins.

Interestingly, this phone does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. According to The Verge, it will ship with a headphone dongle in the box.

Also to come, the company has started teasing a home device – taking on Google Home and Amazon’s Echo line?

The phone comes in 4 colours, Black Moon, Stellar Grey, Pure White and Ocean Depths. The phone retails for US$699 (approx RM3000), launching in the US to start.