Essential now valued at over $1 billion, before phone goes on sale

14 August 2017
A new financial filing pushed Andy Rubin’s Essential phone company past $1 billion, gaining it "unicorn" status.

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  • K
  • KMB877
  • Y7c
  • 16 Aug 2017

HMD and Essential, 2 almost identical business; both they have their products made by Foxconn.
I'm just wondering, how many employees HMD Global has, and how many Andy Rubin's business has. BTW, anyone knows the official name of the Essential phone maker?

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • 8ns
    • 16 Aug 2017

    Anonymous, 15 Aug 2017FoxConn produces Sharp, but they don't own SharpThe poster you've replied is correct!Sharp is indeed owned by Foxcon.
    But thats how globalisation work,and still Sharp is very much independand company.
    Btw I highly doubt that Sharp (trough Foxcoon) had any contact with this startup.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • wYx
      • 16 Aug 2017

      a simple man, 15 Aug 2017This phone will definitely flop. Too much hype with no history And it will have a 1 year only support like NextbitRobin

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • 34}
        • 16 Aug 2017

        I wonder what that statistics are for how many "unicorns" fail versus succeed? In other words, is "unicorn" status more like to be a pradictor of success or failure?

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • UD{
          • 15 Aug 2017

          Anonymous, 15 Aug 2017Sharp is right now owned by the same Foxconn that invested ... moreFoxConn produces Sharp, but they don't own Sharp

            one billion and it hasnt sold a single phone? Ridiculous!

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • M18
              • 15 Aug 2017

              Luxor, 15 Aug 2017I seen the Sharp Aquos S2 unboxing video. Probably this Ess... moreSharp is right now owned by the same Foxconn that invested in Essential. No wonder the screen design was highly similar. Do we know if Essential phones are manufactured in the States or not?

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • 0U@
                • 15 Aug 2017

                For a market that is saturated as the smartphone market,with old established players and chinesse competition on their heel... I dont think its a clever investment.More so as the market itself start to hitting the ceiling last year.
                They would really need an outstanding product as well as aftersale support/service in order to make their breaktrough...

                As things looks right now,they have neither of those.So excusse me if I am "a bit" sceptical on this company,and if I had a milion of dollars,I would certainly not putting(risking) it on their card ;)

                  • a
                  • a simple man
                  • 6kj
                  • 15 Aug 2017

                  This phone will definitely flop. Too much hype with no history

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • pLS
                    • 15 Aug 2017

                    Don't forget this does not necessarily mean that Essential will become a success. Remember how the Ouya failed after that huge kickstarter campaign?

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                      • AnonD-286078
                      • mpj
                      • 15 Aug 2017

                      Its not going to last if there is no product at the end of the day.

                      There is a lot of uncertainty to how the market will take to the essential and there's a lot of promises made in regards to updates and support. Its hard to imagine them keep their promises but I want to see it happen. Having more than one pixel like device on the market would great for choice. Competition is rarely a bad thing.

                        • K
                        • Kangal
                        • uCX
                        • 15 Aug 2017

                        Anonymous, 15 Aug 2017And yet, has nothing to show for it...Yet.Yes, its mostly hype.
                        I will take my usual critical stance on this.

                        If nothing, it might turn out to be a great mid-range competitor.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • t7x
                          • 15 Aug 2017

                          And yet, has nothing to show for it...Yet.

                            Is this phone an essential purchase?

                              • T
                              • TruthTrain
                              • vGJ
                              • 15 Aug 2017

                              The first phone of such companies is always the best . Point in case : OnePlus One. The value proposition of subsequent phones will decrease , so this is probably the best product company has on offer.

                                • L
                                • Luxor
                                • RIE
                                • 15 Aug 2017

                                I seen the Sharp Aquos S2 unboxing video. Probably this Essential will look exactly like that. Hope no more delay. Hurry up already!

                                  Talk about making tech waves.