Essential Phone Release Date May Not Have Full Carrier Support

The newly announced Essential Phone by Android co-creator Andy Rubin is confirmed for compatibility on the four major U.S. networks. However, several carriers have stated that the smartphone may not work as intended on their networks.

The Essential Phone will have features including HD voice and built-in video calling, but many carriers do not support these features by default. Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint have all confirmed to the Verge that the Essential Phone can run on their networks, but have indicated that many of its advanced features may not work. Sprint said it would have more details about the phone at a later date, while AT&T has not yet made a statement about the device.

Read : Andy Rubin Essential Phone Release Date: PH-1 Pre-Order, Specs Revealed

While universal smartphones that work on both GSM and CDMA networks are not common on the market, there has been no definitive explanation as to why the Essential Phone’s advanced features would not work on U.S. mobile networks.

It appears a lot of features and functions on the Essential Phone remain in the realm of concept. Having been announced Tuesday, reports have primarily focused on the device’s hardware specifications.

The smartphone runs a Qualcomm Qualcomm 835 chip and includes a 5.7-inch flat screen with no bezels, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, a 13-megapixel dual-camera setup (with a 360 degree camera accessory) and an - megapixel front camera, as well as a USB-C port, a rear-facing fingerprint scanner and the Android Nougat 7.1.1 operating system.

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Reports have also showcased the design of the Essential Phone, which is made of titanium and ceramic, includes no 3.5mm audio jack nor extraneous branding, and will come in black moon, stellar grey, pure white and ocean depths (green and gold) color options.

U.S. carriers have also been hesitant to indicate whether they will offer the Essential Phone in stores. Currently, the device is expected to be sold directly through its manufacturer, Essential, for $699. The Essential Phone is currently available for preorder.