Heir to the Essential Phone, the Osom OV1 wants to create a surprise in 2022 with its different approach. Design, technical characteristics… here is what we know about it.
Essential may have gone out of business (before being acquired by Nothing), but the soul of Android co-founder Andy Rubin’s company has not completely disappeared. While Nothing could invest in the smartphone market very soon, Carl Pein’s brand risks competing against the creators of the Essential Phone. The team behind the project didn’t give up and built a business on the remains of Essential. Based in Quebec and led by Jason Keats, former head of R&D at Essential; OSOM Products wants revenge and is about to launch its first smartphone.
Heir to the Essential Phone, the Osom OV1 has been in development for a few months and is due to hit the market in 2022. During MWC 2022, the firm presented its vision and unveiled new elements to English-speaking media. Its first device wants to compete with premium models from Apple or Samsung and will benefit from a stainless steel and titanium design, with a ceramic back. Like many smartphones, it will be protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
A different smartphone
Osom says his smartphone will be “significantly larger” than the Essential Phone, without however indicating the precise size. As a reminder, the Essential PH-1 has a 5.71-inch screen and is the first smartphone to have a notch. The first shots suggest that the OV1 will be less imposing than the flagship models on the market. Its manufacturer also confirms that the devices tend to be heavy and that the right balance must be found.
Very excited to announce that the OV1 will be based on a @Snapdragon 8 series chipsets. Though this means a slight delay in our original ship date, it also means a more feature-rich, more private experience for you. Coming Q4 2022!#osom2022 #ownyourprivacy pic.twitter.com/SttMIXKgEz
— OSOMPrivacy (@OsomPrivacy) March 3, 2022
The data sheet for Osom’s smartphone is not yet complete, but we learn that it will have an OLED display with a high refresh rate. However, we will have to wait before knowing if it is an LTPO panel and knowing its refresh rate. Under the hood, we expect an 8-series Snapdragon and the delay taken by OSOM is explained by the nature of the SoC. In all likelihood, it’s not the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 that was originally planned. To oppose the best Android models, we can expect the OV1 to ship a “Plus” version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. If we stick to the American founder’s schedule, Qualcomm will present this SoC in early summer.
Photo, USB cable, SoC… Osom wants to surprise
While the trend is towards the integration of three sensors, the OV1 will bet on two modules of 48 and 12 megapixels at the rear. The photo configuration will be completed by a 16-megapixel front camera. The brand assures that it will use sensors signed Sony. Like Google, the firm seems to want to focus on experience and software rather than playing the one-upmanship card. It will be necessary to wait for the release of the device to know if the bet is held.
Regarding autonomy, the manufacturer promises that its smartphone will last more than a day in standard use. A quick charge “impressive” will be there and charging will be done using a rather special USB Type-C cable. For now, we do not yet know the capacity of its battery. It will have a physical switch to disconnect the data pins; like a USB condom. This type of device offers the possibility of charging your smartphone, without fear of an attack or the theft of this data; it can be used with public USB chargers. Unlike this cable, the charger will not come in the box.
On the software side, we just know that it will run on Android and that it could arrive with version 12. Adjustments could be made depending on the release date and it is rumored that it could be compatible with GrapheneOS. This Android-based operating system emphasizes privacy.
OSOM OV1: when will it be available?
While OSOM was hoping for a release in the second quarter of 2022, the SoC change has shaken up its plans. Its first smartphone will be released in the fourth quarter. The price of the OV1 is not yet known, but the company assures that it will be good “less than $1,000”. It could be at the level of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and some iPhone 13.
