R: Let’s cut to the chase, why did you bid on a PH-2?
3D: In a sea of similar phone shapes, it’s always the odd ones that stand out. Big, small, wide, thin—there’s always going to be discussion on how we feel about them, and I want to dive headfirst into that conversation every time.
When we still called them “Phablets” I had one and loved the perspective shift it brought to computing. The larger screen made multitasking more of a feature, fundamentally changing how I interacted with technology. Combine that love of off-the-wall form factors with my admiration for Essential and their simple yet thoughtfully crafted designs, and it was impossible not to fall in love with their Gem Phone.
I remember the excitement of telling my mom about it when posts started appearing on Twitter. I gawked at how perfectly it seemed like it would fit in my hand. That green-teal candy-bar phone became an object of obsession. When Essential slipped away, I was devastated; I thought I’d never get my hands on that dream device. Years later, it’s amazing to see the device resurface, bringing back all the nostalgia and excitement.
With its connection to Nothing after being bought by them, and my standing in the Nothing community as a concept artist, I knew I had to get it. It’s not just a phone; it’s a piece of design history I’m proud to admire.
R: How much did you spend, if you don’t mind me asking?
3D: I spent £1,012 (about $1,293 USD after conversion). At any other time, I wouldn’t have been able to justify the expense, but with my company doing well, it felt like the perfect moment to secure this piece of tech history.
R: You’ve presumably spent some time exploring the device. What are some of the standout quirks?
3D: The device is an odd one, and it’s not just the form factor. The stock launcher is heavily widget-based, something it shares with NOS, as both focus on at-a-glance usability of the home screen. Much of the phone’s software is heavily custom-built, likely because not many developers designed for the form factor of a thick Apple TV remote. The camera, while fairly well-performing, features a noticeably large bump—a stark contrast to Essential’s only other phone, the PH-1, which had no bump at all. The keyboard has an unusual diagonal layout, but it quickly becomes second nature.
That said, running normal Android apps is possible if you know how to sideload them, as the browser struggles to handle APK installations. The battery life is pretty lacklustre, but given the device’s developmental stage, it wasn’t intended for mass-market sale.
R: What do you think some of the perks of this candy bar form factor are?
3D: This device feels perfect for the digital detox lifestyle. It’s small enough that you don’t want to use it constantly but feature-packed enough to avoid feeling disconnected in a modern world. Its compact size means it likely won’t create the signature wear marks current phones often cause. Designed for single-hand use, it evokes the Steve Jobs philosophy of one-handed reachability. Ultimately, its shape and simplicity make it ideal for AI-driven interactions rather than extreme, detail-oriented data input—a unique balance between form and function.
R: What do you plan to do with it now you have it?
3D: As a software developer, I find it fascinating to see how software can be adapted to work well and look good on such an unusual form factor. I’ve even used it as a reference for conceptualizing a Nothing-branded version of this device. It’s exciting to imagine what Nothing might achieve with this foundation. One day, I’d love to see this phone displayed in a case charting the evolution of iconic smartphones—a true testament to its innovative spirit.
