Take a look at video of Important’s unreleased PH-2 cellphone

A newly-released video showcases a prototype of the PH-2, Important’s unreleased sequel product, which was an try and radically alter how individuals use smartphones. The prototype was purchased off eBay by Nova Launcher engineer Rob Wainwright, and seems to be largely useful, though its fingerprint sensor does not work and a lot of interface components aren’t completed. The centerpiece after all is its uncommon 5.3-inch, 2160×560 AMOLED show, which is sort of actually candybar formed — it may be used one-handed, regardless of belonging to an all-touchscreen Android phone.

The PH-2’s homescreen is primarily widget-based, though tapping on widgets like Climate or YouTube opens up an online app as a substitute of native software program. Had the prototype been completed, it is doubtless that much more optimization would’ve occurred — YouTube particularly seems to be unusual, with video relegated to a stamp-sized space and the remainder of the display screen taken up by issues like feedback and proposals. There are only a few apps current within the first place, some others being Uber, Spotify, and Instagram. Important would’ve doubtless needed to construct many native apps itself to match the cellphone’s tall decision.

Cameras embody a spherical, protruding one on the rear — with flash — and a holepunch digicam embedded inside the show. Sensor and aperture particulars are unknown, and sadly they could by no means be with no full teardown. The identical goes for many different specs on the cellphone.

Why was the Important PH-2 by no means launched?

Whereas Important premiered to a whole lot of publicity, with former Google government Andy Rubin on the helm, it by no means discovered its footing. The corporate’s first phone — launched in 2017 — was praised for issues like its aesthetics, battery life, and help for add-on modules. Its digicam cutout was additionally distinctive on the time, serving as a template for a lot of smartphones to return. The Important Telephone solely bought about 150,000 items, nonetheless, which did not give the corporate a lot income to function from.

Compounding issues is that whereas the PH-2 was in improvement, revelations emerged concerning the sexual misconduct claims that pressured Rubin out of Google. Important ultimately closed up store in 2020, admitting that there was “no clear path” to delivering the PH-2 to prospects. Its solely actual public publicity had been as “Venture Gem,” a tool teased again in 2019. The agency additionally by no means obtained round to releasing a promised good show, which might’ve dipped right into a smart home market dominated by Amazon and Google.