The OSOM OV1, the first smartphone from the mobile tech company founded by former Essential Inc. staff, was originally expected to launch in Q2 of 2022, but has now been delayed until the fourth quarter. While the company says that the delay will benefit users, it is possible that the device could arrive too late, when taking into consideration the fast-paced nature of the mobile industry.
The second half of the year is always a busy time thanks to the aptly-named “Techtober” season. The string of launch events usually starts with Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year. Google and Apple are also known to launch their flagship phones during the second-half of the year. With big brand names launching their flagships during this period, the chance of a smartphone from a new brand getting buried under the avalanche of news is pretty high.
The OSOM OV1 has piqued the interest of many, particularly those who wanted to see a successor to the Essential PH-1. The OV1 has been unofficially termed the spiritual successor to the PH-1, not only because it is being made by the team behind the Essential Phone, but also because it will share some of its best features. Unfortunately, the wait before this phone hits the market has gotten even longer after OSOM announced that it won't arrive until the fourth quarter of 2022. The main reason behind the delay is the Snapdragon 8-series chipset that will power the device. It appears the manufacturer has made a last-minute SoC change that's resulted in the release date being pushed back.
The OSOM OV1 Will Be Made From Premium Materials
With a number of processors that fall into this category, OSOM is being a little ambiguous about the particular Snapdragon 8-series chip that will power the phone. The best-case scenario would be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor found in flagships like the Galaxy S22 and the OPPO Find X5 Pro, as the Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 888 Plus will already be considered dated by the time the phone arrives in Q4 2022. It is not yet known if Qualcomm will launch a “Plus” variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but if it does, this could be the chipset inside the OSOM OV1. Qualcomm usually announces a Plus variant in the second quarter of the year, so it can also appear in phones scheduled for release in later months of the year.
Apart from the chipset, OSOM also revealed several new details about the phone in an interview with Android Police. To begin with, the phone will have a stainless steel frame that's stronger than the aluminum used in many modern phones. Just like the Essential PH-1, the phone will have a zirconia (ceramic) back with a polished finish for the white variant and a matte finish for the black version. There will also be a third color, but OSOM is keeping quiet on what that will be. The display is an OLED panel with a high refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, while the rear camera housing will home the 48MP and 12MP sensors. The buttons on the side are made of titanium, and a 16MP selfie camera will be included as well.
The phone will have 5G, but support will be limited to sub-6GHz networks. There will also be support for NFC, Ultrawide Band and dual (physical) SIMs. OSOM didn't reveal the battery capacity, but says the phone will provide a “beyond all-day” experience with “regular use.” Interestingly, the USB-C charging cable features a kill-switch that deactivates the data pins to avoid becoming vulnerable to exploits when connected to a power source in a public place. Although there has been no mention of charging speed, the phone will support USB Power Delivery. Lastly, the OSOM OV1 will be priced under $1,000 when it eventually launches.
Source: OSOM/Twitter, Android Police