In the world of smartphones, where rectangular slabs reign supreme, it’s rare to come across a design that truly makes you do a double-take. Enter the Essential “Gem” – a device so unique, it’s a shame it never made it to market.

Back in 2019, Essential, the brainchild of Android co-founder Andy Rubin, teased us with images of a peculiar smartphone. Dubbed “Gem,” this narrow, almost remote control-shaped device promised to shake up the industry. But alas, when Essential shuttered its doors in 2020, the Gem became nothing more than a tantalizing “what if” in smartphone history.

Fast-forward to today, and we’re getting an unexpected glimpse into this lost piece of tech. Rob Wainwright, a software engineer at Nova Launcher, managed to snag a Gem prototype on eBay. And boy, are we grateful he did.

The video Wainwright shared gives us our best look yet at this quirky device. With its 2160 x 560 display, the Gem boasts an eye-popping 4:1 aspect ratio. It’s like someone took a normal phone and stretched it out like taffy. That said, thanks to its narrow width, the phone is seemingly easy to hold and use. Check out the video below for reference.

Under the hood, the Gem was no slouch either. Packing a Snapdragon 730 processor, 4GB of RAM, and running Android 10, it was clearly meant to compete with mid-range devices of its time. Oh, and did I mention the 90Hz refresh rate? That was pretty cutting-edge for 2019.

But what really stands out is the software. Essential clearly put a lot of thought into how to make the most of that ultra-tall display. The home screen is a marvel of widgets and app integrations, designed to give you quick access to information without endless scrolling. And the way individual UI elements flip when rotating the device? It’s oddly satisfying to watch.

Now, I can’t help but wonder how this phone would have fared in the real world. Would its unique form factor have been a game-changer, or just a novelty? Would we all be carrying long, skinny phones in our pockets right now? We’ll never know for sure, but it’s fascinating to imagine the possibilities.

The Gem serves as a bittersweet reminder of the innovation that can happen when companies dare to think outside the box (or rectangle, in this case). While it may never grace store shelves, its legacy lives on as a testament to what could have been in the smartphone world. That said, would you have considered using this TV remote-like smartphone instead of regular smartphones? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Dwayne Cubbins
400 Posts

For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.

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