The Essential Phone, which is finally making its debut in Sprint stores, will bring back the headphone jack, with an Android 8.0 Oreo update coming soon, according to Essential founder Andy Rubin.
Rubin went through a round of questions in a Reddit Ask-Me-Anything, mostly pertaining to the Essential Phone, and these two tidbits of information are just some of the many insights that the Android cofounder revealed for the device.
Essential Phone Headphone Jack Coming Soon
In the Reddit AMA, one Redditor asked what other attachments are coming to the Essential Phone to take advantage of its modular nature.
Rubin responded by saying that there are several Click Connector accessories in development, and the first one that will be released will likely be a charging dock for the Essential Phone. He went on to say that the company is currently working on a "high-end audio accessory" that will bring back the 3.5mm headphone jack into the Essential Phone.
The Essential Phone followed the trend started by Apple of ditching the headphone jack, with Essential VP of Design Dave Evans saying that if the device was designed to include the port, there would likely be a huge bezel at the bottom and a reduction in the battery capacity by 10 percent, or a massive bump on where the headphone jack will be placed.
The Essential Phone, however, already comes with a USB-C to 3.5 mm dongle, so it remains unclear what else exactly the audio accessory will add to the device. No release date was given for the upcoming component.
Essential Phone Android Oreo Upgrade
The Essential Phone recently received its first production software update, but that was still based on Android Nougat. Owners of the device and potential customers who are waiting for confirmation on when the smartphone will be upgraded to Android 8.0 Oreo finally received an update from the Reddit AMA.
"Android O will be coming in the next month or two," said Essential's VP of software Rebecca Zavin. If Essential keeps its promise, the Essential Phone will be upgraded to the latest major version of the Android operating system before the year ends.
Will You Buy The Essential Phone?
The pending arrival of an attachment that comes with a headphone jack and a promise of an Android Oreo upgrade by November may make more customers think of buying the Essential Phone.
With top-of-the-line specifications and a $700 price tag, Essential Phone reviews have mostly been positive as an alternative to Apple's iPhones and Samsung's Galaxy devices. An Essential Phone drop test also highlighted the durability of the device, though a screen protector and a case are still needed for protection.
