Essential Phone Comes with an LED Notification Light — And It Better for That Price

Essential — the smartphone company started by Android co-founder Andy Rubin — is set to release its bezel-less smartphone before the end of June. The highly-anticipated phone is set to be stocked full of features, including an edge-to-edge display, magnetically-connecting 360-degree camera, rear fingerprint reader, and much, much more. One feature fans have been hoping for is an LED notification light. Today, we finally have confirmation via Twitter. For $700, the Essential Phone — LED notification light and all — can be yours.

This wished-for LED notification light can be found in the upper left-hand corner of the phone's front-facing camera. While Essential has stated that notification settings will be controlled by the phone's owner, it is not yet clear whether the LED light can be customized. The inclusion of this feature may seem obvious, as many expect this of their smartphones. However, the Essential Phone's competitors often omit it. Both the iPhone 7 and the LG 6 fail to include an LED notification light, and this surprising absence from both high-tech phones gives the Essential Phone a slight edge.

Compatible with most major US mobile networks — specifically Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint, the Essential Phone comes unlocked and should be fully functional with each carrier. Don't expect it to be mass-produced and carried in every store, though. Rubin described the Essential Phone as exclusive and not for everyone. Well, if you're fine with paying the costly $700 price for this phone, then consider yourself part of this elite club. Who knows, maybe it's worth it? After all, Rubin did describe it as his dream phone. (He's not biased, right?)