Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Essential

New phone and 360 camera by Andy Rubin

Essential is a phone and 360-degree camera created by Andy Rubin. The phone is designed as a primary device with a modular approach to hardware, while the accompanying camera captures spherical video and photos. The… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Essential launched in 2017; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Essential Phone▲7

   A new smartphone from the founder of Android.

   2018 · essential.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   DJI Osmo Pocket▲307

   The smallest 3-axis stabilized handheld camera by DJI

   2018 · dji.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Gear 360▲330

   Capture stunning 360 video for virtual reality, by Samsung

   2016 · samsung.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Prynt 2.0▲341

   The next generation of polaroid camera

   2016 · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Nikon Z50▲86

   A super compact mirrorless camera from Nikon

   2019 · imaging.nikon.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Polaroid Cube▲124

   The littlest action cam

   2014 · polaroid.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Halide▲381

   A premium camera for your phone

   2017 · halide.cam · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Pocket Tripod▲235

   The only phone tripod you need

   2016 · geometrical-inc.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   SHIFTCAM 2.0▲75

   12 camera-enhancing lenses in 1 phone case

   2018 · kickstarter.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Nokia X71▲82

    Nokia's newest phone bundled with a 48 megapixel camera 📸

    2019 · nokia.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    SOLOSHOT▲162

    No cameraman? No problem.

    2015 · soloshot.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Minimal▲181

    The minimal phone

    2024 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Authenpic▲75

    A disposable camera on your phone. No retakes.

    2015 · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Meerpod▲141

    Compact tripod that mounts directly into your phone.

    2015 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    RAW+▲112

    A minimalist camera for purists and professionals

    2016 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    ShiftCam Multi-Lens Case▲115

    Change between lenses on an iPhone 11 in less than a second

    2019 · indiegogo.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Audrey▲108

    A new standard in DSLR quality mobile photography

    2015 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Zerocam Mono▲157

    Turn your phone into black and white camera saved in RAW

    2024 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    OnePlus 5▲183

    Dual camera. Clearer photos.

    2017 · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Camera+ 6▲123

    with manual camera controls for iOS 8

    2014 · campl.us · its alternatives →

21. 21
    RevolCam▲92

    The multi-lens photo revolution for smartphones

    2017 · kickstarter.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Camera FV-5▲97

    A camera app with DSLR-like manual controls for Android

    2017 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Sigma BF▲155

    Radically simple camera evoking the essence of photography

    2025 · sigma-global.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Camera M▲95

    Professional Manual Camera App for iOS with RAW and Depth

    2018 · camera-m.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →