The unconventional RED Hydrogen One handset advertised as the world’s first smartphone with holographic capabilities and a number of other innovative features may not be released this summer as originally announced, with its commercialization recently hitting an obstacle in the form of certification issues, project manager Jim Jannard revealed in a forum post several days back. The company’s carrier partners — Verizon and AT&T — are presently working on a new launch timeframe but it’s still unclear when exactly are they planning to announce it.
While Verizon initially said the unique device will debut on its network this summer, AT&T had it listed as releasing in fall for several weeks now. The second-largest wireless carrier in the United States already offered its customers a chance to experience RED Hydrogen One prototypes in early June, having organized a short demo experience at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles. Verizon has yet to start showcasing the device in a comparable manner, with both telecom giants still being vague about its availability details. The company best known for its professional-grade photography and filmmaking equipment was previously accepting a limited number of RED Hydrogen One pre-orders, pricing the aluminum version of the phablet at $1,295, whereas the titanium variant had a $1,595 price tag attached to it. The units meant to be sold through carriers will be available on installment plans and shouldn’t be more expensive than the unlocked models RED will be selling directly.
Besides boasting the industry’s first holographic mobile display, the RED Hydrogen One is set to debut with an audio setup allowing it to generate multidimensional sound, as well as a modular design and a 4,500mAh battery. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 will also be part of the package, together with 6GB of RAM and a custom implementation of Android 8.1 Oreo, according to previous rumors and benchmark listings. The RED Hydrogen One is expected to be manufactured in limited quantities, targeting a niche audience interested in mixed reality applications and ultra-premium mobile photography.