RED’s range of modular camera systems are some of the most popular with camera crews around the world. The company’s latest models can shoot video in resolutions up to 8K at 60fps. RED has previously stayed true to its origins in camera gear, which makes today’s launch entirely unexpected.
The RED Hydrogen is described as the “world’s first holographic media machine.” Details remain scant but RED is making some eye-catching statements regarding the phone’s capabilities. The company claims it will change personal communication forever “with one fell swoop,” aiming to reinvent the smartphone with a launch nobody had seen coming.
RED is building the phone around a 5.7-inch “holographic” display. While the company hasn’t provided any evidence of the feature in action, its press release describes an “incredible, retina-riveting display advancement” that will let you view 3D holographic content without wearing glasses.
“It is incredible,” RED founder Jim Jannard said of the display in a post on the company’s forums. “Watching shocked faces light up when people see it is really motivating. There is no good way to describe it.”
Jannard added that the display is not based on the lenticular technology used by previous holographic efforts. Dismissing the LG Optimus and Amazon 3D Fire’s attempts at 3D displays as “inferior tech in every way,” Jannard claimed other manufacturers will soon be following RED’s lead. He stopped short of explaining how the “multi-view” 4-way panel works.
Assuming RED’s marketing buzzwords translate to actual performance, the Hydrogen could represent a step forward in the evolution of the smartphone as we know it. No other mobile device currently offers a true 3D display capable of showing holographic content. It’s unclear who has built the screen for RED or how long the feature has been in development.
Only one teaser photo of the device has been released. It shows a fairly ruggedized handset with a USB-C port, 3.5mm audio jack and prominent “RED Digital Cinema” branding. There’s a large camera at the top of the handset which will invoke RED’s expertise in imaging technology.
RED intends to build a new family of products around the Hydrogen phone. The Android-powered device will form the centre of the “HYDROGEN SYSTEM,” an ecosystem of camera and cinematography products. Hydrogen will be integrated into existing RED software products. The company seems to be pitching the phone towards filmmakers as a new way of creating and producing content.
A lot of questions remain around the RED Hydrogen and the company’s intentions. The device will start shipping in 2018, priced at $1,195. There’ll also be a titanium version available for an eyewatering $1,595. The prices, availability details, specifications and design are all subject to change due to “production limitations” on the innovative display. You can get more information on RED’s website.
