Since his November 2022 tweet about it, enthusiasts of Elon Musk have eagerly been anticipating more details about the alleged Tesla Phone or Tesla Pi Phone. Despite the initial tweet not providing much information, there has been no official news released about the Tesla Pi Phone. Although smartphone manufacturers usually keep details under wraps until the official release, there have been numerous rumors circulating about this particular smartphone. In this article, we'll share everything we know so far about the Tesla Pi Phone, but it's essential to approach any unverified information with a degree of skepticism.
Tesla Phone design
Despite various rumors, there is no confirmed information about the design of the Tesla Phone. Most of the design concepts that have been circulating online are pure fan speculations, with no leaked information from manufacturers or official hardware teasers to support them.
Many of the fan-made creations for the Tesla Phone resemble the designs of major flagship smartphones such as those from Google, Apple, and Samsung. They typically feature a square design with a few buttons on the outer edges and three to four rear cameras.
If Tesla were to produce a smartphone, funded by Elon Musk (which there is no evidence to suggest at present), it would likely share design principles with other Tesla products. Consequently, we might expect a sleek and minimalist design to mimic the look of a luxury device.
One such design concept, created by Antonio De Rosa and pictured above, shows a quad-camera system, metal body, and a prominent Tesla logo, which could provide an intriguing glimpse into what a Tesla Phone could look like. However, it's important to keep in mind that it's not based on any legitimate leaks or rumors. In this article, we have featured various other renders of the Tesla Phone, which are fun to look at, but they're not based on any verified information either.
Tesla Phone specs
Similar to other aspects of the Tesla Pi Phone, there is no credible spec information available for the device other than fan speculation. One of the most notable rumors suggests that the phone will run on one of Tesla's octa-core processors that powers the screens in the company's cars. This feature could potentially set it apart from the leading smartphones currently available on the market.
In conversations about the Tesla Phone, fans continue to repeat a few rumors. One common belief is that the Tesla Pi Phone may have the capability to connect to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service. Another speculation is that the phone could incorporate solar charging technology to recharge its battery. These concepts are certainly fascinating, but they remain nothing more than ideas and have not been substantiated by any official sources.
Tesla Phone software
According to fan rumors, the Tesla Pi Phone is said to be running on an operating system called "TeslaOS." However, this operating system does not currently exist. Tesla's internal computers use a customized version of Linux, but it is not referred to as TeslaOS. Although Linux-based phones like the Pinephone or the Volla Phone do exist, they have not yet gained a significant foothold in the market, unlike AndroidOS. If the Tesla Pi were to run on a version of Linux, similar to Tesla cars, it could be the first Linux-based device to gain mainstream popularity. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this speculation.
Alternatively, if the Tesla Phone is indeed in development, it is equally likely that it could use a version of Android. This operating system is highly adaptable and can be customized for use across a wide range of devices, while still maintaining a unique feel for each manufacturer. However, Elon Musk has expressed disinterest in participating in the "duopoly" that he believes Google and Apple hold over the mobile industry. Therefore, using Android for the Tesla Phone could be viewed as hypocritical. However, Musk's views tend to change frequently, so it's difficult to predict which direction he might choose.
Tesla Phone price and release date
As of now, there is no official release date for the Tesla Phone. While there are baseless rumors that it may launch in early 2023, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Moreover, it appears that a potential Tesla Pi Phone release may be much further down the line, assuming it is even in development. The production of smartphones is a time-consuming process, and since Elon Musk and his companies lack experience in this field, the production time could be even longer, particularly if a custom operating system is also in the works. In short, there is no indication that the Tesla Pi Phone will arrive anytime soon, if at all.
As for the phone's cost, it's difficult to say for certain. However, it is safe to assume that it will likely cost at least $1,000, similar to other high-end smartphones currently available on the market. Nonetheless, any speculation about the Tesla Phone's price at this point is merely a futile exercise.
Why the Tesla phone isn’t going to happen
Elon Musk's tenure as CEO of Twitter has been characterized by a number of controversial changes to the platform's rules and regulations. Musk's vision for the site is to make it a place where free speech can thrive, leading to the "amnesty" of accounts that had previously been banned for violating the platform's terms of service, including white supremacists and conspiracy theorists.
In a tweet, Musk claimed that Apple had threatened to remove Twitter from its app store, but did not provide any explanation as to why. The CEO also stated that Apple had significantly reduced its advertising on Twitter, though he could not discern the reason behind this. However, it seems that Musk is unable to comprehend why Apple would want to distance itself from the potentially inflammatory content on Twitter.
Musk responded to a tweet from podcaster Liz Wheeler, stating that if Apple and Google were to remove Twitter from their app stores, he would create an "alternative phone". Although some commenters praised this idea, it would likely be a disaster on multiple levels.
One of Musk's assertions is that Apple and Google have a "duopoly" over the smartphone market. However, there are several other companies around the world that make highly successful smartphones, even if they are less well-known in the US and Europe. In fact, Musk's limited understanding of the smartphone industry suggests that he is not well-equipped to compete against established companies that already produce innovative and globally recognized products.
Musk's history of underwhelming success with companies that he owns, such as the Boring Company and Neuralink, suggest that a phone created under his leadership would likely not succeed. While Tesla is the exception to this pattern, the company operates best outside of Musk's direct influence. Musk frequently overpromises with his businesses, which can give the impression that his companies are at the mercy of a child with an abundance of wild ideas.
Musk's point that Apple and Google have a chokehold on the app store market is somewhat valid. If Twitter were to be removed from both platforms, it would be unlikely to survive. However, Musk's proposal to develop a new phone that would feature Twitter would likely be ineffective, as Twitter would already be obsolete by the time it was ready for release.
In addition to these issues, Musk would need to compete with the rest of the smartphone market in order for his phone to be successful, a lengthy and expensive process that would require the creation of an entirely new operating system and app store. Other companies, like Carl Pei with Nothing, have attempted to provide alternative options to Apple and Google, but have failed to seriously compete in the market.
Given the widespread popularity of Apple and Google in the US, Musk would need more than just his dedicated fanbase to convince people to switch to his new phone. Although Musk is renowned for making promises that appeal to his followers, many of these pledges never come to fruition. For example, Musk promised over a decade ago that humans would walk on Mars by now, yet this has not happened.
It is unlikely that Musk would enter the smartphone industry at this point, given the financial struggles he is currently facing with Twitter. A more straightforward and cost-effective solution to his issues with Apple and Google would be to follow their rules and regulations.
Conclusion
While there is a lot of excitement around the potential release of the Tesla Pi Phone, it is important to remember that all of the information so far is just speculation. Fans will have to wait for official news from Tesla before they can know for sure what the phone will look like, what its specifications will be, and when it will be released.
