[Updated] The Carbon 1 Mark II is up for pre-order for €799, as it did a year ago

In the past decade, we've seen Android smartphones made from plastic, glass, and ceramic, but not carbon-fiber. Despite its lightweight nature and high-strength structure, its signal-blocking properties meant that it wasn't suited for use in smartphones. This could soon change with the news that the Carbon 1 MKII, a phone made from a hybrid carbon-fiber composite material, is available to pre-order for €799.

Join us after the break for the updated story that makes us wonder if 2020 actually happened.

Updated March 2, 2021: In what feels distinctly like Déjà vu, the Carbon 1 Mark II is once again available to pre-order a year after having first done so. Delayed by the economic effects of the pandemic, the Carbon phone has been re-announced and sports exactly the same specifications and price point that it did a year ago. Yes, you read that correctly. Exactly the same, just a year later.

This is somewhat surprising because even a year ago, the Carbon 1 Mark II was something of a hard sell at €799 considering its level of hardware. Fast-forward a year and it's still set to launch running Android 10 out of the box. Sure, the main claims to fame are being incredibly thin (6.3mm) and light (125g) and the carbon fiber monocoque design. But at the risk of sounding unappreciative of the Carbon 1 Mark II's unique charms, it's cheaper to buy the incredibly good Pixel 4a and slap a carbon fiber skin on it. You'll also get an entirely better smartphone experience and you'll save some dough in the process.

If you absolutely need to pre-order the Carbon 1 Mark II, you can do so from the link below.
Pre-order Here (but really, please don't): Carbon

In the hand, the phone feels ludicrously light, not dissimilar to one of those dummy handsets seen in retail stores. The carbon-fiber material feels comfortable and strong, with good levels of grip unlike handsets made from glass or ceramic. And, at just 6.3mm thin, the phone will slip into your inner jacket pocket without a trace. Let's take a look at the specifications of the Carbon 1 MkII before we go any further:

As you can see from the specification table above, the Carbon 1 MKII's claim to fame is its carbon-fiber monocoque design, its list of components isn't quite what you would see in most other flagships. Powered by MediaTek's Helio P90 processor, the Carbon 1 MKII doesn't match up to other smartphones with a similar price such as the OnePlus 7T or even the Pixel 4. The company says in its press release that the MediaTek Helio P90 will do everything you need it to.

All the usual features are present such as USB-C charging port (no fast charging technology), fingerprint sensor (side-mounted), and unusually for a modern phone, a display with neither a notch nor a punch-hole. Instead, the 20MP selfie camera sits in the bezel above the AMOLED panel. As you would expect, the phone runs Android 10 out of the box with Carbon saying that an update to Android 11 is planned towards the end of 2020/beginning of 2021. According to Carbon, a case will be included in the box once the phone goes on sale.

You aren't alone in thinking that you've never heard of ‘Carbon' before, the 4-year-old brand calls itself a “conceptual technology company” that targets a “niche” market of consumers who are fans of all-things carbon-fiber. It sounds really good but, as a company that has been in operation since 2016, that has previously showcased the Carbon 1 MK1 without it actually going into production, Carbon needs to come good on the MKII if it wants to avoid being known for vaporware. As for future endeavors, Carbon says it has plans to launch earbuds and phone accessories later this year.

If the Carbon 1 MKII ticks your boxes, you can reserve a unit with a €250 deposit with orders expected to begin shipping in summer 2020.

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