Estelle One EST-001-BLK review
A mini projector that is flexible for use at home and on the go offers numerous advantages and quickly turns any white room, house, or tent wall into a giant projection screen, transforming the surroundings into a home cinema.
The new Estelle One takes this further as the Swedish manufacturer introduces an incredibly versatile, mobile all-in-one device that functions not just as a Full HD projector but also as a fully capable smartphone. Additionally, it can serve as an LTE router and even a gaming console, making it a true delight for tech enthusiasts. We were already impressed by it at the Strong booth during IFA in Berlin, where we previewed the device.
The compact multimedia hub features a large, high-resolution LC touchscreen display, 4G support with hotspot functionality, and an Android 12 operating system, including the Google Play Store and Google Assistant voice control. The Estelle One also comes equipped with a WiFi 5 module, Bluetooth 5.0, a built-in 4,000 mAh battery, and many other features. This makes it perfect for vacations, camping trips, garden sheds, or simply at home.
Our detailed review will show whether this extraordinary combination of various devices is successful, how it performs in practice, if external speakers can be connected to the Estelle One (priced at $849), what connection options are available, and how the image and sound quality are rated.
Bluetooth Remote Control
The compact plastic Bluetooth remote control features traditional buttons such as volume adjustment, voice control activation, and a control ring, as well as buttons specifically for the smartphone-like touch display. For instance, the button with the square icon provides an overview of all previously opened applications. The buttons have a soft, comfortable feel. Additionally, the remote has a practical backlight that can be turned on or off with a slider on the right side. The remote’s signal range is over 15 meters.
The casing houses stereo speakers with a total output of five watts. It also includes a standby button, a SIM card slot, and connection options, including a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. From above, the Estelle One might appear as just a bulky smartphone, but the true purpose becomes clear with the prominent projector lens on the side, flanked by a camera lens and dual sensors for screen alignment and autofocus. On the opposite side, there is a metal stand that can be detached or unfolded using a slider underneath. Additionally, a gold-plated tripod thread is centrally positioned underneath. The remaining sides feature grille patterns, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack, primarily for connecting headphones or speakers. The Estelle One, designed entirely in black, comes with a removable silicone case that protects its well-crafted plastic body. The device weighs just under one kilogram.
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“Full HD projector and Android smartphone combined in one device”
The top side features a 5.99-inch LC touchscreen display with a resolution of 2,160 × 1,080p (FHD+) and an 18:9 aspect ratio. This display controls the mini projector, projecting the image 1-to-1 from the screen to the larger display. The only physical button is the standby button; volume buttons are absent, which we would have appreciated. Remote operation is primarily handled by the included Bluetooth remote, about the size of two matchboxes placed side by side. The remote is entirely black with five function buttons, a control ring with an OK button in the center, and a button for activating voice control. Interestingly, there is no dedicated standby button. The remote is charged via a USB-C port.
Display User Interface Looking down at the powered Estelle One, it resembles a modern Android smartphone. The 5.99-inch display shows a familiar layout with customizable backgrounds and several pre-installed apps in a tile format. Navigation is done by swiping and tapping.
The Estelle One uses DLP LED technology for image projection, with a bulb life of approximately 20,000 hours, equating to over 18 years at three hours per day. The maximum resolution is 1,920 × 1,080 pixels (Full HD), with no HDR or 3D support. The device supports Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting external devices and WiFi (WiFi 5–2.4 & 5.0 GHz) but lacks NFC and AirPlay. Power is supplied by a 60-watt adapter included with the device, and the built-in 4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery provides up to three hours of continuous playback. The battery can charge to 80% in about an hour using the Power Delivery (PD) fast-charging standard.
Setup and Positioning
Once fully charged, the Estelle One can be turned on and set up like any Android smartphone, including language selection, SIM card insertion, WiFi connection, and signing in with a Google account. Positioning is easy thanks to the attached metal stand, which can be released using a slider underneath and tilted up to 90 degrees. The stand joint proved to be very stable during testing, handling significant vibrations without moving, unlike other models such as The Freestyle, which we also tested (SAT VISION issue 03/2024). The device also features automatic focus, alignment, and keystone correction, adapting the image to the surface and surroundings with a 1.25:1 aspect ratio. This adjustment is repeated each time the position is changed and takes only seconds. These elements can also be manually adjusted via the pre-installed Estelle app.
One of the well-known advantages of projectors is the ability to project large images. The recommended size range for the Estelle One is between 30 and 100 inches (80–280 cm), with a required distance of 80 cm to 266 cm between the projector and the projection surface. Although not included, a projection screen is recommended for a brighter, sharper, more contrast-rich image than a textured wall.
Estelle One The mini projector has a compact rectangular shape, focused on the essentials. The ports, flexible stand, and projector lens are subtly integrated into the cleanly crafted black plastic body. Noticeable are the ventilation openings on the sides, behind which the speakers are placed, and the large touchscreen on top.
Smartphone and App Store
The Swedish start-up Estelle has successfully created something truly innovative with this projector, unlike anything we have seen before. Technically, it is an Android smartphone (Android OS 12) with a 5.99-inch touchscreen, lockable controls, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a built-in battery. It also has a SIM card slot for 4G internet access at home or on the go. Users can make calls, chat via WhatsApp or SMS, schedule appointments in Google Calendar, and check routes in Google Maps. While the practicality of these features may vary, it highlights the mini projector’s versatility. The drop-down menu under “Connected Devices” includes options such as screen mirroring via Android Auto and enabling a WiFi hotspot, turning the smart projector into a mobile router for camping, remote holiday homes, or train journeys.
The built-in Google Play Store with its wide array of apps for video-on-demand, IPTV, games, social media, and news is a major highlight. Users can project recipes directly onto a kitchen cabinet or show daily news using the SZ app, making traditional magazines appear tiny by comparison. Google Photos syncs images across all devices in the same account, making the Estelle One perfect for showing vacation photos to friends. It also includes a built-in camera, albeit only with a 2-megapixel resolution, limiting its usefulness.
The Play Store’s app selection covers most popular video services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, RTL+, Joyn, DAZN, WOW, Dyn, YouTube, Kodi, public broadcasting libraries, Pluto TV, MagentaTV, and waipu.tv, with only freevee and Apple TV+ missing. The device has 64 GB of internal storage, of which 11 GB is taken up by pre-installed apps and the OS. Storage can be expanded up to 512 GB via a micro-SD card slot, located next to the SIM tray. A 4 GB RAM ensures smooth performance. Navigation is simple with swipe and tap gestures.
The remote control adds convenience for pausing or skipping videos and activating voice commands, which worked well in our tests. However, clear enunciation is necessary for accurate voice recognition, as “Pluto TV” was sometimes misunderstood as “Bluetooth TV” and “start DAZN” as “start the song.”
The metal stand swivels up to 90 degrees and is attached to the back with an adjustable joint. When fully extended, the projector lens points upwards to project onto the ceiling. When folded, the lens is directed forward, held in place by a slider underneath.
The ports are located on the left side under the ventilation grilles and a speaker. These include a 3.5 mm audio jack, an HDMI port, and a USB-C port, mainly used for charging the built-in battery but also for data transfer from a tablet or other device.
Performance and Connectivity
For those who want more than what the Google Play Store offers, the Estelle One includes an HDMI 2.0 port that can connect to a Blu-ray player, streaming stick, PC, or gaming console, all of which worked smoothly in our tests. Bluetooth 5.0 allows pairing with speakers, headphones, or gaming controllers. With apps like Xbox Game Pass Mobile, you can play console games on the projector when the TV or living room is occupied. Connecting works like a smartphone, by setting the desired device to pairing mode and connecting through the Estelle One’s Bluetooth settings. Performance was fast enough for uninterrupted browsing, video streaming, and smooth app navigation. The low noise level of approximately 34 dB was another plus, remaining unobtrusive throughout.
Image and Sound Quality
With a brightness of 200 ANSI lumens, the Estelle One is best used in dark environments, as even mild daylight can make the image appear washed out. However, brightness can be adjusted using a slider in the dropdown menu, offering some flexibility. Our tests were conducted in optimal, dark conditions for the best results. The Estelle One can project up to Full HD resolution (1080p) but does not support HDR. We were pleasantly surprised by the vivid colors and sharpness, which were better than expected given the limited brightness. The “Mad Max: Fury Road” UHD Blu-ray showed impressive contrast and detail. Sports broadcasts, like football, tennis, or Formula 1, were immersive on a large scale, with only occasional stutters, such as during fast-paced tennis rallies. Overall, we were very pleased with the image quality.
The built-in stereo speakers have a combined power of five watts, sufficient for casual viewing. They produce surprisingly rich sound, making additional speakers unnecessary for basic media consumption. However, for a more immersive sound experience during blockbuster movies, external speakers connected via Bluetooth or cable are recommended.
Specs
Technical Data
- Manufacturer: Estelle
- Model: Estelle One EST-001-BLK
- Dimensions (W × H × D in mm): 174.6 × 60.8 × 87.2
- Weight (in g): 965
- Color: Black
Connections
- Video/Audio: HDMI 2.0, 3.5mm AUX
- Data: USB-C
Projector
- Technology: DLP LED
- Brightness (in ANSI Lumens): 200 (approximately 2/10 scale)
- Lifespan of the Light Source (in hours): approx. 20,000
- Diagonal (in inches/cm): 30–100 / 80–280
- Projection Distance (in m): 80–266
- Aspect Ratio: 1.25:1
- Max Resolution: 1920 × 1080
- HD Ready / Full HD / Ultra HD / 3D: ✔ / ✔ / ✘ / ✘
- HDR: ✘
Smartphone Integration
- Display / Resolution / Size: LC-Touchscreen / 2160 × 1080p / 5.99″
- Camera: ✔ (2 MP)
- RAM: 4 GB
- Internal Storage: 64 GB
- Micro-SD Slot: ✔ (max. 512 GB)
- SIM Card: Nano-SIM
Hardware Features
- Output Power (in Watts): 5 (approx. 2/10 scale)
- Number of Built-in Speakers: 2
- Remote Control: ✘
Battery / Capacity (in mAh): 4000 (approx. 4/10 scale)
- Power Switch: ✘
Special Features
- WLAN: ✔ (WiFi 5 – 2.4 & 5.0 GHz)
- Bluetooth: ✔ (5.0)
- AirPlay: ✘
- Smart TV: ✔ (Android 12 OS)
- Voice Control: ✔ (Google Assistant)
Costs
- RRP in €: 849
- Average Market Price in €: 849
Conclusion
The Estelle One is a smart blend of projector and smartphone, an unusual combination that works remarkably well. Although its dimensions and nearly 1-kilogram weight may deter users from using it solely as a smartphone, its multifunctionality makes it a standout multimedia device. Users benefit from a comprehensive app store, user-friendly touchscreen, and a built-in battery providing up to three hours of playback. The Full HD projector delivers solid image and sound quality, quiet operation, and supports Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, and HDMI input for external sources. Overall, the Estelle One earns a strong score of 9.5 out of 10, achieving a “very good” rating.
PROS
Good image and sound quality, Full HD, combined smartphone and projector, automatic image adjustment, Bluetooth remote control, built-in battery, voice control, high flexibility, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, Android OS, Google App Store, 5.99″ touchscreen, very quiet operation
CONS
No HDR, no power switch, no HDMI cable included, no 3D, no NFC or AirPlay, no volume buttons on the device
Included in the box: Estelle One · USB-C cable (3 m) · 60W adapter · remote control · SIM pin · wall mount · user manual
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