Premium smartphones rely on delivering high-end cameras today. Apple's new iPhone 11 Pro camera is an example. It's a high-end camera that now delivers amazing night shots that gives Apple's latest iPhone an edge this year.

When RED Digital Cinema announced that they were getting into the smartphone business, many analysts believed they could deliver a breakthrough phone with a killer camera.

The company struggled to get their product out the door and when they did, the critics ripped it apart. The Red camera didn't use a Red imaging sensor but rather one that was available on any Android phone.

While the HYDROGEN phone offered a unique backside connector that was designed for future camera accessories to be plugged in, none ever arrived. Below is the review of the HYDROGEN phone by The Verge.

In the end, we'll never know where this promising smartphone could have gone in delivering that breakthrough camera, because the project is now officially dead.  

A short brief message posted on RED's site yesterday by its founder Jim Jannard states the following:

"I have spent the past 45 years building "inventions wrapped in art."

Just now turning 70 and having a few health issues, it is now time for me to retire.

I will be shutting down the HYDROGEN project, ending a career that has included Oakley, RED Digital Cinema and HYDROGEN. I am very proud to have worked with many great people over the years who have signed on to the vision.

RED Digital Cinema will continue stronger than ever with Jarred, Tommy and Jamin at the controls. Komodo is about to be launched… and the HYDROGEN One will continue to be supported in the future.

I want to thank everyone for the support I have felt over the years…"

Jim