Essential PH-1

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agent86

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Topic # 222574 18-Aug-2017 11:46

The Essential Phone PH-1 is available on pre-order in the U.S from Sprint, Best Buy, Essential, and Amazon (no word on sales outside U.S and Canada yet) for US$699 for 128GB storage.
The other specs look good, and the phone doesn't look bad either.
Supposedly shipping in 7 days.

What are your thoughts?
Anyone going to get one?

clinty

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Reply # 1848542 18-Aug-2017 13:50

I've been keeping an eye on this.

Will probably leave it a month or two after release to get some feedback first

Clint

d3Xt3r

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Reply # 1848741 18-Aug-2017 21:48

I quite like the look of the phones and the fact that it comes with stock Android and made by none other than Andy Rubin - I reckon it's going to be a joy to use. Really intrigued by the wireless USB 3.0 port as well. However, the RAM is a bit of a letdown, considering phones are packing 6-8GB RAM these days. I don't want to buy a 4 gig device in 2017, especially at that price. That and the import duties would make it a fairly expensive purchase, with doubtful community support (no idea how easy will it be to root the device). So the Essential PH-1 is no-go for me.

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agent86

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Reply # 1848772 19-Aug-2017 00:31

Yes, the RAM does seem a little low for a flagship phone in 2017, although if the leaks of the new Pixel 2 (which will most likely cost more than the Essential) are true, it will also only have 4GB. Google would have to make sure Android O runs buttery smooth on 4GB otherwise they'll be shooting themselves in the foot.

If Andy Rubin's promise of an OS update policy similar to the Nexus & Pixel line, then it would prove to be an interesting, slightly cheaper alternative to the Pixel 2.

robfish

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Reply # 1849832 21-Aug-2017 13:43

agent86: Google would have to make sure Android O runs buttery smooth on 4GB otherwise they'll be shooting themselves in the foot.

If Andy Rubin's promise of an OS update policy similar to the Nexus & Pixel line, then it would prove to be an interesting, slightly cheaper alternative to the Pixel 2.

I have Android O (8.0.0) on my Nexus 6P and it runs very well.

I am quite interested in the Essential Phone.

Rob

agent86

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Reply # 1849837 21-Aug-2017 14:03

robfish:

I have Android O (8.0.0) on my Nexus 6P and it runs very well.

I am quite interested in the Essential Phone.

Glad to hear Android 8.0 runs smooth on a 6P, I have a 5X. Hope it'll run smooth on that too.
I'm looking forward to getting Android O, but I've always been too chicken to install the developer preview on my daily driver phone.

The warranty on my 5X runs out in December and it has already been repaired once due to the dreaded bootloop.
But I think I'll wait on the announcement of the Pixel XL 2 so I can compare it to the Essential PH-1 before deciding and hope my 5X doesn't boot loop again before then.

tehgerbil

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Reply # 1849850 21-Aug-2017 14:45

Sounds like it's built like a brick proverbial!

It is a beta product, so I'd be wary of long-term wear/tear issues with such an expensive device.

from what I understand it also feels very hefty in your hand (being ceramic and glass will do that..) but it looks promising, and ultimately different products like this can force other manufacturers to change the cookie cutter mold they're using at the moment.

dafman

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Reply # 1849852 21-Aug-2017 14:47

Amazon.com ships to NZ for USD $837.83 (shipping/est. import fees) - around NZD $1,160 landed.

I really like the look of the phone, but around $1,200 is a lot of money to pay without local support if anything goes wrong.

And given this is a new phone from a new company, there is no track record for reliability or service.

No 3.5 aux sucks and limited waterproofing dampen my enthusiasm a little more.

agent86

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Reply # 1849861 21-Aug-2017 15:14

dafman:

Amazon.com ships to NZ for USD $837.83 (shipping/est. import fees) - around NZD $1,160 landed.

I really like the look of the phone, but around $1,200 is a lot of money to pay without local support if anything goes wrong.

And given this is a new phone from a new company, there is no track record for reliability or service.

No 3.5 aux sucks and limited waterproofing dampen my enthusiasm a little more.

Agreed, that is a lot of coin to drop without local support.

On their support page it says:
"When will the Essential Phone be available internationally?
The international release of the Essential Phone will be announced at a later date. Further information regarding availability will be announced on Essential.com. Please be sure to keep an eye on our social media channels and Essential.com for these announcements!"

I'm guessing the Europe, Asia and Australia will be part of the International release.
Be interesting to see if NZ will miss out again (like we have with the Pixel).

d3Xt3r

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Reply # 1888050 23-Oct-2017 12:31

FYI, the Essential is now US$499, that's a $200 drop from the original price! This prices makes the phone a lot more attractive, great alternative to the Pixel devices. Too bad the NZD is still on the decline. :(

tripp

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Reply # 1888054 23-Oct-2017 12:41

d3Xt3r:

FYI, the Essential is now US$499, that's a $200 drop from the original price! This prices makes the phone a lot more attractive, great alternative to the Pixel devices. Too bad the NZD is still on the decline. :(

I was all keen to get this before getting the note 8. It lost me at LCD as the screen.

dafman

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Reply # 1888187 23-Oct-2017 18:04

d3Xt3r:

FYI, the Essential is now US$499, that's a $200 drop from the original price! This prices makes the phone a lot more attractive, great alternative to the Pixel devices. Too bad the NZD is still on the decline. :(

Only 5,000 sold to date - probably something to do with the laggy software and poor camera. Reviewers are saying don't buy this phone. Pity, it was a wonderful concept and great looking phone.

d3Xt3r

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Reply # 1888281 23-Oct-2017 21:49

dafman:
d3Xt3r:

FYI, the Essential is now US$499, that's a $200 drop from the original price! This prices makes the phone a lot more attractive, great alternative to the Pixel devices. Too bad the NZD is still on the decline. :(

Only 5,000 sold to date - probably something to do with the laggy software and poor camera. Reviewers are saying don't buy this phone. Pity, it was a wonderful concept and great looking phone.

From what I've heard, the software lag and camera issues have been fixed as of the September update. Camera quality though is still average, not quite flagship level, but the ported Pixel Camera APK works fine on it, Google's Auto HDR+ is a huge improvement over the stock Essential camera.