Essential PH-1?

[Crotulus]

Been contemplating finally upgrading my old Moto Droid Turbo but everything feels like a downgrade. I mean the processors have evolved obviously but the rest of the phones feel like they all have something missing. The Pixel 2 has a smaller screen with lower resolution but is physically larger. The Galaxy S8 has the resolution and wireless charging but feels like it's going to break just looking at it. I don't really trust any of the glass phones as I'm pretty active at work. I keep my Turbo in an Otterbox at work but run naked on the weekends. The new Moto Z2s are just too big but still seem well built. Not to big on Lenovo either.

That leaves me looking at the Essential phone. It's basically the same size with a larger screen and modern guts. No wireless charging but the latest price drop to $500 makes it very tantalizing. Unfortunately I'm on Verizon and I keep seeing issues with using this phone on the network. I'm ok with no WIFI calling but the reports of randomly dropped signal, problems enabling VOLTE, and bad signal reception give me pause. Sounds like most of the early camera issues have been fixed. It's still not perfect but most anything will be an upgrade to a Motorola camera.

So, does anyone have any thoughts on the Essential? Are the Verizon and signal issues in general overblown or are they real? Thanks!

 

[Red Storm]

If wireless charging is important to you go with a Samsung. You already mentioned you keep your phone in an Otterbox, so what's the worry? I use my phones with no case whatsoever and never worry about breaking them, so you shouldn't really be concerned with an Otterbox on there...

 

[Crotulus]

If wireless charging is important to you go with a Samsung. You already mentioned you keep your phone in an Otterbox, so what's the worry? I use my phones with no case whatsoever and never worry about breaking them, so you shouldn't really be concerned with an Otterbox on there...

Like I said I only use the Otterbox while at work with a canvas holster to deal with the bulk. Otherwise I don't use a case. Seen too many cracked Samsung backs. Really don't get why phones are covered in glass nowadays. Well I do, reception and wireless charging, but still other material is available. I was even thinking to just go mid range like a ZenFone V or Moto X4. Even those are covered in glass backs though.

 

[hans007]

i used my camera quite a bit and part of the reason im leaving my z play is that the camera is pretty mediocre.

I think the essential looks great and for $500 it doesnt feel like its overpriced anymore. but the camera kills it for me. it does feel great . another drawback to the PH-1 if you care about your phone being in like new condition or like drinking and are clumsy like i am, is there are basically no case options for it.

 

[WelshBloke]

Like I said I only use the Otterbox while at work with a canvas holster to deal with the bulk. Otherwise I don't use a case. Seen too many cracked Samsung backs. Really don't get why phones are covered in glass nowadays. Well I do, reception and wireless charging, but still other material is available. I was even thinking to just go mid range like a ZenFone V or Moto X4. Even those are covered in glass backs though.

S8 active?

http://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s8-active-verizon-sprint-t-mobile-unlocked

 

[Crotulus]

i used my camera quite a bit and part of the reason im leaving my z play is that the camera is pretty mediocre.

I think the essential looks great and for $500 it doesn't feel like its overpriced anymore. but the camera kills it for me. it does feel great . another drawback to the PH-1 if you care about your phone being in like new condition or like drinking and are clumsy like i am, is there are basically no case options for it.

Yeah, the downsides to this phone are just to big to overlook. Especially with how Verizon is supporting it. Learned yesterday that you don't even get voicemail notifications. There is a work around by forwarding VMs to a Google Voice # but come on. Also, as you mentioned, accessories and third party support are nothing. Looks like I'm taking the Essential off my list.

S8 active?

http://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s8-active-verizon-sprint-t-mobile-unlocked

If the S8 Active hits Verizon it's a done deal. That would be perfect.

 

[ElFenix]

this is now available from best buy for ~$440 using a simcard promotion through cricket. some on slickdeals are saying the camera works pretty well with the pixel2 camera apk. might be worth trying out.

 

[Crotulus]

this is now available from best buy for ~$440 using a simcard promotion through cricket. some on slickdeals are saying the camera works pretty well with the pixel2 camera apk. might be worth trying out.

Yep, placed an order for a white Essential last night. Figured it was worth a shot to try out. Best Buy gave me a delivery date of next week. That will give me plenty of time to test it out at home and work. If I do have any issues I can return it and pick up something else during Black Friday sales.

 

[Elixer]

I was looking at this phone, and I really hate it that there is no mircoSD slot.
I do wonder if this will get even cheaper, since it still isn't selling that many units from what I read.

 

[pete6032]

I was looking at this phone, and I really hate it that there is no mircoSD slot.
I do wonder if this will get even cheaper, since it still isn't selling that many units from what I read.

I bet it will go down in price even further. Sprint sold a bunch of HTC 10s for under $250 brand new after the phone didn't sell well. Let's hope that happens with this phone too.

 

[ElFenix]

if you're on sprint you can get this thing for ~$150 now

 

[lopri]

Yah it is a bargain for Sprint subscribers. $25 down and $5 monthly for 18-month lease = $115 for the privilege of using the phone for one and a half years.

 

[Crotulus]

Well I've had this phone for a couple of days now. Design of this thing is great. Really feels nice. No major issues as far as software goes. Cellular radio seems ok. My home and job sites have terrible reception on any phone. My wife's S8 usually only has 1 or 2 signal bars at home. Same goes for the PH-1. Tends to hang around -119 to -115dBm which is not great. The phone is ringing when it gets a call and has yet to drop a call. Which is what I ask of it in a basic sense. Initial reports of the Oreo beta are suggesting improvements in the radios so it can only get better. It also sounds like WIFI calling and Verizon Visual Voicemail are enabled in Oreo.

Camera is pretty much what I expected. Serviceable but nothing great. I've taken a couple quick snaps shots that are fine for what they are. I carry my camera gear with me to outings and events so it is fine for me.

The fit and finish are outstanding. The phone feels great although a bit slippery. Trudia case is set to be delivered today so that should help. Screen is really nice. You do have to turn your body to shade it when out in full sun though.

Overall I'm really enjoying it. Everything I try is snappy. Haven't noticed any problems with scrolling. Fingerprint reader is quick and responsive. Feels like a massive upgrade to the Droid Turbo.

 

[ElFenix]

Yah it is a bargain for Sprint subscribers. $25 down and $5 monthly for 18-month lease = $115 for the privilege of using the phone for one and a half years.

no, buy out the phone immediately. it's $150.

on thanksgiving you get the camera for free, as well.

 

[Crotulus]

Well I had to return the phone yesterday. Had an issue with the phone showing 1-2 bars of signal and LTE Discovery app showing the phone connected to cellular towers but could not dial out, receive calls, or connect to data. Took multiple reboots and network toggling to restore things. This is unacceptable.

I'm so disappointed because this phone ticks all the boxes for me. But no matter how fast and pretty it may be the fact remains that if it can't make a call it is useless. More importantly, I am not going to carry a phone that I cannot trust to be functioning when I need it.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Have you tried an RMA or is this common?

 

[Elixer]

no, buy out the phone immediately. it's $150.

on thanksgiving you get the camera for free, as well.

They said if you buy it today, it is $699, not $150... How are you getting it at $150?

 

[Crotulus]

Have you tried an RMA or is this common?

Returned for refund, did not RMA. Searching through r/essential and XDA posts makes it seem that this is an issue tied to areas with poor cell signal. Shouldn't happen if you're in a well covered area.

The phone appeared to work just fine during the week. The area I'm in gets a surge in tourists/visitors on the weekends. I'm thinking that an already fairly weak signal combined with increased demand on the towers gave the phone issues. Don't really know for sure though. In any event I want to be sure that my phone will be working when I need it to.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Ah makes sense. Thanks for the information.

 

[ElFenix]

They said if you buy it today, it is $699, not $150... How are you getting it at $150?

yes, if you *buy* it today it's 699 (and why would you do that when it's cheaper from both essential and amazon). if you *lease* it, it's $5*(18months lease payments)+($25 down payment)+($30 POP charge)+(taxes), which you can pay up front.

ginormous thread on slickdeals

 

[Elixer]

yes, if you *buy* it today it's 699 (and why would you do that when it's cheaper from both essential and amazon). if you *lease* it, it's $5*(18months lease payments)+($25 down payment)+($30 POP charge)+(taxes), which you can pay up front.

ginormous thread on slickdeals

Apparently, you snooze, you lose, since it seems like they now say that to get the phone unlocked, you must be active with Sprint for at least 50 days, and they are somehow locking the phones that were initially unlocked to be locked again.
Though, if you already have a Sprint account, you can get that phone pretty darn cheap!

 

[ChronoReverse]

You could still just pay for an unlock code from a website right? It's not a big deal if you can.

 

[ElFenix]

amazon deal of the day for $399 with the 360° camera.

it appears the only people whose phones relocked were those who left the sprint SIMs in after getting the phone unlocked.