yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chiadrum:
Xmas shots

Took a bunch last night. Where you see the same picture twice, is when I snapped the same pic with the Essential app and then the Gcam app. Strangely when I tried to up the brightness with the slider on the Essential app the results were terrible. Had to delete those pics. Point and shoot was the way to go. [IMG="Essential1"][IMG="Gcam1"][IMG="Essential2"][IMG="Gcam3"][IMG="Essential3"][IMG="Gcam23"][IMG="Essential4"][IMG="Gcam4"][IMG="Essential5"][IMG="Esential6"][IMG="Essential7"][IMG="Essential8"]https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOtg0SaNk5rOa-hwfpK8bMCnDjRInJth_XVlabN[/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG][/IMG]
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] rootnooby:
Which gcam APK are you having success with? I'm noticing that the essential camera app is taking overall better point and shoot pictures in my day to day use.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chiadrum:
MGC_5.1.016_7.0+C2 found on the Google Cam thread here on XDA. How has the Essential app been in low light? I just noticed one or 2 where the Gcam was clearly better. Haven't tried indoors yet. Seems like camera issues are overblown IMHO. So far this camera is fine for my needs. And you can always use an editor which pros do for best results. clarity and detail seems to be there.

I grabbed mine from Sprint so for 145 no complaints! Even at 499 I would love this phone. Best Android I have ever had by far.

So happy to be free of Scamsung. Had to fire it up to pull some files off and it was lag,stutter,jank, crash as always......
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
Stocka camera vs iPhone 7 Plus

I really think that the Ph1 has good camera un low ligth conditions. I compared the stock camera vs iPhone 7 Plus of mine wife.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] crixley:
So much noise and loss of detail though. Zoom in even slightly.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bogdi1988:
Take the same picture on an S9 or S9+ and you'll notice the difference ;)
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] crixley:
Take the picture on a disposable camera and you'll notice the difference lol. Plus I feel like he used flash
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bogdi1988:
??? Agreed!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
The photos were taking whitout flash and before the stock camera update. The camera ins't perfect but for the half of price of the iPhone 7 Plus, it´s ok. During the day the result is better than the iPhone 7 Plus.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] crixley:
I owned a 7 plus and that is not true in the least. 7 plus blows it out of the water in every way camera wise.

The camera is alright at best. Regardless it is not a huge issue to me.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
I have the two phones and the photos with daylight have no differences, in low light iPhone 7 Plus is better.

Daylight (HDR mode)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/V2ZsqaqZVoGbRSec2

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/jLQKApR5SVq43JCM2

Low light (without flash and HDR mode)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/miNCaX88M1D3QAQ18

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/2GHam0XfcVUAVlsj2

The photos were taken at the same time and the result is PH1 equal to 7 Plus in daylight (I think better in PH1). In low light the result is different and 7 Plus is only better, not for much.

But show me a comparison of photos in the same conditions where the iPhone 7 Plus performs much better than the Essential PH1.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] crixley:
Considering I don't have both and gsmarena arena doesn't have essential in their camera comparison database that isn't possible but from having used them both, I can without a doubt say the 7 plus has a better camera. Take some pictures of something else, maybe some macros and flowers.

I don't know if I would trust them anyway you seem to want to prove something that simply isn't true
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
I'm not saying it's the best camera and I'm not trying to prove anything either. I'm not an expert either, but I was in the doubt of buying this phone because of the bad opinions. I just made a comparison in the same situation and the results of the PH1 are not bad at all. The idea is to show what is the difference in the same situation with a phone that has one of the best cameras. I hope that it would be useful to someone. ;)
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
You asked me to take some more photos and here I upload them. You can choose which phone has the best result.

I'm not a photographer, I hope you can understand, and if you want more pictures I can upload some more.

Daylight macro (HDR mode)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZYGYIiP0wPFYsT6V2

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/u8uM8q8bku4xJCGu2

Daylight plant (HDR mode)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/L3D1yArg7MSayHkw1

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/FsBa7PnZzdbXdshG2

I do not see the difference so big that you say or my eyes do not see well. :D:D
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] tnthd2:
The quality differences in your low light pics are due to different exposure parameters. The PH1 is at ISO 3000 while the 7+ is at ISO 640 - huge difference in ISO sensitivities but only minor difference in picture quality that I can see on my phone.

Unless you want to use the B&W camera, Gcam mod will get you equal quality to the Pixel 2 and possibly better than iPhone 7+.

What's interesting and also disappointing is that the lead designer of the PH1's camera is the same one behind the 7+ portrait camera... Only if their software can live up to their hardware... Their management is quite clueless as well.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
Possibly the developer team prioritized the software for the 360 camera and the team had made a bad job in the camera of the phone. I don't know if the camera sensor and 360 camera are the same but different wide angle.

I made the comparison with low light before the last update of the camera, if you want I can do it again to check if there were improvements.

I think the phone had a lot off bad reviews and had no revisions after the solutions. It's a great phone and after the price reductions it became the replacement for the Google Nexus.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] mookiexl:
Thanks for your comparisons. I now have confidence in purchasing this phone.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] matistight:
One of the only cameras I have used where others will pick up the image and the Essential Phone doesn't show anything at all. Kind of crazy really
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] cowisland:
I am coming from LG V10, which had a good camera. My personal subjective impression is that the Essential Phone takes decent photos in daylight, but pretty terrible photos indoors or at night. Overall the camera on LG V10 was clearly better.

PH1 daylight photos are OK, but colors are a bit off and the pictures are oversharpened. PH1 low light photos are just plain grainy and bad.

For reference I got the phone on Amazon prime day and have had it since July 19. I used both the stock camera and the Google camera port. The Google camera is a bit better, but not in a drastic way. I actually liked the black and white photos, but I have not taken enough of them to form an opinion, plus it's hard to compare them to any other phone.

I hope this adds a data point to people considering the Essential Phone! Besides the camera I like it.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] XDA_RealLifeReview:
Say "cheese", then rate this thread to express how photos taken with the Essential Phone come out. A higher rating indicates that photos offer rich color (without over-saturating), sharp detail (with all subjects in-focus), and appropriate exposure (with even lighting).

Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] johnny8910:
A few shots taken on the latest camera update whilst visiting Westonbirt UK.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] johnny8910:
Delete this plse
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] yutlin:
I put together a couple low light camera comparisons. The only editing done to the original photos was cropping to get things to line up as well as I could.

First, Essential stock camera app (NMI81C) vs Essential with Google Camera port: here

Second, Essential with Google Camera port vs Nexus 6 with Stock Google Camera: here
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Rai02x:
Links aren't working for me
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] yutlin:
Should be fixed now. Moved the images to imgur because Google Photos is dumb (for sharing individual images).
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] vergilbt:
Thx... Looks great.

Seems like the Nexus port is the best solution
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bullseye:
really like the slider in the sample pictures! great idea. so google camera port is the way to go.

Question: Can you also take shot in 16:9 instead of 4:3

All current media viewers like any phone or TV set is 16:9 so i prefer to shoot in that screen dimension
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] seabro01:
Essential Phone camera experience is still a mixed bag. Regular pics using stock Essential app range from very good to poor depending on lighting. Much better with Google cam port but still not as good as most current flagships or even some older phones like Nexus 6P/ 5x, original Pixel or OnePlus 3T. Using the monochrome camera on this phone is a completely different story. Black and White pics look outstanding with great detail.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] stryver:
Trying out portrait mode for the first time today. Not too bad, I think.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] jakkzen:
That's a really good picture I think. I only have issues in low light.

Here is one of mine. Harsh mid day light as well.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] celticchrys:
Here are some photos taken with the Google Camera Mod:

Foggy River Rail Trail by celticchrys, on Flickr

Brulee! by celticchrys, on Flickr

At Dusk by celticchrys, on Flickr
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] rolphez:
Photo Taken Today with my Essential Phone, I really can't see what people are complaining about regarding the camera ? it's great. For the price the phone is selling for the Essential Phone is a complete and perfect package.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] herwarth:
that is because you didn't make a real low light photo without flash! the Google cam mod is a must! way better algorithms to fix the pixelation in low light photos!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] rolphez:
For a real low light photo I'd be using a proper camera and not rely on a phone to take the photo. I have the Mate 10 and even that with its brilliant camera I don't use in real low light conditions so either way I took this photo in a pitch black room with the Essential Phone using its camera and I can't see any pixellation anywhere :)
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] evanwier:
If you don't understand why don't you go back to the first page and look at the link with the direct comparison of the exact same shot essential camera vs gcamera. It shows the very clear reason why it's worth while.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] rolphez:
I have both essential and gcamera and what I'm saying is on my handset I don't see a massive difference
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] viper98:
I actually find that the stock app normally performs much better than GCam in mid-low light. I use GCam only in the sun.

GCam tends to try to bring out way too much detail in the image, resulting in a picture that just looks like a grainy mess.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] rootnooby:
Agreed, I find the stock camera is taking better shots than any of the Google camera apk's I've tried. Granted, most of my testing has been indoors.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Tech180:
How does the camera quality on snapchat look?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Twiggy000b:
I'm hoping these upload. Took these on a slow Sunday night with my new essential. Thought I was just drunk. Lol
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Jostian:
A really great shot!!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] rolphez:
Thank you!

Thanks mate!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] air bear:
Has anyone tried it with Snapchat or Instagram and how is video recording it video chat
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] waingro808:
LOL, that's just bad...
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] air bear:
Had it for about a week now and i love the videos though at full 10x zoom you definitely need a steady hand, but in all other things details were amazing low light got a little grainy but better than stock and for once snapchat actually looked amazing with it
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
Comparison of the stock camera of the Ph1 (Android 8.1) vs the iPhone 7 plus.

I leave a comparison of the stock camera of the Ph1 (Android 8.1) vs the iPhone 7 plus. The speed of the camera is equal to that of the iPhone (https://photos.app.goo.gl/XSGAc2aWLWT1npPf1)
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
I upload more photos to compare in the same condiction between Ph1 and iPhone 7 Plus in https://photos.app.goo.gl/XSGAc2aWLWT1npPf1
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] ultramal:
In night shots PH1 had more noise due to fast shutter speed and high level ISO.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] RRP38:
Hi. I introduce myself, I'm new to the forum, I live in Chile. I bought an Essential Phone knowing its details, and I am very happy with it. On the camera, since I acquired it much improved with the updates, maybe it is not at the level of an S8, U11 other high-end equipment, but with the upgrades has improved a lot.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chris1871:
I think the stock camera works quite well, I have the phone since April 20 and I did not have the problems that are discussed.

I compared my Essential Ph1 vs the iPhone 7 Plus of my wife, in the same conditions, taking pictures with the two phones at the same time and you could see the differences.

Daylight (HDR mode)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/V2ZsqaqZVoGbRSec2

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/jLQKApR5SVq43JCM2

Low light (without flash and HDR mode)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/miNCaX88M1D3QAQ18

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/2GHam0XfcVUAVlsj2

Daylight macro (HDR mode)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZYGYIiP0wPFYsT6V2

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/u8uM8q8bku4xJCGu2

Daylight plant (HDR mode)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/L3D1yArg7MSayHkw1

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/FsBa7PnZzdbXdshG2

Essential Ph1 (version 0.1.1.104.005) vs iPhone 8 Plus.

Day light flower (without hdr)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/oKDsk209oif12FTE3

8 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/XNjh50LgGxXFB6qn1

Day light plant (without hdr)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/mMTVdpVZrDOq9x1P2

8 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/J339YQN5akqt2ruz2

Room with intermediate light (without hdr)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/feIUhg5VUrLuBuZU2

8 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/odgk9b7qG3nF6ZeL2

Low light and movement persons (without hdr)

PH1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/XhEBceoSy5Ytmhxg9

7 Plus https://photos.app.goo.gl/deK8GpvAsZK4v7Fn9
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] EliteXen:
I'm actually a little shocked how good these are. I rarely use the camera on this phone since I normally carry my sony mirrorless, but I decided to take a quick shot of my dessert to entice my friends to join me for brunch....
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] exanaxe:
Now I'm hungry (great picture too!)
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Partyzane:
Can anyone upload for me a few raw/dng files preferably outdoors on a sunny day please?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] ChadHughes:
https://twitter.com/dahcstrange

For some reason i can't link to the pictures. Anywho the last twelve photos i've taken have been with the essential camera and they have been outstanding in a lot of light. The monochrome standalone is fantastic - but in low light both are questionable and I agree the camera doesn't hold up to many flagships - but it seems that may be changed with software updates.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] tylerhorsman:
Just a few examples of some shots with my PH-1.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] SirDigitalKnight:
I compared the stock cam and gcam images against my LG G5 with stock LG cam and the G5 blows away either cam apps on the Essential phone??? What am I doing wrong? The PH-1 does not seem to want to focus on close up shots???
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] mawdogbe:
Hey everyone! Just received my Essential Phone! What's the best GCAM to use?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Kwanger:
New to the phone here too. I actually don't think the stock camera is too crap - certainly not as bad as made out to be. I had a go with a couple of gcam ports already.... I dunno, doesn't seem to make a huge difference to me, I notice hdr processing is very slow to complete when using gcam.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] XDA_RealLifeReview:
Your friends are never going to believe what you did. The only way to prove it to them is with that video you took. Rate this thread to express how videos shot on the Essential Phone come out. A higher rating indicates that videos are smooth (and not choppy) and that auto-focus works very well, and that the camera adjusts quickly to different lighting conditions while recording.

Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Tech180:
Is there someone that can show me the difference between the gcam and the stock video with the essential phone? I am interested in one and I am debating on whether or not I should get one
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] NixxonExxo:
The video quality is good but not great compared to mainstream phones. Stabilization is terrible and not many camera or video features to play with. The only distinctive feature this phone have over all the other phone is the optional 360° degree camera which is super fun and it gets a lot of praises from my friends and family.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] mookiexl:
Stabilization isn't as bad as I expected. Builtin google edit stabilization is a necessity and much appreciated.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Partyzane:
6 minutes of rain in 4K. Shot on Essential. Google Chrome will play the video in 4K.

https://youtu.be/3soOyURZrR0
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] tjsooley:
What camera (App) was used to shoot this?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] sum_rndm_wht_gy:
I'm guessing the Google camera
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] XDA_RealLifeReview:
You're beautiful and everyone knows it. That's why you take selfies. Rate this thread to express how the front-facing camera of the Essential Phone performs. A higher rating indicates that the front camera produces fantastic results consistently.

Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] mocsharp:
just watched a YouTube review trashing the selfie came. Is it really so bad?

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewWmVzHdYLk&t=328s[/YOUTUBE]
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] XeoNoX:
wasnt too impressed with the default camera app when taking selfies, then i tried and used the Google Camera port and i think the selfies looked better, there is a link somewhere in the development thread . worth a shot for those that wanna try it out.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] blakeatl:
The best selfie cameras I found are from open camera and google camera w/ the camera tool (to flip the image to mirrored).
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] XDA_RealLifeReview:
There! Something just happened! Did you take a picture of it? Rate this thread to express how fast the Essential Phone can go from "zero to picture". A higher rating indicates that launching the camera app and taking a photo is extremely fast such that you never miss an important moment, like when your cat attacks the couch again.

Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] andril:
decent camera much better with Google Camera
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] XDA_RealLifeReview:
When you hand your phone to granny to take a photo of you, can she get the job done? Rate this thread to express how you deem the Essential Phone's camera software. A higher rating indicates that the software is easy to use, fast, uncluttered, and inclusive of advanced features for when you need them.

Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] matistight:
Stock android, too basic for the mainstreamers, but perfect for us on XDA. But you probably already know that!
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] monti_908:
my universal always showing "insert sim card", tried with may sims, does anybody have any solution
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] eddy7496:
A Response

I too have had this problem...I however have created a workaround...after softreseting my JJ...

I go to the CommMangager and disable the "Phone"

After disabled...I re-enable it...the JJ then reads the sim card...I have only had this issue with one SIM card

Good day n' good luck

John

www.EdmundsProductions.tk
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] fess1988:
have the same problem with my qtek9100, your way with re-enable phone in commanager doesn't work :(

help someone plz :(
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] XDA_RealLifeReview:
To power up, you consume Red Bull. But your phone just needs its adaptive fast charger. Rate this thread to express how quickly the Essential Phone can charge. A higher rating indicates that it charges extremely fast.

Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] rubi76:
They claim that a 5 mins charge gets you 5 hours of battery. 1 hour and 30 minutes for a complete charge.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] LazerL0rd:
Apperently its like 30 something Watts. Unbox Therapy found this on the charger.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] IM0001:
27W to be exact. And on another video review, it showed 5v @ 3A and 9v @ 3A on the charger. So this thing should charge pretty quick and I assume is just using the native USB-C Fast Charge capability which is just fine.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] uncled1023:
I got confirmation from support that it is using USB-C PD for charging. No QuickCharge.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] LastQuark:
So this is all false then...

http://www.theandroidsoul.com/essential-phone-fast-charging/
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] uncled1023:
Yup, that would be a lie. Just because you have a 835, they would have to still implement QC themselves in order to leverage it.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] IM0001:
And I believe Qualcomm loves to charge a pretty penny to flip that bit on for your device.

The device may still charge pretty quickly, but we will need some reports from those who have it in hand.

Anyone with it already have AccuBattery installed and see what the charging speed is plugged into its charger?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] swagglepuff:
From a review I watched, they said that the charger is capable of Charing 5 hours of usage time in 5 minutes.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] eakrish:
I tried my s8 charger on it, the charger quickly heated up and stopped charging the device
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] networx2002:
When using the S8 charger, it show slow charging... Sucks
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] IM0001:
Soooo... What's wrong with using the included charger?

And Samsung uses some other form of Fast Charging that's proprietary to their own devices. It isn't Qualcomm quick charge at least at the generic level. Essential just uses the USB-C 3A fast charge ability which you will have to get separate from both Samsung or QC2/3.0 stuff which is a bit of a pain, but really not surprising. Same as the Nexus/Pixel devices.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] ack154:
It shows Charging Slowly with my Anker PowerPort 10 charger for some reason - even though it is 60W capable and nothing else was plugged into it. I'm really hoping I don't actually have to use the bundled charger just to get it to charge quickly. That would actually be really annoying. I rarely use included chargers since I have Anker PowerPorts everywhere that I need to charge.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] grooks:
I plugged in an Ailey quick charge charger. It first said charging slowly then changed to charging rapidly.