yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] mimin0:
1) Camera is VERY decent after the last updates. I'm using ported Google HDR camera and the pictures are very good. But then I've never owned a Pixel which has supposedly the best camera on the market.

2) Can't help you here since I'm on T-Mobile

3) From what I can tell you get a push every month. I had to install 3 updates when I got the phone, latest one with November 5 android security patches.

4) It's the first phone I own that has not lost even 1% overnight. 3040mAh should easily get you through the day, and then some. Unless you're a hard core gamer of course.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] derausgewanderte:
wow, I've used some mid range phone in the last couple years and with a BB deal ($449 plus $43 cricket package, which I can sell on ebay for 40) I couldn't say no. I was looking at the Honor Mate 9, which also just dropped in price (399). I don't regret the purchase any bit. Stunning craftsmanship, overall beautiful phone, feels great in the hand and the edgeless screen is just out of this world. Ok, better chill now. I only had this phone for two days. Reading a lot in the forums and it seems most of the initial issues have been addressed.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] quickstang:
I had the 2XL ordered & then canceled the day it was supposed to ship after all of these issues on the screen. Not even a few days after, other issues popped up on the web. Almost appears the 2XL have more issues for a $900 phone than the Essential.

I'm coming from a 6P, & looking for a pure or almost pure Android experience is tough for what I paid for my 6P at the time. Think it was $450.

I never considered this phone when it came out for the price. Now that it's better, this phone is tempting. I can deal with a few issues as long as they get fixed. If the issues that people come across are hardware related, that's no good.

Mainly, I just don't want to drop near $1000 on a phone. People say that's the new norm, or close to that. It shouldn't be.

The only other option, though i'm on Verizon right now & it won't work, is the OnePlus 5T.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
I have the 6p and I just got one. You will not regret" compromising" . This is what I was wanting in the pixel 2.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] glasscitysd:
thinking about grabbing this since sprint has it for so low right now. also coming from a 6p I had to finally retire as it suffered from the instantly dying at 40% or less issue and since I bought it from best buy no help from google. I heard bad things about this phone but have seen updates are improving things and the camera is fine with the google hdr+ app think im gonna have to try this one out
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
I got one of the unlocked white ones from Amazon, was even offered payments?. Don't let what you hear dissuade you. You will understand when you use it. Add the pixel 2 port.. perfection, I use the stock camera more than the hdr+ port. It fits .my unit has stellar build quality.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] glasscitysd:
i wish i can buy it unlocked but money isnt there right now but giving that im using a crappy iphone se thats too small for my hands right now after the death of my nexus 6p im ready for android again. Question for sprint users does the essential phone support sprints HPUE 2.5 ghz band?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
If you have Amazon prime you can make five monthly payments.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] glasscitysd:
While I have prime I highly doubt my credit score would allow me that option sadly. I made the mistake of being gullible and helping out family at age 18 still paying for it sadly.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
I don't think credit score has anything to do it they automatically deduct it from your debit card every 30 days so you really have no choice. It is just an option.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] glasscitysd:
Oh didn't know it worked like ill keep that in mind for next time. I ended up leasing it from Sprint and paying it off so I got it for about $160 that deal is insane
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] jinsoku3g:
The pixel issues are bull, have have 2 pixel xl's, an essential,and mi mix. The pixels screen looks great, all of them look great.

Havi g this as a second phone to my 2XL, you notice a lot of jitter and bugs on essential more than you normally would.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
I would probably agree. Most of the downsides but I read in Tech manuals and blogs are basically just minor issues . Apart from the exploding battery issue.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] -SVT-Lightning-:
I acquired one this month. It had 3 or 4 updates immediately, it works beautifully.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] pchain:
One week now with my Essential Phone. It's a keeper. I love it. That is all.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] ludeboy:
I tried to find every possible reasons to keep this phone and even waiting it out but the low signal and "jittery" screen made me return it. It's sad because it's one freakin sexy phone!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] jfoj:
The more I used the phone, the more I like it.

Reviews were lackluster, but in reality I never had a water proof phone, a phone with OLED display and so forth. The lack of a SD cardslot and headphone jack has not been a problem yet.

I use the phone as it is intended, as a phone and to use Apps. I came from a 5 year old Motorola Droid 4 with a keyboard that was dog slow and in severe need of an upgrade.

I use the Voice to Text a lot, use the OK Google feature often. The camera seems to work fine for my needs, I am not a super user when it comes to camera features, some additional features would be nice and hopefully be added.

I used the phone in the car the other day running Waze with the screen turned off and made a few long phone calls, all on the battery for 3 hours, phone was cool, only used 25% of the battery.

With my use, I can charge the phone ever few days.

The ONLY thing that is a challenge so far it answering the phone with the "Swipe Up" feature. Not sure if it is the phone, the display, where I am swiping, from the icon or what is going on. I will live with it a while and see if this is updated.

The display is larger than most phones I looked at and this thing seems to be FAST. Quick response to the touch screen and App launching. Had a few camera hangs and sent reports, but overall I am liking this phone more and more each day.

I ended up getting the TUDIA Carbon Fiber Design Lightweight [TAMM] TPU Bumper Shock Absorption Cover case on Amazon for $13 and really like the case. It does not have the cutout of the accessory ports, but I do not have accessories at this point. I am waiting on a good tempered glass that will fit inside the case return, have not searched much, but will wait and see what is out there. I ended up getting a nylon belt holster, not my first choice but works well and protects the phone. Essential Phone PH-1, HEAVY DUTY RUGGED Canvas Vertical AGOZ Carrying Case Holster with Strong Metal Clip Belt Loops and Velcro Closure for $10 on Amazon. Case has done its job as the belt clip has been pushed off my belt a few times and the case with phone inside in the Tudia cover all survived fine.

The Essential phone deserves respect, ignore a lot of what the reviews said and the things the phone does not have. So far the phone does everything I need it to do and so far it is doing a good job at it.

I give the phone an A for the time being.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
Maybe it's just the white ones have better signal because I don't have any problems to say no it's the best phone I've had that I used to have Motorola, Nexus , pixel and Samsung.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Jess813:
To those out there on the fence about this phone, this is for you. I read, read, and read hundreds of opinions, thoughts, and reviews about this phone before jumping on board.

One thing I noticed that stood out to me from the beginning when it came to negative comments was that those negative comments came from folks who never even touched the device.

I have owned a lot of phones, heck you can look at my history here, or even swappa. I switch phones a lot. Before this phone I had the G6, before that I had the Mate 9, Pixel XL, Sony XZ, Honor 8, Moto Z, and of course an S7 Edge for about a month. So I know my devices, the thing that attracted me to this phone was overall the unique design and approach.

Since the G6, every major phone manufacturer has been a "me too" design. They all have this side bezels, and small too and bottom ones. Xiaomi started the original design with the Middle Mix, but everyone else couldn't match it or were afraid to go down that lane.

I'm not going to go on and rant about this and that, because the beauty of Android is: choices. We have them. I chose to dive in and take a good look at this device myself. After about a week, I DON'T regret it, at all. The camera is great! No lie, the sound quality, outstanding, and the screen is amazing. Look nowadays most camera phones are so close that it's hard to pic a winner, (except for you Pixel 2.)

I was really afraid that I would regret getting this phone and having to resell it, but now I'm so glad that I have a phone and stand behind a company that this outside the box, and with update after update, it gets better. The battery life is better than my Pixel XL, the camera is neck and neck with it too (seriously, in my opinion).

If you're thinking about it, I honestly say go for it. If you're a phone nerd, or tech nerd and want to be unique and different, it's another no-brainer. Oh by the way it's the most easiest one handed phone I've ever used, and it's the same size screen as a Note 5-7. Crazy.

If you have any questions I can try to answer most of them in my opinion. Maybe I got lucky with mine but I have had nothing but great things to say about this. I will also update this in a few weeks.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Christobal34:
Lots of Love

I bought the phone during the 399 Amazon deal, sent the camera back. I've wanted this phone since I heard about it. I just can't spend 700 on any phone. Everyone has their own priorities, I have a family with 2 kids and a wife that finds new ways to break phones.

When the phone hit 449 I started looking at it. I hadn't kept up and I saw a lot about what was wrong with it... but the Oct-Nov patches seemed to fix a ton of these issues, and I always felt I could use the google camera app. I dug a little deeper and my next worry was the signal issue. I use Cricket, but I like my options open.

The phone went to 399 and I thought what the hell I can ebay the camera.

The I started reading more intently.... oh wow touch issues, scrolling stutters, signal issue.... damn I'm going to have to send this back.... a friend of mine even cancelled his order.

I got my phone in... wow just beautiful... ok time to put the sim in and try it.

Phone seemed responsive setting it up no touch or scroll issues. (maybe those issues appear after fully setup)

Wifi bars seem about right

Cricket signal seemed pretty strong, load open signal and it's better than my Axon 7 (Woohoo)

Load all my apps, messing around with it feeling pretty optimistic

Take some photo's seems fine to me, I'm in no way a guy who would no what a bad picture is.

1st Full day around town and just no issues, seems snappy, better signal than my old phone all over town

2nd full day still no touch issues, scroll issues or signal issues.

My conclusion is I love this phone and have yet to see the issues so many report.

So is it a quality control issue?

Am I just that unobservant?

I was looking for these issues and don't see them.

My gripe is the lack of decent cases, because this thing is just a beautiful block of slipperyness

I'd also like to see more mod developments
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] haevolution:
I'm echoing the same recent sentiments of love - just got mine yesterday. Coming from a Pixel XL and having returned a PXL2 I think I'll be keeping this one. Love the design/lack of bezel and seems like it is very well constructed. Battery life is awesome, camera is quite good (except at low light levels), Verizon signal stronger than the PXL. Wish it had Oreo were out already but that is coming soon I hear. Nova Launcher at least affords the Oreo look on this phone.

A huge plus is not having Verizon block the tethering for those of us on the grandfathered unlimited plan. Even with the Google version of the Pixel XL I had to root it to bypass the subscription check in the build.prop. This is not necessary on this phone so I can actually get timely updates without having to re-root the phone every time an update comes out.

Great job Essential!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
I use the pixel 2 rootless launcher I like it better than Nova.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] haevolution:
Thanks for the tip I'll give it a try.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] combat goofwing:
Which launcher comes as stock ,is it the pixel launcher ?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] indian84:
Pixel launcher is only for Pixel phone.

I guess Essential comes with Launcher 3 or Google Now launcher
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] hueythecat:
Whats going back to LCD from amoled like?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] haevolution:
It's a non-issue. The LCD is awesome only time I even notice it's not amoled is severe off angle such as setting the phone down and the active screen comes on - the blacks look a bit light. Normal use it's not even noticeable the blacks are quite black and it gets way brighter than amoled screens. First phone I have had to turn the brightness down in years.

Battery life is insane not even considering going back to the Pixel XL.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
In my opinion is better battery life is a factor. But the screen is beautiful there is no comparison really
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] hueythecat:
I went from 6P to Pixel 2. Its an excellent phone but...... when I'm at home I'm always picking my 6P up again. Coming from 2 gens back this doesn't feel at all like an upgrade. And if you compare the 6p to the pixel 2 the side bezels are wider on the smaller device! I think I'll be jumping ship on the next edition of the Essential
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] bigmook:
There's a rootless pixel launcher available. It is by far the best I'm using the rootless pixel 2 launcher it is not just for Pixel phones and actually works rather well on this one.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] chiadrum:
Check out the Themes section. There is a link to Pixel launcher that I have running flawlessly on my PH-1. Nice upgrade.

https://xdaforums.com/essential-phone/themes/tried-pixel-launcher-t3716753
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] indian84:
That was not the point. The question was what comes installed by default on PH1..

Hence my answer..
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] combat goofwing:
Thing that impressed me the most is the screen ,had a N6P before this ,but the screen on the PH-1 is gorgeous compared to N6P
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] thunderbls:
Verizon grand fathered plan here still alive and kicking :) Purchased this phone when I saw it was able to be rooted only to realize it does everything I need it to right out of the box and root is not needed. Love fluidity of the phone and feel in the hand as well. The battery is amazing 5+ hours on screen time.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Vixerunt:
i'm just curious, whether it has those intrusive google services like drive, books, films etc., or not?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] wolfu11:
all uninstallable only has drive books film music and duo which can be installed
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] appleguy2:
It breaks and dents just like an iPhone.

Super-slippery - fell out of my pocket when I was getting out of a chair and landed on hard floor. Dented the corner and destroyed the screen. Yes, I know that glass breaks, but I also see the video on their home page showing it bouncing off concrete.

Complete BS
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] jfoj:
All phones break, it also depends on how the phone lands.

A case and screen protector are a MUST for any phone. I purchased an Essential Phone PH-1 Case, TUDIA Carbon Fiber Design Lightweight case which in my opinion is ideal. I then put a SCOSCHE MagicMount Magnetic Mount Large Plate on the back of the case and use this to hold/mount the phone in my car.

I still give the PH1 an A++ no complaints about the phone at this point, I only charge it every 2 days and it does everything I need it to do. The "Reviews" early on were not "Reviews" they were comparisons. The lack of stereo speakers, headphone jack, waterproof and OLED display are not problems for me.

If you get this phone, you NEED a case and screen protector, bottom line.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] appleguy2:
So the 100k question is - this is a phone you buy for one of three reasons:

1. Ceramic and Titanium is awesome - good looking phone

2. No pre-installed crap

3. 1/2 price of a Pixel and still a solid performer.

If you have to buy the Tudia case, they may as well have just made it out of ABS plastic and called it a day.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] jfoj:
I have no interest in the Titanium or Ceramic or what any phone looks like as long as the glass does not have curved edges like the Samsungs and other phones, I want no crap and decent performance, a smart phone is nothing to look at, if this is what you want, get a stand and put it on your mantel.

The ceramic sucks, the stupid phone is so slippery it is not even funny. I was thinking about sandblasting the ceramic so there would be some grip, but a $11 case is much faster and easier.

You cannot function with a phone you cannot grasp and that falls off the couch, out of your pocket and car seat every time you turn around. A phone is not a science project or piece of art, it should be a useful communication device.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] appleguy2:
It really is comically slippery!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] jfoj:
The phone is too slippery, all of them are. I understand the reason, they either make the back out of metaI but this causes problems with the antennas and wireless charging, glass seems to break easily, I assume the ceramic was stronger than glass, but it will break at some point as well.

I have had 2 smart phones in my life, a Palm Treo 750 that I had for a LONG time and loved that tank, then a Droid 4 with the slide out keyboard that I had for 5 years that the PH-1 replaced. I would still have the Droid 4 if it had more than 1 GB of RAM and the processor was not so slow, it worked fine unit the newer, processor and RAM hungry Apps showed up.

I was very close to getting a Pixel 2, but decided to give the Essential a go after a lot of back and forth vaselating and I am happy with my choice. I hope it lasts 3-5 years, but we shall see. My guess is the typical smart phone life cycle is at most 2 years these days. I will see what happens to the battery as this may be the thing that puts the nail in the coffin by year 2?

I have nothing but a good experience with the PH-1 for almost 3 months. Time will tell if I still feel this way by the first anniversary.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] appleguy2:
Is this e46fanatics JFOJ?
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] combat goofwing:
Put skin on the back ,solves the slippery issues ,I'd go as far as to say the dbrand matte black skin makes the phone look even better
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] doublej1980:
I've had my PH-1 for 3 days now and im loving it. I went ahead and updated to the Oreo D3 Beta and put the pixel launcher on it. The Camera seems to be just fine for anything i need. The screen looks absolutely amazing.

I had a 6P and wanted something with a smaller form factor. I had been thinking about the pixel 2 but glade i got this instead just because of how great the screen is to look at.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] LongDono:
:laugh: I survived for a few days without a case until I got a clear Tudia minimalist case, so I can still see the beauty underneath, while still having the flat sides and heft of solid phone. And yes, most people do buy phones because of how they look, in the the premium segment.

All premium phones are built to look sexy but they still need protection. Unless you are buying one of the beefy protected phones, this is to be expected, unless you are okay with a naked phone and the potential for damage that it brings. Titanium and ceramic are stronger than aluminum and glass, but they can still break. Better safe than sorry, right?

To get back on topic, yes, I love this phone. No, it doesn't have the best possible screen, the camera app makes us use Google's Camera app, it can still be dropped and damaged, the launch didn't live up to the hype (spoiler hype tends to do this) and so on. But you know what, this phone didn't sell for $1000; it's a great value for the money. With no bloat, constant software updates, an open beta, etc, it's miles ahead in many other respects and I appreciate it for what it is rather than expect it to be A++ in all categories. There has to be a balance. If not, find a phone that makes you happy, there's lots of them out there, but for now, there's only one Essential Phone. :)
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] Ascertion:
This device isn't bad from Sprint. But for some reason it does not work well with TMobile in my area. Perhaps the LTE bands are more optimized for Sprint.

That said, this device is really good. I am really enjoying it. I sold my 2nd one as soon as Sprint unlocked it but I plan on keeping this one on Sprint as a secondary line.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] PAFats:
Coming from an LG G3, this phone is great! I've had more updates in the last few weeks than I had in almost 2 years with LG. The camera may not be on par with the Pixel 2 XL, but for costing a few $100 less, I can live with it.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] cisco kidd:
At a price of $460 cnd off contract it is worth it, for those in the USA close to Cnd border the savings are even better to buy one from BB for 460 less your exchange rate, it would be close to $100 less with tax on top,thats just a good deal and it will work with all USA carriers or majority
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] cappysw10:
https://gizmodo.com/for-better-or-worse-google-is-apparently-getting-down-1822924453

I've had my PH-1 for about a month now, no case, no screen protector. I tend to baby my new phones but I'll be getting it covered soon. The above article makes me happy though. Essential may be slow with Oreo 8.1 release but with the announcement that Google will be optimizing P for the notch will make this phone the best $499 I have spent in a long while. Can't wait!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] sixtysdaze:
as soon as I get a different app for the camera i will be ecstatic.
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] dapirate:
Had the phone for about 3 days on AT&T and it is truly a great phone. The Design is one of the best of the best available. Coming from a LG G6 the performance is fine, even the camera is fine for my use. Battery is good and my first speedtest pulled down 93mb.

:)

This looks to be a keeper!
[Essential Phone Real Life Review] dirtsky:
I've had mine since saturday and normally when I get a phone I root it right away but, since using the 8.1 beta build on this. I don't feel the need to and this is a first for me. The performance right out of the box is impressive. The camera app ( now that it has been updated) is not that bad in my opinion. Yes, I've downloaded the Google camera to use for my panoramas. Overall I love this phone over my OnePlus 2 that I came from. Looking forward to the updates Essential brings us.