yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] vincentallen2:
At Best Buy, there's two variations of Essential Phone. Depending on the inventory at your BB, they may only have the unlocked variants in stock and be sold out of the Sprint variants.

Most of my local BB stores didn't have any stock at all. There was one store sold out of the sprint version but had 12 unlocked. Apparently they can't/won't sell the unlocked version in place of the sprint version if they're out of stock

This sounds like the case with your BB store(s). You might need call Best Buy and ask if they specifically have the Sprint version in stock, BUT ask to speak Mobile phone department. I would also suggest that you check Best Buy online or on the app. The rep at the store I picked mine up from said they were completely sold out when I called over the phone, but the app said they had a "few quantities left". Luckily I went down to the mobile phone and found out for myself. Walked out with the last two Sprint versions in Orange County
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] chiadrum:
Thanks, Best Buy had the Sprint version in stock. The rep was a good guy and he couldn't guarantee me that I could payoff any time. The deal is structured as a monthly credit to your bill, not the actual purchase price. I won't risk buying this and maybe having to pay 699. Sprint may have literally changed the terms overnight. I'm afraid to risk it.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] tech_head:
If you buy directly from sprint the terms are still $90 to payoff early plus the $30 end of lease device purchase.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] NavySpark:
You receive a lease contract and spells all the terms out. There is a total buyout price listed for it.

The only issue some are having is the unlock after paying off the device. Most can hit the UICC button 2-3 days after paying and canceling lease but some it's not working.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] cfclay:
It did work for me in 2 days, and then they did lock it again as you had suggested. Why do they do that?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] vincentallen2:
^what they said. It should say on the bottom of the first page of your lease agreement that your pay off price sheet 18 months is $30. My rep didn't know about this first hand either at best buy. He said that "it's usually $150 to $300 with leased phones" then I directed him to the bottom of the first page, and he soon said "oh wow... This is an amazing deal". Check your lease agreement over again. The first and second page should clearly list what you'll be paying.

They're only able to relock it if you keep/put the SIM card back in the phone. Once it's unlocked from Sprint the first time, you HAVE to take the SIM card out immediately and never put it back in. Sprint is doing some shady stuff right now, but this is the only way to guarantee that the phone stays unlocked.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Jonathanlc2005:
tomorrow is the last day. if you want to pick it up... i suggest you get moving
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
I bet that's the case with the guy I talked to. He didn't actually look at any papers and his phrasing was "I think" and "usually" when referring to prices.

I ordered one from Sprint on the 30th, but I'm tired of waiting for it to ship so I ordered another one on the BestBuy website which had the same terms as the Sprint website. I have to go in to the store tomorrow to pick it up. I figure that the website has to be more accurate than the Bestbuy rep.

[MENTION=572191]Jonathanlc2005[/MENTION] How do you know tomorrow is the last day?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] JoRocker:
Because it's stated everywhere that tomorrow (7th) is the last day...
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Jonathanlc2005:
well that... it was also posted on reddit reminding everyone, and i wound up getting one today
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] samep:
And what about those phones that were on backorder prior to cutoff? Backordered until December 8th. I'm a Sprint customer and wasn't considering leaving Sprint after phone unlock but was going to prepay lease and take option to purchase.

I printed my contract. And hadn't thought about looking for another as if a deadline applied. My phone hasn't shipped yet but my Incipio case from cases.com shipped today.

Are you saying I missed the opportunity?

https://www.reddit.com/r/essential/comments/7i0nzn/sprint_145_pricing_ends_tomorrow_127/

I may be OK with backorder but turns out they're in stock at my local BB. I'll see if I can't walk out of store with color of choice, metal grill and phone paid and be done with chances Sprint telesales treats me right. Tomorrow.

Does anyone know if I can get refunded on the $36 for pre lease payment and shipping already prepaid to Sprint telesales? Thanks in advance.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] tech_head:
Backordered with a printed contract is fine.

The price is on the contract.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Jonathanlc2005:
I just went to the Sprint store. There's no activation fee there. Just the one time fee of I think 25 dollars.

I don't know where you live but Baltimore has alot in their district. It was a long drive but worth it.

As far as the procedure. I went to the store they had it in stock. No activation fee, added a new line paid the one time fee and was done. Afterwards the store said don't pay the lease for 30 days but I know why they said that... Because they get commission for those who stay past 30 days.

So I got in my car... And spoke to customer service while on the freeway. I told them I'm not a fan of paying something monthly and they described the fees. So I paid it over the phone and they said in a cool way. You officially own the phone.

So I logged online when I got home and registered for the 360. I didn't open it from the wrapping yet
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] vincentallen2:
If you have a lease agreement before the 8th then your fine. This only effects users who don't jump on this deal after tomorrow
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Jonathanlc2005:
True. Unfortunately I found they only had black. So while I was in Baltimore I made the joke #blackphonesmatter since they seemed odd with my desire for a white one
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] samep:
Thanks guys, I get that now.

But if I go to BB tomorrow and get same deal, can I get a refund from Sprint when I cancel original order? I was already told the funds aren't refundable. But what about if canceling before it ships? Should be refundable...

I want to prepay lease and purchase at Best Buy, if I can do that and undo what I've done with telesales.

I've also got a free upgrade on my account that should cover the activation fee aka upgrade fee. The other thing I didn't like about the original deal with telesales is that they claimed not to be able to credit upgrade fee (another name for activation fee but different credit terms) but could do "add a line activation fee credit" but no way to port my number. I'd rather not change my number plus Sprint gets to tack on partial month if adding a line and terminating another. C'mon Sprint stop with the lame terms.

If BB could take care of credits and offer prepayment of lease with purchase without having to add a line, I'd do that tomorrow.

I just may have to call about canceling and refund first.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] vincentallen2:
LMAOOO [emoji16]

"always bet on Black.... Moon." [emoji39]
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] samep:
I prefer black but I keep hearing white shows less fingerprints and scratches.

When I was looking at Speck Candyshell cases for my previous phone, I got the same suggestions: white shows less micro scratches that the case is prone to get.

I've got a black DualPro Incipio case shipping. As long as the front is all blacked out, I think the black and white look on back would compliment the appearance.

I preordered black moon but considering white. Thoughts?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
I thought that I didn't have a copy of the contract, but it turns out that I'm not as stupid as I thought. I saved a PDF of it and it clearly states the terms and amounts, including an itemization of what I've already paid and what I will pay over the next 18 months, or what I will pay if I terminate the lease early. Go ME! I also saved an XPS screenshot of the final order confirmation page.

Also a heads up to people ordering now. According to the Sprint website: Ships by 12/22 if ordered after 10AM CT on 12/5.

As for the color, all my phones are black. Except one is very, very dark blue (thanks Samsung). Well, technically my Moto X is black front/teal back, but I don't care what color the back of any phone is because it's going to get a black case. With a case on it, you won't be able to tell what color an Essential is except around the cutouts for the cameras, and maybe the buttons if your case doesn't cover the buttons. Still, I think the black version looks awesome. It reminds me of the monolith from 2001.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] chiadrum:
Ok correct. The Best Buy lease terms are exactly the same as with Sprint. They are revealed as you move through the purchase process. The Best Buy rep was amazed at the deal. I confirmed with 2 agents through Sprint chat that you need to pay at least 1 lease payment before you can payoff. I recorded both of those chats just in case.

Calling Sprint support, they told me they had to submit a request and I could payoff in 3-5 days and own the phone outright. They also told me that I could walk in to any Sprint store and payoff immediately, which I will try later today. Regardless, the lease terms are very clear about allowing early payoff and that amount being the 18 lease payments of $5 and the final payoff of $30. Worst case is I will have to wait for a lease payment or the 50 days that others have mentioned in this thread. I paid $26.82 to get started. I will post back regarding the unlock, hopefully that goes smoothly. Loving this phone so far. Huge upgrade over my Galaxy S7 which I can't stand. So much smoother and no garbage in the way. Beautiful, pure Android.

---------- Post added at 08:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:59 PM ----------

And free Tidal for 6 months ain't too shabby either!
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] vincentallen2:
Okay there's a few things wrong with this. The Sprint support - Don't listen to them. Don't ask them anything. TELL THEM (politely, of course) that you're going to pay off the lease for your phone(s) and the final pay off price. If you do an online chat and just tell them what you would like done, they most likely will do it. I paid off the lease the very next afternoon, and that was by choice because I work at night.

You don't need to wait for a payment or several days, it sounds like they're just trying to stop you from canceling before your 14 day satisfaction window.

I'm not sure if you actually want to give them extra money (probably not), or you're an actual Sprint customer, but you don't need to wait.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] chiadrum:
You are correct sir- I dialed back in and TOLD them that I was paying off my device and they took the payment and gave me a confirmation #. I now have a zero balance on the device. Now I just have to unlock. Interestingly, when I dialed in I first selected the option to make payments before I ended up speaking with a rep and the exact same balance that I ended up paying was available for automated payment. That could be another way to get around the Support web if they are giving you a hard time.

So now I assume that I just have to try the unlock procedure once or twice a day until I am good and then I will have a clear device. Sweet.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
I just got back from Best Buy, bought the last Essential they had in stock. Paid $26.50 on the spot and walked out with the phone and the lease contract in hand. My friend was with me and he liked the phone and the deal so much that he bought one for himself that was in stock at a store out of town. This Best Buy rep knew about the promotion for the cheap lease payment but he was really surprised that the payoff amount was only $30.

The lease contract from Best Buy looks identical to the one I got with the phone I ordered on the Sprint website. I'm going to see if I can pay off this lease tonight through chat support.

One curious issue is that the phone keeps trying to download 5 apps. I haven't logged in with my Google account on the phone so I it's not able to download them, but why is it trying to download apps? It says "Completing setup... Installed 0 out of 5 applications." I'm guessing it wants to download some Sprint apps, can anyone confirm? And if so, can they be deleted afterward without rooting?

Edit: Nevermind about the 5 apps, they downloaded automatically when I put the phone on WiFi. They were Google apps and one Sprint app, which was able to be uninstalled.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] tech_head:
Here in the SF Bay Area there are no Essential (Sprint) phones in stock anywhere in either color.

I ordered my phone from Sprint on Sat (12/2) and don't have an ETA of getting a phone.

I suppose sometime before Christmas. :(
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
I ordered the first one on the 30th, so your phone should ship out on the same day as mine, 12/15 according to: https://www.sprint.com/personal/wireless/order_status.html?ECID=vanity:myorder
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
I just paid off the lease on the phone I got yesterday at Best Buy. I tried doing it with chat first, but they were useless. Chat tried telling me I had to pay the full $699 price of the phone. I called Support (kept hitting 5 until I got an option to speak to someone) and talked to "Connie" who was very helpful and processed the $120 payment without any issue. She told me the correct amounts right away and didn't even ask why I wanted to pay it off. Now I'll wait for the phone to unlock.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Caltinpla:
Good luck to us all, mine was ordered on 11/27 and still pending. Keep your fingers crossed!
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] samep:
Mine was placed before 6 P.M. on the 27th of November. Should have shipped today per Sprint's backorder schedule they linked me to.

Was just told by chat it's delayed until the 15th. I requested refund on shipping and got credit. Disappointed but I think that's fair.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Caltinpla:
That what exactly they told me a couple of days ago!

I'm thinking about cancelling mine as well. Did you get the full refund or credit?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] samep:
I didn't cancel order but requested shipping refund I had already prepaid. $10 credit was applied.

No one had this phone locally as I previously thought.

Canceling now would be a missed opportunity on the prepaid lease to purchase option outlined in this thread.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Caltinpla:
Yeah, I'll give it another week to see how it goes. But I'll definitely call them later to get the $10 over night shipping refund or credit.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] BakedTator:
I'm dealing with this to man... They can't get the shipping right for this device at all
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Jonathanlc2005:
so i canceled the line, at first the rep told me i had to pay an early term fee of $350 but i said i already paid the lease and own the phone. it shouldnt be charged. the supervisor handled it for me
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] hellot1M:
$5 monthly promo has officially ended.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] NavySpark:
I would assume they relock as a way to keep you. I'm sure it's spelled out in their terms of use in all those legal documents.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] jtimm2121:
Any chance the promo still exists with 6 dollars a month?
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] NavySpark:
Yesterday was the last day
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] jtimm2121:
That stinks
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] dmeeks72:
The new promo is $6 a month AFTER a $23.17 bill credit. If you cancel or try to buy out early, you lose the credit and owe the remaining balance on the phone which is currently $699.99 on Sprint.

https://www.sprint.com/en/shop/cell...18months&deviceQuantity=1&plan=pln10660000prd
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] chiadrum:
Update- I ordered my 360 Camera this morning and just a few minutes ago I was able to complete the unlock via the phone itself. I immediately powered it off. Need to stop by Verizon store for activation since the SIM in my Verizon phone now is the large one.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
So you paid it off on Thursday the 7th and they unlocked it today, Saturday the 9th? I paid mine off on Friday and I'm waiting for it to be unlocked, but I don't know if Saturday and Sunday count towards the usual 48 hour waiting period. I also ordered my 360 camera, but it said that I have to keep Sprint service for the offer to be fulfilled. I won't be keeping Sprint, so we'll see if I get the camera anyways.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] chiadrum:
I guess Saturday counts since I tried multiple times and it just now unlocked. I was rejected several times. I won't be staying on Sprint so I guess I should cancel the camera. Good luck. Hopefully you are unlocked tomorrow. And I was wrong about the SIM. I am good to go on Verizon right now. I will stop by Verizon and make sure they provision it as an Essential though, I have heard that is important. Line is on a business account so I can't do that online. Good luck man.

Also, on a chat session I was told this about unlock (Seems like you get different stories depending who you talk to) I would like to inform you that phone line unlock can only be done by our Account Service Team over the call on this 1-888-211-4727 number

Maybe if anyone gets hosed on the unlock from the phone itself this will help.

Cheers.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
Thanks for the info. If mine isn't unlocked by Monday I'll be giving them a call. I may end up calling anyway because I also expect my phone to be unlocked for international sims since I now own it outright and Sprint no longer has any claim on the phone. I read on the Sprint website somewhere that there are two different unlocks for domestic and international sims, so we'll see what happens.

Btw, I wouldn't cancel the order for the 360 camera. If you get it, good. If not, oh well. That's the way I'm looking at it. It would be a neat toy, but I could buy one on eBay for less than what I'd have to pay Sprint to keep my account active until the free camera comes.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] hellot1M:
The 6 dollar and some change promo is very similar to the $5 on a 18 month lease. The only difference is that the $25 dollar down payment is split between the term of the lease and the rest is a credit which you lose if you try to pay off early. They basically caught on to what you guys are doing and others with similar ideas of exploiting this promo to get this phone to use on other providers or for personal use without a service which is how sprint is paid. So they adjusted this promo to be the exact same cost over 18 months while avoiding this exploit so if they want to take this phone off the provider they have to pay the full cost as if they were buying it outright.

That is the purpose of promos. To entice you to remain on the carrier for at least 18 months.

Edit: so for the over explanation or run-on sentence. I'm pretty drunk at the moment lol. It's still a great promo to get the device at a reasonable cost on sprint if your on the network or considering on switching. Most of you won't even keep the same phone for more than a year and a half without being influenced to buy the best best thing with next year's flagships.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
Grrr, it's been 48 hours and Sprint still hasn't unlocked my phone. I chatted with Sprint and of course, they told me the phone had to be active on my account for 50 days before they unlock it, which is crap. At least they were able to verify that the $120 I gave them did go towards paying off the lease. I wonder if it wasn't unlocked today because it's Sunday? I'm impatient as hell... And I have to go through this again when I get my second Essential.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] NaterTots:
I picked up my phone yesterday that I ordered 2 weeks ago.

Paid off the lease through my Sprint and used the chat option with a csr. Haven't even unboxed the phone yet, but will check the unlock status Wednesday.

I don't plan to call and talk to anyone if I can help it.

From slick deals it sends patience is key in waiting for the unlock to happen
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
I've been on the phone with Sprint half a dozen times since Friday. The call I just finished ran over an hour and a half. The first problem was that the amount I paid towards the lease didn't go towards the lease, it went towards the bill, a bill which hadn't been generated yet (shady!). I found that out when the international support center told me that my device wasn't paid off. So I called a different number, asked them to fix it and they did. Then I got a notification through text saying that I was nearing my spending limit and I should make a payment to avoid an interruption in service. Seriously Sprint? You tell a 4-day old customer that their service is going to get shut off? Stuff like this is why they're in last place. I checked my bill online and they wanted over $130, which doesn't compute. So I went round and round with three reps and finally got them to confirm that the lease has been paid off, they gave me a confirmation number, and removed over $40 in fees that weren't supposed to be there. The bill is still $5 higher than my math says it should be, but I just keep reminding myself that this is a killer deal on a $500 phone.

I'm not looking forward to going through this again when my second phone comes in the mail from Sprint.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] NaterTots:
My phone is now unlocked. I did the online chat with them Sunday to pay it off.

Put my Tmo Sim in and it had LTE then prompted for an OS update.

Interestingly when I turned the phone on with no Sim in it at all it reverts back to the same settings options when the Sprint Sim is in it.

I'll update it today and then I'm sure it'll be fine.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Cleanser2012:
Is Sprint still selling this phone? Everytime I try to buy it online it says it's sold out. Stores don't seem to have it either. Wanted to get the white one this time around.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] NaterTots:
The deal ended on December 5th I think.

Now the buyout equals $699
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Caltinpla:
Hey, I just want to let you know that I got the emails from Sprint informing me that they shipped my 2 phones today. Check your mail buddy since we ordered on the same day 11/27. Good luck!
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] samep:
Yes. Got a UPS notification too. Arrives 12 to 4 P.M. today. Totally unexpected.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] Caltinpla:
Really, you gonna get it the same day? My UPS tracking not available at this time :crying:

Well, at least it is coming!!! I paid $10 for expedite shipping and I hope it's worth it. If not, I'll call Sprint to get a refund.
[Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion] DrvLikHell:
Man, yours went seamless and I'm having all kinds of problems. My phone is still locked to Sprint and I paid them on Friday.

I got an email today from Sprint saying that my original phone order has shipped also. Unfortunately, the tracking number isn't recognized by the UPS website. I must have a karma deficit or something.