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Essential Phone PH-1 $459.02 USD (~$600 AUD) Delivered @ Amazon

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Essential Phone PH-1 $459.02 USD (~$600 AUD) Delivered @ AmazonAffiliate
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Joshman5k on 09/11/2017 - 08:02 amazon.com (3158 clicks)
Last edited 09/11/2017 - 08:35 by 1 other user
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The Essential Phone has had a permanent price drop $200USD and Best buy and Amazon have brought on a temporary additional price drop of $50USD.

Product Details:
https://www.essential.com/

Key features:

  • New expansion port
  • Clean android build
  • Fingerprint scanner gestures
  • Near Bezel-less display
  • 128 GB storage
Premium Build materials
  • Titanium body
  • Ceramic back
  • Corning Gorilla Glass 5 cover glass

Memory & Storage

  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 128GB UFS 2.1
Network / Bands
  • UMTS/HSPA+: 1, 2, 4, 5 6, 8
  • GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
  • CDMA EV-DO Rev. A: 0, 1, 10
  • FDD-LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66
  • TDD-LTE: 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
  • TD-SCDMA: 34, 39

Display

  • Resolution: 2560 x 1312 QHD
  • Aspect Ratio: 19:10
  • Diagonal Size: 5.71” with radiused corners
  • Brightness: 500 nits (typical)
  • Contrast Ratio: > 1000:1 (typical)
  • Technology: CGS / LTPS

Downsides

  • No Headphone Jack
  • Camera has had some complaints (but has been getting better with software updates
  • LCD Screen not AMOLED
  • Front facing Camera notch
  • No SD Card slot
  • Not water proof
Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.
Mobile Essential Products (electronics brand) Mobile Phone Android

Related Stores

Amazon US
Amazon US

closed Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2017 - 08:08
    +17

    Not a bad price for such an over hyped product.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2017 - 08:10
      +1

      Oh, I've been living under a rock as I've never heard of it.
      Is this Amazon's move into mobiles, so they can also suck up your data?

    • Caped Baldy on 09/11/2017 - 08:32

      they've done price jobs within a month of release too…

      • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2017 - 11:27
        -4

        They should fire the design and engineering department manager along with the responsible person who conducted market research and came up with the suggestion to remove headphone jack and memory card expansion. You don't take risks like these in 2017.

        • eug on 09/11/2017 - 12:11
          +2

          Not having a headphone socket looks to be the way of the future. It's inevitable.
          Memory card expansion - I really think the vast majority of people will be fine with 128GB storage in a $600 phone.

        • bchliu on 09/11/2017 - 15:08

          @eug: Not really. Samsung got bashed for that last time with the S6/Note5 (albeit with their stupid decision to make it only 32/64GB). Lack of the Headphone socket has good and bad - but unless you move the entire DACs and DSP processing outside of the phone to the headset, there's almost no point.

        • eug on 09/11/2017 - 15:17

          @bchliu:

          Samsung got bashed for that last time with the S6/Note5 (albeit with their stupid decision to make it only 32/64GB).

          That's the key right there - 32GB isn't enough. 64GB is just about enough for most people (and plenty for lots of other people). 128GB is certainly more than enough for a normal user IMHO, especially with Google offering unlimited free cloud backup for photos and videos which is perfect for all those happy snaps. What do normal users store on their phones today that requires more than 128GB? There will always be edge cases (e.g. someone ABSOLUTELY MUST have their entire FLAC collection on them wherever they go), but companies can't be making phones to cater to edge cases. They'd make phones that cater to the majority of their market so they can make the most money.

          Lack of the Headphone socket has good and bad - but unless you move the entire DACs and DSP processing outside of the phone to the headset, there's almost no point.

          I think the point was just so they can move towards a borderless screen.

  • Jaduqimon on 09/11/2017 - 08:14
    +46

    But the key features are not really essential….

    What is essential is the headphone jack…

    • b2dz on 09/11/2017 - 08:17

      Agreed. I carry around too many adapters as it is.

      • WatchNerd on 09/11/2017 - 11:02
        +1

        Yeah and what about a notification led? That's essential too.

        • b2dz on 09/11/2017 - 11:02
          +3

          B
          A
          N
          D

          2
          8

        • bargaineer on 09/11/2017 - 12:28
          +4

          @b2dz: the subtle bolding of band 28 my favourite thing about this post.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2017 - 14:20

          @b2dz: that band is crucial.

        • Chridim on 09/11/2017 - 20:44

          @b2dz:
          I realized today that where i live i only get band 28
          https://imgur.com/a/UI8Ns

    • montorola on 09/11/2017 - 08:39
      +1

      Yep, specs were impressive but what turned me off was lack of headphone jack and the crap camera

      • thisispants on 09/11/2017 - 10:51
        +3

        Apparently the camera is good after the updates.

    • CLoSeR on 09/11/2017 - 10:02
      +1

      Clearly it's not essential or everyone with a headphone jack less phone would be pulling their hair out.

      It's not been a problem with my Moto Z.

      The ability to place and receive calls is an essential feature.

      • jacross on 09/11/2017 - 10:48
        +4

        See for me the ability to place and receive calls isn't an essential feature.

    • magic8ballgag on 09/11/2017 - 12:18

      That's weird, I use my smart phone every day and it's not essential to me.

  • kaykaykay on 09/11/2017 - 08:23
    +1

    Cheaper than the mi mix2 from memory anyway. Good deal for a new phone/SD835

    Also, i love how band 28 was bolded in the description.

    • Mentok on 09/11/2017 - 08:59
      +1

      Yeah, cheaper than the mi mix 2, plus you'll get some form of warranty through Amazon (so long as Essential don't go bust), but only 5.7" if that matters - mm2 and OP5T are both ~6" and same basic spec. OP5T even has a headphone jack.

  • dbglt on 09/11/2017 - 08:31
    +1

    This is a phenomenal price… Wondering if I can sell my two month old G6 to buy it… Or hold out for further price drops?

    • scud70 on 09/11/2017 - 09:16
      +1

      isn't your G6 better than this phone? :)

      • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2017 - 14:21

        I bought this g6. Its a nice phone… Hmm…

    • giventofly on 09/11/2017 - 09:29
      +5

      The G6 is a better phone.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2017 - 11:33
        -3

        Prob with Samsung is all the extras you don't want bogging down the phone, which you can't remove without rooting & thus voiding warranty.

  • uk3000 on 09/11/2017 - 08:37
    +1

    Downsides

    • […]
    • No double-tap to wake (DT2W), especially given that the fingerprint scanner is on the back
    • dosada on 09/11/2017 - 08:39

      More than enough apps that can solve this

      • uk3000 on 09/11/2017 - 08:43
        +8

        If DT2W is not baked into the firmware (so it works from the deep-sleep mode), those apps will drain your battery really fast. Not to question their trustworthiness.

        Also: No wireless charging.

        • MrMcHairyHead on 09/11/2017 - 08:55
          +3

          I agrre. In my experience if they aren't part of the kernel they are slow, unreliable and battery draining.

        • CLoSeR on 09/11/2017 - 10:07
          +1

          I still don't understand the attraction of wireless charging when cable is much faster.

        • eug on 09/11/2017 - 11:15
          +6

          @CLoSeR: People who sit at a desk for most of the day don't require speed. The phone can be charging the moment it's put down on the desk without having to continually plug/unplug it which would wear out both the socket and the cable more quickly. So when it's beer o'clock, you'll leave the office with a full battery.

          Fast wireless charging is about as fast as a non-QC fast charge too.

        • CLoSeR on 09/11/2017 - 11:17

          @eug: I'm one of those people; fortunately I only need to charge my phone once in the evening. QC charging is fast becoming standard. I get the benefits of not using a plug, seems less of a risk since the introduction of USB-C.

        • eug on 09/11/2017 - 11:25
          +1

          @CLoSeR: I think wireless charging will become a lot more commonplace in the future, at least when the technology improves further. It seems archaic that such a powerful wireless device that we use every day requires a wire to charge it up all the time.

          Coincidentally, just yesterday, someone at work asked me about a problem with charging his phone. His USB socket wore out. If he used wireless charging more of the time, that wouldn't have happened.

          The other place I use a wireless charger is in my car mount. The moment i slip my phone into my car mount, it's charging. No need to have cables running around.

        • magic8ballgag on 09/11/2017 - 14:37

          It also can't mow your lawn or drop the kids off to school, but these are all insignificant features that not everyone wants or needs.

        • uk3000 on 09/11/2017 - 14:49

          @Lorindor:

          It also can't mow your lawn or drop the kids off to school, but these are all insignificant features that not everyone wants or needs.

          Wouldn't it be a bit frustrating though if your previous model could do these insignificant things, but they had been taking away once you upgraded?

        • magic8ballgag on 09/11/2017 - 14:53

          @uk3000:

          Wouldn't it be a bit frustrating though if your previous model could do these insignificant things, but they had been taking away once you upgraded?

          My first car had ashtrays and a cigarette lighter in the rear passenger doors, although you don't see that in modern cars, I wonder why?

    • BradH13 on 09/11/2017 - 08:53
      +5

      Finger print scanner on the back is way more intuitive than on the front. I'd never buy one with it on the front ever again. Back is just where your finger naturally rests.

      • uk3000 on 09/11/2017 - 08:58
        +1

        I too find it generally more handy when the f/p scanner is on the back, but I still want DT2W for when it sits in my car holder or simply lays down on the table face-up playing music. How really difficult would that be for Essential to add such a simple feature? My Axon 7 has it.

        • dazweeja on 09/11/2017 - 10:27
          +1

          I just say "OK Google" to wake my phone in those situations. No need to reach around the back for the fingerprint scanner.

        • illumination on 09/11/2017 - 10:55

          @dazweeja: haha I'd like to see you do that in a concert/musical

        • dazweeja on 09/11/2017 - 10:57
          +3

          @illumination:

          Why would you be sitting in your car or have your phone face-up playing music while at a concert?

        • illumination on 09/11/2017 - 11:15
          +1

          @dazweeja: Actually true the concert/musical scenario would not be applicable, but what I meant was you wouldn't really wanna be saying that in a musical/concert.

          Another scenario could be the workplace though? Phone sitting on the table.. would you want to always be saying "Ok Google" to wake it up as an alternative to having to pick it up and scan your fingerprint on the back?

          Why would you not have your phone face-up in a car though? Would you have it face down..?

          Point being - I, like others have pointed out, would find DT2W very useful if you have the fingerprint scanner on the back.

        • dazweeja on 09/11/2017 - 11:43
          +1

          @illumination:

          Well for me, the only time when it's inconvenient to have the scanner on the back is when the phone is in my car holder because I can't reach the scanner there, so I use "OK Google". At work - this is embarrassing - I have one of these and I can reach the back easily.

          I can also see why DT2W has been phased out as fingerprint scanners have been phased in - because it encourages poor security while fingerprint scanners have the opposite aim. My phone is always locked so I don't use DT2W and I can see why some manufacturers no longer include it either. Of course, I'm just talking about DT2W with unlock - if I just want to see the lock screen, I can reach the power button in all situations.

        • uk3000 on 09/11/2017 - 14:57
          +1

          @dazweeja:

          because it encourages poor security while fingerprint scanners have the opposite aim

          I'd question the statement that fingerprint scanners are always more secure than pattern/PIN. Funnily, I just read this:

          A Qatar Airways flight had to make an emergency landing after a female passenger found out her husband was cheating on her mid-flight […] woman reportedly used her husband’s fingerprint to unlock his phone while he was asleep, before becoming incensed by what she found on the device.

        • dazweeja on 09/11/2017 - 15:10
          +3

          @uk3000:

          I read that too. Very funny. You can also often work out a pattern too because there's usually a visible smudge on the screen in the shape of the pattern. I'm also waiting for the first reports of someone snatching an iPhone X off a table and pointing the screen at the victim, the victim looks up to see who's just grabbed their phone, and the thief runs off with an unlocked phone.

        • magic8ballgag on 11/11/2017 - 09:19

          @uk3000:

          I'd question the statement that fingerprint scanners are always more secure than pattern/PIN.

          Maybe if you're someone important, but let's be honest, fingerprint scanners and secret PINs/patterns are more for if a phone is stolen, not for someone to steal your information like in a James Bond movie.

      • gezza90 on 09/11/2017 - 09:15
        +2

        I find it more convenient on the front especially when it's on a desk (don't need to pick it up) or when it's mounted in my car. Much quicker than pressing the side button and using pin or pattern to unlock.

        • BartholemewH on 09/11/2017 - 09:58

          Where's the Old El Paso kid when you need her?

        • EnALup on 09/11/2017 - 10:09

          True. Your thumb also rests at front bottom part of phone and using a scanner there is more convenient along with using it on desk.

        • BradH13 on 09/11/2017 - 11:35

          @Gaggy: Don't know what kind of hands you have, but I have to physically stretch my thumb to reach the bottom of the screen when holding it naturally. My thumb naturally rests 3/4's of the way down the screen, above where the dock icons are.

        • EnALup on 09/11/2017 - 11:37

          @BradH13: Many phones have it in front, so I am sure my hands are normal. Its easy to unlock in front. I struggle to unlock S8..

        • BradH13 on 09/11/2017 - 11:39

          @Gaggy: Because S8 has it in a retarded, unnatural position and I don't like it either. Centre placement on the back a quarter of the way down is perfect for all my usage situations. The desk argument some people are using also doesn't apply to me. I just pick it up, or press the side button if I need to glance at it.

        • BradH13 on 09/11/2017 - 11:40
          +1

          Either way, we could argue until the cows come home, but neither of us are 'right'. Just what we prefer and that's fine.

        • EnALup on 09/11/2017 - 11:41

          @BradH13: Good luck. Along with thumb unlocking to be better, I keep phone at desk during day and is a very good feature to have rather than picking it up and searching for scanner at back without looking…

          The desk argument some people are using also doesn't apply to me. I just pick it up
          lol. You are using alternative, so it does apply to you.

      • eug on 09/11/2017 - 11:18
        +1

        I prefer it on the front. The back is where your index finger naturally rests, the front is where my thumb will be if I'm holding it in my hand.

        When it's clipped into my bike or car mount, i can press the wake button/fingerprint reader on the front to wake it up. That's harder if it was at the back.

  • xuuj on 09/11/2017 - 08:38

    Its a good price for the specs, it is a true flagship

    Having said that when spending $600 on a phone build quality is most important, as you want to get 3-4 years out of it. Thats why I rather find discounted iPhones in that price bracket, at least you know they have great build and after sales service.

    • Danthemanz on 09/11/2017 - 08:57
      +18

      You think you will get another 4 years out of an iPhone 6 or even 6s? iPhone6 already runs like a dog on iOS 11, 6s will start its "magical" slow down on iOS 12, i will put money on i.

      On a side note, I would be buying this phone but they havent released the source code and therefore no roms or mods, not even root appears to be easily available…

      • uk3000 on 09/11/2017 - 09:21
        +1

        Right, but if they do release the code (which they really should) and eventually there's LineageOS support for it, you'd easily get 3-4 yrs our of it.

        My current backup phone is Nexus 5 and it's just amazing how smooth and stable it runs today on LOS. In fact, it has nearly everything I need, including NFC, OK safety net, wireless charging, DT2W (w/ ElementalX kernel), besides maybe f/p scanner and B28. Even the camera is still a decent one.

        I wonder if I ever see a flagship with all these features and pure, up-to-date Android experience, out of the box. I don't care about titanium body and bezel-less display. Maybe I should start a kick-starter campaign for it :)

        • Diji1 on 09/11/2017 - 09:54
          -7

          My current backup phone is Nexus 5 and it's just amazing how smooth and stable it runs today on LOS.

          Wow,so it's just like stock Android but it crashes more, what a bargain.

        • uk3000 on 09/11/2017 - 10:05
          +2

          @Diji1:

          Wow,so it's just like stock Android but it crashes more, what a bargain.

          You also have it and your're sharing your own experience with it? Then it's much different from mine.

        • jayz on 09/11/2017 - 10:05

          Lineage is already available for it.

        • RedHab on 09/11/2017 - 10:48
          +1

          My current main phone is a Nexus 5 on Lineage OS. It works great!

        • Danthemanz on 09/11/2017 - 11:11

          Edit. wrong thread

      • xuuj on 09/11/2017 - 09:25

        You would get 4 years out of an 8 I suspect.

        my 5s is still usable.

      • JTTheMan on 09/11/2017 - 09:51
        +1

        I can confirm my iPhone 6 runs like a dog on iOS11

      • orza on 09/11/2017 - 09:58
        +2

        "magical" slow down… Ah you mean planned obsolescence.

    • scud70 on 09/11/2017 - 09:18
      +1

      iPhones build quality is good… but not 3-4 years once already used .. have many here at work that dont last the 2 years let alone 3-4 …

  • dosada on 09/11/2017 - 08:39
    +11

    No bashing just my opinion, looks way better than the iPhone x

    • scud70 on 09/11/2017 - 08:45
      +2

      oh dear…. better shield yourself!

    • NebulAe on 09/11/2017 - 09:23
      +7

      I agree, it looks top-notchier

  • montorola on 09/11/2017 - 08:40
    +1

    You can get Sony's Xperia Xz Premium for similar coin in the 20% off sale going on

  • sol3x on 09/11/2017 - 08:45
    +3

    Things to note:

    -Mediocre camera performance
    -Heavy in weight
    -No expandable memory card slot

    • scud70 on 09/11/2017 - 08:49
      +3

      lol you forgot no headphone jack! for the heaphonejackphiles ! … mind you i haven't used the headphone jack since my M9's headphone jack started playing up and i just used Bluetooth instead.. cant bring myself to go back to wired headphones … lol

      • sol3x on 09/11/2017 - 08:51
        +1

        lol yes. No headphone jack is another downside! thanks for adding scud70

        • scud70 on 09/11/2017 - 08:52

          i mentioned there's no headphone jack right?….

          lolll sorry being a smart ass now….

        • SimpleRoger on 09/11/2017 - 08:57

          @scud70: You called him a smart ass…

        • scud70 on 09/11/2017 - 08:58

          @SimpleRoger: did i?… meant myself… bad English i guess

        • illumination on 09/11/2017 - 10:57

          @scud70: nah Roger is just a bit simple.

      • dcep on 09/11/2017 - 09:48

        there'll be no xiaomi hd pro/hybrids deals posted here if everyone is on BT

      • CLoSeR on 09/11/2017 - 10:07

        You can use adapters, don't need to use wireless headphones.

    • Aradial on 09/11/2017 - 10:51

      Apparently they have resolved the camera issue with the last 3 updates.

      Still not worth it imo though.

    • merajaan on 09/11/2017 - 12:03

      Only nerds care about microSD card slot. Seriously though with 128GB of storage, why on earth would you want a microSD card slot?! It's about as useful as a removable battery which to say is irrelevant in 2017. I agree that losing the headphone jack is annoying but that's the case with most flagships released this year. What appeals to me about this phone tho is build quality and its ability to withstand scratches and drops - does it really deliver in that department?

    • magic8ballgag on 09/11/2017 - 14:52

      -No expandable memory card slot

      Obviously it wasn't essential enough otherwise it would have one.

  • error619 on 09/11/2017 - 09:06

    https://www.essential.com/

  • amaslam on 09/11/2017 - 09:06
    +2

    Why choose this over the Oneplus 5 which does have a headphone jack, B28, solid reviews, more RAM and usually wins in most speed tests against flagships?

    I did seriously look at Essential but for me the lack of headphone jack and 'not great' camera is the turn off.

    • dosada on 09/11/2017 - 09:18
      +1

      Because Oneplus doesn't have any in stock in their own store and because the 5t is about to be released

      • illumination on 09/11/2017 - 10:58

        Then the question could be why not buy the 5t? Lol

        • dosada on 09/11/2017 - 11:01

          The 5t will very likely outperform this in any way, be a reliable phone at a decent price. But, will it be as flashy?

      • amaslam on 09/11/2017 - 13:38

        Gearbest had it on their shop 2 weeks ago. Used it with a 40% off, so about 515 AUD shipped. Arrived today.

    • Baebs on 09/11/2017 - 10:09

      Also heard there are issues with the hardware, freezing etc. No reason to choose this over the OP5.

      • eug on 09/11/2017 - 11:27

        You'll find that with any phone if you search for it.

    • hweita on 09/11/2017 - 10:33
      +1

      Some people would prefer the bezel-less design and premium materials of the Essential phone, which is of course subjective and some will place more value on it. There are tech reviewers who use the Essential as their daily driver due to how nice it looks and feels, and how unique it is.

      As Droid-Life puts it:

      "I’d argue that the hardware and design are better than OnePlus’, but that the camera is a touch below that of the OnePlus 5 and the software experience similar, though it hasn’t been quite as fine-tuned as OnePlus’ phones nor does it have the extra customizations. Would I choose this phone over something like the OnePlus 5? Probably, and that’s because I love the hardware and design so much, plus I appreciate the ultra-bare-bones software."

      https://www.droid-life.com/2017/11/06/fresh-look-essential-p…

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