Did anyone keep their phone?

[ndonnine]

Just curious - I see a lot of the original essential buyers inside the pixel 2 forum.

I traded mine on craigslist for a pixel xl and a one plus 3t - using the pixel xl to get $400 off the pixel 2.

The customer support wasn't very good for the essential phone as far as I could tell - they answered emails quickly but couldnt get anything done. Also, I had cracked my screen and got a replacement (it fell from one foot and broke) and the insurance company sent me a new sealed phone before I traded. Something to note right now because they probably don't have any refurb models.

 

[Muddyml]

Uhhh...yeah. love it!

 

[modifier]

Just curious - I see a lot of the original essential buyers inside the pixel 2 forum.

I was one of them but ended up canceling my 2 XL pre-order. I decided the size and features of the PH-1 were a better fit and have another on the way.

My first one would have stayed had it not been for the speaker mesh. It was surprisingly stable, especially considering the feedback online.

 

[ShamelessMT]

Keeping mine. There's nothing else out there that compares when it comes to materials and form. I've had zero issues with the software, and the camera matters very little to me. I did exchange mine for one with the new speaker grille, but I'll be hanging on to this one for the next couple of years.

 

[The DragonTJH]

Since I lease from Sprint the Pixel line isn't an option, I looked at the V30+ and wasn't really impressed from a build quality or UI standpoint, so I'm keeping mine. It's really growing on me.

 

[fernandez21]

Returned mine, but just repurchased from Best buy, missed this phone.

 

[DarkNeo]

I have one from Sprint, was really hoping the recent update would sway me to stay. But Sprint hasn't pushed the update out yet...Smh.

I have a Pixel 2 XL coming tomorrow, so it's bye bye Essential. I'm giving this phone to my mom, so I'll be keeping tabs on it and trying out the updates, if Sprint ever pushes them out.

 

[The DragonTJH]

I have one from Sprint, was really hoping the recent update would sway me to stay. But Sprint hasn't pushed the update out yet...Smh.

I have a Pixel 2 XL coming tomorrow, so it's bye bye Essential. I'm giving this phone to my mom, so I'll be keeping tabs on it and trying out the updates, if Sprint ever pushes them out.

The OTA is available now, I just ran it. I did have to hit check for updates a couple of times before it came up.

 

[DarkNeo]

The OTA is available now, I just ran it. I did have to hit check for updates a couple of times before it came up.

Nothing here yet. Hmm...

 

[DarkNeo]

Nothing here yet. Hmm...

Finally came in... Finally. Pixel still arriving tomorrow though lol.

 

[modifier]

I have a Pixel 2 XL coming tomorrow, so it's bye bye Essential.

Hopefully it works out for you. Post your thoughts on how they compare once your 2 XL arrives.

 

[DarkNeo]

Hopefully it works out for you. Post your thoughts on how they compare once your 2 XL arrives.

Been playing with it for two days. Build quality is great, it actually feels light for a phone that big. Super responsive and fast. Camera is light-years ahead of the Essential. The only issue I have is the dullness of colors on the display. Google has said they made it that way. So coming from the Essential to that is kinda weird.

 

[modifier]

Been playing with it for two days. Build quality is great, it actually feels light for a phone that big. Super responsive and fast. Camera is light-years ahead of the Essential. The only issue I have is the dullness of colors on the display. Google has said they made it that way. So coming from the Essential to that is kinda weird.

LCD vs OLED debate aside, would you say the Essential's display has better color? The off-angle color shift on the 2 XL looks disappointing for the price, although I'd still like to get my hands on one to judge for myself. The PH-1's display turned out great for LCD in my opinion.

If I get a Pixel as a second device, I'd be tempted to go with the smaller one. About the only feature I'd use is the camera. The rest would get lost on me. Odd, I know...

 

[DarkNeo]

LCD vs OLED debate aside, would you say the Essential's display has better color? The off-angle color shift on the 2 XL looks disappointing for the price, although I'd still like to get my hands on one to judge for myself. The PH-1's display turned out great for LCD in my opinion.

If I get a Pixel as a second device, I'd be tempted to go with the smaller one. About the only feature I'd use is the camera. The rest would get lost on me. Odd, I know...

I would say yes, the Essential has a better looking screen. The colors pop, the XL's screen looks dull in comparison. I know everyone says that Google wanted realistic colors, but putting the XL next to an S8+, Essential, U11, it looks so dull. Of course the blacks look good given its an OLED. Plus I love the always on screen.

The off angle issue is there, but I'm okay with that. Doesn't really bother me. I'm going to a Verizon store to see a regular Pixel 2. If the bezels don't bother me, I'm going to exchange the XL. We have been spoiled by the Essential...

 

[modifier]

I would say yes, the Essential has a better looking screen. The colors pop, the XL's screen looks dull in comparison. I know everyone says that Google wanted realistic colors, but putting the XL next to an S8+, Essential, U11, it looks so dull. Of course the blacks look good given its an OLED. Plus I love the always on screen.

The off angle issue is there, but I'm okay with that. Doesn't really bother me. I'm going to a Verizon store to see a regular Pixel 2. If the bezels don't bother me, I'm going to exchange the XL. We have been spoiled by the Essential...

Interesting. I have to think that the V30 / 2 XL panels were made to meet a budget. I rarely complain about prices but that's one place where the 2 XL should have been better for the price in my book. At this point I'd probably go Pixel 2 and pocket the $200 + tax.

I'd like to see both Just Black and Kinda Blue in person. Black always gets my default vote but the blueish grey might be worth a look.

In the meantime I have both a white and black PH-1 on the way.

 

[bhatech]

Interesting. I have to think that the V30 / 2 XL panels were made to meet a budget. I rarely complain about prices but that's one place where the 2 XL should have been better for the price in my book. At this point I'd probably go Pixel 2 and pocket the $200 + tax.

I'd like to see both Just Black and Kinda Blue in person. Black always gets my default vote but the blueish grey might be worth a look.

In the meantime I have both a white and black PH-1 on the way.

Nah it's just that LG is not that great at making phone OLED panels at scale probably (they will get there soon). They are still in early stages even though they make awesome OLED TVs (have one and looks great). On the Pixel 2 XL, screen is not the best but not thrash and it offers so much more just in software that I'm willing to pay top dollars for it. And yeah if you don't mind the smaller screen the Pixel 2 is at a great price for what it offers (minus if you don't mind the bezels). Different people value different things and I hate the conversation where one thinks it's ok to spend $1000 on Note 8 but not on Pixel 2 XL. Sure Note 8 has the best screen, but I can argue Pixel has the best software. It's just different people value different things so it'll never be the same. I liked Jerry's take on AC on this subject today.

 

[robertopod1968]

Just curious - I see a lot of the original essential buyers inside the pixel 2 forum.

I traded mine on craigslist for a pixel xl and a one plus 3t - using the pixel xl to get $400 off the pixel 2.

The customer support wasn't very good for the essential phone as far as I could tell - they answered emails quickly but couldnt get anything done. Also, I had cracked my screen and got a replacement (it fell from one foot and broke) and the insurance company sent me a new sealed phone before I traded. Something to note right now because they probably don't have any refurb models.

Dropped mine from about a foot and it broke the screen also. Returned it as I couldn't stand the camera. They charged me $199. I'm not complaining about the charge because I did drop it. But it was a very small drop and I did stick my foot out to slow it down. Anyways. I heard they have sold 5,000 phones and are getting sued. Sounds like a company that won't be around long. Unfortunate.

 

[modifier]

Nah it's just that LG is not that great at making phone OLED panels at scale probably (they will get there soon). They are still in early stages even though they make awesome OLED TVs (have one and looks great). On the Pixel 2 XL, screen is not the best but not thrash and it offers so much more just in software that I'm willing to pay top dollars for it. And yeah if you don't mind the smaller screen the Pixel 2 is at a great price for what it offers (minus if you don't mind the bezels).

Good point. The camera and software are likely worth it. It's just unfortunate that the XL is $200 more but (IMO) doesn't quite buy $200 more in display quality.

Different people value different things and I hate the conversation where one thinks it's ok to spend $1000 on Note 8 but not on Pixel 2 XL. Sure Note 8 has the best screen, but I can argue Pixel has the best software. It's just different people value different things so it'll never be the same. I liked Jerry's take on AC on this subject today.

Agreed. Price debates are always a losing battle. The numerical price of the 2 XL doesn't bother me personally. It just gets tricky when weighing devices against each other and realizing that with a Google phone your money is going entirely into camera and software and less into hardware. I'd gladly pay $900 for Essential-like build quality with a Pixel 2 camera. 2018 should hopefully be a better year for both devices.

 

[super_rigel]

I own the Essential phone. I also sell pretty much every device on the market as I work in the mobile industry. I got a chance to test the Pixel 2. Side by side with my Essential, I personally definitely prefer the Essential phones display and build.

 

[ctonylee]

Just curious - I see a lot of the original essential buyers inside the pixel 2 forum.

I traded mine on craigslist for a pixel xl and a one plus 3t - using the pixel xl to get $400 off the pixel 2.

The customer support wasn't very good for the essential phone as far as I could tell - they answered emails quickly but couldnt get anything done. Also, I had cracked my screen and got a replacement (it fell from one foot and broke) and the insurance company sent me a new sealed phone before I traded. Something to note right now because they probably don't have any refurb models.

I just bought the white version because my black one was lonely. No jacked up comments please. I know I have issues. I'm a phone hoe.......