Essential feels outdated before it's released and overpriced

[ChuckG73]

So with the One Plus 5 launching yesterday with 8GB under $600 and the S8 trade in program where you can get an unlocked S8 for $424, I am trying to figure out why anyone would buy the Essential. The Pixel 2 is also around the corner and wondering how that will compete with these three other phones.

I have reserved an Essential but am left wondering why? I am a huge fan of Andy Rubin and would love to see this be a success. What will make the Essential phone stand out in a crowded space and how is it future proofed? So far as we have heard; it is not waterproof, only 4 GB of RAM, and does not contain a 600Mhz band for T-Mobile which i believe is band 71.

I currently have the Pixel and it is in a Life-Proof case. This past weekend, I was sitting on my deck and my Irish Wolfhound came up to me and nudged my hand and sent it flying in the air and landed about 6 feet away from me face down. NO damage at all to the phone, I reached out to Essential asking if there would be any cases for the phone and the responded that it does not need one and urged me to watch the drop test online. Is the phone really that rugged? If so why not make it Waterproof as well?

All that being said, I am looking forward to see what the Essential has yet to announce and how it will carve out its own niche. C'Mon Andy give us some encouraging news. Make us want to part with an additional $300 dollars for your PH-1 vs the current Flag Ship offerings.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

It'll likely have its own userbase

 

[raqball]

So with the One Plus 5 launching yesterday with 8GB under $600 and the S8 trade in program where you can get an unlocked S8 for $424, I am trying to figure out why anyone would buy the Essential. The Pixel 2 is also around the corner and wondering how that will compete with these three other phones.

One Plus 5 is a larger sized phone with traditional type bezels. The Essential is a phablet screen sized phone in a compact phone size.

Your S8 price depends on what's traded in and not many will get that price. Sure you can do the BOGO that some carriers have going on but that's not really a good deal either if you look at the terms and conditions.

The Pixel 2 is unknown so why it's even included in your post is a bit odd. The S9 and Pixel 3 will be out next year so why not wait for them?

In my mind the Essential will appeal so those who want a pure Android experience and a phablet screen size in a smaller form factor. If neither of these appeal you, then I'd agree the phone is not for you and you should get one of the other phones you mention or wait for the Pixel 7.

Make us want to part with an additional $300 dollars for your PH-1 vs the current Flag Ship offerings.

This statement is not even close to being accurate...

The 128GB Pixel is the same price and the S8 will cost most buyers about the same with less internal storage...

If you want to compare the OP5 price and specs to other flagships then that's fine but don't use promos to lessen the true comparison...

 

[ChuckG73]

One Plus 5 is a larger sized phone with traditional type bezels. The Essential is a phablet screen sized phone in a compact phone size.

Your S8 price depends on what's traded in and not many will get that price. Sure you can do the BOGO that some carriers have going on but that's not really a good deal either if you look at the terms and conditions.

The Pixel 2 is unknown so why it's even included in your post is a bit odd. The S9 and Pixel 3 will be out next year so why not wait for them?

In my mind the Essential will appeal so those who want a pure Android experience and a phablet screen size in a smaller form factor. If neither of these appeal you, then I'd agree the phone is not for you and you should get one of the other phones you mention or wait for the Pixel 7.



This statement is not even close to being accurate...

The 128GB Pixel is the same price and the S8 will cost most buyers about the same with less internal storage...

If you want to compare the OP5 price and specs to other flagships then that's fine but don't use promos to lessen the true comparison...

@raqball If you go to Samsung and look at the current offer it is the same deal everyone will get if the trade in any iphone or android phone, even they trade in a Samsung deal is even better. For this deal to come out on the same day as the OP5 launch is not a mere coincident. So Samsung is screaming compare the S8 to the OP5 and get more for less.

The Pixel 2 is an unknown, but as far as my next phone it will probably either be the Pixel 2 or the Essential that is why I included it in the list of options.

I will admit I was a bit off on the $300 dollar difference and thanks for keeping me honest. I am rooting for this phone and want it to be a success, the last time I was this interested in a phone was the Ubuntu Edge. I will gladly pay out 749 + shipping and taxes for the Essential and camera.

Can't wait for my email from essential to pay for the phone and get it in my hand

I pre-ordered one black and one white

 

[raqball]

@raqball If you go to Samsung and look at the current offer it is the same deal everyone will get if the trade in any iphone or android phone, .

I will admit I was a bit off on the $300 dollar difference and thanks for keeping me honest.

Not true,,, Maybe you better read the fine print.... The phone has to be paid off and if it's not you are responsible for paying it off. It also has to be in good condition. Since most have phones under payments the # of people who can take advantage of this is minimal...

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...e-in%2Fterms-and-conditions%2F&token=kO3Ytq4n

I do agree though that if someone meets the trade in requirements that the S8 looks to be a great deal... I could meet it as I have 3 phones right now that are paid in full and in mint condition. A KEYone, a X Compact and a Pixel. If I were to take that deal they'd get the X Compact...

Edit to add: I was going to snag the S8 but they only have the unlocked version in black.. Bummer.. I wanted the Gray...

Oh well, I'll check back in a week or so and see if they offer the unlocked in more colors..

 

[ChuckG73]

oh I thought everybody was like you and me and hold on to a couple phones in good condition...I have a Pixel, Droid Turbo, and Nexus One. I would trade the Turbo. I keep hanging onto the Nexus One for some reason...

 

[SZQnl]

As mentioned by raqball, it's the size of the Essential phone that is appealing to those of us who like smaller more compact phones with top-of-the-range core specs, like me

Fitting a 5.7" display in a body that most 5.1/5.2" phones struggle to do is a huge selling point for those who like to use phones single-handed. I had the LG G2 (5.2") before and that was a perfect size for me. My current phone, a Xiaomi Mi 5, has a 5.15" display but is bigger than the Essential phone.

I'm guessing it's difficult and expensive to fit a high-end SoC and dual-cameras into such compact body. Technically, not many can do it which is why, IMO, phones are getting larger. Also, the default 128GB is generous so $699 isn't too bad, promotions aside.

The OnePlus 5 is much larger, has a 1080p display, and is uninspiring to me. It's just a good phone, good value.

I like the the Essential Phone and plan to get one if they release it in Asia with dual-sim support and a matte finish.

Waterproof would be nice though...

 

[frhoward]

One Plus 5 is a larger sized phone with traditional type bezels. The Essential is a phablet screen sized phone in a compact phone size.

Your S8 price depends on what's traded in and not many will get that price. Sure you can do the BOGO that some carriers have going on but that's not really a good deal either if you look at the terms and conditions.

The Pixel 2 is unknown so why it's even included in your post is a bit odd. The S9 and Pixel 3 will be out next year so why not wait for them?

In my mind the Essential will appeal so those who want a pure Android experience and a phablet screen size in a smaller form factor. If neither of these appeal you, then I'd agree the phone is not for you and you should get one of the other phones you mention or wait for the Pixel 7.



This statement is not even close to being accurate...

The 128GB Pixel is the same price and the S8 will cost most buyers about the same with less internal storage...

If you want to compare the OP5 price and specs to other flagships then that's fine but don't use promos to lessen the true comparison...

Not only that, you have GG5, Titanium and Ceramic materials. I've always desired for a phone that doest not need a case but still looks magnificent with the top specs and pure Android and Andy delivered like I knew he would when he was showing off the teasers a while back.

 

[ChuckG73]

Would love to see some real world drop tests, not just the one on the website.

 

[buzzard75]

I wouldn't say it's outdated. It has the latest processor and a lot of features that current phones don't have. It might be missing a few things, but you could say the same thing about almost every other phone on the market. They all have pros and cons, doesn't mean they're necessarily outdated. A lot of it depends on what you really want and what you really need in a phone.

I've being weighing my options for a while now. I don't want a screen with rounded edges, so that eliminates the S8 and the OP5 for me. I need something that works on Verizon because it's the only reliable network in this area, which eliminates a lot of other phones. I'm not touching an iOS product. I need something with at least 128GB of memory unless it has an option for microSD card, so I can ditch my iPod. I would prefer the 835, but can settle for the 821. I only own one phone and it's getting worse by the day so the sooner I get something, the better. I don't think I can wait until October when the Pixel 2 comes out. So if I'm looking at what is currently available or what is supposed to come out within the next month, I'm pretty much limited to either the Essential phone, the LG G6 (G6+ is rumored for next month, but not confirmed for US) or the Google Pixel XL. I'm afraid to consider the Google Pixel XL knowing there's a new Pixel 2 and supposedly a slightly larger version coming out in a few months. It would just stick in my craw knowing that I could have waited just a few more months and gotten the next version. I've honestly never owned an LG or Google product so I don't know what to think of their build quality, but to be fair, I've never owned anything made by Essential either. Can't say I've ever heard anything bad about either though. An unlocked G6 direct from LG is the same price as the Essential phone and an unlocked Pixel XL with 128GB of memory direct from Google is about $170 more for some reason. Side by side by side, I prefer the looks of the Essential phone. I can even live with that cutout in the screen for the camera. Eventually all edge to edge displays will have them until someone can come up with a way for the camera to be behind the actual screen. I really like the fact the Essential phone has a titanium body. The accessories are also an interesting idea. IP68 rating would be nice, but it's not a deal breaker for me. I don't abuse my devices like that although accidents do happen. Updates are always an issue, but the Pixel XL gets them direct from Google whereas the Essential and LG would have some work to do since they're not entirely stock Android.

All that being said, I'm still no closer to a decision. All three have pros and cons.

 

[msp1518]

I've dived in to the S8 after years of iPhone ownership and will have mine in hand next week. That Samsung trade in deal was too good to pass up. Getting it for way less than the EP will cost. However, that doesn't mean I am not interested. I am VERY curious about its construction and love it's lack of size. It's a big screen in a small size (by today's standards). The lack of a headphone jack sucks, but soon all phones will be portless.

I really want a gorgeously constructed phone that is not too big and can take a beating. Today's phones are insanely fragile. That means I am very interested in the Essential. I'll decide once I can play with one at a Sprint location.