Essential vs OnePlus cyber monday deal

[Girlskiier]

I've had three Google Nexus 5 phones (don't ask). I'm getting a new phone hopefully today. Amazon has a cyber monday deal on the essential for 399. The oneplus5 doesn't have a deal and is 499. I'm wondering which I can transition to easier. I like the price of the essential, but I don't like that it doesn't have a headphone jack or any real customer support. I called the phone number today and left a message for a call back. The oneplus has a cell phone jack is getting great reviews and at least they have a customer service number, but I have no idea how helpful they are. I'm not terribly concerned about camera or storage or storage expansion for either phone, but maybe I should be. Thanks

 

[Morty2264]

Hello! While both phones are really good options (I myself have them on my watch list for when I upgrade); I think it boils down to a couple of different things:

- Specs. I know you said you didn't really mind about camera or storage; but what about things like screen size, battery size, etc? The Essential Phone is 5.71" and the battery size is 3040 mAh; and the camera experience is supposedly excellent. The OP 5T is 6.01" and the battery size is 3300 mAh.

- What do you use your phone for? Do you watch movies, play games, or do a lot of web browsing? If you do, then you may prefer the bigger screen real estate of the OP 5T (and users have said that, though the size is bigger, it still fits really well in the hand and doesn't seem that much bigger than its cousin, the OnePlus 5) and the larger battery size to compensate for said activities.

- What phone do you see yourself using for the long term, or until you upgrade next? Also, which phone do you think you'd love to look at for that long (you'll be looking at this device for at least a year or more, on average, perhaps)?

- Review videos: watching review videos and unboxing videos from YouTube (look for channels like Android Authority and Android Central) will give you a better idea of how the phones operate in day-to-day use and how they'd potentially feel in the hand for you.

It's a tough choice, for sure! Please let us know what you decide!

 

[tsquare2112]

You will get better overall battery life from the 5t.
You will get 100 times better customer service from 5t.
You will get better resale value from 5t.
You will get better value for your money from 5t.

You will get a smaller overall form factor with the Essential.
You will get a different looking screen, colors, etc, with the Essential, better or worse is a personal preference opinion.

I've had both, I've had to deal with customer service from both. Essential customer service is non existent, and whenever they finally respond it's a down right flat out lie!

The Essential has gotten some updates that hopefully will continue and make it a good device. Not up to OP standards yet, and who knows if it ever will be.

Camera, Battery, Customer Service is worth the additional money to me.

I hope this helped.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Since it sounds like customer support is important to you, I'd lean towards the OnePlus, since they're a more established company. With Essential's less than stellar sales, I'd be somewhat concerned about their continued viability in the near future. Maybe they might get bought by another company, but as with Razer's purchase of Nextbit, that doesn't mean the existing phones will continue to get support for long.

 

[tsquare2112]

The new Razer phone is pretty slick. I kept the 5t and sent the Razer back, but it was a tough decision to make. The overall size of each made the decision for me.

 

[Gweeper64]

My wife chose the Essential over the 5T mainly because she could physically hold one at BestBuy first. The $399 Amazon deal was also too good to let pass.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

Given today's accusation aimed at Rubin, I'd be even more dubious about the future of essential than I was before.

Whether the allegation is true or false, it's a hit to his reputation and by association that of the company, his leave of absence likely won't help.

I wouldn't be surprised if you can get an essential phone for $100-200 by February. I could be wrong of course, but if you really want one I'd wait and see.

 

[Morty2264]

My wife chose the Essential over the 5T mainly because she could physically hold one at BestBuy first. The $399 Amazon deal was also too good to let pass.

That is a great deal, for sure!

 

[Morty2264]

Given today's accusation aimed at Rubin, I'd be even more dubious about the future of essential than I was before.

Whether the allegation is true or false, it's a hit to his reputation and by association that of the company, his leave of absence likely won't help.

I wouldn't be surprised if you can get an essential phone for $100-200 by February. I could be wrong of course, but if you really want one I'd wait and see.

Yeah, we'll have to wait and see with regards to Essential's future. It's a shame. It's a great, innovative company and, as you've said, whether or not the allegations against him are true or false, it will be difficult for the company at this time.