Essential's future

[Kayza]

I see that Essential is still pushing out updates, which impressive all things considered. But they just laid off 30% of their staff. Anyone have any ideas as to what the future holds for them? Do you think they will survive?

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

(8) Signs point to... maybe?

 

[aztec12]

as long as they keep up with regular updates for at least the next 2 years I'm good.

 

[wmurch3]

I give them like 3 months before they sell or dissolve. I think they'll be done releasing updates by late November. however, with less staff they could last longer depending on their cash reserves. I would love to be proven wrong and they release another phone but it sure don't look good.

it's a shame because the ph-1 is a great start and their next device could have been amazing.

 

[digitalbreak]

I see that Essential is still pushing out updates, which impressive all things considered. But they just laid off 30% of their staff. Anyone have any ideas as to what the future holds for them? Do you think they will survive?

The staff cut was mostly in the hardware department and not in the software as far as I know.

 

[acfan]

Will you guys move on to another phone if Essential goes under, i.e. no more support or update?

 

[jontalk]

The staff cut was mostly in the hardware department and not in the software as far as I know.

So any prediction about the future for Essential? I've been hunting around for a more current device than my Galaxy S4 and notice Ebay auctions for this phone still bringing as much or more than the $250 Amazon deal. As someone who doesn't stare at his phone constantly, I see now need to invest big $$

 

[Gayle Lynn]

For sure, weight, has Pie, and I still believe we'll get two years security.

Nice hand held device. Only down for me, no wireless charging but does fast charge; not OLED.
It's fast even iuf only SD835, has 4GB with 128GB.

Samsung won't have 9.0 until 1st Q 2019.

 

[Kayza]

The staff cut was mostly in the hardware department and not in the software as far as I know.

That's not all that comforting - does that mean they are ot going to introduce any more hardware?

 

[digitalbreak]

That's not all that comforting - does that mean they are ot going to introduce any more hardware?

Rumor is that they are yet again building completely different AI driven phone - unclear what that is....

 

[anon(9638631)]

Will you guys move on to another phone if Essential goes under, i.e. no more support or update?

I have two Essentials currently, a Halo Gray and a Pure White. The Halo Gray is my primary, the Pure White my backup. I love the Essential Phone. That said, I just bought a Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S global version and should have it delivered by Amazon later today.

The Xiaomi will either become my primary or backup phone, time will tell but either way, I'm probably going to sell the Pure White Essential eventually.

If Essential stops all updates for whatever reason, I'll also sell the Halo Gray because if there's no monthly security updates, it's just a paperweight to me.

 

[Bosgarage57]

I have two Essentials currently, a Halo Gray and a Pure White. The Halo Gray is my primary, the Pure White my backup. I love the Essential Phone. That said, I just bought a Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S global version and should have it delivered by Amazon later today.

The Xiaomi will either become my primary or backup phone, time will tell but either way, I'm probably going to sell the Pure White Essential eventually.

If Essential stops all updates for whatever reason, I'll also sell the Halo Gray because if there's no monthly security updates, it's just a paperweight to me.

I'd like to hear a comparison between the two. Been looking at the 2S as a next step as well

 

[anon(9638631)]

Well it might be delayed. I got the phone today in an unsealed box with the wrong phone in it. It was the Chinese version with a Global ROM flashed to it. Shady stuff. Reported the company to Amazon and got a refund. Called another USA seller that is selling it on Amazon. They physically told me that it is factory sealed in plastic and is the actual Global Version with the model number ending in XA, not XE like the one I received which is Chinese version .

I'd like to hear a comparison between the two. Been looking at the 2S as a next step as well

 

[anon(9638631)]

I'd like to hear a comparison between the two. Been looking at the 2S as a next step as well

I should have my new 2S Global in hand by tomorrow night. I can tell you two things though right now, even though side by side they aren't that much different in dimensions, it is definitely bigger in hand than the specs suggest (or maybe I'm just accustomed to the Essential).

And second, I played with it for about 10 minutes and all I can say is that it is blazingly fast with everything.

 

[anon(9638631)]

I'd like to hear a comparison between the two. Been looking at the 2S as a next step as well

So not much of an overall comparison but here's a little on battery life that I've observed so far.

I usually average about 48 hours on a charge with 8+ hours of SOT on the Essential which I believe is fantastic.

The Mix 2S, I booted for the first time and set-up the device the way I set-up and optimize all my Android devices. Then I charged to 100% and rebooted.

Here's my battery life for the first full cycle (100% down to 2%) on the Mix 2S. I have screenshots of the battery graph and the screen-on info.

1 day, 15 hours, 19 minutes, 23 seconds on battery with 11 hours, 0 minutes, 38 seconds SOT.

Mobile data always on, WiFi always off except for a max of maybe 15 minutes for testing, location always off, BT always on, all accounts set to sync regularly with push notifications. I don't use social media. Auto screen brightness.

 

[Bosgarage57]

Wow that's awesome! I'm surprised the ealssential phone is that good.

My currrent phone is an Asus zenfone 3 zoom with a 5000mah battery and I average 9 hours SOT, 4g no wifi. I don't think I could go back down to 4 to 5 hour SOT.

 

[mogelijk]

I noticed the new Essential home device, which they have been working on instead of the Essential PH-2, is now being advertised on the website.

 

[Andrew_404]

How do you like the Mi Mix 2S? I've been looking at that has another option to my Essential. Just curious..

 

[anon(9638631)]

How do you like the Mi Mix 2S? I've been looking at that has another option to my Essential. Just curious..

I like it a lot, and that's coming from someone who's either used stock Android or "close to stock" Android since the I got rid of my Note 5 a few years ago.

It's definitely a lot different experience than my other devices (2 Essential Phones) but in a good way.

I use the stock messgaing app as opposed to Google Messages because I had an issue with MMS on Messages. Stock app runs super.

Battery life is superb.

A few quirks here and there but then again, stock Android has its quirks as well.

 

[msp1518]

I have an Ocean Depths, which I paid over $600 for. So I am sticking with it until it stops working. Hoping to get all the way to 2020 with this beauty.