I'm really torn about getting this phone

[BOSCHETT]

I hope to go check it out once it hits Best Buy. But given all the negative comments I'm not sure it's a good idea. I know more people are going to post negative things as apposed to the positive so I may be a little jaded from reading just about everything about this phone. I like the look of it and the small form factor. I don't care about the camera, but the issues regarding the general usefulness has me concerned. Screen tapping delay, issues with certain apps not rendering correctly. I know they will bother me and I'm not sure a 15 day return window will be sufficient. My other options are the LG G6 (is it still a good phone?) or the new V30, but I'm not sure if the latter will be too big. I'll be coming off a Nexus 6p so just about anything will be smaller.

So comment here if you really like this phone.

 

[Golfdriver97]

I don't have the phone...but I would say at least wait until you can hold the device. Even if it's a couple weeks later, that may give more time for other first impressions to flow in.

 

[dpackerz]

Yes, try it. I love mine. I did not restore from a prior phone app backup. Only downloaded from play store. A few minor issues, but nothing an update can't cure. I'm not Picasso, so camera is passable for me.

 

[Tim1954]

Go to a shop. Pick up the device. You will know.

 

[ChuckG73]

I love this phone and over the past three days have had zero issues. love the premium feel, size and screen size, battery life, snappiness, and even love the camera quality. It has taken some nice shots. In my opinion this is what the Pixel should be.

I would love water proofing but that is about it....

So yes go try it..let us know if you buy one.

 

[RJurman]

This phone is amazing. I received mine last week and used it extensively on the AT&T network all weekend. I really pushed it hard and absolutely love it. It feels really nice although I will be happy when a case or two is available. It is a bit slippery.
I restored mine from a previous backup of an S8 and have had no issues whatsoever. To be clear, I buy a lot of new phones so I guess you can call me a flagship junkie. Currently, I own the Pixel, S8 and now the Essential.
Much like Chuck, I am not an expert photographer so to me the photos are just fine. I did sideload the Pixel camera app and actually prefer the stock camera although it does tend to over saturate bright colors a bit. No big deal for me.
I have had no issues with the OS freezing, and any screen sensitivity issues are minimal at best. I think that many of the negative comments are more about the aggravation regarding the way the entire launch was handled, delivery issues, etc. I get it. I was frustrated as well but at $699 there is no way this phone should be getting trashed.
Try it. Make an educated decision but don't base it at this point on everything you have read.
Just my two cents for what it's worth..

 

[aitt]

I don't think anyone has a problem with the phone per se. Any new phone is going to have its hiccup. My main thing of course is the customer service. The premium feel of this phone really is amazing. I'm not sure how I feel about no headphone jack. I'm a BT person but do use jacks at work so to have to use the USB-C and not able to charge with quite cumbersome. I wouldn't care with the Note 8 since it has wireless charging. Camera I no junkie with pics, but I do care about certain low light situations so I haven't had a chance to judge on that.

However, I still plan on sending this phone back. There's alot of positive for me, however the customer service is complete turn off for me. I know it may sound petty, but I worry if I ever have any issues with this phone.

 

[BOSCHETT]

I think the phone will be in BB on Friday. I'll go check it out.

 

[anon(9918034)]

I hope to go check it out once it hits Best Buy. But given all the negative comments I'm not sure it's a good idea. I know more people are going to post negative things as apposed to the positive so I may be a little jaded from reading just about everything about this phone. I like the look of it and the small form factor. I don't care about the camera, but the issues regarding the general usefulness has me concerned. Screen tapping delay, issues with certain apps not rendering correctly. I know they will bother me and I'm not sure a 15 day return window will be sufficient. My other options are the LG G6 (is it still a good phone?) or the new V30, but I'm not sure if the latter will be too big. I'll be coming off a Nexus 6p so just about anything will be smaller.

So comment here if you really like this phone.

This is where you need to actually ignore the reviewers. There are alot of great things being said about this phone in the forums from alot of people who have been around for a while and literally use every phone that comes out. The more I read the more anxious I am for it to arrive by week's end.

Currently have the G6, not a bad phone but if you are thinking of LG. Go with the v30 much better option and like the reviews said it's the phone the G6 should have been.

 

[PhiPsi32]

The main problem with Essential Phone is buying the Essential Phone . . . It's not clear when or if you can get it . . . That's the real problem. Plenty of new handsets have launched with bugs . . . but you could at least buy the phone and try it. With multiple handsets in the wild, you get significant feedback. Essential Phone . . . not so much . . .

 

[BOSCHETT]

I just ordered the phone. Hopefully it will be a speedy and issue free delivery.

 

[PhiPsi32]

I've had the handset for 13.5 hrs . . . first impression is very good. Bezel mania aside, it's very nice to have a big screen in a small form factor. The 15 day trial will be very interesting.

 

[damiand2002]

i just got mine yesterday and so far its great! i was a little nervous because of all the negative reviews but i am loving mine. i did a restore from back up and its been working great. no crashes at all and the phone is super fast! beautiful device