I'm Surprised! The Essential Phone is WAY better than expected!

[doctormeatusa]

Just tried this with VZN. Can see the settings, but cannot change them. Wifi calling is off.

WiFi calling and Verizon's voicemail transcription service are the only things I have found that don't work for this phone.

I am able to do data tasks like web browsing while on the phone.

 

[Stinger4321]

Just tried this with VZN. Can see the settings, but cannot change them. Wifi calling is off.

WiFi calling and Verizon's voicemail transcription service are the only things I have found that don't work for this phone.

I am able to do data tasks like web browsing while on the phone.

Data while on a phone call? I didn't think verizon supported this feature? I have never seen it on the og xl or my nexus 6

 

[Umass021]

As far as I know any 4g phone for Verizon could do that. It's been many years since it wasn't possible.

 

[raqball]

My white came today from the Mothership so a few thoughts.

Had to run 3 updates out of the box but all up to date now and rockin' along.

The phone is gorgeous and built like a tank! The camera is nowhere even close to being bad. It's not the best but photos are more than adequate.

It's fast and snappy. Just as fast and snappy as my Pixel and maybe even a little smoother. The screen? WOW! Absolutely love having a phablet screen size in a small form factor. It's even smaller in overall dimensions than my Pixel (5") by a few millimeters in height. The fingerprint sensor is fast and unlocks the phone every time.

Overall I am thrilled with it. I am on AT&T had have not had any signal issues. Everything is fast and blazing along.

Slapped my dbrand matte white skin on the back already because I am OCD about fingerprint smudges.

Bottom line: If you have not already purchased this phone, do it now!

 

[Stinger4321]

As far as I know any 4g phone for Verizon could do that. It's been many years since it wasn't possible.

Odd.. i have never had the ability. Is it sim card thing? I have had same sim since Note 3

 

[recDNA]

Just tried this with VZN. Can see the settings, but cannot change them. Wifi calling is off.

WiFi calling and Verizon's voicemail transcription service are the only things I have found that don't work for this phone.

I am able to do data tasks like web browsing while on the phone.

Do you mean no voicemail or no visual voicemail?

 

[recDNA]

Odd.. i have never had the ability. Is it sim card thing? I have had same sim since Note 3

Note 3 could do it too.

 

[Stinger4321]

Note 3 could do it too.

Screenshot while in a call

 

[recDNA]

What does that prove? Click on the browser and see if you can talk and browse. You must have a LTE signal.

 

[Stinger4321]

What does that prove? Click on the browser and see if you can talk and browse. You must have a LTE signal.

No lte in notification bar.. it drops out when you make a call..

 

[Stinger4321]

I thought only GSM had the ability to have talk and data

 

[recDNA]

I didn't say Essential phone works only that Note 3 and other phones sold by VZW do. My V20 does. Just today I called LG to get a tracking number and entered it in firefox to get my delivery info while still on the phone with customer support.
The Sprint version does have simultaneous voice and data

 

[messypotamia]

re Data while on phone call ... I believe so, because on occasion I'll be on a call and answer a question by putting the call on speaker, switching to browser to google something, talk while I'm reading results, etc. then switch back to phone app to say goodbye and hangup. Is that what you meant?

 

[DesertTwang]

Cool to read several accounts of happy Essential owners. I'm currently in the market to replace my iPhone 6 Plus with a Google Pixel, and the Essential Phone wasn't even on my radar until my brother mentioned it to me only yesterday. I read a review (forget where) and was very impressed with the hardware and build quality, but software-wise, I got the impression that while this might be the best phone around, it seems like it's not all the way ready for prime time. Almost there, but not quiiiite. I guess I'll keep watching this thread and see what people report over the next few days or weeks.

 

[modifier]

...but software-wise, I got the impression that while this might be the best phone around, it seems like it's not all the way ready for prime time. Almost there, but not quiiiite.

Welcome to AC.

What's wrong with the Essential software and why isn't it ready for "prime time" in your opinion? Can you be more specific? Have you used one yet?

 

[raqball]

Cool to read several accounts of happy Essential owners. I'm currently in the market to replace my iPhone 6 Plus with a Google Pixel, and the Essential Phone wasn't even on my radar until my brother mentioned it to me only yesterday. I read a review (forget where) and was very impressed with the hardware and build quality, but software-wise, I got the impression that while this might be the best phone around, it seems like it's not all the way ready for prime time. Almost there, but not quiiiite. I guess I'll keep watching this thread and see what people report over the next few days or weeks.

I wanted this phone from the moment I 1st saw it.. I was ready to order when it was released but didn't want the black so I waited. While waiting I read about the issues and by the time the white was released the internet was flooded with bad reviews and people having issues.

I moved on but the phone kept popping up in my head from time to time. I decided with the price drop to give it a go and I am very happy I did.

I believe many of the initial launch issues have been corrected either through manufacturing tweaks and software updates. The phone, as it sits in my hand now, is a flat out steal at $450-$500..

• Screen 9/10: It's gorgeous and is a 5.7 incher in a 5" form factor.
• Build 10/10: Wow... Premium no doubt and built like a tank
• Software: 9/10: Stock Android on the latest security patch. It's fast, snappy and smooth
• Reception: Same as my OG Pixel and Xperia XZ1 as far a signal strength goes. It's crappy where I live and I get about 100 dbm on all 3 of them so no difference.
• Camera: 8/10: It's good. Actually it's very good in outdoor situations. I have not taken any shots in low light yet but I rarely ever do.
• Fingerprint reader 10/10: Fast and accurate
• Sound 8/10: It gets loud but there are better speaker phones out there.
• Price 10/10: What can I say? $450-$500 for this phone is an absolute steal!

All you have to lose by trying it is a possible restocking fee. To me, it's worth the $35 to see if it meets your needs. The phone is fantastic and probably the best buy in smartphones right now at it's current price.

 

[modifier]

@raqball - Glad to hear you like the phone so far. I know you were on the fence since launch and it sounds like the wait was worth it.

Performance on the November update has been excellent. It keeps getting smoother with each OTA.

And, you're right about the camera. I've been using the Essential camera app far more lately and uninstalled the Google HDR+ port. I'm getting better daytime results from the stock app.

 

[raqball]

I'm very happy with it after one day.. It might just become my all dayer.. I am probably going to sell my OG Pixel and my XZ1 Compact is having massive battery issues so this is going to be my daily for the time being. I don't see anything else coming out that sparks my interest.

I've always wanted a phablet sized screen in a smaller form factor and this accomplishes that. I had someone yesterday at Sams Club ask me if it was the new iPhone. LOL

 

[messypotamia]

1. On my GS4/VZW (SCH-I545) entering that keycode doesn't do anything. Does that only work on pure android?

2. On my PH-1 it works only with the native dialer ("Phone"), and not with the dialer that came with "DW Contacts & Phone 3.0.6.1", which I'm probably going to keep because it has the features I like. Again, if someone could explain why that is, I'd thank you bigly

 

[DominionRoofs]

I've had mine going on three days now. I really love this phone! Is fast and smooth. Perfect size and that screen!. So the only issue that still needs fixing (besides camera),which is what it is, is touch scrolling. Flick scrolling is great, but if you keep your finger on the screen without lifting and scroll, it's very choppy. I don't scroll the way but it does need to be fixed. There are threads about it on Reddit. I think there was some confusion on the overall performance. The performance is great and I would not have sent back my Pixel 2xl if it wasn't. Touch scrolling needs patched. The consensus on Reddit is that essential is working with Qualcomm to fix with firmware and possibly present with Oreo.