Why Pixel over Essential?

[firebirder]

I'd be all over the Essential if it weren't for the 1st Gen issue. Even the experienced phone manufacturers release buggy phones and phones with design flaws on a regular basis. I hope Rubin gets it dead on the money right on the first go but the stats aren't on his side.

HTC Droid Incredible. Their first Android smartphone and probably one of the best ever!

Was planning on the Pixel XL 2, but they increased the screen size for no reason so I think that's gonna be a no go for me. Pixel XL maybe, but the tech is a year old. The Essential is new to me but so far looks impressive. Love the screen. Biggest concern for me is the speed of updates. That was one of the biggest draws of a Pixel was the direct updates from Google. If Essential can match that speed, I might be sold, if it is gonna be like carrier phones where I'm still running 7.0 with a June security patch, I'm going to be very disappointed.

 

[PhiPsi32]

In the Verge's review they said they were getting about 7 hours SOT by the second day.

I was getting 6hrs SOT on my 6P . . . when it was new . . . now not so much. I am in the bigger battery camp but willing to be proven wrong.

 

[dlalonde]

Well that's going to depend on the Pixel 2's price tag. See I don't want to have to get a second mortgage to get the Essential phone. It looks absolutely amazing but holy Jebus that price!

So two other aspects, other than having to sell your first born to get it. The first would be the timely updates. Stock Android does not equate timely updates (I'm looking at you Lenovo/Motorola). Being that it's Andy Rubin, I'm pretty sure those updates will come quickly but it still remains to be seen.

The last aspect is the camera. From what we can gather from reviews, it's not all that great. A software update made it better but again not that great.

Oh and some people would like to take advantage of unlimited Google Photos full resolution backups which the Essential doesn't provice.

Lastly if reviewers don't stop with the 'Essential' puns I'm boycotting the phone!

 

[ChuckG73]

The Essential is 699, even if you buy last year's Pixel XL with 128GB it will cost you 750 on Google Play Store. With the extra 150, buy the two year warranty and 360 camera from essential.

 

[Aquila]

I could make an argument for either, but Pixel 2 XL over Essential PH-1 comes down to this for me personally:

Software, Updates & Security. Google has a proven track record of being the best on these three fronts. Essential claims to want to emulate, but we don't know if it'll happen.

Camera. Google is still, 10 months later, the second best camera in a phone on the market. And they're "presumably" improving this year.

Build materials. I don't really care for the shiny devices too much. Yes, Essential is better than LG & Samsung because they're using ceramic and titanium rather than glass. But a metal phone is still better for what I want.

Photos. Unlimited full size forever is pretty huge.

As of today, the original Pixel XL is still the best all around device on the market IMO, but the Essential, assuming that the build quality and software support are actually there, is a possible top 5 contender.

 

[Large Hadron]

HTC Droid Incredible. Their first Android smartphone and probably one of the best ever!

Er, no. HTC's first Android smartphone was the HTC Dream, aka the G1, aka the very first commercially-released Android smartphone.

The DInc may have been the first HTC device with Verizon's "droid" branding, but it was far from their first Android smartphone (and even farther from being their first smartphone per se).

Was planning on the Pixel XL 2, but they increased the screen size for no reason so I think that's gonna be a no go for me. Pixel XL maybe, but the tech is a year old. The Essential is new to me but so far looks impressive. Love the screen. Biggest concern for me is the speed of updates. That was one of the biggest draws of a Pixel was the direct updates from Google. If Essential can match that speed, I might be sold, if it is gonna be like carrier phones where I'm still running 7.0 with a June security patch, I'm going to be very disappointed.

The rumour for the XL2 is that they've changed the screen aspect ratio, so although the diagonal is larger the device size should be pretty similar.

However, I'm personally not interested in phablets, so for me it would be Essential vs the regular Pixel 2. In which case it's really a matter of the Pixel being a more known quantity with an established track record but much more boring hardware (and almost certainly more expensive for the same storage), vs a more interesting device where the company's statements make all the right noises but it's a little early to be sure how they'll stack up in practice. In which case the case for the Pixel really comes down to the software: we can be pretty sure that the Pixel 2's software will be good, and for enthusiasts the development community should be solid and there will be the option of Android P previews next summer. Essential are unlikely to be quite as fast, and certainly won't be offering the previews, but their hardware seems much more interesting than what we're fairly certain is coming from Google.

One advantage of being a Brit is that by the time it comes here there will be many full reviews, a lot of real-world user experience, and a few updates, so I'll have a much better idea of how it works in reality before I'm in a position to pull the trigger (I could of course just order from Amazon.com and have it shipped here, but the hassle it would involve for returns or warranty, if those wre available at all, are enough to incline me to wait for a local release).

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

The Pixel XL 2 is undoubtedly a better phone than the Essential is. The problem is that you are likely going to be paying a lot more for it.

 

[fernandez21]

It's also a bigger phone. Some like smaller phones, and this compared to the smaller pixel is almost no contest.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

It's also a bigger phone. Some like smaller phones, and this compared to the smaller pixel is almost no contest.

If you want a small phone, why are you going with a phone with a 5.7" display?

 

[anon(1733)]

Again. Saying one device is better then the other is up to the end user. No one size fits all. And the pixel 2 hasn't been announced yet so as of now it's really rumor. Everyone has different needs and likes.

 

[fernandez21]

If you want a small phone, why are you going with a phone with a 5.7" display?

It's actually a little smaller than the rumored pixel 2.

 

[TheMarcus]

Why Essential over Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, OP5, or, really any current flagship?

On paper, it offers nothing over the OP5 except for a higher price tag. Is that smaller form factor really worth an extra $200? And speaking of size, it's only a smidgen more narrow than the OP5 and, based off of a side by side comparison from Phone Arena, the OP5 and EP have very similar usable screen real estate (if using capacitive keys on the OP5), despite the OP5 being the taller phone.

Really, the only advantage of the Essential, that you'd be paying an extra $200 for, is theoretically faster OS updates, but if that's the case, why not just get a Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL?

Ignoring the form factor at this point, what software benefit is there to getting the Essential Phone over either Pixel? The Essential is the barest bones stock Android, whereas the Pixel offers a little extra polish and will also have timely updates. And, not that I care, but Pixel will probably also have a better camera, too, based on what we're already hearing about the Essential.

The only benefit I see of the Essential over the Pixel family is if the Pixel XL's screen and body is too big or the Pixel's screen is too small. If you don't mind a bigger phone, assuming rumors represent the final product, the Pixel XL 2 seems like the way to go. If you don't mind a smaller phone, the same can be said about the smaller Pixel 2, with its now forgivable bezels (thanks to front firing speakers). If pricing is the same as last year, I think $649 and $769 are more appealing than $700 for the Essential.

So why choose Essential? For their camera mod? Unless you absolutely have to have a 360 camera attachment, this isn't a selling point. Also, leaving the consumers to use their imaginations to wonder what other attachments we might see in the future isn't a selling point either.

I just can't think of the justification for spending more on an Essential over the OP5, unless maybe faster updates is really worth an extra $200 to you, and, in that case, I can't think of any justification to get an Essential over either Pixel, unless one is just too big and the other is too small.

Even if that's the case, $700?

 

[modifier]

If pricing is the same as last year, I think $649 and $769 are more appealing than $700 for the Essential.

Your pricing is for the 32GB models. Since neither phone has expandable storage it's only fair to compare 128GB against 128GB. The 128GB Pixels are $749 and $869 plus tax in most locations. The closest display size comparison is the XL, so that's going to be over $935 after tax for most people. The PH-1 was $699 for most of us, making the XL $235+ more expensive. Assuming the next Google phone is priced the same, expect the same differences.

If you want an aluminum chassis with AMOLED and standard bezels then the OP5 is a fine choice. It saves you around $160 if you compare the 128GB model.

Many here are buying primarily because of the design, build quality and stock OS. Not all are buying the 360 camera.

Everything is personal preference and neither right nor wrong. Not all phones will be perfect for every user and aren't intended to be, either. We don't all buy the same car and don't complain when one person buys a 6-speed manual sports car and another buys a minivan. Both might cost the same depending on specs yet check off very different boxes. Why do phones fall under different standards?

 

[Almeuit]

For me? I trust Google -- Not saying I couldn't trust Essential but they're just a little ... "fresh" of a company for me to trust them with such an expensive phone.

 

[grooks]

Re: Why Essential over Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, OP5, or, really any current flagship?

On paper, it offers nothing over the OP5 except for a higher price tag. Is that smaller form factor really worth an extra $200? And speaking of size, it's only a smidgen more narrow than the OP5 and, based off of a side by side comparison from Phone Arena, the OP5 and EP have very similar usable screen real estate (if using capacitive keys on the OP5), despite the OP5 being the taller phone.

On paper there are a few differences. The Essential has a slightly larger screen and higher density screen while have a smaller form factor. That is worth extra money to me but maybe not $170 when comparing the 128GB OP5 to the Essential. There is also the materials used for the phone itself. Having titanium and ceramic definitely add to the price difference and are valuable to me as I prefer to use my phones without any cases (maybe a screen protector or skin if I feel the need).

Really, the only advantage of the Essential, that you'd be paying an extra $200 for, is theoretically faster OS updates, but if that's the case, why not just get a Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL?

Based upon current Pixel and Pixel XL pricing and specs, the Pixel has a smaller screen with roughly the same form factor as Essential and when you add 128GB of storage you have a price of $749. The Pixel XL has a slightly smaller screen with a much larger form factor and once you add 128GB or storage you are at $869.

Ignoring the form factor at this point, what software benefit is there to getting the Essential Phone over either Pixel? The Essential is the barest bones stock Android, whereas the Pixel offers a little extra polish and will also have timely updates. And, not that I care, but Pixel will probably also have a better camera, too, based on what we're already hearing about the Essential.

You are correct as to there being no software benefit to getting the Essential over the Pixel. Because the Essential is stock Android the assumption is (no one really knows yet) it will get timely updates similar to or not far behind Pixel updates. I have no doubt the Pixel camera is and may continue to be better than Essential but camera is not high on my must have list.

The only benefit I see of the Essential over the Pixel family is if the Pixel XL's screen and body is too big or the Pixel's screen is too small. If you don't mind a bigger phone, assuming rumors represent the final product, the Pixel XL 2 seems like the way to go. If you don't mind a smaller phone, the same can be said about the smaller Pixel 2, with its now forgivable bezels (thanks to front firing speakers). If pricing is the same as last year, I think $649 and $769 are more appealing than $700 for the Essential.

Your price comparison is using the 32GB verion of the Pixel and Pixel XL. Using the 128GB version has prices of $749 and $869.

So why choose Essential? For their camera mod? Unless you absolutely have to have a 360 camera attachment, this isn't a selling point. Also, leaving the consumers to use their imaginations to wonder what other attachments we might see in the future isn't a selling point either.

I didn't purchase the 360 camera mod and future mods are not a selling point for me but if they do make a mod that seems useful to me then I may purchase one.

I just can't think of the justification for spending more on an Essential over the OP5, unless maybe faster updates is really worth an extra $200 to you, and, in that case, I can't think of any justification to get an Essential over either Pixel, unless one is just too big and the other is too small.

Based upon my points above, there is justification for me to spend extra money on the Essential over the OP5. Compared against the Pixels, I find the form factor more appealing on the Essential and directly comparing the storage space I am spending less money buying the Essential.

 

[Aquila]

No way I see the OP5 in the same league as the Essential phone, let alone the Pixels.

 

[lindseybp]

Pixel customer care is literally the best ever. right from the phone you chat with a rep actually from Google at the campus and they know their stuff. I had an issue where my ear piece and microphone stopped working. did the customer chat on my pixel and they fixed it so fast. nobody has been able to approach this level of direct service in my experience. not even apple.