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Essential Phone

Metascore

Pros & Cons

Reviews

Similar Products

Price: $401

75

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 13 expert reviews
  • Excellent:
    3
  • Good:
    4
  • Average:
    5
  • Bad:
    1
8.0

User Score

Based on 2,016 reviews
as scored by Amazon users

The Essential Phone is doing so much right: elegant design, big screen, long battery life, and clean software. And on top of all that, it has ambitions to do even more with those modules. If you asked Android users what they wanted in the abstract, I suspect a great many of them would describe this exact device. But while the camera is pretty good, it doesn’t live up to the high bar the rest of the phone market has set.

As reviewed by The Verge

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  • Price:
  • $401 on Amazon
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Last revision on January 22, 2019

Editors Liked

  • Edge-to-edge screen
  • Super-smooth performance
  • Pure, unadulterated, Android
  • Clever accessory system
  • Solid Wi-Fi
  • Looks great, and actually unique

Editors Didn't Like

  • Somewhat disappointing camera
  • Mediocre built-in speaker
  • Lacks headphone jack
  • Lacks latest LTE features
  • Awkward button placement

Direct Competitors and Related Products

  • 82

    Sony Xperia XZ Premium

  • 89

    Samsung Galaxy S8

  • 84

    LG G6

  • 87

    Apple iPhone 7 Plus

  • 89

    Samsung Galaxy S8+

  • 81

    Motorola Moto Z2 Play

  • 87

    HTC U11

  • 85

    Apple iPhone 7

Expert reviews and ratings

By SlashGear on January 22, 2018 70

In many ways, the first Essential Phone seems designed almost entirely to satisfy a single category of user: someone who wants a display to cover nearly the whole front of their phone. In that respect, the PH-1's scant metal rim and glass front and back...

By CGM on November 24, 2017 85

Smart Phones have become ubiquitous in modern society. Everyone has a phone and uses it for various tasks that range from calling, web surfing, and photography, to music and video playback. But even with so many people using phones, and so many options...

By techaeris.com on November 07, 2017 93

The Essential Phone is a great idea in offering a phone which supposedly just offers the essentials. While it seemed to stumble at launch, software updates have rectified some of the issues and the camera is slowing getting better with each one as well....

By Phone Arena on September 14, 2017 40

The Essential phone is a beautifully crafted piece of technology. Despite the bugs, the device feels really, really good in the hand. The phone's design works. The screen's design works too, regardless of concerns one might have had with the front...

By cnet on September 08, 2017 73

We can't recommend the Essential Phone over competitors, but it’s a mostly competent handset that’ll definitely turn heads.

By MobileSyrup on September 01, 2017 70

"I can't really recommend this phone over other currently available high-end Android phones. For the same amount of money, Canadian consumers can get the more complete Galaxy S8 or LG...

By Engadget on August 25, 2017 84

Unfortunately, smartphone cameras have gotten so good that Essential's purely OK shooter will frustrate some. The lack of certain popular niceties, like a headphone jack and water resistance, also make the PH-1 a tougher sell than expected. All told, this is a phenomenal first try and an undeniably solid device, but we're really looking forward to Essential's next attempt.

By Android Authority on August 19, 2017 80

Minimalism can ironically go too far – without dialed-in software to back up what is a beautifully-crafted and well-executed piece of hardware, the Essential Phone will greatly appeal to some and frustrate others looking for...

By The Verge on August 18, 2017 80

The Essential Phone is doing so much right: elegant design, big screen, long battery life, and clean software. And on top of all that, it has ambitions to do even more with those modules. If you asked Android users what they wanted in the abstract, I suspect a great many of them would describe this exact device. But while the camera is pretty good, it doesn’t live up to the high bar the rest of the phone market has set.

By Wired on August 18, 2017 80

There’s absolutely room for a phone that doesn’t shove its manufacturer and advertising partners in your face. If you buy this phone, I think you’ll appreciate that about it. You’ll also realize that Essential, like everyone else, is still working out how to truly change the smartphone game.

By PCMag on August 18, 2017 70

The Essential Phone PH-1 combines top-notch hardware and pure Android software for an amazing deal on Sprint, but its more costly unlocked model is a harder sell.

By Technology Review on August 18, 2017 70

Calling it “essential,” however, is a fallacy. It’s not something you need to have; it might not even be something you want to have. There are plenty of other impressive smartphones on the market—and, as always, more coming soon, both from Android handset makers and Apple—that will suit you just as well if you are interested in a high-end unlocked phone. And if, like many people, you don’t have $700 to spend on a smartphone, there are also many capable options that cost a lot less.

By Android Police on October 03, 2018

When it was first released, Essential's entry into the phone market was a bit of a flop. Reviews for the PH-1 weren't profoundly negative, but the phone's almost $700 price was humorously high considering its features and problems at the time. A bit...

By geekdad.com on May 16, 2018

Essential had a really cool concept, which they rushed to market. At a result, people ended up with a phone that looked and felt amazing, but was in many ways half-baked.At the original pricing, I would not be able to recommend the Essential. However,...

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