Hands-on with the Essential PH-1

27 August 2017
We attended Essential's hands-on event in NYC and took at look at the PH-1.

Sort by:

  • F
  • Fisco
  • mXd
  • 16 Jul 2019

ESSENTIAL PHONE : BLACK MOON
I bought a PH-1 through an Amazon deal about a year ago, tried it out, very impressed with the build, and screen, used it for a few days, was definitely a keeper, but ended up being consigned to its box.. Until recently thats is..I revisited the phone, updated to Pie, intalled Nova launcher and all my favourite apps, popped my sim card in, made sure all apps that could be optimised, were, and also limited any background activity to those that didn't need it....I'm not a heavy user, I do use, skype and whatsapp, youtube etc, but I only have wifi, bluetooth & Location services on, when I need them, as I am not synching etc., I'm getting over 2 days on the Battery, with between 10 & 11 hours of screen on time..! I'm really glad I revisited this phone, and now with the google camera app installed I'm really happy with the photo quality....This phone is a champ, only thing is its so damn slippery, so I have ordered a carbon skin, although seems a shame to cover that gorgeous ceramic back panel..
I hope Essential follow this up with a PH-2, maybe the same screen size or 5.8" with a 19/9 aspect and no chin..:)
A headphone jack would be nice too, and expandable storage, but not essential.! :-)

    • S
    • Steve
    • keM
    • 02 Feb 2019

    Have had this phone for awhile now and thought I could give a review.
    I love this phone but hate it at the same time.
    Bought it brand new a few weeks back with the essential headphones included.
    The Good.
    The screen is beautiful.
    Built like a tank.
    Pure android with no crap or bloat is great.
    Simple thing like pull down notification bar and can turn data on/off.
    Updates are amazingly fast.
    Rapid charging is great convenience.
    Big time 128gb storage.
    Its own rise to wake feature like apple.
    Bad.
    Camera plain sucks (ported Google camera and is alot better)
    No wifi calling.
    Headphone volume is poor and also no jack.
    Minor glitches such as freezing up at times.
    Cell signal is worse than my iPhone SE.
    Lots of apps are unable to use notification without sounds.
    On other things the battery isn't great but yet isn't poor.
    But last thing that is great is their customer service.
    Fantastic !

      • J
      • Jack
      • tVr
      • 13 Sep 2018

      I honestly think this phone needs a full review since its on Android Pie and thoroughly updated

        • G
        • Geo
        • LH0
        • 30 Aug 2018

        Still waiting for a full review.....

          Krisheart, 20 Feb 2018Apparently full review never came out. guess no one wants ... moreI want it :D

            I am still waiting for the review :/

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • kWZ
              • 23 May 2018

              Upgraded to the essential from a Nexus 5.
              Great phone, averaging 8 hrs Sot and life on clean Oreo is great with rumors P is smoother somehow yet

              Compact, fast, high ppi lcd that doesn't overeat like dinner other screens do in high heat. Last camera update brought about eis and it is a nice touch, camera is very doable, gcam is an option too.

              Love the screen and form factor, battery life is off charts and it gets updates like Pixels.

                • D
                • AnonD-234961
                • p$u
                • 29 Mar 2018

                Tomasam, 03 Mar 2018I wanna know wich cellphone is better, the Essential PH-1 o... moreThe S8 has better camera, by far.

                  • N
                  • Nick
                  • PAX
                  • 17 Mar 2018

                  When Will You Post A Review?It's Almost A Year After The Hands On!

                    • D
                    • AnonD-476622
                    • yuq
                    • 09 Mar 2018

                    I got the PH-1 on a great deal on Amazon, have had it 2 weeks and am very impressed, beautiful build and feel, the massive screen looks very cool, and performance is snappy, very chuffed so far.

                      • T
                      • Tomasam
                      • Pum
                      • 03 Mar 2018

                      I wanna know wich cellphone is better, the Essential PH-1 or Samsung S8, and who has beter camera??

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • 46r
                        • 26 Feb 2018

                        Got mine on Feb 2018. Been using it for 1 week and all I could say is that it's pretty awesome! Coming from an LG G5 the speed improvement on the Essential is quite noticeable. Although I will surely miss the always on display of the G5. Camera quality I would say is about the same without the wide angle of the G5 which is another thing that I will miss.

                          Apparently full review never came out.
                          guess no one wants this phone.

                            • A
                            • Asad(AS)
                            • KGa
                            • 28 Jan 2018

                            How price is this phone in Singapore???

                              • D
                              • AnonD-244573
                              • 6tA
                              • 07 Jan 2018

                              Hello, when can we expect a full review of the Essential Phone? :D

                                • D
                                • AnonD-691868
                                • P74
                                • 19 Dec 2017

                                Aadrian, 23 Nov 2017I am curious about when the other two color options come ou... moreAdrianisen?

                                  • A
                                  • Aadrian
                                  • 0wE
                                  • 23 Nov 2017

                                  I am curious about when the other two color options come out. I heard it's difficult to manufactur these colors. I am waiting for the gold/green variant.

                                    • B
                                    • Burn
                                    • HxY
                                    • 23 Nov 2017

                                    Anonymous, 05 Oct 2017Sorry, the ''facts'' mentioned about the hardness of titani... moreWhat are you talking about?
                                    I've seen people shoot high caliber rounds at titanium blocks without making a dent on it.
                                    Maybe the puest form of titanium is brittle, but very much like gold, you could easily combine it with other elements to produce strong alloys or as in the case of the essential phone, reinforce the alloys further with plastic.

                                      So, are we ever going to see a full review with the audio specs and battery tests and everything? Just curious :)

                                        • v
                                        • veleciraptor
                                        • JhP
                                        • 16 Nov 2017

                                        Wish to see a 5.2" compact version of this phone. It looks so beatiful and different than other phones. Maybe 18:9 ratio and 2160x1080 resolution will be perfect choice for who wants another phone than Sony Compact series.