Essential is dead, no more updates for the PH-1

12 February 2020
The weird elongated Project GEM phone won't get to become a shipping product.

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  • G
  • GrahamD
  • 05w
  • 13 Feb 2020

I think it was pretty good for its time, it's a shame.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • 39x
    • 13 Feb 2020

    joe nodden, 13 Feb 2020The camera wasn't terrible. It got better with updates. The phone is easily repairable. Ifixit just completely failed at disassembling it properly then never updated their teardown guide. If you look at the repair guides you can see that you don't actually have to destroy it to open it

    https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Essential+Phone+Display+Replacement/105122

      Pioneer of Small Notch. Founding Father of Small Notch. Thank You

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • mED
        • 13 Feb 2020

        The good news is that if there's any new unit around, it will be dirt cheap. Anyone with good knowledge could keep it up with custom software.

        The Gem phone? Not a bit sad, what's the use of a "glass unibody" remote? If I wanted an overpriced portable mediocre device, I'd buy the Palm mini :p

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • 0BG
          • 13 Feb 2020

          Kajti Nijasn, 13 Feb 2020It wasn't just a headphone jack (USB-c to 3,5 mm was in the... moreLOL i hate iPhones and that's exactly why i hated Essential. They were all about removing features (And trying to trick you into spending more for accesories).

          And i couldn't care less about "audiophile" DACs. It's not like i'll notice a difference when listening to online streams or mp3 files (And it didn't have SD slot or huge internal memory, so it's not like you'll use FLAC files to enjoy your audiophile dac). I respect the 0.1% that cares about this, but what people want is simply 3.5mm jack. Well, except for the ones that don't and are fine with bluetooth (But again, these were not the ones who would buy such an exotic device).

            Why so harsh on them for no future support and updates? This phone received more support and software updates than 90% of the industry's phone models.

              :(

                • K
                • Kajti Nijasn
                • MsT
                • 13 Feb 2020

                Anonymous, 13 Feb 2020Modularity? Oh yes, the missing 3.5mm jack you had to pay 1... moreIt wasn't just a headphone jack (USB-c to 3,5 mm was in the box), it included a dedicated audiophile DAC and amp. But I understand you couldn't know and appreciate that if you're listening to music on your iPhone and Airpods (its like comparing taking pictures with a full frame DSLR vs. taking pictures with a calculator)...

                  • L
                  • Love the Community
                  • Fv4
                  • 13 Feb 2020

                  Well Google, time to hire back Andy Rubin and make Android GREAT AGAIN!

                    • K
                    • Kajti Nijasn
                    • MsT
                    • 13 Feb 2020

                    :( That's sad. I love my PH-1, quick updates, great build quality, compact design etc. Especially because I got it so cheap (227USD Amazon sale if I remember correctly). Sad

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • uJD
                      • 13 Feb 2020

                      Ah haha, another iPhone killer bite the dust.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • 0BG
                        • 13 Feb 2020

                        Abhi-Darth-Plagueis, 13 Feb 2020Well, I for one will mourn the death of Essential. They alw... moreModularity? Oh yes, the missing 3.5mm jack you had to pay 100$ or so as an additional module. LOL.
                        The death of companies mocking customers like that is always great news.

                          Aside from build quality and quickest updates this had nothing impressive sure the specs were good but others offered same specs with lower prices and they tried to compete with Samsung and Apple right at launch in pricing which was a bad move, if they had made successor it would've competed much better and GEM was strangely interesting but anyways RIP Essential

                            Well, I for one will mourn the death of Essential. They always issued quickest software updates. Almost everytime on the same day google issued them. not to mention 3 major Android version updates. That too faster than anyone else. Beautiful build. Some degree of modularity. Custom ROMs and clean Android Experience. It was better than most of the Chinese crap BBK, Xiaomi and Huawei keep reiterating.

                            Anyway, lesson? That's what happens when you experiment and don't go for mass-market.

                            RIP Essential.

                              Anonymous, 13 Feb 2020Lololol everyone dead except king Nokia lolololNokia died long ago buddy. HMD is just using Nokia's name to generate generic Chinese phones year after year. The only distinguishable phone they made was an utter failure (Nokia 9).

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • 0BG
                                • 13 Feb 2020

                                ipolit.matveich, 13 Feb 2020Really sad news. The new device Andy showed on Twitter was ... moreWell obviously he wasn't smarter than them and his approach made zero sense. You can't target enthusiasts and make an iPhone wannabe instead, lacking all the "essentials.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • U2T
                                  • 13 Feb 2020

                                  Lololol everyone dead except king Nokia lololol

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 61x
                                    • 13 Feb 2020

                                    Pioneer of Small Notch. U R MVP

                                      Really sad news. The new device Andy showed on Twitter was very promissing. But he was played by crazy "me too" hens. American women are so stupid these days.

                                        Was a beautiful phone. I enjoyed having it for the most part, but wasn't for me. Shame to hear there will not be a successor.

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