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Any Interest In Rubin's Essential Phone?
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Only reason I'm not super frustrated at all this is because I used their Affirm plan to pay for the phone. If they fail to deliver or I decide to reject, ain't my money being held ransom.
I was thinking about why there's another delay. It really doesn't make sense. Something struck me:
I wonder if the reviewers basically acted as beta testers and Essential is furiously working on a camera update? I know they've released a few already but people complain about lag and poor low light quality. I would imagine they'd want as much of this fixed as possible before the phone gets into the hands of consumers. Too many returns kills them off the bat.
Totally guessing on my part, obviously.
I wonder if the reviewers basically acted as beta testers and Essential is furiously working on a camera update? I know they've released a few already but people complain about lag and poor low light quality. I would imagine they'd want as much of this fixed as possible before the phone gets into the hands of consumers. Too many returns kills them off the bat.
Totally guessing on my part, obviously.
yeah, that definitely sounds plausible. I also know they have an event today in California, so some are speculating the shipping will coincide with that. But, the event is this evening, so I doubt anything gets sent out this evening. And will they actually ship out anything on a Saturday? I guess they can at least create shipping labels and Fedex starts moving them first thing Monday morning. But so much for hopeful wishing...
EDIT: a lot can happen in 35 minutes. We'll see if this statement is true...
https://twitter.com/essential/status/901184663544152064
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I guess I'll be on the lookout for an email. The original shipping promise was 2-3 day air, if that holds up middle of next week is when we'll have them.
after all the BS and delays I asked to have my order canceled and a refund 4 days ago. I have been getting the run around from customer support. The CS rep Poonam says it is too late and the order is shipping soon( we have all heard that for a while now). But Emily says my cancellation is in progress and will be processed soon. Emily even contradicts what Poonam says in the very same email thread.
If I don't get the refund by Monday I am going to file a BBB complaint and go that route.
I think this company is dead on the vine....they have ruined whatever interest having Andy Rubin's name attached to them ever had.
If I don't get the refund by Monday I am going to file a BBB complaint and go that route.
I think this company is dead on the vine....they have ruined whatever interest having Andy Rubin's name attached to them ever had.
BB mobile rep told me they are getting a demo next week, was not sure if they would have any available for sale on the 1st. He is also interested considering what the Note 8 and iPhone 8 will cost and the Essential has more storage.
Yup. I'm out too. I don't doubt they're a dumpster fire right now in terms of service and logistics but I also think they're engaging in shady practices.
Sorry to hear you have to go through a hassle with your CC. I specifically used their Affirm payment program so none of my money or credit got tied up worst case scenario.
This phone will be selling for $399 at the new year. The Pixel phones are already a niche super geek phone, this phone is even more rare and no one knows about it. And it's made by a brand new company starting off on a bad foot to begin with, due to the delays, and excuses, etc...
Good luck on warranty support from a startup.
Good luck on warranty support from a startup.
All of this assumes the phone makes it to market. I don't know that I'd even take that bet at this point.
[doublepost=1503763807][/doublepost]In an exchange with CS just now regarding my cancelation, the guy tried to change my mind by telling me tracking emails are going out this morning.
Nope! Don't care. But now it'll be interesting to see if they blow this one.
This phone was officially announced around the end of May or so, with a release "Within a month". It' almost September now, and it' still not on store shelves yet.
- Has an average LCD screen, not OLED like rest of 2017 flagships.
- Camera is said to be good, not great.
- No IP68 certification like rest of 2017 flagships.
- No wireless charging like rest of 2017 flagships.
- Battery of 3,050mAh is pretty small. I know the hardware is more efficient, blah, blah, blah. I still bet it get just average to good battery life, not outstanding battery life compared to phones with 3,500mAh battteries like the S8+
$700 for this phone. LOL. It should be priced closer to the OnePlus 5 which is a very similar phone, minus the build materials.
- Has an average LCD screen, not OLED like rest of 2017 flagships.
- Camera is said to be good, not great.
- No IP68 certification like rest of 2017 flagships.
- No wireless charging like rest of 2017 flagships.
- Battery of 3,050mAh is pretty small. I know the hardware is more efficient, blah, blah, blah. I still bet it get just average to good battery life, not outstanding battery life compared to phones with 3,500mAh battteries like the S8+
$700 for this phone. LOL. It should be priced closer to the OnePlus 5 which is a very similar phone, minus the build materials.
Apparently emails with tracking info are starting to be received by customers. Nothing for me yet though.
You guys are troopers. I’d never put up with a company that I’m giving hundreds of dollars to yanking my chain like this.
Zero yanking chain at Best Buy or carrier, just sayin. Bet I see them in person before anyone for any smartphone really, connections always help of course.
I have not bought online for a new smartphone since I don't know when, too much hassle. Especially this one right from the beginning.
You’re still gonna refuse it? Good for you and good luck getting your refund processed.
Going to refuse it.....I have zero confidence in this company. The way they have handled things up to this point leaves me wondering how their customer support/warranty service would be like if needed.
Good honest review from Michael Fisher, camera sucks, and overall the phone is good, not great.
Most of the reviews actually say the same thing:
Software and industrial design are fantastic. Camera is garbage.
I'm shocked they missed so hard on the camera. It didn't need to be best in class but worst on the market?
If they push out Oreo in a few weeks, it's a validation for the idea behind the product. But it still wouldn't change my mind about the company.
I'm waiting it out, i ordered last Friday and wasn't expecting it until the middle of next week anyway and that looks like when I'll be getting it. So I'm fine, but their customer service and crappy communication skills do have me some what worried if I need future support. I think regardless of whether I like the phone or not I'll be returning and then buying from Best Buy, would rather deal with their customer service than essentials. Also I have no faith in updates, maybe the bootloaders will be unlocked so we can load custom roms?
I can understand though people canceling who've been following this phone since the beginning. I only jumped on board 2 weeks ago and their lack of communication has been frustrating in that span, imagine getting hyped up for it in may when it was announced and having to deal with it.
I do think some are being alittle harsh towards the company. You have to realize that this is a small startup and they have very limited manpower. That being said, their habit of overpromising and under delivering needs to end if they hope to be successful.
On the camera front, I believe the hardware is there, it is the software and how they are combining the mono photo and color photo that needs work. Again, that being said, there is no guarantee that they will be able to fix the camera issues. For a $699 phone that is something that needs to be addressed.
On the camera front, I believe the hardware is there, it is the software and how they are combining the mono photo and color photo that needs work. Again, that being said, there is no guarantee that they will be able to fix the camera issues. For a $699 phone that is something that needs to be addressed.
I don't see where anyone is being harsh. They kept making promises they couldn't keep. Then they'd go radio silent. That's pretty much where all the complaints lie. The company generated any harsh reactions, I don't think this is a case of people having too high expectations. We didn't set them, Essential did.
Sorry to hear that. I read up a little bit on this phone and initially it sounded great with the promise of a basic Android experience. I'm sad to hear it's a hot mess. I hope you get everything resolved soon.
I was worried about that other new phone going this way. I forget what it's called but it costs about $1000. Red? Oxygen? Hydrogen? Sorry, I forget but you'll probably know what I'm talking about. It's dicey going with the new kid in town. I'm sorry it didn't pay off for you.