Any Interest In Rubin's Essential Phone?

[Michael Scrip]

- $700 for off contract phone, and especially a brand new startup company = super low niche sales, only 1% of smartphone buyers will be interested.

You're being too generous with the 1% remark...

1% of the 1.5 billion smartphones sold last year would be 15 million.

Essential would be thrilled to sell 15 million units in a year.

I don't think even someone like HTC can sell that many units in a year... and they've been around for a while.

But I agree with you. This will be a super niche product that will NOT sell very many units. If I had to guess... I'd say only 0.01% of smartphone buyers will be interested! Maybe Less!!!

 

[symphara]

- OnePlus 5 with the SD835 + 6GB RAM + 4,000mAh battery, and all new higher end ceramic build quality for supposedly $549 vs. the $700 Essential phone. Which would you get between the two, and why ?

I can answer this one. If the OnePlus 5 uses a dual-colour lens setup with different focal lengths like the iPhone 7+, I'd get the Essential, pending good reviews (especially the camera).

I have no real use for a "fixed slight zoom" function in a phone. I wouldn't find a real zoom terribly useful - you can always reframe it later if really needed, but just having another poorer quality lens in there is not interesting.

What I am intrigued about is the monochrome/colour sensor setup. I was impressed by what Huawei managed to do with f2.2 lenses - Essential I think uses f1.85, so if they get the software right this could be a killer camera. And I expect a nice bokeh effect too (and if possible, configurable like Huawei's).
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An honest question, not being a smart guy, But for $700 what does this Essential bring to the table, over something like the Pixel XL 2 for a similar price point ? ( yeah I know the P2 is still a few months out, but not too far off )

I am personally very excited about the near-bezel-less design, and the titanium/ceramic build. It's original. I love titanium stuff, I have a really old (15+ years) Casio that I still use for sports because it has a titanium bracelet and it's still perfect. It just doesn't compare to aluminium in terms of scratch resistance.

Or compared to the OnePlus 5 with the same SD835 + 4GB RAM, but with a larger 4,000mAH battery, and rumored to cost around $500, why get this Essential phone for $700 over the $500 OnePlus 5 ?

The OnePlus seems rather boring to me. But if the build of the Essential does nothing for you, and you're all about the specs, I agree, you can save $200 right there - assuming the OnePlus 5 will cost $500. My guess is more $650 though.

 

[spinedoc77]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...dy-rubin-new-android-smartphone-teaser-may-30

I'm actually really curious as to what it will be. Rubin's involvement sparks my interest. I have to think he's not going to unveil just another slab. Gotta be a trick up his sleeve.

Whether it's a gimmick or not, I guess we'll find out.

At 699 I'm VERY interested, beautiful phone and looks to avoid the 18.5:9 and curved edges mistake the S8 made. The only caveat/unknown here is the software. Will it be totally vanilla Google? If not how long do we have to wait to update. I would assume this would be sold unlocked, carrier free so the carriers won't figure into the update equation, but who knows. Even the pixel had a Verizon version.

If they sell it unlocked with vanilla Android, eligible for instant OS updates then I will be the first in line. I can't see Google, who made the clunky pixel, compete with them on design alone.
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My problem is the above missing features and the fact that it uses an LCD screen.... WHY.... OLED would have made the design that much better by the deep black blending in with the front panel.... That and it costs $700. I love the design but I just do not see myself spending that much on a phone that really does not bring anything new to the table.

Ouch, yeah that's a bummer. I also didn't realize it wasn't waterproof either. OK I'm not first in line anymore, maybe in the middle of the line waiting to see what one looks like in person. Why doesn't anyone ever get it 100% right ?!?!?

 

[Moneoa]

All of this, plus: when did we stop caring about the reason a phone exists: OS.

lol I though a phone exists to make calls. The reality is we stopped caring about what a phone exists for when SMS and then smartphones took off.

 

[widgeteer]

lol I though a phone exists to make calls. The reality is we stopped caring about what a phone exists for when SMS and then smartphones took off.

I think you're comparing Apples and bowling balls. Our culture has changed with the technology, so smartphones no longer being primarily used to make calls isn't the same as insisting the OPERATING SYSTEM for the device is more important than whether the device itself can be taken out in the rain or charged wirelessly.

 

[Tig Bitties]

The Essential Phone was designed to flop
http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Essential-Phone-was-designed-to-flop_id94630

Very interesting article, don't let the title fool you. Worth the read.

 

[Tsepz]

This phone is nothing more than a crowd funding source for Playground, Andy Rubin's latest venture.

Not at all interested anymore.

It does nothing out the ordinary, I like the whole Titanium and Ceramic build though, but it's no deal maker for me.

Everything else about it seems like standard 2017 Flagship.

The module idea is straight from Motorola Z series.

 

[Breaking Good]

I find it interesting to hear people say these things are deal breakers for them. May I ask what phone you are using now? Were these your requirements for getting that phone?
I mean I love the things you listed 1 through 4 but they are likes to have and not hard requirements.

Please go back and reread my post. I stated that I did not consider any of the items I list to be "deal breakers". I said that this is 2017 and 2017 Android flagships have one or more (or all) of the above features.

If it were 2015, this phone would be state of the art and I could see charging a flagship price for it. But it isn't 2015 any more.

To answer your question, I currently have an iPhone 6 issued to me by my employer and a Samsung Galaxy S7 for my personal phone.

I purchased the S7 off of Swappa a few weeks ago for $375. It replaced my Moto X 2nd Gen.

Like many on here, I like to keep one foot in the Apple camp and one foot in the Android camp.

 

[Tig Bitties]

The Essential Phone was designed to flop
http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Essential-Phone-was-designed-to-flop_id94630

After reading this article again, this phone does come across strange, and just a weird sort of meh, nothing of a release. I see this phone being a major dud, on par with the Amazon Fire Phone disaster of a release, well maybe not that bad LOL.

None of the main tech geek YouTube stars had a real hands on with the phone yet. The big Android sites like Android Police and Android Central, also didn't have real world hands on reviews or used it yet. It was just sort of released, with a statement, and that's it. No big event, no auditorium showing. Or at least not even a small room conference with the tech review star there to look it over and hype it online. Nothing. Just seems very strange.

I have been a smartphone fan for years now, and I think I have a good pulse of what's hot, what will or will not sell, or be a hit or a dud. And this Essential Phone, just gives off vibes of a dud and non seller. Yeah it has the typical 2017 flagship specs, but that's a given, all 2017 Android phones have very similar specs, the Galaxy S8, the HTC U11, the OnePlus 5, the Pixel 2, etc...at the end of the day they all share very similar hardware specs, and screen resolution, and high end builds. So what's so big about this Essential Phone then ? Ok the Titanium tough build quality is cool. The thin almost non exiting bezels is cool. Stock like Android OS is cool. But I don't know, it's not ground breaking, or has some super duper fancy cool new feature I am lusting for. It seems like a nice enough phone, but does not have me drooling.

If you like stock Android and want fast updates, the Pixel line has that going better for it. High end build quality and super cool features, the Galaxy S8+ has you covered. You want a great off contract phone, but still flagship specs at a bargain price, get the OnePlus 3T for $439, or the soon to be released OnePlus 5. So where does this Essential Phone come in then ?

 

[widgeteer]

The Essential Phone was designed to flop
http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Essential-Phone-was-designed-to-flop_id94630

After reading this article again, this phone does come across strange, and just a weird sort of meh, nothing of a release. I see this phone being a major dud, on par with the Amazon Fire Phone disaster of a release, well maybe not that bad LOL.

None of the main tech geek YouTube stars had a real hands on with the phone yet. The big Android sites like Android Police and Android Central, also didn't have real world hands on reviews or used it yet. It was just sort of released, with a statement, and that's it. No big event, no auditorium showing. Or at least not even a small room conference with the tech review star there to look it over and hype it online. Nothing. Just seems very strange.

I have been a smartphone fan for years now, and I think I have a good pulse of what's hot, what will or will not sell, or be a hit or a dud. And this Essential Phone, just gives off vibes of a dud and non seller. Yeah it has the typical 2017 flagship specs, but that's a given, all 2017 Android phones have very similar specs, the Galaxy S8, the HTC U11, the OnePlus 5, the Pixel 2, etc...at the end of the day they all share very similar hardware specs, and screen resolution, and high end builds. So what's so big about this Essential Phone then ? Ok the Titanium tough build quality is cool. The thin almost non exiting bezels is cool. Stock like Android OS is cool. But I don't know, it's not ground breaking, or has some super duper fancy cool new feature I am lusting for. It seems like a nice enough phone, but does not have me drooling.

If you like stock Android and want fast updates, the Pixel line has that going better for it. High end build quality and super cool features, the Galaxy S8+ has you covered. You want a great off contract phone, but still flagship specs at a bargain price, get the OnePlus 3T for $439, or the soon to be released OnePlus 5. So where does this Essential Phone come in then ?

Good thing you're not buying it then.

Good talk?

 

[Zackmd1]

Good thing you're not buying it then.

Good talk?

You started this thread asking people's opinion about the phone and then you get upset when their opinion does not align with yours?


Yes people are interested in the phone. NO, I do not think many will buy it. For me, as awesome as the screen looks, LCD vs OLED is killing it for me.

 

[Sensamic]

I don't see nothing special or desirable about it.

I've been leaning towards midrange phones for the last year. They're getting really good and I don't want to keep buying phones for 600€ or more.

 

[widgeteer]

You started this thread asking people's opinion about the phone and then you get upset when their opinion does not align with yours?


Yes people are interested in the phone. NO, I do not think many will buy it. For me, as awesome as the screen looks, LCD vs OLED is killing it for me.

I'm not upset. So don't waste my time with silly Internet forum cliches. So we'll start there.

My opinion on the phone hasn't changed: I'm interested to see what Rubin's vision looks and performs like. That's it. I have no stake in the company nor does it matter to me how many people buy the phone or if they like it too.

The comment to Tig is born out of the fact that he has a habit of spamming threads with post after post obsessing over phones he's decided he isn't buying and suck. It's tedious.

It's not my forum, so he's welcome to do as he pleases. Thus it's also my choice to be dismissive of his next 18 posts declaring a phone that isn't out yet to be DOA, and insist over and over again we should buy a Pixel 2 or a OP 5.

 

[Tig Bitties]

LOL ok. Get the niche one of a kind rare phone. You'll be the cool kid then.

I just call it like I see it, and am usually spot on, after the dust settles.

This phone isn't terrible by any means, it's a unique high end nice ssmartphone. But also not all it's cracked up to me. I just think it's a ho hum typical 2017 Android flagship, with only the neat titanium build and near bezless design that sets it apart. Other than that, nothing special IMO

Personally if I was in the market for a high end new Android phone, I'd get the international S8+ that can be rooted and ROM'd.

 

[widgeteer]

LOL ok. Get the niche one of a kind rare phone. You'll be the cool kid then.

No, I'll be an adult who can make his own choices.

It's funny that a guy who keeps trashing a phone because others won't buy it is calling THE OTHER GUY image obsessed about a tech product.

Personally if I was in the market for a high end new Android phone, I'd get the international S8+ that can be rooted and ROM'd.

Cause you're a cool kid into niche products.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Actually I'm back on my Nexus 6P, and couldn't be happier. I returned my iPhone 7 Plus, returned my Galaxy S8+, and returned my LG G6, and decided for me the Nexus 6P is better then all of those. Call me crazy, but a good ROM + Kernel combo transform the 6P into a beast still.

My next phone will most likely be the Pixel XL 2, or maybe the OnePlus 5, or an International S8+ once they come down in price. Thing is I was really hyped about Rubin's new phone here, was really excited looking forward to it. But after I saw the final specs and the actual phone, I was left underwhelmed.

 

[symphara]

Actually I'm back on my Nexus 6P, and couldn't be happier. I returned my iPhone 7 Plus, returned my Galaxy S8+, and returned my LG G6, and decided for me the Nexus 6P is better then all of those. Call me crazy, but a good ROM + Kernel combo transform the 6P into a beast still.

Doesn't that lock you out of stuff like Netflix, Android Pay etc? As far as I can tell the time for good ROMs is coming to an end as Google is tightening the DRM noose.

My next phone will most likely be the Pixel XL 2, or maybe the OnePlus 5, or an International S8+ once they come down in price. Thing is I was really hyped about Rubin's new phone here, was really excited looking forward to it. But after I saw the final specs and the actual phone, I was left underwhelmed.

There's no perfect phone, all are compromises to some extent. The Pixel XL 2 will probably be more expensive but otherwise have identical specs to the Essential (CPU/RAM/storage), I guess a more subdued design given the previous one, and I don't expect fancy materials either. I have friends with the first Pixel and it hasn't been a durability champion. The S8+ has an unreachable off-centre fingerprint sensor and you have to put up with Samsung's duplicate-but-worse everything. Plus, it will probably get Android O around April-May 2018.

 

[frankgrimes]

Personally I've started to let the specgame take a bit of a backseat because a clean stock Android ROM has become very important. I'm impressed with the Essential phone if they can deliver on the software and service part this could turn out to be another One Plus story.

But I'll wait till the first reviews are out haven't heard anything about a notification led and a micro sd slot

 

[NT1440]

Actually I'm back on my Nexus 6P, and couldn't be happier. I returned my iPhone 7 Plus, returned my Galaxy S8+, and returned my LG G6, and decided for me the Nexus 6P is better then all of those. Call me crazy, but a good ROM + Kernel combo transform the 6P into a beast still.

My next phone will most likely be the Pixel XL 2, or maybe the OnePlus 5, or an International S8+ once they come down in price. Thing is I was really hyped about Rubin's new phone here, was really excited looking forward to it. But after I saw the final specs and the actual phone, I was left underwhelmed.

I have to ask, why in the world do you hop phones so often? I'd find that to be tedious as hell!

 

[Tig Bitties]

I have to ask, why in the world do you hop phones so often? I'd find that to be tedious as hell!

Yeah I've got issues I am OCD with smartphones, and get bored easily with same smartphone, like to change it up.

But actually the iPhone 7 Plus, I had for six months held back my tweaking addiction, and I just let the phone be a smartphone, and not go crazy. So the iPhone did cure my addiction, and I stopped freaking over tweaks and just let it be. But it was just certain issues I have with iOS I can't stand. So if iOS 11 has the revisions I'd like to see, then I will come back right away, until then, it's stock Android or broke.

 

[widgeteer]

Personally I've started to let the specgame take a bit of a backseat because a clean stock Android ROM has become very important. I'm impressed with the Essential phone if they can deliver on the software and service part this could turn out to be another One Plus story.

But I'll wait till the first reviews are out haven't heard anything about a notification led and a micro sd slot

My interest in the phone is tied up with Rubin. I'm betting that it's going to have the sh*t optimized out of it and run as fast as iOS.

Didn't even think about the led but I also use an iPhone, I'm so used to just picking up my phone to see if I have any notifications that when I use Android the led doesn't even play a role for me.

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm surprised at all the negativity, the more I read about this the more I like it. Keep in mind that comparing it to the pixel, iPhone and s8 it comes in cheaper, substantially so when compared to the rumored ip8 pricing. Negatives: no oled, no wireless charging, no waterproofing, but hopefully these are first generation issues.

I really like the modular nature of it, they are making the modules so they are not tied to the design of the phone but rather can stay with you when you buy the essential 2 next year, and so on. The 360 degree camera Rubin demoed looks awesome and something I could see myself sticking in my pocket and using it often.

Lastly it is STOCK android, that's a huge plus. Although if you listen to his presentation he does plan on using his own OS someday and Android is just a temporary measure. It's interesting he goes to great lengths to describe how wireless is the future and we need to get rid of any physical connectors, yet the phone doesn't have wireless charging.

Anyway an interesting phone, and personally I'm extremely thankful that we will have more competition, especially directly from google themselves who have to answer for the overpriced and lackluster pixel phones. I can certainly appreciate the essential not having curved edges and what appears to be a more reasonable aspect ratio, and it won't have Apple's function bar, features that IMO are negative. Certainly something to look forward to, but I'll wait for the reviews.

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My interest in the phone is tied up with Rubin. I'm betting that it's going to have the sh*t optimized out of it and run as fast as iOS.

Didn't even think about the led but I also use an iPhone, I'm so used to just picking up my phone to see if I have any notifications that when I use Android the led doesn't even play a role for me.

Android phones all pretty much have ran as fast as iOS for the past few years, especially stock ones like the Pixel. I wonder how much optimization they will do with stock android, if any.

I also really never found a need for the led, especially after getting a smartwatch. The led is just too cryptic to decipher, ok blue led means I have a new email but so what? Do I act upon it, is it important or just spam, do I still have to open my phone to see if I need to act on it? In this arena I think always on display can be much more powerful, but for some reason no one has implemented always on display to display relevant information.

 

[widgeteer]

I'm surprised at all the negativity, the more I read about this the more I like it. Keep in mind that comparing it to the pixel, iPhone and s8 it comes in cheaper, substantially so when compared to the rumored ip8 pricing. Negatives: no oled, no wireless charging, no waterproofing, but hopefully these are first generation issues.

I really like the modular nature of it, they are making the modules so they are not tied to the design of the phone but rather can stay with you when you buy the essential 2 next year, and so on. The 360 degree camera Rubin demoed looks awesome and something I could see myself sticking in my pocket and using it often.

Lastly it is STOCK android, that's a huge plus. Although if you listen to his presentation he does plan on using his own OS someday and Android is just a temporary measure. It's interesting he goes to great lengths to describe how wireless is the future and we need to get rid of any physical connectors, yet the phone doesn't have wireless charging.

Anyway an interesting phone, and personally I'm extremely thankful that we will have more competition, especially directly from google themselves who have to answer for the overpriced and lackluster pixel phones. I can certainly appreciate the essential not having curved edges and what appears to be a more reasonable aspect ratio, and it won't have Apple's function bar, features that IMO are negative. Certainly something to look forward to, but I'll wait for the reviews.

[doublepost=1496357062][/doublepost]

Android phones all pretty much have ran as fast as iOS for the past few years, especially stock ones like the Pixel. I wonder how much optimization they will do with stock android, if any.

I also really never found a need for the led, especially after getting a smartwatch. The led is just too cryptic to decipher, ok blue led means I have a new email but so what? Do I act upon it, is it important or just spam, do I still have to open my phone to see if I need to act on it? In this arena I think always on display can be much more powerful, but for some reason no one has implemented always on display to display relevant information.

I think the led light is kind of antiquated in 2017. A legacy from BB's. Back from before people interacted with their phones almost literally every few minutes.

Until the Pixel, I wouldn't quite list Android phones as fluid as iOS. Top tier came close but just not quite there. My expectation with Rubin's group owning the hardware is that this is going to be Pixel-esque with a higher end build quality.

I'm with you (obviously). I'm excited for this device and the possible implications for the future. I'm an early adopter, so I'm okay with being part of a small pool of essentially beta testers for something.

 

[spinedoc77]

I think the led light is kind of antiquated in 2017. A legacy from BB's. Back from before people interacted with their phones almost literally every few minutes.

Until the Pixel, I wouldn't quite list Android phones as fluid as iOS. Top tier came close but just not quite there. My expectation with Rubin's group owning the hardware is that this is going to be Pixel-esque with a higher end build quality.

I'm with you (obviously). I'm excited for this device and the possible implications for the future. I'm an early adopter, so I'm okay with being part of a small pool of essentially beta testers for something.

Yeah my curiosity is definitely piqued, it's right around the corner too so we should start seeing real world reviews soon.

 

[jamezr]

I'm surprised at all the negativity, the more I read about this the more I like it. Keep in mind that comparing it to the pixel, iPhone and s8 it comes in cheaper, substantially so when compared to the rumored ip8 pricing. Negatives: no oled, no wireless charging, no waterproofing, but hopefully these are first generation issues.

I really like the modular nature of it, they are making the modules so they are not tied to the design of the phone but rather can stay with you when you buy the essential 2 next year, and so on. The 360 degree camera Rubin demoed looks awesome and something I could see myself sticking in my pocket and using it often.

Lastly it is STOCK android, that's a huge plus. Although if you listen to his presentation he does plan on using his own OS someday and Android is just a temporary measure. It's interesting he goes to great lengths to describe how wireless is the future and we need to get rid of any physical connectors, yet the phone doesn't have wireless charging.

Anyway an interesting phone, and personally I'm extremely thankful that we will have more competition, especially directly from google themselves who have to answer for the overpriced and lackluster pixel phones. I can certainly appreciate the essential not having curved edges and what appears to be a more reasonable aspect ratio, and it won't have Apple's function bar, features that IMO are negative. Certainly something to look forward to, but I'll wait for the reviews.

I think he is alluding to 5g when it get rolled out in 2018. It will change the way phones interact with other devices because of the speed and enhancements. The next gen wireless charging tech and IoT will use 5G

5G will increase download speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. That means a full HD movie can be downloaded in a matter of seconds. It will also reduce latency significantly (giving people faster load times). In short, it will give wireless broadband the capacity it needs to power thousands of connected devices that will reach our homes and workplaces.

Verizon is planning a 5G home router, for example, that could be an ideal delivery vehicle for Apple's wireless charging signals.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/05/01/apple-patents-long-range-wireless-charging.html
http://gizmodo.com/what-is-5g-and-how-will-it-make-my-life-better-1760847799
http://www.rcrwireless.com/wireless/how-will-5g-impact-the-internet-of-things