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widgeteer

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Sprint only ? Ugh. Who the heck is still on Sprint ? They freaking blow.

Put it on all four carriers, or none of the carriers. But exclusive deals suck. And exclusive deals on the worst carrier with the least amount of subscribers = Insta fail.

It's not Sprint only.
 
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Zackmd1

macrumors 6502a
Oct 3, 2010
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487
Maryland US
I have to say... The phone is growing on me... There are still alot of unanswered questions but the unique design is really winning me over at this point in time. I need the reviews now. I don't know if I will use my reservation since I want to see exactly what the new iPhones and Google pixel are going to offer but we shall see. What would be nice is if they started showing up in Sprint stores and even Best buy's so I can try one out. I doubt that will happen before we are called to pay for our reservations though.
 
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widgeteer

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Well, we're almost at the end of the month and not a peep about shipping. I will never understand any OEM's strategy of announcing a phone and being nebulous about when a customer can get their hands on it. OnePlus killed it yesterday, Apple's been really smart about this for a long time, and Sammy also gets it.

The whole point of hype and announcement is to generate interest and hopefully sales. I reserved mine day one and was pretty excited. As of yesterday, if the OP5 were available to VZW, my money would have gone to that phone instead.

Strike while the iron is hot, Andy. Just sayin.
 

Zackmd1

macrumors 6502a
Oct 3, 2010
815
487
Maryland US
Well, we're almost at the end of the month and not a peep about shipping. I will never understand any OEM's strategy of announcing a phone and being nebulous about when a customer can get their hands on it. OnePlus killed it yesterday, Apple's been really smart about this for a long time, and Sammy also gets it.

The whole point of hype and announcement is to generate interest and hopefully sales. I reserved mine day one and was pretty excited. As of yesterday, if the OP5 were available to VZW, my money would have gone to that phone instead.

Strike while the iron is hot, Andy. Just sayin.

Yea I have to say after thinking about it more, I think I am going to let my reservation go (if they ever ask for money that is). This phone has a lot going for it, but so does every other flagship due to be released in the next few months. Those will likely have a few features that this phone doesn't not have while retaining the most important design aspect of this phone, the near zero bezel screen.
 

symphara

macrumors 6502a
Nov 21, 2013
670
649
Yea I have to say after thinking about it more, I think I am going to let my reservation go (if they ever ask for money that is). This phone has a lot going for it, but so does every other flagship due to be released in the next few months. Those will likely have a few features that this phone doesn't not have while retaining the most important design aspect of this phone, the near zero bezel screen.
What key features are you talking about? Headphone jack, SD card and water resistance?

The most important design aspects of this phone - to me - are the rather unique titanium-ceramic build and the attachment connector. If they come up with something else than the 360 camera it could be interesting.

If you think the bezel-less front is the most important, I’d definitely wait. Although I don’t think the Note 8 will have a different design compared to the S8, that’s already a superb design. The Pixel 2 will probably have a similar look to the G6. I’ve seen Mate 10/P11 rumours and there’s a good chance Huawei will also go for a bolder design with minimal bezels. Not to mention the new iPhone.
 

widgeteer

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What key features are you talking about? Headphone jack, SD card and water resistance?

The most important design aspects of this phone - to me - are the rather unique titanium-ceramic build and the attachment connector. If they come up with something else than the 360 camera it could be interesting.

If you think the bezel-less front is the most important, I’d definitely wait. Although I don’t think the Note 8 will have a different design compared to the S8, that’s already a superb design. The Pixel 2 will probably have a similar look to the G6. I’ve seen Mate 10/P11 rumours and there’s a good chance Huawei will also go for a bolder design with minimal bezels. Not to mention the new iPhone.
For me personally the key feature is my expectation that it will run like a beast. Fast, fluid, and stable.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
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For me personally the key feature is my expectation that it will run like a beast. Fast, fluid, and stable.

Why not just wait a couple months for the pixel 2 which will be just as smooth as this phone but even better we'll get updated directly from Google immediately. And it might have even slightly better specs as well.
 

widgeteer

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Why not just wait a couple months for the pixel 2 which will be just as smooth as this phone but even better we'll get updated directly from Google immediately. And it might have even slightly better specs as well.

Other than security patches, I don't care about updates. Pixel 2 is not off the table for me though. It's just as an Android fan, I want to see what Andy Rubin's own Android phone looks and runs like. That's gotta be worth something.

Also, both might be vaporware in the sense that you can't get 'em. Google needs to fix the distribution problems it has with Nexus-now-Pixel and Rubin needs to come through on his 30 day shipping comment. And if he falls short, the device better not be one of those instantly-backordered-for-weeks deals.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
When exactly does the Essential phone officially come out ? I'd like to stop by a Sprint or BestBuy to see one in person.
 

widgeteer

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When exactly does the Essential phone officially come out ? I'd like to stop by a Sprint or BestBuy to see one in person.

When he introduced it he said it will ship within 30 days, that was the end of May. We're closing out June next week soooo...dunno.
 
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Zackmd1

macrumors 6502a
Oct 3, 2010
815
487
Maryland US
What key features are you talking about? Headphone jack, SD card and water resistance?

The headphone jack, water resistance, and an OLED screen. The one feature that is going to distinguish this phone from others to the average consumer is that screen design IMO.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
Well this just made my decision a lot easier if true. No desire to have a large phone and I want thin bezels. If we can only get more details on this phone now...

https://www.xda-developers.com/source-pixel-2-walleye-and-taimen-specifications-revealed/

Great news. The Pixel XL 2 will be a nerds wet dream, super compact size and very easy to hold, with the LG G6 type shape, and new aspect ratio, it will just be a little larger than the G6 but still smaller then the current Pixel XL.

The Essential phone becoming more and more useless. Good luck on slow updates, and no waterproofing, etc...
 

widgeteer

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Great news. The Pixel XL 2 will be a nerds wet dream, super compact size and very easy to hold, with the LG G6 type shape, and new aspect ratio, it will just be a little larger than the G6 but still smaller then the current Pixel XL.

The Essential phone becoming more and more useless. Good luck on slow updates, and no waterproofing, etc...

How can you state that the updates will be slow when we have no means of knowing that yet? And we don't know for a fact that the Pixel 2 will be waterproof.

You seem to lose your sh*t pro and con over phones with very little info.
 

Zackmd1

macrumors 6502a
Oct 3, 2010
815
487
Maryland US
I think you mis
Great news. The Pixel XL 2 will be a nerds wet dream, super compact size and very easy to hold, with the LG G6 type shape, and new aspect ratio, it will just be a little larger than the G6 but still smaller then the current Pixel XL.

The Essential phone becoming more and more useless. Good luck on slow updates, and no waterproofing, etc...

I think you might have misunderstood my post. I am no longer interested in the pixel if that rumor is true. Even with thin bezels a 5.99" screen phone is going to approach the size of the current pixel XL. My Pixel (not XL) is the maximum size I want my phone to be and since in that same rumor they state that the smaller pixel 2 will retain the bezels then that scratches the pixel 2 off my list. Not everyone wants a gigantic phone. The essential phone has the happy medium of remaining relatively small like the pixel while providing a large screen. I want more details on the essential phone now.
 

hovscorpion12

macrumors 68040
Sep 12, 2011
3,044
3,124
USA
Just like in 2007 when AT&T was the only carrier to sell the iPhone, Andy will soon realize that he needs T-Mobile,VZ and AT&T. There are a lot of customers who are interested and are not willing to leave their current carrier.
 

Zackmd1

macrumors 6502a
Oct 3, 2010
815
487
Maryland US
Just like in 2007 when AT&T was the only carrier to sell the iPhone, Andy will soon realize that he needs T-Mobile,VZ and AT&T. There are a lot of customers who are interested and are not willing to leave their current carrier.

Well unlike in 2007, the essential phone should work with all major US carriers. The iPhone was only capable of operating on GSM networks. Having the essential phone offered by Sprint I think is a major plus. Reason being, it will be in every Best Buy that sells Sprint products and it will be sold unlocked. That is probably the best exposure you can get for a small startup.

It going through the FCC is a good sign indeed. At least shows some progress. I am half wondering if this phone is indeed waterproof but just has yet to be issued the certification and as such can not be included on the specs page. I wouldn't be surprised if the specs page gets updated with a few surprises once the phone actually goes on sale.
 

symphara

macrumors 6502a
Nov 21, 2013
670
649
Seems a little late in the process for this FCC stop if the phone is supposed to be shipping soon. But a good sign nonetheless.

http://www.droid-life.com/2017/06/26/essential-phone-stops-off-fcc/
Interestingly LTE bands 3, 7 and 20, which are used here in Switzerland, are listed on their website and in one of the support replies, but are not shown on the FCC list. I contacted them to clarify if this phone is really international or they'll have (I hope note) separate US and European versions.
 
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widgeteer

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I emailed customer support just for the hell of it to ask about a ship date. Of course I knew I'd get either no/vague response but whatever. The good news is I did indeed get a really real response from an actual human being within an hour. The bad news is it was of course vague.

So in conclusion: absolutely nothing has changed and Rubin is already looking a bit like a schmuck.
 

willmtaylor

macrumors G4
Oct 31, 2009
10,314
8,198
Here(-ish)
The headphone jack, water resistance, and an OLED screen. The one feature that is going to distinguish this phone from others to the average consumer is that screen design IMO.

Do you really think the average consumer is the target demographic here?
 

noobinator

macrumors 604
Jun 19, 2009
7,335
6,998
Los Angeles, CA
They went about this the wrong way. They should have announced it and shown it off and have it ready to ship immediately or near immediately. There was a bit of buzz/hype that is now all but dead. This phone will be selling for $99 on Amazon within a year of it's release. It's the NextBit Robin of 2017.
 

widgeteer

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Jun 12, 2016
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They went about this the wrong way. They should have announced it and shown it off and have it ready to ship immediately or near immediately. There was a bit of buzz/hype that is now all but dead. This phone will be selling for $99 on Amazon within a year of it's release. It's the NextBit Robin of 2017.

I agree with the first bit, and have railed on here about companies that continue to misunderstand the purpose of hype and marketing. Show me what I "need to buy", then give me the opportunity to buy it. Boom. Sales (hopefully). If you do the first part, but fail at the second, you bet your ass people lose interest. Smartphone market is waaaaay too crowded.

I don't know about your last sentence though. Rubin is still a potent name, and the Nextbit had a specific gimmick it was selling itself on that no one cared about (cloud storage for apps). I think the Sprint gambit would have made more sense if they had gone with Tmobile instead.
 
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