Essential Phone Review: Maximum Hardware, Minimum Software

Does the first smartphone from Andy Rubin's Essential live up to the hype? Find out in our full Essential Phone review.

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[Supercarsfanatik]

Too much hype for this device. I would even choose a Oneplus 5 over this one at any time. For the moment LG has the most promising phone out

[tamircohen]

The LG V30 is the real essential phone.

[MsSHINeeTVXQSuju]

A headphone jack.... that's what's essential. XD

[GrumpyGrandpaSpurs]

Excellent review. It's good to see the new smartphone manufacturers not trying to follow the herd of Big OEM's, but to develop their own stand in the market. This Phone has my attention, and certainly in a good way.

[ayushvrao]

You give them a Galaxy S8 and they say I wish they would just give us stock android. U give them a phone with stock android and they say I wish they gave us features like TouchWiz. Guys make up your mind 🙄😂.

[denniebone]

I purchased the Essential PH1 Black Moon on December 6th and with all the updates since then I love this beautiful phone. Premium build quality at a low price point and a look that separates it from the rest of the pack. I was at my doctors office today watching 2k movies on my phone and people on both sides of me took notice. They wanted to know what kind of phone this was and I told them but they never heard of it. One guy ask could he hold it so I let him, he was amazed at the build, look and weight of the phone. I told him I only paid $500 for the phone and he thought I payed more. I like the fact that I use a product that no one around me has and at half the price of the flagship phones.

[martydespot]

The essential phone looks cool, but I really wouldn't buy it. So much money for a phone that is made to be "upgraded" with dozen of extra gimmicks and an IPS display? I would still go for LG, OnePlus or Samsung

[leapofaithproduction]

LG V30 because of Jack & HiFi DAC 😎

[gagandeep]

V30 is gonna blow it out of existence.

[Robyne_u]

I don't think people are bothered by the lack of a head phone jack just the lack of a better alternative. Like having 2 USB C or cheap good wireless headphones

[avanas]

Joshua has a great narrating voice! Awesome review!!

[Uemitay]

How are the Marshall in ears ? Any good ?

[rashadmcphail]

*Essential* Phone
No Headphone Jack
*Seems legit*

[PatGencarelli]

Day 2 using this as my daily driver and I am incredibly impressed. I downloaded the google camera modded apk from XDA and the camera is great. This is also the best feeling phone i have ever held

[damian.enriquez]

Great video! Quick question, what software do you use to video edit?

[FHDX]

Custom roms will make this phone a true flagship

[georgechristodoulou]

Very nice review but in many frames there is a lot of color noise in dark areas. It's not something important but I have noticed it at your latest videos. Keep the great job!

[republicsentinel]

Fantastic review Joshua! Very detailed and unafraid. I'm looking forward to your review of the note 8, though it won't matter seeing as though I already prepaid for it.

[KhinnuMehta]

willing to buy one apple iphone...
which one is the best wth cost effective

[RibasKnows]

This year is awesome regarding smartphones! Samsung Galaxy S8, LG V30 and iPhone 8. My favorite picks for 2017!