
Customers have good things to say about the Essential Phone's price, build quality, pure Android operating system, battery life, storage, and performance. However, they have concerns about the camera quality, lack of a headphone jack, and signal issues.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
This is my first real smartphone so don't judge me. I thought it would be nice to finally upgrade and have wanted stock Android for years. First I use TracFone and it works perfectly, you'll need a nano SIM card, I am using the at&t one. Second it took me 2 hours to move everything to this phone and do the three system updates and one camera update on the Google play store, you can see two photos I attached. Coming from a TracFone standard phone there's no competition, essential is awesome. It's fast, fluid and runs anything I try. I tried a few other phones like s8, lg G6, Moto z2 and iPhone and couldn't feel a difference so I got the cheapest stock phone and couldn't be happier. Currently using a IQ shield screen protector, let it dry 12 hours and is perfect as well. Hope Bestbuy finds a case for this before I drop it, hate to scratch it, so pretty. Hope this helps anyone looking for a great phone.
This review is from Essential - Phone 4G LTE with 128GB Memory Cell Phone (Unlocked)
Posted by Matt
Bought this the other day just because I could. I've used many many phones, currently using Galaxy S8 as work, bought this Essential phone to try on my personal number. Had it 5 days, so far I really like it. It is probably the nicest phone to hold in the hand that i've had, perhaps only the iPhone 5 was better to hold without a case. The square edges are great. I also absolutely love the fact that when I set it up, there are no apps I didn't want on the phone. Its clean, only android. No signing into a manufacturer account, no carrier apps, nothing. I added only what I want. Easiest phone set up ever. Display is beautiful. Galaxy S8 has richer color, and blacker blacks, but I still have issues with the S8 curved edges reflecting light, especially watching video. Essential phone has a nice flat screen, and is a delight every time I unlock the phone. Camera is not up to par with the S8. (This is why I carry an S8. For the camera) But Essential camera is not bad by any means, and in fact some photos I like better than the S8. Essential phone is fast, very smooth to operate. Fingerprint sensor is fast although I wish it wasn't quite as flush as it is, sometimes hard to find. I believe the fingerprint sensors on Huawei phones are the best and fastest I've used, but the Essential is very good. Certainly better positioned than the fingerprint sensor on the S8. At its current price, this Essential phone is outstanding, in my opinion. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. No regrets. (wish it had a headphone jack though....)
Posted by jamie3529
The 2017 flagship device is titanium and ceramic...it has the latest Android version with the latest security patch and will receive Android Q. Has a massive QHD display 85% screen to body ratio, 128GB storage and 4GB ram paired with a Snapdragon 835, 3040mah battery with an included 27 watt charger (USBC to USBC)All this for less than the price of a mid-range 2018 device with far, far less specs. At the clearance price of 374 or less it's a major, major go...oh and compatible with ALL netowrks and their mvnos. The only negative imo is lack of a headphone jack.
Posted by Chris