Essential Phone Review

[@TheMrMobile]

[UPDATE] Two months and a big price drop later, I've revisited the Essential Phone. See how the story's changed (and how it's stayed the same) in my Review Re-Do! kzbin.info/www/bejne/enXaXqihi8yJZ9E

[@rajnithind8963]

MrMobile [Michael Fisher] first

[@irixsyncd]

Hey, what kind of watch are do you wear on this video? @5:46 Looks pretty good.

[@madmann6723]

I think expectations were probably a bit higher for this device given who is at the helm. Given it's over a year later and lackluster sales have put the future of the company in question I do applaud them for keeping their promise of support for PH1. I think it'd be a shame if they didn't build on the foundation of everything right with this device and make a second generation that essentially corrected all the short comings. Thanks Michael!

[@TheMrMobile]

[UPDATE] Of *course* a camera update lands as soon as the review goes up. Anyway, just updated to NMI54B and TLDR: not much different on the camera front. App still slow, low-light still way sub-optimal. Twitter ain't the best medium for picture sharing but it's what I've got for now: twitter.com/theMrMobile/status/901277930315272192

[@farhanatashiga3721]

Welp, no change here.

[@madcats99]

So basically it's still a buggy camera.

[@kshitijshah17]

MrMobile [Michael Fisher] Great review! Hope you unblock me some day on Instagram! From a big MrMobile fan

[@amitkumarbiswas9823]

MrMobile [Michael Fisher] 6:11😂😂😂

[@loola456]

Is Essential the same company that makes Cereal?

[@fasn279]

Thank you for being honest! Your right, many youtubers skimped on the camera in depth

[@TheMrMobile]

+Homer Simpson Thanks for the feedback! I actually wasn't talking about KZbin reviews at all. Many of the written ones are being published under headlines that suggest this camera is somehow acceptable. I disagree.

[@wade_county]

Were you able to sideload the Google Camera to see if it's the camera or the software that's causing issues?

[@TheMrMobile]

+wade_county I downloaded Open Camera and tried a few shots. Didn't see a notable difference but I admit I spent like five minutes investigating that particular avenue.

[@wade_county]

Ah. I'll save you some time. Here's the latest version of the modded GCam. (Might be a little wonky to test) forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73542000&postcount=73

[@TheMrMobile]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm afraid low light is where this camera suffers the most (even after the update that landed a few hours after this review went live). I don't have an S7 to confirm, but the Pixel positively wipes the floor with the PH-1 after the sun goes down: twitter.com/theMrMobile/status/901277930315272192

[@thekingofhearts8687]

The quality of videos from this channel just keeps getting better and better!! The camera angles, editing, the subtle jokes, the entire presentation are just too good!!I don't care if it has less than expected subscribers..... For me this channel is the benchmark for all other tech youtubers!!

[@TechLineHD]

A terrible camera is a deal breaker for a phone this expensive. I expect that the prices of this phone will go down significantly soon.

[@alexgiambi]

good call lol

[@carltonsimmonsjr.5607]

Good call, $320 - $350 brand new now

[@supahmansid]

Are you a wizard?

[@BrianCheng24]

Best review I've seen on this phone so far, and I watched many.

[@Exraw]

Removable battery? No. Water proof? No. Headphone jack? No. Buy the phone? Fuck no.

[@mementomori29231]

Exraw also no SD card slot.

[@DavidNikkiZane]

this aged like milk lmao

[@Exraw]

@@DavidNikkiZane ikr 💀

[@RyRyTheBassGuy]

Two years later and it still gets timely updates!

[@jonkomatsu8192]

C'mon! In this day and age, wherein even mid-rangers take really solid photos and video, a poor camera module in such an expensive flagship is inexcusable. Fail.

[@raywill6723]

You are officially the best KZbin reviewer. Salute my friend. This is how it's done.

[@0M1995]

This phone would've been a massive success but no audio jack and no water proof ?!?! how they want to compete against large amount of phones in the market and yeah terrible camera !.

[@ImperiaGin]

Omar Abbas especially only sprint is the official US carrier. So it's just not gonna last

[@zacXL2099]

And the fact that the phone is $699!!!!!!! I'd rather buy the Oneplus 5 or the Galaxy S8 than this "essential" phone.

[@reinoyu1321]

I dont think both audio jack & water proof that important. If they have better camera, like at par with google pixel i wouldve considered to buy that. I love the design!

[@mikldude9376]

Zach Dubos Perhaps they should have marketed it as a budget phone and sold it with a budget price as an introductory model leading up to a flagship next year . Take away all the shiny bits and quirky design and it looks like a poverty model.

[@whoever_81]

mikldude That's a whole different marketing strategy. What's your point? Why would that be profitable? Also, your last sentence makes no sense.

[@MatthijsVanDijck]

I really like how honest you can be Mr Mobile. I like MKBHD, Pocketnow and AA, but it seems to me you're the only reviewer who really dares to criticize when necessary. Good job!

[@Conceptcreator]

this is why i watch your video's! You give a honest review and say what you think! With next to that freaking awsome shots!

[@MrJeep83]

I'm loving seeing the evolution of your videos Michael. With each one they continue to get stronger and better in every facet.

[@thomaswillis2382]

Great review! It's a shame I can't say the same for the phone itself :(

[@KIMBOTANDOK2]

Your honest reviews are so refreshing. You have hard conclusions rather than leaving it open like most other KZbinrs do. Continue the hard work and stay mobile, my friend. ☺

[@mattdonlan7198]

Best review of this phone yet by far. Awesome review!! It does seem like its being released earlier than it should be. When Essential teased the nearly bezel free display in that picture a while ago I think Andy Rubin obviously new this was going to be the year of the bezel free design trend and wanted to get this phone on peoples minds. They should have waited until they could implement an OLED display and should never have shipped with a cam that’s not on par with the Pixel/S8/iPhone. The phones design to me is almost perfect, so simple, great materials, could do without the magnetic mod pins but that’s just personal as I would never by any mods to attach just like Motos phones. I wanted to buy this so bad as my Android phone for the next year but the Camera just ain’t worth it. Waiting on the next Pixel. I think the Pixel dodged a bullet with this phone as I’m sure many Pixel fans were serious about this phone as well, and the Camera is just not there.

[@VChlorok]

I've seen every single review of the PH-1 and you are the only one who actually answered my question about how good their EIS is. Best reviewer as always. Why on earth everyone else didn't even bother to mention anything about PH1's EIS, taking into account that less than a month ago everyone was complaining about the "terrible lack of EIS in Oneplus5's 4K video mode" (which is fixed now btw via OTA) is still a mystery to me.

[@leapofaithproduction]

Not Essential Enough

[@robertjusic9097]

almost essential

[@bederhajali]

Honestly you have a great presentation skills and amazing voice over. I saw your old car videos and they were great. It's wonderful to see how far you've grown. Keep going Micheal

[@hacorn96]

i feel like i am the only essential fan alive. camera is meh? i not photographer. avg joe. clicks photos sometimes. no headphone jack? better learn to live without it. no opt by other phone makers too. no waterproofing? that might be a problem but my things survived till now without it, willing to bet on it. wireless charging? if the battery is good enough, i really don't give a damn how they charge. for an avg user who likes good build and simple stuff to get things done, i like it. and how about no branding anywhere? loved that.

[@MoonyD911]

Thank you so much for your honesty! So many other reviewers skip over the fact that the camera isn't great, no water proofing and no head phone jack. It's always appreciated to see some honest reviews.

[@pyry1738]

I don't think, that you should call an smartfone without an headfone jack "essential phone"

[@reychop]

Pyry 1 why? Are headphone jacks still relevant?

[@peppersaltman1805]

I concur

[@iga4184]

The last time I saw at your subscribers count, it was around 370K, good to know you're getting your deserved attention, Michael.

[@techpassion4126]

Wakes up early at 6:49am and sees a new Mr Mobile video. Today's gonna be a good day ^^

[@hakimzaliq337]

TechPassion South East Asian?

[@JBroMCMXCI]

TechPassion It's midnight

[@timalright]

TechPassion it's deep night :(

[@dtay8913]

No barkin from the dog no smog

[@roberttranceedm]

For a while I couldn't watch your vids, and now I realize how much I missed them. Good infos, highly enjoyable, fun to watch the reviews.

[@LeBeautiful]

And this was an "Essential" Review! Fun fact: "The phone is called PH-1, and if you put those together it becomes "PH-ONE". Essential PHONE!

[@raphaelkgh218]

LeBeautiful wait, wow!😍

[@ATM-GAMING-11]

so the next one will be PH-2=Essential PHTWO

[@YouAreBreathing]

Hopefully the company can last until it releases the PHSIX.

[@fuentesjuanjose90]

Already since this comment from different people lol on different videos

[@LeBeautiful]

Nathan Drake nah not this time

[@miguelnavarro2571]

Michael, I believe the Essential phone is worthy of a revisited review. Plenty of updates have seriously improved the experience of the phone.

[@mayac4147]

>casually scrolling youtube >sees MrMobile video >51 seconds >wot

[@raphaelkgh218]

im an idiot lels yeah!😍

[@mattw_dev]

That's the reason why i watch MrMobile. No nice talking, instead a clear and honest review. Probably the first on KZbin.

[@audieliem4843]

All the Headphone Jack jokes aside, the phone really lives up to it's name - only the essentials and not much else Camera is disappointing - and I just don't see the benefit of an additional monochrome sensor if the HW & SW engineers can't fully take advantage of it - better slap an ultra wide angle like the G6

[@JasonClarke247]

Thank you for pure review unlike others that didn't touch on the quality of the camera.

[@debo2189]

4:58 ahhhh.... I miss these old days (one week ago) when $699 is described as 'this much money for a phone' as expensive/top tier pricing..... Now it's all about +$1000 phones :P smh

[@ariesego2329]

Thank you for being honest with the camera portion. I've seen so many others tip toeing around it like "ehh" but never just were just straight up about it like you.

[@TechThusiast]

Camera kind of sucks

[@TheMrMobile]

That should've been the sub-head.

[@Dylan-zm3ht]

MrMobile [Michael Fisher] I appreciate that you didn’t beat around the bush about the camera. Always good to know you can trust Mr Mobile reviews.

[@ELFERNY]

This is the best review of "Essential" in all KZbin. Tks and congratulations Michael.

[@joeysandoval2511]

Just got it today and good thing i dont pay attention to critics

[@Sharky165]

Joey Sandoval OK, so what specifically pray tell is so great about it ?

[@joeysandoval2511]

Sharky165 it works .. the screen is bright enough the phone comes with 128 gb out the box . It's built like a tank . No bloatware . Battery last all day .and charging is super fast ..

[@Sharky165]

Fair enough...I played with one at a BestBuy and did love the big bright screen in a fairly small form factor. Much more appealing than the almost too-narrow Sammy Galaxy S8. It also seemed fast surfing on WiFi with that Snapdragon 835 chip. Still, I wish it had the headphone jack, and water resistance, for the $700 price-tag. Has the camera improved via software updates in the time you've had it ? And does that "widow's peak" (front camera) get in the way while viewing media (and do you get used to its presence, as Michael mentioned) ? Appreciate your feedback

[@joeysandoval2511]

Sharky165 ya it's small form but a big screen not " overkill " nothing gimmicky just solid and it's in it's infancy

[@mineral520]

I don't know if anyone has ever mentioned it before, but your use of Star Trek clips is absolutely amazing!

[@victuringan1429]

'Essential Phone' -No expandable storage -No headphone jack -No water resistance -Mediocre camera -Mediocre display -Mediocre speaker -Mediocre battery life -Expensive price Really?

[@jakelindsay6251]

Surprised about the camera. They really tout this thing as being something special. Glad I received this push notification and thanks to MM for the quality review.

[@carelesslygeneric]

"Put in no waterproofing and lack of a headphone jack, abd who's gonna buy this thing for seven hundred dollars?" LG wing and RAZR owners in 2020-2021: *nervous laughing*

[@carelesslygeneric]

@Anand Raj it released at 1100$ and new from a carrier still is 1100$, so that's not really an all-round case, when i got mine it was full price, but it's still a good phone so no big complaints with that price. I was just commenting that for the features the Essential lacked, it was funny to me that that was the norm for many phones today

[@LewysC]

OMFG YOU FINALLY MADE IT!!!! I've been waiting for this review all week man!!

[@Guuzaka]

Let's see: no headphone jack, no water-resistance, no card slot, poor camera performance and cost $1,050 CAD? No thanks!😩😫 6:13 Learn your holes.😏

[@kapbab751]

I watch all kinds of tech channels, but yours is the best, most well thought out content I've come across.

[@fuentesjuanjose90]

I prefer my Xiaomi mi Mix and I can't wait for the xiaomi mi mix 2 👍.

[@arthurbttf]

ROOT friend..

[@fearsin5513]

N3XO it's lacking

[@lostclips7078]

Good job man, this reminds me of your older videos, very honest and humble

[@Qai94]

That camera isn't even mediocre.... I've seen better cameras from a phone that costs 500 bucks less

[@kevinmikulaj]

Thank you for the honest review. One of the things I appreciate about this channel. Keep up the good work.

[@mzuzs6861]

an " Essential phone" without a removable battery, or sd card slot not even a headphone jack! what a disappointment

[@Slifer-yq8ep]

N3XO yes but the others haven't

[@wyattkinney5721]

Go back to Galaxy S5 if you want removable battery loser

[@brentos96]

I'm not even in the slightest bit interested in this phone, but you're voice, and style of reviewing is always so relaxing that I'll watch a video of you reviewing paperclips!

[@alexsmith9245]

kids buy a phone for a headphone jack and waterproofing, men buy it for the design and software

[@ejaazidris1649]

THanks for not beating around the bush with the camera. Help me make my decision. Cheers

[@lodbldbol]

3.5 millimeter jack - No 16 by 9 display - No Hardware keys - No Essential - NO DAMNIT!

[@the_beast4107]

no waterproofing

[@lodbldbol]

That's not a deal breaker to me because I can take my Galaxy S6 and OnePlus 3T in the shower with me and they won't get damaged.

[@changye9604]

Then don't buy it.

[@cooliipie]

Super1di0t Hardware keys? Lol... Gross

[@ZachDaChampion]

Yeah that'd be great... Until you shut it down

[@raghuv90]

u did not hesitate like other reviewers to express your honest opinion about the camera.Liked It! 👍

[@KJTD]

This company failed harder than my grades

[@ast5515]

Am I the only one bugged by the rounded square camera icon next to the circular icons on the dock? BTW You nailed this review. Touched on all the essentials (see what I did there?), mentioned the camera, which most reviewers didn't talk about, and even customer service.

[@minjod]

I never thought I'd say it, but wow... Suddenly an iPhone doesn't seem as overpriced as this garbage phone.

[@danjoekelch]

And yet... regardless of what is being reviewed, liking Mr. Mobile's content is always essential. :)

[@addict2phones]

I love the 'hang up a second' part. :) Awesome review as always, Fisher.

[@Whatastic]

$700 in my wallet is Essential.

[@2Two1One2Two]

Man, I adore your reviews! They are by far the best. I just watch your channel as it is just amazingly well done. You deserve more, way more than what other youtubers have (subscribers wise). Keep up the amazing work!

[@ArkaPratimSamajdwar]

So you put it in the wrong hole, because they were so close together! Oh Boy! :D :D

[@michaelcarver3168]

I really appreciate your honesty, Michael. This was a fantastic review.

[@axdroxant6787]

We can all agree the headphone jack is definitely "Essential"

[@dochue]

great review, but the instrumental in the background at 3:0 is amazing love the keyboard part.

[@skulltrailRFL]

This phone is an Essential FAIL

[@HampterCEOalt]

NO HATER

[@RACaptialRegion]

Love how far your videos have come since the pocketnow days, Michael. Love that last song track too

[@sangyoonsim]

Is headphone jack really that essential? Well, ask your mother, if you have one...

[@changye9604]

No, it really isn't.

[@bobbyjeff32]

Chang Ye yes it is

[@mikldude9376]

Chang Ye yeah well , it is essential if you want to sell phones . Why would I pay good money for a phone that skimps on useful convenience features , can you guess which phones I will not be buying this year ??? They can stick their dongles .

[@CommodoreFan64]

Yes a headphone jack is essential if you have a decent collection of headphones like myself, and want to use them on your phone, and don't want to have to carry around another device like a pair of Bluetooth headphone/earbuds you have to remember to charge, and most of them don't have enough charge to get threw your day, Plus as someone who was born with heading difficulties I find most Bluetooth headphones/earbuds not be loud enough or not to have enough low end bass, so I end up using a Fiio E6 Fujiyama portable headphone amp, or a Reveel bgst r213 portable headphone amp(yes both of them hold more then a long enough charge to get threw my day, and then some) depending on which pair of headphones I'm using, and how much power output they need, and lastly I've found that if you use Bluetooth headphones/earbuds with the ROKU app for Android in private listening mode it adds lag to the audio stream, and does not always sync up with the video on your TV, so again yes a 4 pole 1/8in aka 3.5mm headphone is still essential to a lot of people on a smartphone, and will be for sometime to come, and I won't buy a phone without one period end of story.

[@BulletMagnetMan]

Nope. Just use the provided adapter. Same audio fidelity.

[@arharsh46]

one of the best review around here for essential phone.. just showing how its not exactly 'essential' and its more like a startup currently

[@princessKenny]

Even the Note 8 is better than this, and it SUX

[@Lawanbusally]

Are you on crack?

[@linusmlgtips2123]

PrincessKenny It's not bad, just overpriced

[@buzzkillington2844]

And Let me guess you think apple dominates

[@khaledkakeesh4136]

the note 8 is the best device right now *other than the battery

[@K0Flo]

Kean Kakeesh I'll stick with my almost year old pixel. Still the best phone out in my opinion.

[@MasterKoala777]

Awesome use of movie clips :) And the detailed discussion of the charging cable is funny. Great review as always.

[@AncientAstronaut952]

Thid is undoubtedly the best, most unbiased review of this phone. The other reviews sounded more like promotions.

[@jccarltg]

Always excited to see your new videos! You're one if not the best reviewer in KZbin.

[@alak2250]

Best and accurate review from the best reviewer. you deserve at least a million subs

[@wilfredorivas8353]

MrMobile needs to be noticed more. You are so good at your videos!

[@joshuasteele3520]

This guy is probably one of the most honest reviewers out here, I could tell other people were being really fake about it so I waited for Mr Mobile and he didn't disappoint.

[@saifulanswer]

Just woke up and saw this on the top of my subscription. As always the review is honest.

[@ChhanaChhakchhuak]

you are becoming the best reviewer.... keep on :D I liked the way you talked and your honesty

[@omar.k84]

Absolutely loved your review.unlike the other reviews so far you focus on the things that matter

[@redlady120]

A better review. That just made me rethink... for the current era of techbabies, this may either be a beginner's phone, or a phone you may give to a senior citizen who won't mind not having a great cam or a headphone jack-at least my dad won't. Something to consider. Thanks again for a straight up review

[@CDRiley]

I love how you put clips of Star Trek in your review.

[@jsong21]

The best tech reviewer on youtube. Better than even MKBHD and Android Authority.

[@JeffJacquesmd]

Thanks for your usual comprehensive review Michael. Your camera review is much more thorough then The Verge's which made the cameras shortfalls sound like a few firmware updates short of good to very good. I've already ordered, but this phone may just have to go back

[@Schmaoer]

I can always trust that I'll get a great review when I come to this channel. Great job as usual. I wish this phone wasn't so much of a let down. Gotta wonder how Essential thought $700 was a good price to charge for a phone that categorically loses to basically every other phone around that price and even cheaper.

[@Altema22]

Good review Michael. I have no idea what else was on the page when I saw your video link, and I did not care! The phone looks nice, really classy, and I don't think I would have the heart to cover that back. The brass and green combo is pretty. The ceramic panel looks pretty thin though, and I'd be concerned about a back drop to a surface that is not perfectly smooth. I don't know about unmatched luster though, as there are other phones that would take the PH1's level 9 luster, and take it up to 11 ;) The titanium frame is an excellent idea, and I was hoping someone would do a phone frame this way one day. I think I would prefer a long rocker volume control instead of three similar sized buttons with the same feel to them. The microphone is away from the speaker, which is normal practice, but still a problem when the holes are so close and so similar. The screen on time seems ok, not remarkable, but we shall see. Too bad about the camera. With the likes of S8, G6 and U11, you can't afford fumble the camera this badly.

[@Chad_KBH]

Great review Michael! Can not believe the camera shortcomings.

[@AdrianBigyes]

8:18 That wallpaper though! So elegant! Matches your youtube channel photo :)

[@lifestylesdefined]

Great review as always Michael, thanks for holding no punches! This phone is a great 1.0.... but not there yet.

[@AndrewPort]

Oh man - not one, but two Star Trek clips WITH Odo talking about essentials. So good.

[@dushyantkochar3276]

Excellent video. The only you tuber whose videos are ACTUALLY helpful when you are getting a phone.

[@Rustyybucket]

You're quickly becoming my favourite reviewer.

[@hanzhuang2556]

thanks for being honest on every review you made, you sir,deserves more subs :)

[@Alexander0189]

Perfect review as always. Pretty much agree with every point you made! You always look at products realistically and from a consumers point of view, great stuff. You'll always be my favourite tech KZbinr.

[@Vanuatoo]

1. Headphone jack - used it several times in my life, so no big deal for me 2. Water resistant - nice to have, not critical 3. Camera - will wait for DxOMark score 4. Price - Not ready to pay that much, most probably they will cut it at least 100$

[@jeanlucpicard4225]

I love your reviews and the startrek clips in your reviews!!! Shocking that the camera is so bad.

[@Boebus666]

Hey, I still remember your HTC HD2 Throwback video when you were a part of Pocket now.. Loved that video.. You're a damn good reviewer! :)

[@Grone4ever89]

Love your reviews bud! I'm on the market for a new smartphone and your videos are the ones I search when trying to choose one

[@TrisjensChronicles1203]

No one does reviews like Mr. Mobile. Love it.

[@the_bioway]

The Review is like 'Mr. Honest'... Great review Mr. Mobile👌🏼

[@renzoriga6136]

No amoled either....great and (I believe) the most "honest" review of any I've seen on KZbin...kudos