Essential Phone vs Samsung s8

[ngabo]

I currently have the iPhone 5s, and seeing the iPhones, I've decided to switch back to android. Been looking at the essential phone and the S8, but not sure which one to get. I really like the design of the essential, but its a first generation product from a new company. The S8 has a bunch of extra features but it seems very fragile and samsung phones has a reputation of slowing down over time.

What do you guys think?

[Michael77]

@srlawren,

No problem. If I hung around for 2 years with FM to pay off the tab, the phone would have only cost me around $350. But it was the tab buy out that brought the cost up. The extra money was worth the switch to Public Mobile. I am enjoying the great network. 🙂

[srlawren]

@Michael77 my apologies--I guess that's what I get for assuming, eh??  Just based on your original comment yesterday, it sounded like you were against paying that type of money for a phone.  And no judgements there regardless--everybody has their own unique thoughts on value and their own unique budgets.  Thanks for sharing, and the V20 is a very nice device!  I was tempted by it when it came out as well, though it's phsyically a bit large for me and I prefer an OLED screen generally.  Oh yes, anothe reason for me to probably pass on the PH-1 since it's LCD.  Hmmm.

[Michael77]

@srlawren,

I have a LG V20. I paid around $700 for it. I put down approx. $350 and then I paid approx. $350 to pay off my Freedom Mobile tab when I switched to Public Mobile. 

* I am not sure if I paid $700 or $750 for it. But definitely around those amounts.  🙂

[srlawren]

@Michael77, @IWIK the other thing I meant to mention is that most people aren't with their computer nearly every waking moment of their day, while most people are rarely more than an arm's length from their phone from the time they get out of bed to the time they get back in that night.  For many of us, myself included, the smartphone has become and integral part of our daily life.  I would be completely lost without mine.  Yes they are getting expensive, and I still refused to pay well north of a grand for phones like the Note 8 or the iPhone X, but for me I do get a LOT of use out of my phone, and it's my primary means of communication with friends, family, and when I'm not at my desk working on my laptop, with colleagues as well.  They're expensive, but they give me, personally, a lot of value.  Which is why I don't mind splurging a bit, toward the upper midrange or lower flagship levels, which is exactly where the PH-1 now sits.  🙂  As does the OnePlus 5 and hopefully the 5T.  🙂

[srlawren]

@Michael77 you could almost argue the other way these days with the advances in smartphones and the [relatively] slow pace of innovation/change in PCs.  But regardless, this is a bit of an apples to organges comparison, to be honest.  To be completely fair as well, a $650 computer these days, while capable, isn't necessarily going be anywhere near cream of the crop.  It's going to have some sacrifices.

The same can be said for a $650 phone.  Getting back to oranges to oranges (I chose oranges for the phones because I'm not a fan of iPhones! LOL), $650 Canadian pricing (which is very very close after exchange to the new $500 USD pricing) puts the phone firmly at the upper end of midrange or lower end of flagship pricing territory.  

Value is a very personal thing.  There are many people whom keep their phones down in the $300 range, and some that are willing to pay over $1700 before any accessories.  @Michael77 I gather that you are closer to the first part of that price range than the latter, which is fine.

But comparing the PH-1 (get it?  ph-one, phone...) to other phones in that price range, it does provide some value.  I've been watching a few youtube reviews, most of them recent after software updates.  They do say that the camera has improved, as @ShawnC13 notes.  But from the samples I've seen posted, things are still very grainy and noisy for my taste.  I'm sure it will continue to improve.  The other thing that scares me is I watched some speed comparisons against phones like the note 8 (admitedly, much more expensive!), s8+ (still more expensive), iPhone 7, and OnePlus 5 (very close in price!) and the ph-1 seemed to keep lagging at the bottom of those test, by a large margin.  Maybe software updates have and will continue to improve things, but my OnePlus 3 has spoiled me for liquid-smooth operation and I think that's my line in the sand.

At this point, since you can't order a OnePlus 5 any more (they've been sold out for several weeks, right around the time I decided I wanted one more than I wanted a V30, due to my own personal value equations), I think I'm going to wait out the next couple of weeks till the OP 5T is formally announced.  Provided a configuration with 128GB is available for $800 or less Canadian, I think I'm probably going to go that route.  But time will tell.  🙂

[Michael77]

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@IWIK wrote:

@Michael77But that computer doesn't weigh several ounces and fit in your pocket.

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@IWIK,

Yes, but you can do more things with a computer and they are more powerful.

[IWIK]

@Michael77But that computer doesn't weigh several ounces and fit in your pocket.

[Michael77]

$650 is a good price. However, I still think phones are way too expensive. You can buy a really nice powerful computer for $650. 

[ShawnC13]

@srlawren, I am going to look at th essential tomorrow.  Read through this tweet thread they have done software updates on the camera  https://twitter.com/essential/status/926485485471522818

[Wonder_why]

Super buy $650 for Essential Phone, if I was in the market for the phone, I have S8 + already

[stonechucker]

With that price drop ... I may too look at it.   Will this be the end to my beloved Nexus 5 ???

[ngabo]

Yeah the price drop have got me considering. Right now I'm trying to decide between a pixel 2 vs the essential phone.

[srlawren]

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@CalvinW wrote:

I mean unlocked straight from the company itself, so I can avoid paying the carrier premium price as well

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@CalvinWWhat about now that it's dropped down to $650 no contract at Telus?  I have to admit it's got me rethinking my plan to wait for the OnePlus 5T in a few weeks.  More thoughts.

[Mr-Bump]

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@CalvinW wrote:

The essential phone is exclusive to Telus in Canada, so that was a no go for me. Always prefer to get phones unlocked 

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Could always get it from Amazon, they will ship to Canada.

Amazon.com link

[Mr-Bump]

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@mimmo wrote:

Not sure how upto date this list is or accurate but could give you a starting point:

https://www.cnet.com/news/smartphones-best-long-battery-life/

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I have the Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom. Gotta say the battery is a beast! 5 1/2hrs of screen time and still have 60% battery left. 

My s6 would average 3hrs before needing a charge. 

[jeffster1970]

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@ngabo wrote:

 Been looking at the essential phone and the S8, but not sure which one to get. 

What do you guys think?

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Is it really a toss up between those two? 

[mattdxb]

Samsung makes good phones hardware wise but I'm just not a fan of the software. There's so much bloat. 

[Wonder_why]

@srlawren yeah you are correct,my mistake 😄🤗,Telus exclusive in Canada 😉

[srlawren]

@Wonder_why the article I saw said 5,000 not 500.  But still, a very small number. I can see why, it just doesn't stack up well to the competition at it's price point. More details here.

[Wonder_why]

Only sold 500 units Essential phone wondering why ? 

[Tiffae26]

I personally like the s8 a lot because of the iris scanner. I got a crappy phone prior to getting my s7 edge and the difference is huge. I would suggest getting the best if you are going to use it everyday !

[srlawren]

@ngabo Yeah the non-XL Pixel 2 might be your better choice then.  As much as I'm not a fan of Samsung's products, if I had to pick between the Essential PH-1 (very clever name... PH-1 =  PH-ONE = PHONE!) and the S8, I'd probably pick the S8, for it's stronger camera performance, water resistance, etc.  Make sure you check out some reviews on the PH-1 from sites like Android Central and Android Authority and decide for yourself though.

[ngabo]

LG v30 does look like a beast, but I'm more in the market for a smaller phone. I do plan on waiting to see what the new pixel will be like though! 🐵

[srlawren]

@ngabo The reviews on the Essential are pretty lack-luster.  [In particular, the camera performance is apparently less than average]  Honestly, for the price, I think you can do better.  If you can wait a few weeks, I'd consider picking up an LG V30 instead.  That thing is a major beast and on my radar for sure.  I'd pick it over the S8 or Essential any day of the week.  Also the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are being announced Oct 4th.  Honestly, if you're not in desperate need of a new phone, I'd wait a few weeks and choose between a V30 and a Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL instead, at the price points you're talking about.

[Grampa]

What carrier premium? Samsung protects the carrier's price and does not under cut the carriers. The S8 is $1035 from Samsung Canada direct or $1035 full price from Koodo for example.

[will13am]

It won't be long, all phones sold in Canada will be unlocked.  

[CalvinW]

I mean unlocked straight from the company itself, so I can avoid paying the carrier premium price as well

[pakmode]

^ this. 

[ngabo]

You can buy it unlocked at a telus store.

[CalvinW]

The essential phone is exclusive to Telus in Canada, so that was a no go for me. Always prefer to get phones unlocked