Looking at possibly getting a ph1

kameleon25

Senior Member
Nov 8, 2011
51
5
0
Hi all! I currently have a nexus 6p as my daily driver and came from a nexus 6. I am running into some issues with the 6p and got to looking at other phones. My criteria is:
  • 32gb storage minimum
  • usb-c charging or qi if micro-usb
  • good battery life
  • nfc
  • good camera (photos and videos)
  • no/minimal bloat ware (stock launcher also, no TouchWiz)
  • can be bought around $250 (used is ok)
  • fingerprint scanner is a plus

It looks like the ph1 meets all my requirements. I have found one slightly used for under $250. I really like the 128gb storage as I do YouTube videos using my phone sometimes and the extra space comes in handy. So my question is this: should the ph1 be a good device for me? I have been using nexus phones since the galaxy nexus and own them all except the 5x. I'm on AT&T. If there is a better phone that meets the requirements I'm all game to look at it. If I can't find a replacement phone soon I'm going back to my n6. This n6p is driving me crazy with the crap battery life, missed notifications, and phonecall black screen bug.

Thanks in advance for the input.

*edit* just found a pixel 128gb model certified refurb for same price. Which one would you get?
 
Last edited:

fredgar75

Senior Member
Feb 18, 2012
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Jacksonville
I've had my ph1 for only a couple of weeks now but I am loving this device. I rooted it but still running the stock operating system. I use Nova launcher just because I like the options in it but the stock launcher is pretty smooth as well. The camera takes great pictures especially compared to my htc 10 I came from. I go back and forth between the stock camera app and a modded Google camera app. Both seem to work great. Battery life is amazing for me. Easy lasts all day with 3-4 hours of screen on time. I had to charge my 10 a minimum of twice a day. I don't put this on charge until the very end of my day after I've been running the hotspot for a couple of hours. I'm not sure how it would compared to the pixel though. Security and software updates come pretty frequently. I've been getting the May security patch update for a few days now but since I'm rooted I can't except the OTA. Not sure if this will help your decision but that is my take on the ph1 so far.
 
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coop3422

Senior Member
Nov 12, 2008
108
3
0
Calgary, AB
I won't be a lot of help as I only picked up my PH-1 last night and have been playing with it at the office this morning. That said, I owned a 32GB Pixel XL prior to my current S8 and loved that thing. The main thing I felt it lacked was the always on display, which the PH-1 also lacks. When I got my S8 I decided to give wireless charging a try, don't know how I lived without it. The PH-1 doesn't have that either, although neither does the Pixel line.

The 32GB became an issue as I think only about 23GB was actually usable on my XL. Local carriers ran a deal last Nov and I picked up the S8. It's a solid phone, but I miss stock Android so I started looking at 128GB XL's. A deal came up on a PH-1, I was curious, so I pulled the trigger. It seems nice so far but if I'm being honest, I'd take a 128GB XL over it for the same price. The camera on it was amazing, better than the PH-1 stock camera for sure. I haven't sideloaded the Google camera app, so can't comment on that.

Hope this was a little helpful.
 

tech_head

Senior Member
Nov 22, 2007
3,725
1,225
243
California
Hi all! I currently have a nexus 6p as my daily driver and came from a nexus 6. I am running into some issues with the 6p and got to looking at other phones. My criteria is:
  • 32gb storage minimum
  • usb-c charging or qi if micro-usb
  • good battery life
  • nfc
  • good camera (photos and videos)
  • no/minimal bloat ware (stock launcher also, no TouchWiz)
  • can be bought around $250 (used is ok)
  • fingerprint scanner is a plus

It looks like the ph1 meets all my requirements. I have found one slightly used for under $250. I really like the 128gb storage as I do YouTube videos using my phone sometimes and the extra space comes in handy. So my question is this: should the ph1 be a good device for me? I have been using nexus phones since the galaxy nexus and own them all except the 5x. I'm on AT&T. If there is a better phone that meets the requirements I'm all game to look at it. If I can't find a replacement phone soon I'm going back to my n6. This n6p is driving me crazy with the crap battery life, missed notifications, and phonecall black screen bug.

Thanks in advance for the input.

*edit* just found a pixel 128gb model certified refurb for same price. Which one would you get?
PH-1
 
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Syndrome666

Senior Member
Sep 13, 2014
129
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Hi all! I currently have a nexus 6p as my daily driver and came from a nexus 6. I am running into some issues with the 6p and got to looking at other phones. My criteria is:
32gb storage minimum
usb-c charging or qi if micro-usb
good battery life
nfc
good camera (photos and videos)
no/minimal bloat ware (stock launcher also, no TouchWiz)
can be bought around $250 (used is ok)
fingerprint scanner is a plus


It looks like the ph1 meets all my requirements. I have found one slightly used for under $250. I really like the 128gb storage as I do YouTube videos using my phone sometimes and the extra space comes in handy. So my question is this: should the ph1 be a good device for me? I have been using nexus phones since the galaxy nexus and own them all except the 5x. I'm on AT&T. If there is a better phone that meets the requirements I'm all game to look at it. If I can't find a replacement phone soon I'm going back to my n6. This n6p is driving me crazy with the crap battery life, missed notifications, and phonecall black screen bug.

Thanks in advance for the input.

*edit* just found a pixel 128gb model certified refurb for same price. Which one would you get?
If you're talking about the first gen of Pixel phones, then definitely get the Essential PH-1, it's more up to date in terms of processing power, feels rock solid (doesn't bend), uses ceramic back, which holds up well (according to various YouTube drop tests) as opposed to glass found on the Pixel, uses titanium rather than aluminum, so doesn't dent or scratch as easily.
Probably one of the best Android devices to own if you want consistent monthly security patch and os updates, definitely up there with the Pixel quality of os update support (I'm also hearing Razer phone is good for that as well). With Essential you also get a very elegant design, no ugly chins or huge bezels. Excellent cameras, just get a Google camera app if you find the stock essential one a bit lacking. Battery life is very good, can't say how it compares to a pixel, but I'd imagine it's not too different. I've installed Resurrection remix on the PH-1, and use it as a daily driver, this ROM really unlocks this device's full potential. Third party development is definitely there and growing. I'll say this much, if you enjoyed your Nexus devices, which I'm sure you did, you will love the Essential PH-1, it's not a generic copycat phone, but rather one of those devices that excite. With a pixel, well you get a very iPhonesque design and pretty much the same stuff as Essential plus more Google stuff I'm sure, don't know, never got one. My last two phones were the Nexus 6 and Nextbit Robin, both were and still are excellent phones to this day, but after checking out the Essential in person, I just couldn't not buy it. It definitely has that Nexus vibe to it
 
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KeiranSolaris

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2011
57
15
0
I just made the jump from a Nexus 6P to a PH1 a few weeks ago when bestbuy and amazon had them on sale for $400 and am on AT&T.

Overall the phone is solid though you can tell that it's not popular as your options for accessories such as screen protectors and cases are very limited.

Battery life is great, all day at work connected to my watch via bluetooth and I drain maybe 15-20%, my 6P would have drained 70% in that same time frame with the same usage. It's not an AMOLED screen which I do miss but it is a very bright LCD and seems to be fine in the car so overall I don't mind.

Haven't had any issues with AT&T other than a certain deadspot near the mall which was also an issue on the 6P so that's more AT&T's problem.

Bootloader unlock was smooth and rooting with Magisk was easy too so if you are coming from a Nexus device and want something simple to deal with this should fit the bill.
 

crixley

Senior Member
May 25, 2012
4,648
2,028
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This phone has gotten so much better in the time I've owned it, the support is incredible. It is my favorite phone all around I've ever owned I think. My only issue is the camera, and with gcam it is half decent. Overall a great phone!
 
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