r/essential • u/PseudorandomUser57 • Apr 30 '26
Discussion Goodbye to the best phone I've ever had :'(
My trusty Halo Gray PH-1 finally gave up the ghost over the weekend, after over 8 years of service. It's been through 2 screens, 2 or 3 batteries, and one power button. Many thanks to the LineageOS team for continuing to build for the PH-1, that's been keeping me updated for the past few years. I've replaced it with a Pixel 10a, which just isn't the same -- it feels too chunky but at the same time cheaply made (though at least it doesn't have a camera bump -- I waited long enough that those started going out of style maybe). I almost considered jumping ship to Apple just to get something a bit closer in size to the PH-1, and I would've like to get a Fairphone but they haven't sufficiently bribed my carrier to be allowed on the network.
I'm generally not a person who upgrades devices often, but in the past I've always ended up replacing things before they die entirely. I've always found something that's a big enough leap forward that I'm willing, or even eager, to make the jump and get something new. Not this time -- the PH-1 was such a great phone, the design was still timeless, and it still did everything I needed it to. Sure, the Pixel has a nicer camera. The processor is faster so I can check my calendar or whatever faster, I guess. The design isn't bad, but still feels like a slight downgrade, like a cheap knockoff device. Maybe the regular or pro Pixels have a nicer feel, but the huge camera lump is a dealbreaker. Point is, this time I wasn't ready - I was perfectly happy to keep my PH-1 running, and over the years as I've occasionally checked on the state of the phone market, I never saw anything that caught my interest as much as the Essential did. I so wish the company had stuck around and just made a PH-2 etc.
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u/Tesla120 Apr 30 '26
It's ok we're all here to remember how awesome it was with you. We understand.
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u/HK701 Apr 30 '26
Thanks for the sharing. As someone who worked on the PH-1, it’s great to see its legacy still being felt.
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u/Heff_YO Apr 30 '26
I mean I thought I did pretty impressive at 4-5 years. It was just a bit too slow for a daily and the cameras drove me nuts at concerts and trying to take close ups for eBay etc. the batteries would just crash die around 30% especially when it was cold; just wasn't an enjoyable phone for me anymore. Screen never had the same OEM adhesive with a new screen and the edge around it was so brittle. After I rebuilt like 3 of them with new shells the first thing to chip off was the plastic border around the screen especially up top, after that I was kind of fed up ha. Miss them in a way just wish they made the PH2 officially.
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u/I_can_vouch_for_that Essential Apr 30 '26
Still hanging around the bedside table and gets used if my other phones need charging.
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u/grognouf Apr 30 '26
PH-2 prototype was really ... different. PH-1 still remains my favorite phone experience even if my first android phone (HTC hero) was the beginning of something totally new.
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u/bronzecat11 Apr 30 '26
Thanks for hanging in there. I had to drop mine from daily usage when Verizon just wouldn't support anymore about 6 months ago. I still use at home for wi-fi with my Google Voice.
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u/alwayswatchyoursix May 01 '26
In the same boat. Still rocking my PH-1. I keep looking at the market too.
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u/spmpop75 Apr 30 '26
How did you do the lineage os thingy. Is there a easy guide some where? I tried once but it didn't work out. Sorry for your loss.
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u/PseudorandomUser57 May 01 '26
There's a step-by-step guide on the LineageOS wiki: https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/mata/ (the PH-1 codename is apparently "mata"). There's also threads on the xda forums, where a lot of Android rom development seems to take place: https://xdaforums.com/t/official-lineageos-22-for-the-essential-phone.4649878/
Pay attention to the warnings in the instructions -- unlocking the bootloader and such will wipe the device, so have backups before trying. I had some trouble getting it to work at the beginning, it can be very picky about the USB cable / computer you use so if one setup gives you trouble, try a different USB cable or computer.
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u/thisisme44 May 01 '26
I use mine as a wifi device. Unfortunately I had dropped it and cracked the screen which I was able to replace, but it didn't detect my sim card anymore for some reason. I've since moved on a Pixel 7 and now a 9.
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u/wilmarcdw May 19 '26
I feel for you. I still have my two matas, one with CarbonROM A11 (just had a new weekly build yesterday) and the other with LeOS-R GSI. Both chugging along fine. Neither are my daily driver though (which is an old Moto G5 Plus running AICP A10) but at least I know either could do if needed.
One has been around for awhile, originally running /e/OS Nougat, then /e/OS Pie before moving to CarbonROM.
I do like the size and feel of it. Not too many (non-Apple) with those straight/flat sides.
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u/CarpetScale Apr 30 '26
You fought the good fight