Last August (2018) there was a super deal by Amazon.com on Essential PH-1.
An amazing device, a flagship of 2017 at a great price that few -including me- had the luck to get (thanks to Insomnia.gr Forum).
I purchased the phone (for $223.99) and also it’s 360 Essential camera (for $44.78 ) and also a glass screen protector (for $8.95 ).
Here goes the story from the support ticket on Essential’s website:
Hello from Greece,
Tonight I opened the phone while it was resting on my drawer for 20 days and the April update popped up.
I chose to update it. After about 10 minutes the phone shuts down. I thought it was restarting for update.
Waited some time and nothing happened. The battery level was 87%. I try to open it, nothing happens.
I tried to enter to recovery mode (Power + Volume Down), nothing happens.
I connect it to my PC (Windows with Essential Drivers installed), I hear the sound of connection but nothing happens.I bought the phone from Amazon.com last August. I’m attaching the invoice (it’s under warranty).
What you suggest me to do?
Attachment(s)
Amazon.pdf
Their 1st response in matter of minutes! (I’m amazed from this).
Hi there,
Thank you for reaching out. I am sorry to hear that your device is not turning on. I’d like to ask a few questions to better help us determine the next steps:
Have you modified your device at all?
Have you installed any new apps lately?
Do you remember the last update you did? If so when?
Has your device suffered any water damage or been dropped?Also, I’d like to collect a few pieces of information that will help me better address your concern and investigate our best options to move forward. Please reply with the following information:
- First and last name:
- Full shipping address (no PO Box):
- Telephone number:
- Photos of the front and back of the device: (attach)
- A screenshot of the device’s serial number or a photo of the white information tab inside the SIM compartment: (attach)
Once you have a chance to send the information, a member of the team will get back to you with the next steps. Please let me know if you have any questions and I hope you have a nice day.
Sincerely,
Jason
Essential Customer Experience Team
My reply with all info requested
Hello Jason and thanks for the quick reply!
I will answer all your questions.No I haven’t modified the device, it’s with stock ROM (with all the updates OTA month by month).
No, the last update was Google Calendar and other Google apps.
The last complete Software update was March OTA Android update. Was working fine the phone until tonight.
The phone is in pristine condition, no damage, never dropped it’s like new! I take care my devices.My information is:
Vangelis Makridakis
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPhone: +30 xxxxxxxxxx (landline)
Mobile: +30 xxxxxxxxxxI’m attaching the photos from all sides of phone and the serial number from the SIM tray.
Thank you again for the support, I hope you guys will continue to release such great devices.
Best regards,
Vangelis Makridakis.
Then after an hour or so their response:
Hi Vangelis,
Thank you for your reply. In order to exercise the Limited Warranty for your device, we require an address that is located in either the US or one of the international locations listed in this article—our sales and support does not extend to Greece.
As an alternative, you can send your device to us for warranty services. I have included our mailing address below for you to send your device in.
Mailing address:
Essential Products
Customer Care – Exchange
380 Portage Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
888-444-2222Essential will not be liable for any damage that occurs before the device arrives or for lost data, so please make sure that you backup all of your information and carefully package the device for shipment. We would like the phone to be factory reset before it is sent in (if possible), and we also request that the phone is the only item included in the shipment (we do not need the original box, accessories or SIM card).
After the device is received, it will be inspected to verify the warranty status. Once the inspection is complete, we will issue a replacement to a valid US or international address from one of our eligible countries. You will receive an automated order confirmation message and a second message with tracking when the order is processed by the warehouse (typically within one business day of the order confirmation). If the inspection brings about new information to change the warranty status (e.g. physical damage, water damage, etc.), we will contact you.
Let me know if you have any questions about this process, our Support team is happy to assist.
Sincerely,
Jason
Essential Customer Experience Team
Then my last reply to them before I head over Amazon.com
Hello Jason and Happy Easter for tomorrow.
Unfortunately I’m not willing to send the device with all my data inside (cause I cannot remove it) abroad with the risk of theft/lost and no warranty
to me as customer. Is there any other option really? Can you as vendor, contact Amazon.com and via a confirmation of the issue and order details,
be able to send to me UPS or USPS pre-paid envelope to take the device and either send a replacement or refund honoring the 1 year warranty?I know it’s complicated but I don’t think there is any other way for me to accept your support offer. The device was working fine until I decided to
update OTA… if there is no recover option on such disaster by a software update, then every phone should be able to open, remove battery or
replace bad chips/components. I tried all methods on your website regarding Recovery, Fastboot and Safe mode button combinations. No luck.
I left the phone on the charger overnight, no signs of life.Please help.
Thanks again.Vangelis Makridakis.
I’m waiting for their response, in the mean time, (it’s almost Easter for Catholic Christians and I understand any delay on responses) I contacted Amazon.com.
Here is the transcript of the chat I had with some representatives:
Hello,
Here’s a copy of the chat transcript you requested:
Initial Question: Hello there and I wish you happy Easter for tomorrow, I have a problem with my phone I purchased last August from Amazon.com.
It’s still under warranty and I’ve already contacted Essential.
01:57 AM PDT Catrina(Amazon):
01:58 AM PDT Catrina:
01:58 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
01:58 AM PDT Catrina: 01:59 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
01:59 AM PDT Catrina:
01:59 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
01:59 AM PDT Catrina:
02:00 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:00 AM PDT Catrina:
02:00 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:00 AM PDT Catrina:
02:03 AM PDT Catrina:
02:03 AM PDT Aasheesh(Amazon):
02:04 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:05 AM PDT Aasheesh:
02:06 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:08 AM PDT Aasheesh:
02:09 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis: be able to send to me UPS or USPS pre-paid envelope to take the device and either send a replacement or refund honoring the 1 year warranty?02:10 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:12 AM PDT Pratheesh(Amazon):
02:12 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:13 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:14 AM PDT Pratheesh: I’m sorry for that.02:14 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:14 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:15 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:15 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:18 AM PDT Pratheesh: One it past returns window, customer should contact manufacturer for repair, refund, replacement or warranty claim02:20 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:20 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:21 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:21 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:22 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:23 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:23 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:24 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:26 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:27 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:27 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:28 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:28 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:29 AM PDT Pratheesh:
02:29 AM PDT Vangelis Makridakis:
02:29 AM PDT Pratheesh: Thank you.
Amazon.com
Now let’s hope there is a solution on this situation…
Happy Easter to all,
I’ll keep updating this post for future reference online (if it helps).
Cheers,
Vangelis.
UPDATE:
Essential received the dead PH-1 I sent them with my own expenses with DHL (cost €35), inspected it and issued a replacement. They didn’t had Halo Gray anymore in stock and they let me choose among Black and White, I chose White.
They couldn’t ship to Greece, therefor I gave an address of a friend I have in Florida, then he shipped it to me with USPS. The replacement was refurbished as they said but I think it was new. There was no mark or anything that could suspect a previous use of it. It came in a single phone box, sealed as the original one but without any extra. The only thing now is that all my accessories are black and the phone is white, but nonetheless I’m happy with the result and the Essential Support and honoring the warranty.
So, whoever happens to get a dead phone after a common Android update, I suggest to contact to Essential Support and let them know how to help.