Philips Essence 20 - 6.52" 128GB ROM 4GB RAM 3900mAh - Black

We live in a world where smartphones change daily and new things come up every other time. And, it is in this environment that Philips has consistently focused on creating budget-friendly options with solid features. With the Philips Essence 20, they’ve taken it a step further. 

Positioned as an upgrade to the Essence 10, this model brings significant enhancements across performance, storage, and camera capabilities. For users who want a feature-packed smartphone without the high price, the Philips Essence 20 is a compelling choice in 2024.

Design and Build Quality

The Philips Essence 20 stands out with a good looking, modern design that combines form with functionality. Made from durable polycarbonate, the device feels premium and solid without being too heavy. Philips has opted for minimalist aesthetics with this model, resulting in a phone that looks understated yet elegant.

Philips has designed the Essence 20 to balance aesthetics with functionality. The device comes in multiple colors, each with a subtle gradient that adds a sophisticated touch. Compared to its predecessor, the Essence 20 boasts narrower bezels, resulting in an immersive screen experience and making it more compact despite its 6.6-inch screen size.

The back of the phone includes a redesigned camera module that’s streamlined and modern. This layout not only enhances the phone’s look but also helps with better handling. Additionally, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides both security and convenience, aligning well with modern design trends.

For its price point, the Philips Essence 20 is a pleasant surprise in terms of build quality. While it may not have the glass or metal finishes of high-end models, it feels sturdy and well-crafted. Philips has indeed managed to deliver a device that looks and feels beyond its price range, especially given its thoughtful touches like the side-mounted fingerprint sensor and ergonomic design.

Display Features

The Philips Essence 20 boasts a 6.6-inch HD display, providing a spacious viewing experience that’s perfect for everything from video streaming to gaming. With a resolution that ensures clarity and decent sharpness, this screen does a commendable job for a mid-range phone, offering bright and clear visuals.

The display on the Philips Essence 20 is well-suited for media consumption. With its large screen, it offers ample space for enjoying videos, gaming, or browsing. Although it doesn’t rival the pixel density of higher-end models, its clarity, color accuracy, and brightness make it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a large screen over ultra-high resolution.

The brightness levels are also impressive, allowing the display to be visible outdoors under direct sunlight. The HD resolution may seem modest compared to some premium models, but it strikes a good balance, especially when you consider its affordability.

The Philips Essence 20 has a basic layer of screen protection, which guards against minor scratches and daily wear. While it doesn’t feature advanced protections like Gorilla Glass, this added layer offers a reasonable level of durability for everyday use.

Performance and Hardware

Equipped with an octa-core processor, the Philips Essence 20 promises efficiency and speed for a range of tasks. This model is designed with 8GB of RAM, which is a significant upgrade over the 3GB seen in the Essence 10. This ample RAM allows for seamless multitasking, whether you’re switching between apps or running several tasks simultaneously.

The 8GB of RAM makes multitasking a breeze, enabling smooth transitions and reducing any lag, even with multiple open applications. For users who rely heavily on their phones for work, social media, or gaming, this RAM capacity ensures a responsive experience that’s often hard to find in this price range.

The Philips Essence 20 includes 256GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. This storage is also expandable up to 512GB via a microSD card, making it ideal for users with large media libraries or who frequently download apps. With this combination of RAM and storage, the Philips Essence 20 can comfortably handle heavy workloads and extensive digital content without performance hitches.

Camera Capabilities

The camera setup on the Philips Essence 20 is one of its most impressive features. It includes an advanced multi-camera system with a high-resolution primary camera, capable of capturing clear, vibrant photos. The main sensor excels in good lighting conditions and does well in low-light scenarios thanks to Philips’ proprietary software optimizations, which reduce noise and improve clarity.

Does the Philips Essence 20’s camera perform well for everyday use?
Absolutely. The primary camera captures crisp, detailed images, suitable for social media or personal memories. It’s also enhanced with several shooting modes like HDR, panorama, and portrait, allowing users to explore various styles and effects. The AI scene recognition further tailors settings to optimize images based on the subject and lighting.

On the front, the Philips Essence 20 features a high-quality selfie camera with AI beautification options. This feature refines facial details, making it perfect for users who enjoy capturing and sharing selfies or engaging in video calls.

How does the video quality compare?
The Philips Essence 20 supports video recording at up to 1080p resolution, capturing smooth, clear footage. Its electronic image stabilization (EIS) helps reduce shake and blurriness, especially when recording on the go. For vloggers or casual video makers, the Philips Essence 20 offers a reliable setup that performs well in its price range.

Battery Life and Charging

The Philips Essence 20 packs a robust 5,000 mAh battery, which delivers impressive endurance. This power capacity ensures users can go through a full day of active usage without needing to recharge, a boon for busy days or long commutes.

For average users—those who browse, stream videos, and engage on social media—the Philips Essence 20’s battery typically lasts a full day. For lighter users, the battery can extend up to two days on standby. Even with demanding tasks like gaming or prolonged video playback, the battery performs commendably, with about 6-8 hours of screen-on time.

The Philips Essence 20 supports 18W fast charging, enabling the phone to go from 0% to 50% in around 45 minutes. Although it may not match the speeds of high-end fast-charging technologies, it is adequate for most users, ensuring minimal downtime.

Software and User Interface

Running on Android 12, the Philips Essence 20 provides access to the latest Android features and security updates. Philips has included its custom skin, HiOS, which overlays the standard Android experience with additional tools and aesthetic touches.

Yes, HiOS offers a colorful, intuitive design with customization options that allow users to personalize themes, wallpapers, and layout. The interface is smooth, and the customization options, from wallpapers to widgets, enhance the overall user experience. HiOS also comes with several practical tools, like a phone manager and quick access panel, making it easier to manage frequently used apps.

While HiOS includes some pre-installed apps, they can generally be uninstalled or disabled to streamline the device. Overall, the software is responsive and provides users with practical features, making the Philips Essence 20 an enjoyable device to navigate.

Pros and Cons of the Philips Essence 20

Pros:

• Robust Performance: With 8GB RAM and an octa-core processor, the Philips Essence 20 can handle multitasking and heavier workloads smoothly.
• Ample Storage: 256GB of internal storage, expandable to 512GB, is ideal for users with large digital libraries.
• Versatile Camera System: The multi-camera setup captures high-quality photos and videos.
• Long Battery Life: The 5,000 mAh battery ensures you stay powered all day.
• User-Friendly Interface: HiOS on Android 12 offers a customizable, smooth user experience.

Cons:

• Basic Display Resolution: While the display is large and bright, it lacks the high resolution of some competitors.
• Moderate Charging Speed: 18W fast charging is good but not the fastest in this category.

Is the Philips Essence 20 Right for You?

The Philips Essence 20 is an excellent choice for users who need a well-rounded smartphone with generous RAM, expansive storage, and an advanced camera system. If you’re searching for a budget-friendly device that doesn’t compromise on essential features, the Philips Essence 20 is a worthy investment in 2024.