Philips Essence 20 (8GB/256GB) Specs and Price

Display and Design

Philips Essence 20 features a 6.56 inch display with a 720 x 1612 resolution. The 90Hz refresh rate is a welcome addition at this price, making scrolling and animations smoother. While the resolution isn’t the sharpest, it’s good enough for casual browsing and streaming. Its 163.5 x 76 x 8.6 mm size and 190 g weight make it comfortable to hold, and the color options—Blue and Black—add a simple but stylish look.

Performance and Software

Powered by a 1.6 GHz octa-core processor built on a 12nm process, the Philips Essence 20 handles light tasks like texting and web browsing without much trouble. However, it may struggle with heavier apps or gaming. Running on Android 14, it offers up-to-date software with a clean interface, but don’t expect blazing performance with this processor.

Battery and Charging

The 5000mAh battery is one of the highlights here. It easily lasts a full day of normal use, which is great for users who are inconvenienced by frequent charging. The USB Type-C port makes charging convenient, though the 10W charging speed feels a bit slow by today’s standards.

Cameras

For photography, the Essence 20 includes a 50MP wide camera and a 2MP depth sensor on the back. It delivers decent photos in good lighting, but low light shots may leave you wanting more despite the dual LED flash. The 8MP selfie camera is serviceable, though it won’t win any awards. Portrait and panorama modes add versatility to the camera setup.

Connectivity and Security

The phone supports 4G LTE, ensuring reliable network speeds. Other features like dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS round out its connectivity options. For security, it offers both face and fingerprint unlock, providing quick and easy access.

At a starting price of KSh 17,500, the Philips Essence 20 offers good value for users who want a basic smartphone with a long lasting battery, smooth display, and decent cameras. It’s not without its compromises—performance and charging speed could be better—but for the price, it’s a good option.