Now Hear This
Essential Phone includes award-winning MQA technology, revealing the full sound of the original master recording.
And now for a limited time, your Essential Phone comes with Earphones|HD™ and a 3-month TIDAL HiFi subscription. All for $499. Mic drop.
TIDAL x Essential
We’ve teamed up with TIDAL to bring you a better sonic experience. Tap into one of the largest MQA music catalogs and hear the difference. Essential Phone users who activate new TIDAL subscriptions will receive three free months of TIDAL HiFi.
The Breakdown
Update to the latest version of Android 8.1 Oreo.
Download the TIDAL App and redeem your HiFi subscription (new TIDAL users only).
Plug in HD headphones and enjoy. We recommend these.
Stay Tuned In
Our MQA-enabled update gives you music how it was originally recorded, but our latest accessory lets you take it up a notch. Here’s a sneak peek at the Audio Adapter HD, dropping later this summer.
It sports high-resolution ESS Sabre® DAC with MQA support to deliver an unparalleled master quality audio performance. Featuring an audiophile-grade amp, it can power high impedance headphones for optimal listening with low distortion. The Audio Adapter HD can fit almost all types of 3.5mm headphones and is crafted from machined titanium for exceptional durability. Plus, with Click technology, you can charge your phone and listen to music simultaneously.
FAQs
What is MQA?
To learn more about how Master Quality Authenticated works, visit MQA’s website.
What do I need to hear MQA songs?
To get the full, blow-your-socks-off, studio-quality audio experience, the last thing you'll need is something to fully decode the music—like a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). And whaddya know, our Audio Adapter HD is a DAC. And that's coming this summer! But if you can't wait, you can get a USB DAC and a USB-C to USB adapter to use with your Essential Phone right now. Visit MQA’s website to see a list of USB DAC’s.
How do I know if the songs I'm listening to have MQA?
In TIDAL, songs that have a Master-Quality Authenticated version feature an (M) next to their title.
How can I find MQA versions of songs in TIDAL?
There are several ways to find master-quality audio songs. One of the easiest ways is to tap , then type TIDAL MASTERS. Here you'll see entire playlists of MQA songs from a variety of artists. And once you've listened to a few, TIDAL will suggest other MQA tracks and albums in categories like Suggested New Tracks and Suggested New Albums.
How many MQA songs does TIDAL HiFi have?
TIDAL has over 50,000 tracks (and growing) from Warner Music Group, TIDAL artist owners, and key independent labels. You'll find music from Beyoncé to Bowie, Ella to The Eagles, from Metal to Motown, and so much more.
Do I need to change any settings to make sure I can listen to MQA songs?
Yes. In the TIDAL app, tap My Collection, tap Settings, then tap Streaming. Here, you can choose the quality of your audio streaming over Wi-Fi and Cellular. To listen to songs that feature MQA, tap Master.
Is this voucher only good for TIDAL on my phone?
Absolutely not! While we're sure you'll love TIDAL HiFi on your Essential Phone, your subscription also gives you access to TIDAL HiFi on your PC or Mac; on the web using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari*; and even other Android (and yes, iOS) devices. Go to www.tidal.com/download for more info.
What Android update do I need on my phone?
If you don't see an update available, tap Settings, tap System at the bottom of the menu, tap System update, then tap Check for update. If it says your system is up to date, it's possible your carrier hasn't made it available—so check back periodically.
How do I redeem my TIDAL HiFi voucher code?
To redeem your code for three months of free TIDAL HiFi, visit www.tidal.com/redeem.
Can I download MQA music to my phone and listen offline?
Absolutely. In each Playlist and Album, there's an option to download it. For individual songs, you'll need to create a Playlist. Then tap My Collection, tap Playlists, then tap or tap and hold on the Playlist you want to download, and select Add to Offline.
Where is TIDAL available?
TIDAL is available in 52 countries, like the U.S. and U.K., Australia, Hong Kong, France, Germany, and many more. Visit TIDAL’s website to see a complete list of country availability.