Essential Phone questions

[Nowak]

So my boyfriend needs a new phone because his Nextbit Robin is shitting the bed after a year (can barely maintain a charge and WiFi constantly disconnects), and he's grown interested in the Essential Phone as a possible new phone. Now, before I go and recommend it to him, I know it's had some problems early on, but for those of you who currently own the Essential Phone, I want to know some things:
 

1. Is it much better now than it was at launch?
2. Is it worth it at around $250 - $300?
3. Is it still better to install a Google Camera port on the phone instead of using the stock camera app?

Thanks in advance!

[jefire411]

1. Yes

2. Sure, if you find a deal go for it. There was a mint condition PH-1 going for $120 in area so might want to look around first.

3. 

this video is very recent.

[Nowak]

Just now, jefire411 said:

2. Sure, if you find a deal go for it. There was a mint condition PH-1 going for $120 in area so might want to look around first.

I should clarify that this is for him, not me ^^;

[jefire411]

1 minute ago, NowakVulpix said:

I should clarify that this is for him, not me ^^;

yeah ik. I also forgot to mention that depending on the area and the carrier and the bands and mhz frequencies they are using, reception may still be bad. I think it's because of the titanium frame though.

[Nowak]

Just now, jefire411 said:

yeah ik. I also forgot to mention that depending on the area and the carrier and the bands and mhz frequencies they are using, reception may still be bad. I think it's because of the titanium frame though.

Yeah I've heard about reception issues. Shouldn't be too bad where he lives.

[jefire411]

Just now, NowakVulpix said:

Yeah I've heard about reception issues. Shouldn't be too bad where he lives.

definitely should be a step up from the Robin lol.

[Nowak]

4 minutes ago, jefire411 said:

definitely should be a step up from the Robin lol.

Yeah, heh. I mean, it's a flagship-tier phone against a mid-ranged phone.

 

A SD808 phone, at that.