On the topic of bad reviews and backlash, I feel privileged to be coming in after all of that. I feel like I have a device that has fully matured through Essential's tender love and care to it, and while the camera still lacks (but has vastly improved from everything I've seen/read) I'm not a big camera guy so that I can live with just fine. So far, I'm loving this device. Two most important things to me on a phone are build quality and screen quality hands down. This phone ticks both boxes with flying colors.
This is a niche product, but I think that has served it well. They've been able to listen to the voices of their users and deliver a terrific end product at a ridiculously low price for the quality. Again, I feel privileged to be in my position.
I find Essential’s determination to make the phone better and better admirable. I would absolutely trust them as a company if an Essential 2 was released.