Essential Phone Camera 2019

[Android Central Question]

I am getting an Essential Phone. Past reviews suggest getting a third party camera app. Did the phone receive sufficient updates to the camera or should I find a replacement app?

 

[SactoKingsFan]

You should use the Google camera app.

 

[qbenguy]

You should use the Google camera app.

I don't mind the default camera. Is the Google camera app that much better?

 

[SactoKingsFan]

I don't mind the default camera. Is the Google camera app that much better?

It improved low light pics quite a bit when I had the PH-1 last year. The stock app is fine if you don't have any issues with it.

 

[qbenguy]

It improved low light pics quite a bit when I had the PH-1 last year. The stock app is fine if you don't have any issues with it.

Is the Google camera app in the store? Or do I need to download an APK file? Thanks.

 

[Brigitte Laskowski]

You need to download the Google Camera 6.2 APK. I have it on my Essential PH-1 and everything works including the selfie camera unlike the 6.1 version. Forgot to say, I'm on Android Pie. I have Q beta on my old Pixel 1 XL which has a battery that can't hold a charge and needs to be plugged in to work.

 

[Rugish Dapeca]

You need to download the Google Camera 6.2 APK. I have it on my Essential PH-1 and everything works including the selfie camera unlike the 6.1 version. Forgot to say, I'm on Android Pie. I have Q beta on my old Pixel 1 XL which has a battery that can't hold a charge and needs to be plugged in to work.

Which APK file did you use for the 6.2 version? All the files I've found install but won't run on my PH-1 with Pie so I have to reinstall the 6.1 version I've been using for a while.

 

[Brigitte Laskowski]

I'm using Gcam_6.2.030_Advanced

2.2.190716.1800

Based on Google Camera

6.2.030.244457635_49456748

 

[Rugish Dapeca]

That version works like a champ, thanks. Now to play with some of the advanced settings and see how well it performs in manual mode. I like the night sight feature, but I think I can do better with manually adjusting the ISO and shutter speed.