Pine is not overpromising things and is doing more organic growth which will sustain. That said, I can confirm that I saw Ubuntu Touch running on PinePhone.
I think that is fair to say but I was pretty mad at pine years ago when I bought their first product. There was definitely plenty of hype. They seem to have learned from that though.
I'm not doubting the things you said in the interview which certainly make it sound like a difficult place to work but it is easy to see that resentment colors your perspective. I might feel the same myself were I in your place.