I think the main smartphone market is kind of like the market for cars. The only people that can afford to buy them, can afford to keep up heavy consumer traffic, are the ones who are convinced they need to swap to the top of the line model with some sort of trade-in payment plan, where they want every new trendy thing, and every piece of bullshit technology that’s not going to last even to the next flagship model. Basically, stupid people who are rich and are insecure about it. I’m certainly vulnerable to that to, just as I’m vulnerable to the unbearable lag on even just like a 6 year old phone, which should really not be that old, and then security updates and support are always a concern, I suppose. I think maybe the solution, individually, might just be to root my phone, or install some linux alternative operating system, cause I don’t wanna keep up with this bullshit anymore. I’m trapped in a world of large 19:9 and 21:9 smartphones, unusable with one hand, and with screen space that’s useless 90% of the time. I’m stuck without aux ports, and without any physical style keyboard, no nothin. I also want stuff like the DS stylus port and the flip camera they had on the zenfone 7, that shit is cool.
On the contrary, poorer people tend to buy oversized phones since that’s the only device they have
This exactly. If you’re spending anywhere from €250 - €350 on a phone and this is a big spend, you’ll want to keep the device for longer and have a bigger screen because it seems like you’re getting the most value for money.
The majority of phones in the world which make up the bulk of sales are exactly these types of phones: Samsung A07, Xiaomi, Realme, TCL, Motorola etc
Which is why I keep saying about Flip phones that if the OEM wants to see more sales, they need to price them in this range. Not at 1000 bucks+. At that price it will remain a niche product for the few.
Every 5th grader I know has a phone (I’m a parent not a creeper). So it’s not just the rich and stupid. Cell network companies give these things away under 2 year plans that most can afford. And it’s not just two year plans, my kids have $50 phones from Motorola that are +6". I think most people like a big phone and it’s only us few that want to see sub 5" phones.
