zlacker

>>alphab+(OP)
It's starting to feel silly, having a yearly release cycle for smartphones. So much of this product page is focused on new software functions that may have some vague relationship with the slightly upgraded hardware, but that could mostly be released to existing phones. Every new iPhone, Pixel, or Samsung phone basically claims the camera is marginally better and hey, look at these software features that have very little to do with the hardware and should not fundamentally be a reason to upgrade to this phone.

There is so much time, effort, and physical waste that is generated by slightly redesigning phones every year purely for the sake of making sales (as opposed to meaningful improvement upon the existing design or introduction of a new hardware feature). Think not only of people upgrading for the sake of it, but all of the cases, screen protectors, and other assorted accessories cast in plastic for previous models that are garbage now.

It would be nice if we could just space these things out to 5 years or so now, because that's probably how long it takes for anything to change enough to justify a new model.

>>kimber+T71
Five years ? Why would someone want to experience hardware advances in large steps instead of continuously ?

>>utopce+Kk1
Based on the phrasing of this, I'm not sure if it's meant to be taken sarcastically or not. Apologies if you did mean it that way, because I'll respond seriously:

- Advances are mostly software.

- Massive quantities of e-waste (and plastic waste via cases, screen protectors, etc).

- Perverse incentives by companies to not properly support the user experience on older devices.

- Tons of money spent pointlessly.