alt Hacker NewsHow possible is it for there to be a "disruptor" to the smartphone market?
I think Apple's selling point is the app ecosystem, but I personally don't use apps all that much. Just a few big ones and they're all just for communication: FB Messenger, WhatsApp, SIM, SnapChat. And the web browser, maps. I'm 27.
Why can't someone just manufacture a screen, some buttons, little computer, then software for communication and make some good money?
Just seems Apple is a dinosaur nowadays Google too.
Replies
What would a disruptor in the smartphone space even do in 2025?
It's not like the status quo phones are too expensive, too small or too slow compared to the average user's use case. There is a phone for every price point, and at worst you'll be stuck with a bad camera or a laggy chipset.
There are already phones running Linux and de-Googled OSes (Purism, Librem, LineageOS). They won't ever get big enough to challenge Apple/Samsung, but maybe be big enough to have a stable enough OS to not scare off people looking to switch.
You're describing the vast majority of Android phones.
There are a few innovations that would level them...
The lightphone is an option.
A few lower end black and white screen Android phones exist, and that seems closer to what you want.
I have some other obligations to handle, but the iPhone 16e looks perfect for me. You can replace so much music production gear with an IOS device. Can legit plug in a microphone and record a full album, which just isn't really their on Android.
It's beyond frustrating, but on IOS you have amazing music production, and Android is like 10 years behind. I wish Apple would offer a musicians edition with a headphone jack ( I'd literally pay an extra 150$) , but that's never going to happen...