That made me wonder:
- Why does it seem like Japanese manufacturers are the only ones making "different" phones?
- Many other threads are talking about the lack of components and lack of component manufacturer interest, but if so, how did the Japanese manufacturers did it?
- What is special about the Japanese market that allows these phones to survive?
- What difficulty would there be for let's say Rakuten to sell their phones internationally just like Sony did?
A few points of relevant observation:
- Japanese consumer electronics manufacturers have a habit of keeping their best products only to Japan - such as DSLRs.
- There is a strong customer base for mini devices in Japan. GPD pocket laptops are in regular stores.
More local small models: Balmuda phone, mode1 GRIP.
For Sharp, they are also OLED/Camera CMOS manufacturer so maybe it's easier to make custom one (and it's one of a purpose to have own factory).
Japan mobile careers buy much amount of devices at launch from manufacturer, that helps for constant sales. Even if sales for customers is bad, it's already sold for career.
Sharp also makes a lot of interesting phones: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/05/japans-sharp-aquos-r...
Plus, Xperia Compact series is from Sony.
That made me wonder: - Why does it seem like Japanese manufacturers are the only ones making "different" phones? - Many other threads are talking about the lack of components and lack of component manufacturer interest, but if so, how did the Japanese manufacturers did it? - What is special about the Japanese market that allows these phones to survive? - What difficulty would there be for let's say Rakuten to sell their phones internationally just like Sony did?
A few points of relevant observation: - Japanese consumer electronics manufacturers have a habit of keeping their best products only to Japan - such as DSLRs. - There is a strong customer base for mini devices in Japan. GPD pocket laptops are in regular stores.