This is not a surprise. Big companies have been very busy for the last decade in transforming video games into glorified visual experiences which feel more of a chore than fun to play.
The only thing that could make me excited again about phones is small size with under display camera (so no notch) or headphones jack with good DAC circuitry. Also groundbreaking battery tech.
Right? I got to try a 350€ Nothing Phone 2a for a couple weeks, it was far better than than my current S22 which cost twice as much. So from now on my budget for new phones is going to be 350€.
I'll take good art direction over realistic graphics any day of the week. I just replayed Bioshock infinite and for all I care it looks far better than your average AAA of choice.
Maybe because he is a popular opinion /s