One big caveat to this - the difference between people's stated and revealed preferences. They say they want one thing, but when push comes to shove they choose differently.

Here's an example specifically with phones. Consumers in surveys and on social media would constantly say that they wanted small phones. They were insistent that Apple listened and made a fantastic mini version of the iPhone 11. It was universally praised by reviewers as a perfect small phone. And ... it underperformed heavily. Somehow Apple, a company that prides itself on its supply chain and ability to predict demand for its products overestimated the demand. Consumers didn't actually buy the phone like they said they would.

No matter, maybe it was a one-off. Maybe enough people hadn't heard of it. Maybe they weren't in the right point of the upgrade cycle. People still say they want it! So Apple tried again. iPhone 12 mini. Universally praised. Again, heavily underperformed.

Apple never made a mini phone after that. You know what they did do? Added a larger Plus version.

So when he article says "People want dumbphones", take that with a pinch of salt. Instead it should say "People say they want dumbphones."