[sosodev]

Is this really something a technologist could take on? Apple could almost certainly copy and improve any hot new tech before it has time to seriously hurt their bottom line. They have a ton of resources...

My guess is that only another Apple could dethrone Apple. That's to say a company that produces high quality products with strong branding consistently over multiple decades. Google and Samsung are competitors but in my mind, as an Apple user, their products are not worthy quality wise of the luxury prices they demand.

[AndrewKemendo]

How would such a company start and grow without simply being absorbed or copied by Apple or another similar oligopolist?

[sosodev]

Being copied isn't much of an issue if the company isn't relying on features to make themselves competitive.

To grow without being acquired they would need to avoid funding from investors and be extremely disciplined. That's probably never going to happen in this space.

[fomine3]

Huawei has been great but unlikely to be next Apple due to sanction