[topspin]

"but that's a decision based on cheap labor, not one that's inherent in smartphone design"

This is the heart of the matter. The US has abandoned skills because cheap labor in Asia. An example from the story about dealing with touch screen tests: they're employing disposable workers to toy with pinch and zoom testing; something easily automated with a simple machine and image comparisons. How sad. This is an actual regression in technology.

[Animats]

If the US wants to get manufacturing back, the only areas that matter are electronics and, to a lesser extent, machinery. See this chart.[1] That's an achievable goal.

Here's a useful smartphone that could become big:

- Solid state battery that will last at least 5 years.

- 5 year full warranty.

- No connectors. Inductive charging only.

- Screen as unbreakable as possible.

- Sealed unit. No holes in case. Filled with inert gas at factory.

- Totally unmaintainable.

- US $199.95.

[1] https://tradingeconomics.com/china/exports/united-states