[tsimionescu]

> There are new (second-tier, semi-competitive) phone manufacturers popping up almost every year, e.g. Nothing[0].

Good for them. Meanwhile, the vast majority of smartphones people buy, and the vast majority of profits from smartphones, are coming from Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and maybe Sony. There are no signs whatsoever of the market commodifying.

[grim_io]

Did all the brands you mentioned start at the exact same time like in a race?

No. They had to build up a customer base until you now consider them market leaders.