It's all driven by shareholders, bankers and marketing.
The investors don't like periods of 'no new releases', especially when another competitor releases a phone.
Consequently they put pressure on R&D, engineering and manufacturing to release a 'new' phone before it is fully tested.... Phones are incredibly complex now.
But I think the biggest problem is marketing sell 'faster cpus', more Ram, higher MP camera, AI, hi resolution screen etc... But you are totally right, they don't ask if it actually adds any real value....
But people keep spending $$$$, so as long as you do that, they will continue to do that
The biggest challenge I see though is the battery... The technology simply cannot cope with the hardware, hence the 'fast' charging... Which reduces the life of the battery, which means you will have to shell out more money as the battery cannot be easily replaced... Even by Samsung....
So my advice, don't go for flagship phones if you want good battery life, don't buy a phone just because it's thr latest one, only because you need one, and look for function and what actually do on the phone rather than as a fashion statement...
I actually liked Huwaei phones, they were the best until Google play was stopped....and other Chinese brands had too much bloatware that I could not get rid of, hence why I haven't gone that route. I avoid Apple as they aren't loyal to customers and just rip them off and sub standard hardware.. Though they are popular with ladies due to dating apps and selfies..
Sad but I think phones are reaching the point where they can't do more with them that is useful until the technology has another leap
