> colour accuracy, frame-rate

Absolutely irrelevant for what I do with a phone, and I'd wager that 90% of users would not notice the difference.

Variable frame rate screens aren’t just for making the phone feel snappier but are also needed for the battery to last longer.

If your production volume isn’t high enough to justify a custom screen to be cut you are stuck with what is available on the market.

And even if 5” screens are available now in the form of NOS or upcycled refurbs that may not be the case 2 or 3 not to mention 5+ years down the line.

So you have to go with what not only is available today but with what is still likely to be available throughout the expected usable lifetime of your product.

90% wouldn't notice, but of those 90%, 5% compared specs and got the phone with better color accuracy "just in case," and 95% just went to their local retailer and either bought the newest phone or the cheapest phone.

I had iPhone 12 Mini and then 14 and now 17. I can't practically tell the difference except for battery life, weight, and size.

Are you really telling me that people wouldn't look at the spec-sheet and state (loudly) that they won't buy a phone because "in 2025 it doesn't even have 120fps"?

I don't believe you if that's the case.