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Because he used block quote syntax. It's designed for code on HN's implementation, so it preserves newlines, instead making you scroll.

It's a poor choice for quoting non computer languages.

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People wouldn't use it if a better option was available. Lots of people are familiar with Markdown, which lets you start a line with > to have it quoted, but HN does nothing with this syntax so it looks ugly and as a consequence people don't do it.

I use asterisks around quoted text, which renders it in italics, but does not disturb line wrapping.

I at least use the '>' for human language quotes anyway. It's better than block quote, and it's pretty common syntax from email list serves.

More importantly, in mobile the code block's width is only 200 pixels.

Seriously this. Not wrapping text doesn't also mean fixed width 200px viewport.

The problem isn't "because they used codeblock" the problem is codeblock is broken.

Does anyone know a HN web interface (like hckrnews.com) that prettifies such quirks on the comment page for mobile phones?

https://app.hackerwebapp.com is rather nice, although read-only. Tapping a link if you want to comment is acceptable to me, though I'd love to have voting on there.

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