You can’t have tiny surface mount components packed onto the PCBs in phones without trade offs in repaiability. No one[a] is going to buy a game console made of discrete logic and through hole passives when the PS5, X Box, and Switch do a much better job at giving consumers what they want with 0402 (or smaller) passives.

I applaud Valve for doing this video. They’re admitting that the device is too complex for the average user and that they shouldn’t mess with it, but they also are going to provide replacement parts and a teardown guide should you know what you’re doing. That’s a step in the right direction.

[a]: yes, I’m sure some would want this (especially if you asked on here), but I’d bet that the majority of non-tech people don’t care