ALPS makes the hardware for the joysticks the major console companies use. They are cheap and work great -- except they have a really really short half-life. Even the Xbox Pro Controller (which is like $200) uses them which is crazy.

I'm guessing it makes financial sense to keep using them so nothing changes.

Hall effect joysticks are becoming more popular but they're usually harder to get ahold of and may not actually be that much better in the long run. Time will tell!

Change of dead zone. Modern controllers have smaller dead zones and more accurate sticks. So when they start breaking down they pickup more phantom movements. Switch joycons are more likely because of the size of the stick (need less dead zone because size).

I can’t speak for controllers, but for wireless mice I’ve read that many issues are due to the very low voltages that they run at to extend battery life - the low voltage means that buttons + etc become much more susceptible to dirt and oxidization.

They all use the same hardware in the joysticks and have been for years (maybe since 90s). there must have been a defective version made along the way, but it's not an easy nor cost effective repair.