[konstancja]

TLDR; there's only a few manufacturers making the underlying hardware as these are now niche low volume products.

The engineering and manufacturing skill that went into producing Sony's smallest walkmen isn't particularly well reflected in the single design coming out of China right now.

[likeabatterycar]

If everyone is using the same low quality Chinese internal mechanism, why would customers pay top dollar for a boutique device when you can get an equivalent unit for $30?

It brings to mind Tom Hanks on SNL in the 90s as the Israeli shopkeeper saying his knockoff products all have 'Sony guts'.