iPhone 13 Iterative updates, consensus always seems to vary. What gives?

[linkgx1]

A large number of reviews for the iPhone 13 seem to repeat the word 'iterative'. I see a trend where one year people are very upset there wasn't a lot of changes and then some years people welcome the updates.

So what makes a 'bad' update compared to a 'good' update. Technically any change could be considered an improvement. But I struggle to understand when an update year is bad vs one that is good. Rather, what's the base line?

Among smart phones in general, nobody seems to agree. To you, what makes a good update even if its a small one.

 

[now i see it]

It comes down to money.
Is a slightly better camera worth $1200?
If the next model doesn’t justify the eye watering price tag, it’s deemed “iterative”.

 

[azhava]

Mobile phones, at this point, are at a pretty mature stage of development - in both form factor and technology. Until some groundbreaking new technology comes along, every update will be iterative.

I don't necessarily have firm ideas of what I consider a "good" update. I look at the new/improved features every year and decide if there's anything about them that makes paying the cost worthwhile for my usage/purposes (which may be entirely different from other people's usage/purposes).