Sure, the price of components has come down. That doesn't mean $179+contract wasn't a relatively expensive phone, though. First, I agree with you, it doesn't

Sure, the price of components has come down. That doesn't mean $179+contract wasn't a relatively expensive phone, though. First, I agree with you, it doesn't send the right message to US devs. Openness aside, it doesn't do much to incentivize developing for it. I'd very likely buy a Nexus 4-level device and love it and develop for it. I don't know what Sony has scheduled, but maybe that would fit? If not, if you know of any on the horizon, I'd love to hear about it. Second, the target market really isn't the US. Making a premium phone the flagship device wouldn't be representative of the low-end of the market, which is what they're really targeting, and is much bigger than the US anyway. The ZTE Open is pretty representative of their target audience, possibly more powerful than most. General OS performance is improving last I heard, but devs should target that level of device anyway.