Sanctions on Russia

Betty Mitchell said:Russia has plenty of capacity to handle sanctions; this is a long game they've been playing. Their social networks, banking systems, and digitalization are already top-tier. I expect them to start churning out their own computer and mobile tech in a few years. The Russian economy used to be way too monolithic, and that was always a massive weakness.

The real question is what happens to Ukraine. My bet? Nothing. It’ll be a total wreck—demographically, structurally, economically, and morally. They've plummeted below 30 million people, down from 54 million just thirty years ago.

Mobile tech? Please. They aren't even making phones or the backbone infrastructure for telecom companies.
They aren't really producing much tech at all. They don't even make the rigs for the oil and gas business—they actually rely on the West to build their turbines and stuff.

electricsurfer47 said:What kind of capacity though? So far they've burned through so much trying to stabilize the ruble and now they're tapped out.
You talk about chip manufacturing... sure, they have technology that's over 20 years old. They can make stuff, but it's just not competitive compared to what's out there right now.
And for newer tech, you need massive investment, and the Russians just don't have the cash for it. Plus, you have to consider they're spending a ton on the war and will eventually need to rebuild everything they've lost, but they won't even have enough chips because of the sanctions.

From what I know, the Russians produce chips for cards (like credit cards), and that’s pretty much the extent of it.
And yeah, the Chinese have money, but they still struggle to build a decent car.

Nathan Thomas12 said:From what I know, the Russians produce chips for cards (like credit cards), and that’s pretty much the extent of it.
And yeah, the Chinese have money, but they still struggle to build a decent car.

Actually, they don't even have that, so honestly, I highly doubt they're making them at all.

Russia's Sberbank re-uses bank card chips to combat shortage

They once tried their hand at putting together a smartphone, but even that project ended up being a total wash.

The company behind the dual-screen YotaPhone is bankrupt

They only managed to move about 75,000 units. They just couldn't catch a break or find any traction in the domestic, Western, or Eastern markets.

Truth be told, the YotaPhone hasn't exactly been all that relevant to the US — or even Russia — in recent years. The company failed to ship the YotaPhone 2 to the US in 2015 despite blowing past its Indiegogo crowdfunding goal, and by late 2016 it decided to pull out of Russia and Europe as well, shifting its operations to China instead.

I really, truly don't get how anyone can look at all this history and still be optimistic enough to think Russia is going to somehow achieve complete independence in this field within just five years. 🤦

goldenowl73 said:Actually, they don't even have that, so honestly, I highly doubt they're making them at all.

Russia's Sberbank re-uses bank card chips to combat shortage

They once tried their hand at putting together a smartphone, but even that project ended up being a total wash.

The company behind the dual-screen YotaPhone is bankrupt

They only managed to move about 75,000 units. They just couldn't catch a break or find any traction in the domestic, Western, or Eastern markets.

Truth be told, the YotaPhone hasn't exactly been all that relevant to the US — or even Russia — in recent years. The company failed to ship the YotaPhone 2 to the US in 2015 despite blowing past its Indiegogo crowdfunding goal, and by late 2016 it decided to pull out of Russia and Europe as well, shifting its operations to China instead.

I really, truly don't get how anyone can look at all this history and still be optimistic enough to think Russia is going to somehow achieve complete independence in this field within just five years. 🤦

It seems like the Russians really miscalculated here; now they'll likely find themselves turning to cheaper Chinese smartphones as their primary option. 😁

I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about the smartphone market, and I honestly find myself wondering if Chinese manufacturers are starting to pull ahead of Apple. It’s a fascinating shift to watch. For years, we all just accepted that the iPhone was the gold standard, the undisputed king of the hill, but lately, it feels like the gap is closing—or maybe it's already been crossed. When you look at the sheer innovation coming out of companies like Xiaomi or OnePlus, they seem to be pushing hardware boundaries much faster than Apple does. Whether it's the charging speeds, which make an iPhone feel ancient, or the cutting-edge camera sensors, there's a sense that the "underdogs" are actually setting the pace now. I remember sitting in a coffee shop in Seattle last month, chatting with a friend who had just picked up one of those high-end flagship models from overseas, and seeing his device in action really made me realize how much more freedom you get with the hardware. While Apple focuses on that polished, seamless ecosystem we all know so well, the competition seems to be winning on pure, raw capability. It makes me wonder if we're approaching a turning point where the iPhone might eventually just become the "safe," predictable choice rather than the most advanced one.

I think the main reason we’re seeing such a massive shift toward Chinese smartphones lately comes down to a pretty simple equation: you're getting hardware specifications that are almost identical to what you'd find in today's top-tier flagship devices, yet the price tag is often slashed by as much as 50% compared to what the big-name manufacturers are charging. I remember looking at my old phone a few years back and realizing how much I was paying just for a logo, whereas now, those budget-friendly alternatives from overseas offer that same snappy performance and high-end feel without the massive markup.

I was recently reading through some discussions regarding how to get the most value out of an iPhone, and it really got me thinking about the lifecycle of our tech. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we need the latest model every single year, but if you approach it with a bit of intention, you can actually make a device last quite a while without feeling like you're stuck with ancient hardware. One thing I’ve noticed is that people often focus on the flashy new features—the camera upgrades or the slightly faster processor—but they overlook the practical stuff, like battery health and storage management. I remember back when I first switched over to my current phone, I was constantly frustrated by how quickly the storage filled up with photos and apps I barely used. I ended up spending more time managing files than actually enjoying the device. Now, I try to be much more disciplined about that from day one. If you're looking to buy an iPhone, there's a real sweet spot between buying the absolute newest flagship and grabbing something that's already three generations old. Aiming for a model that is just one or two years behind the current release usually gives you almost all the modern software support and performance benefits without paying that massive "new release" premium. It’s a bit like buying a slightly used car; the initial depreciation hits hard, but once that's settled, you're getting a high-quality machine for a much fairer price. Ultimately, it comes down to your own needs. If you're a professional photographer or someone who lives on their phone for work, investing in the top-tier models makes sense. But for the rest of us, being a bit more calculated about which version we pick can save a lot of money in the long run. It’s about finding that balance between staying current and being smart with your budget.

goldenowl73 said:Actually, they don't even have that, so honestly, I highly doubt they're making them at all.

Russia's Sberbank re-uses bank card chips to combat shortage

They once tried their hand at putting together a smartphone, but even that project ended up being a total wash.

The company behind the dual-screen YotaPhone is bankrupt

They only managed to move about 75,000 units. They just couldn't catch a break or find any traction in the domestic, Western, or Eastern markets.

Truth be told, the YotaPhone hasn't exactly been all that relevant to the US — or even Russia — in recent years. The company failed to ship the YotaPhone 2 to the US in 2015 despite blowing past its Indiegogo crowdfunding goal, and by late 2016 it decided to pull out of Russia and Europe as well, shifting its operations to China instead.

I really, truly don't get how anyone can look at all this history and still be optimistic enough to think Russia is going to somehow achieve complete independence in this field within just five years. 🤦

Some people on the forum are really rooting for them

swiftjackal11 said:Some people on the forum are really rooting for them

I can't say for sure if they're biased, but you can pretty much read anything you want into this PDF.

I'm honestly not sure which phone models the European Union is actually producing these days, because from everything I've seen, Apple lost that race to the East a long time ago.

It makes me wonder about the future of Europe; if they aren't manufacturing their own mobile devices, they're missing out, especially considering they're dealing with a market of 500 million people rather than just 140 million souls.☕

p.s.
Not to mention how tensions between China and the USA are ramping up, which really only makes it more likely that we'll see China moving closer to Russia.

urbanotter said:It seems like the Russians really miscalculated here; now they'll likely find themselves turning to cheaper Chinese smartphones as their primary option. 😁

I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about the smartphone market, and I honestly find myself wondering if Chinese manufacturers are starting to pull ahead of Apple. It’s a fascinating shift to watch. For years, we all just accepted that the iPhone was the gold standard, the undisputed king of the hill, but lately, it feels like the gap is closing—or maybe it's already been crossed. When you look at the sheer innovation coming out of companies like Xiaomi or OnePlus, they seem to be pushing hardware boundaries much faster than Apple does. Whether it's the charging speeds, which make an iPhone feel ancient, or the cutting-edge camera sensors, there's a sense that the "underdogs" are actually setting the pace now. I remember sitting in a coffee shop in Seattle last month, chatting with a friend who had just picked up one of those high-end flagship models from overseas, and seeing his device in action really made me realize how much more freedom you get with the hardware. While Apple focuses on that polished, seamless ecosystem we all know so well, the competition seems to be winning on pure, raw capability. It makes me wonder if we're approaching a turning point where the iPhone might eventually just become the "safe," predictable choice rather than the most advanced one.

I think the main reason we’re seeing such a massive shift toward Chinese smartphones lately comes down to a pretty simple equation: you're getting hardware specifications that are almost identical to what you'd find in today's top-tier flagship devices, yet the price tag is often slashed by as much as 50% compared to what the big-name manufacturers are charging. I remember looking at my old phone a few years back and realizing how much I was paying just for a logo, whereas now, those budget-friendly alternatives from overseas offer that same snappy performance and high-end feel without the massive markup.

I was recently reading through some discussions regarding how to get the most value out of an iPhone, and it really got me thinking about the lifecycle of our tech. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we need the latest model every single year, but if you approach it with a bit of intention, you can actually make a device last quite a while without feeling like you're stuck with ancient hardware. One thing I’ve noticed is that people often focus on the flashy new features—the camera upgrades or the slightly faster processor—but they overlook the practical stuff, like battery health and storage management. I remember back when I first switched over to my current phone, I was constantly frustrated by how quickly the storage filled up with photos and apps I barely used. I ended up spending more time managing files than actually enjoying the device. Now, I try to be much more disciplined about that from day one. If you're looking to buy an iPhone, there's a real sweet spot between buying the absolute newest flagship and grabbing something that's already three generations old. Aiming for a model that is just one or two years behind the current release usually gives you almost all the modern software support and performance benefits without paying that massive "new release" premium. It’s a bit like buying a slightly used car; the initial depreciation hits hard, but once that's settled, you're getting a high-quality machine for a much fairer price. Ultimately, it comes down to your own needs. If you're a professional photographer or someone who lives on their phone for work, investing in the top-tier models makes sense. But for the rest of us, being a bit more calculated about which version we pick can save a lot of money in the long run. It’s about finding that balance between staying current and being smart with your budget.

You just aren't paying attention...

It’s actually quite fascinating when you look at how much things have shifted lately... I was just thinking about how the Chinese have been pulling back, almost like they've been shuttering their storefronts across Russia over the last few months. It really makes you wonder what the long-term implications will be for global trade patterns... such a massive shift in momentum!

Honestly, even that wouldn't be much of a hurdle... you could just hop on a plane, fly straight over to China, and pick up a phone right there... turns out it's not that complicated at all...

Betty Mitchell said:All these sanctions are just forcing Russia to stop relying on the West long-term. They’re going to build up their own economies and high-tech industries. Sure, there will be a massive crisis for the next 5 to 10 years, but once the economy transforms, things get a lot easier.

The whole point of these sanctions is to completely isolate Russia from the so-called West. Even if the war ends, those sanctions aren't just going away; they stay put until there's a massive shift in policy in Washington, D.C., which could take forever.
True, Russia will eventually have to find ways to be fully independent of the West, but it works both ways.
The West is already hunting for new suppliers. So is Russia.

urbanotter said:I can't say for sure if they're biased, but you can pretty much read anything you want into this PDF.

I'm honestly not sure which phone models the European Union is actually producing these days, because from everything I've seen, Apple lost that race to the East a long time ago.

It makes me wonder about the future of Europe; if they aren't manufacturing their own mobile devices, they're missing out, especially considering they're dealing with a market of 500 million people rather than just 140 million souls.☕

p.s.
Not to mention how tensions between China and the USA are ramping up, which really only makes it more likely that we'll see China moving closer to Russia.

The European Union hasn't picked any fights with the folks actually making and selling smartphones, so there’s really no reason to expect any shortages... everything should stay smooth sailing...

It’s almost like you’re thinking back a century, way before globalization really took hold and changed everything... back when every single nation was essentially an island unto itself, standing entirely on its own two feet...

Europe is completely fractured, and if you want proof, just look at the tourism industry.

The place where I vacation is absolutely swarming with foreigners. They all flock to someone else's Mediterranean coast instead of just staying home and making things work in their own backyard.

urbanotter said:I can't say for sure if they're biased, but you can pretty much read anything you want into this PDF.

I'm honestly not sure which phone models the European Union is actually producing these days, because from everything I've seen, Apple lost that race to the East a long time ago.

It makes me wonder about the future of Europe; if they aren't manufacturing their own mobile devices, they're missing out, especially considering they're dealing with a market of 500 million people rather than just 140 million souls.☕

p.s.
Not to mention how tensions between China and the USA are ramping up, which really only makes it more likely that we'll see China moving closer to Russia.

The US is the heavyweight in that arena. Huawei took a massive hit during Trump's trade war with China; losing access to Google apps absolutely tanked their popularity. That one move was enough.
China relies heavily on Western markets, so they aren't going to disrupt that unless they absolutely have to.

Nathan Thomas12 said:From what I know, the Russians produce chips for cards (like credit cards), and that’s pretty much the extent of it.
And yeah, the Chinese have money, but they still struggle to build a decent car.

They certainly seem aware of their limitations, given that they manage to churn out 18 million subpar units every single year, don't they?

Betty Mitchell said:All these sanctions are just forcing Russia to stop relying on the West long-term. They’re going to build up their own economies and high-tech industries. Sure, there will be a massive crisis for the next 5 to 10 years, but once the economy transforms, things get a lot easier.

Russia and high tech? Come on.

We're talking about a crew that can't even get their hands on decent night vision binoculars and has to buy drones from Iran.

Richard Wilson4 said:Russia and high tech? Come on.

We're talking about a crew that can't even get their hands on decent night vision binoculars and has to buy drones from Iran.

Look, Russians have always had a reputation for producing top-tier mathematicians—the kind of brainpower that serves as the literal bedrock for engineering. So, honestly, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher how they haven't managed to develop consumer tech or software that can actually go toe-to-toe with the West. It feels like their entire innovation engine just gets funneled into one specific lane: building destructive missiles and weapons of mass destruction.

China is doing everything in its power to make sure companies like Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Apple, or Tesla don't pack up and leave. And honestly? I’ve only mentioned five—there are probably another hundred just like them.
China would be looking at losing billions of dollars, millions of people would be out of work, and the whole country would basically be stuck in reverse for the next decade.

Betty Mitchell said:Russia has plenty of capacity to handle sanctions; this is a long game they've been playing. Their social networks, banking systems, and digitalization are already top-tier. I expect them to start churning out their own computer and mobile tech in a few years. The Russian economy used to be way too monolithic, and that was always a massive weakness.

The real question is what happens to Ukraine. My bet? Nothing. It’ll be a total wreck—demographically, structurally, economically, and morally. They've plummeted below 30 million people, down from 54 million just thirty years ago.

🙏🙏🤣

Betty Mitchell said:Russia has plenty of capacity to handle sanctions; this is a long game they've been playing. Their social networks, banking systems, and digitalization are already top-tier. I expect them to start churning out their own computer and mobile tech in a few years. The Russian economy used to be way too monolithic, and that was always a massive weakness.

The real question is what happens to Ukraine. My bet? Nothing. It’ll be a total wreck—demographically, structurally, economically, and morally. They've plummeted below 30 million people, down from 54 million just thirty years ago.

🙏🙏🤣🤣

Betty Mitchell said:Russia has plenty of capacity to handle sanctions; this is a long game they've been playing. Their social networks, banking systems, and digitalization are already top-tier. I expect them to start churning out their own computer and mobile tech in a few years. The Russian economy used to be way too monolithic, and that was always a massive weakness.

The real question is what happens to Ukraine. My bet? Nothing. It’ll be a total wreck—demographically, structurally, economically, and morally. They've plummeted below 30 million people, down from 54 million just thirty years ago.

Yeah, I guess that was the only real issue. 😁

Betty Mitchell said:Russia has plenty of capacity to handle sanctions; this is a long game they've been playing. Their social networks, banking systems, and digitalization are already top-tier. I expect them to start churning out their own computer and mobile tech in a few years. The Russian economy used to be way too monolithic, and that was always a massive weakness.

The real question is what happens to Ukraine. My bet? Nothing. It’ll be a total wreck—demographically, structurally, economically, and morally. They've plummeted below 30 million people, down from 54 million just thirty years ago.

Honestly, just completely morally bankrupt. 😁 Man, I can't believe some people actually say this stuff. And you’re still out here acting like the Russians are somehow the "good guys," even after they've caused so much devastation and death in Ukraine, not to mention holding the entire world hostage by messing with food supplies. Seriously, man, you're basically cheering for global thugs who are literally starving people just to get their way.

Honestly, I feel like we should just hit Russia and all their little helpers with sanctions so hard they end up stuck in the Stone Age, just starving on nothing but dry bread.

dustyowl29 said:China is doing everything in its power to make sure companies like Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Apple, or Tesla don't pack up and leave. And honestly? I’ve only mentioned five—there are probably another hundred just like them.
China would be looking at losing billions of dollars, millions of people would be out of work, and the whole country would basically be stuck in reverse for the next decade.

It’s not just billions, though... they’d be looking at losing literal trillions, and we're talking hundreds of millions of jobs gone. If things ever get to the point where they have to choose between Russia or the West, Russia is gonna get the cold shoulder after all the good times, but yeah, that's just how it goes.

Betty Mitchell said:Russia has plenty of capacity to handle sanctions; this is a long game they've been playing. Their social networks, banking systems, and digitalization are already top-tier. I expect them to start churning out their own computer and mobile tech in a few years. The Russian economy used to be way too monolithic, and that was always a massive weakness.

The real question is what happens to Ukraine. My bet? Nothing. It’ll be a total wreck—demographically, structurally, economically, and morally. They've plummeted below 30 million people, down from 54 million just thirty years ago.

If you pitched this scenario on one of Solovyov's shows, they'd tell you to tone it down because it sounds too unrealistic.🤣

So how does Lade even function without chips and... AC?
And you're calling them a Chinese person?!

The Chinese person is definitely losing about 5% on the chip front—meanwhile, the American is busy building their own factory (aiming for roughly 10% of the global market), and even the European Union (specifically the Germans) are finally realizing how much they actually need this stuff, especially for the auto industry.

It’s just simple math at this point—the Russian war in Europe is hurting China.

casualranger2 said:Look, Russians have always had a reputation for producing top-tier mathematicians—the kind of brainpower that serves as the literal bedrock for engineering. So, honestly, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher how they haven't managed to develop consumer tech or software that can actually go toe-to-toe with the West. It feels like their entire innovation engine just gets funneled into one specific lane: building destructive missiles and weapons of mass destruction.

The issue is simply the size of the market. I mean, why would you ever choose to isolate yourself? If you play on the global stage, you're looking at a potential customer base of at least 2 billion people with real purchasing power. Compare that to staying inward-looking and limiting yourself to a tiny pool of maybe 5 to 10 million affluent consumers. A company operating globally can pull in billions in revenue, whereas a firm stuck in a closed loop might only scrape together tens of millions. And here's the kicker: both companies still have to sink billions into R&D for the next generation of products. It's pretty obvious which one has that billion-dollar war chest ready to go and which one is left staring at an empty bank account. It's quite clear who's destined to fade away...