I think there's a fundamental difference in how technology is sold nowadays versus how it was sold a decade ago.
Technology used to be sold as a solution to a problem. Want to record TV? Buy a VCR. Tech specs are important because you want to find the best solution to the problem.
Nowadays, for better or for worse, technology is sold as an "experience." A modern phone doesn't really do much a phone from 5 years ago can't do, so phones are sold based on how they look and the smoothness of operation. Will anyone really notice 2gb of RAM vs 3gb of RAM? Because of this, modern reviewers will emphasize first impressions and general "feeling" of the device.
Technology used to be sold as a solution to a problem. Want to record TV? Buy a VCR. Tech specs are important because you want to find the best solution to the problem.
Nowadays, for better or for worse, technology is sold as an "experience." A modern phone doesn't really do much a phone from 5 years ago can't do, so phones are sold based on how they look and the smoothness of operation. Will anyone really notice 2gb of RAM vs 3gb of RAM? Because of this, modern reviewers will emphasize first impressions and general "feeling" of the device.