There isn't anything necessarily wrong with the new devices. I'm sure they work well.
For me, they are just getting way too large and bulky.
The battery life on a mech has never been a real bother for me. I feel like it is a bit exaggerated sometimes.
Whether new devices vape "better" or not, a mech can still give a great vape. And of course you have the durability of them.
The only reason battery life isn't what we expect is because the batteries aren't rated properly and specs are vastly exaggerated. There is a difference is real time life span when you are pushing Samsung 25r at 30 amp as opposed to 20 amp. And a lot of people that super sub ohm are getting hit with sub half hour spans. Some even 25 mins. But if they built to spec it would be exponentially increased.
The only true 30 amp battery I know of is the LG Chem HB6 at 1500 mAH, and I swear that thing lasts longer than most of these 2000+ mah devices when you amp drain under 30 amps. Doesn't get hot at all as well so you know the battery isn't being pushed.
I don't think even the coveted VTC series are true 30 amp batteries. This is the one sector of technology no one is pushing to advance whether it be cell phones or vaping. Obviously the R&D costs are too high for what the market will bare. Unless companies see that people might be willing to spend $20+ on better batteries, this will not change.