They don't have to beat on every existing metric. But if they are more expensive for a gain that most people don't care about then they'd better have a niche that pays well to keep them going.
Also, Optane had 5 years. That's a pretty good run for something that never delivered enough to gain its own niche.
Developments in hardware are typically measured in decades, not years, so 5 years isn’t long at all to gain traction and go through price and manufacturing refinements. Again, I understand that’s just the reality of the market, but it would be nice if there was a way around it.
It was more of a problem of Intel, they failed to market it, failed to innovate on the tech, failed to increase yield, failed to increase the demand for it which leads to sending money to Micron for unused capacity. Yes. Failure of Intel CEO.
But the technology also wasn't as promising as people think it is. Z-NAND offer something similar in read, slower in sustainable random write at 50% of the price. In the end even Z-NAND failed to reach any customers. XL-Flash is only thing left. And judging from news I wont be surprised they would stop in 2025 or 2026 as well. Normal NAND is fast enough for most things.
How ever I do wonder in the age of AI if Optane could have a different role.
Also, Optane had 5 years. That's a pretty good run for something that never delivered enough to gain its own niche.