

Small size means a smaller battery. If they make the phone’s processor too powerful, the battery will run out in less than a day, and then everyone will be mad about that. There’s also less surface to dissipate heat.
Making things smaller is harder and more expensive, but people who want small phones don’t want to pay more than large phones.
I can’t say for sure I’d have bought it, but I’ve been wanting an nVidia Shield update or serious competitor for a couple years now.
I wasn’t even aware of this project, though, so either they weren’t trying to drum up interest, or I’ve had my head in the sand?