Claude’s Intelligence Isn’t Worth $20 to Me Anymore
Claude can be brilliant at coding and writing. But in 2026, being brilliant is no longer enough to win my $20.
Aug 8, 202616 min read76

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Series
Product Observations is a series where I analyze real software products, not to criticize them, but to understand the engineering and UX decisions behind them. Every article starts with a real observation, explores the possible trade-offs, and proposes thoughtful improvements.
Claude can be brilliant at coding and writing. But in 2026, being brilliant is no longer enough to win my $20.

Nothing is broken. Nothing is slow. Yet one small interaction subtly interrupts the experience, and it highlights an important lesson about designing AI products.
