Does it even really need to?
I mean the popsicle is great and I love skating it, but going back and fuckin around on some 80s style shaped shit is fun. It’s not really conducive to “performance” but who really cares about that shit anyway.
It’s kinda like, I’m sure there are some shoes that would be really technically good for skating but I’ll buy slip ons just for the look down.
This is a good question - there are so many dimensions in "better". Performance sure, but also identity/values (people avoiding or prefering certain brands/mgs), then economical and for sure just marketing or beliefs.
I think average human body sets some kind of reasonable frame where performance can or has gone; wheelbase probably is at its best around 14-16", popsicle is all-around winner shape. Same for trucks, there are probably physiological reasons why height is around 50-55mm. and width for both decks and trucks is linked to foot size. Then there are the performance details like turn, pinch, grind, which to me seems to be pretty well covered nowadays by market offering.
Before something will break through it must solve an existing problem, and I'm not sure if there are many left. Think about Ace 3/8 nuts, Tracker E-clips or Avenue trucks, for example. All tried to solve something that's not really a problem, hence no gained market.
In my opinion the existing problems are ecological, ethical/political (by who and where your gear is made), QC and maybe some fringe perf stuff like shaving 10 grams of weight at some part of complete.
Most of the gear is "good enough" already, and chasing perfection would be too big effort (80/20 rule).