For the past 5 years, I've been relying on cheap Android mid tier phones. I currently use a Redmi Note 8 Pro (I bought the first one shipped to my country) for

For the past 5 years, I've been relying on cheap Android mid tier phones. I currently use a Redmi Note 8 Pro (I bought the first one shipped to my country) for a little over $250, and I wouldn't feel bad about buying a new phone if this one breaks. These phones are often made to not be repaired in the first place. The spare parts are quite difficult to come by because nobody bothers to even make them. The manufacturer in fact sends a plastic case for the phone because customers are u likely to find one elsewhere. Most of the repair shops here (I'm in East Asia now), get broken iPhones, or higher and lower end Samsung phones. I can understand Apple being constantly hostile towards the repair shops can easily put customers out of option to repair their own devices from cheaper places, and the repair shop lot of business because they simply can't source spare parts. I think Louis Rossman was very vocal about the issue (a New York based YouTuber and a repair shop owner), that is probably worth a look.