I’ve been lurking and posting on these smartphone forums for over a decade now, and I’m getting tired of the endless parade of “best under 8000” threads that just regurgitate the same Realme or Redmi clones with their plastic builds and throttled processors. Seriously, folks-has anyone actually tested if these so-called budget kings hold up beyond six months without turning into e-waste?
What if we flipped the script: Instead of chasing the latest 5G gimmick in this price bracket, why not hunt for discontinued mid-rangers from 2-3 years ago that punch way above their weight? Like, snag a used Pixel 4a or an older OnePlus off eBay for around 8000-better cameras, cleaner software, and actual longevity. Or am I just jaded? Prove me wrong with real-world examples that aren’t sponsored fluff. What’s your take on ditching the new-for-new cycle in the sub-10k segment?