Apple phones also last long enough, barring accidents, that if the adults are using iPhones, the kids can probably get hand-me-downs that're still usable and receiving updates for at least a couple years.

Maybe America is different but to me 400 for a phone isn't cheap. If poor people in the US are buying their children $400 phones then they can shut up about high living costs.

I'd consider my ~$130 Oppo to be the upper end of cheap with NFC and snappy performance.

In the current context, "cheap" is used in comparison to base configs of flagship smartphone models, such as Galaxy S22, Pixel 7 Pro, and iPhone 14. All of which tend to go for $700+. And that's not even mentioning the luxury models like foldable Galaxy ZFold4 going for $1.7k+.

Sure, I wouldn't count a brand new $400 smartphone to be the most budget one, but it is almost half the price of a flagship. And that's not even getting into the used market.

You can buy a new Android phone for $20. A $400+ phone, with a $19 charging cable that is not included, is a luxury for many people.

The cable is included - https://www.apple.com/iphone-se/specs/

Sorry, I meant a charging adapter.

Just because manufacturers have inflated the prices over the years that doesn't make $400 cheap.

My current $200 phone is better in every aspect than the high end flagship phones not too long ago. With its performance and features it's still far from the low end.