if by "equivalent" you mean a new modern flagship phone, then no, you won't find one. but a $200 new phone this year is at least the equivalent of a pixel phone from five years ago.

nobody's going to say that, for example, this isn't at least as good as a pixel 3: https://www.amazon.ca/OnePlus-Android-Display-Unlocked-Charg...

>nobody's going to say that, for example, this isn't at least as good as a pixel 3: https://www.amazon.ca/OnePlus-Android-Display-Unlocked-Charg...

In terms of Camera, Haptics, Construction material it probably isn't

And the (Android) phone from five years ago won't be getting OS or security updates. Granted, your current phone that needs the new battery probably isn't getting them either. In which case, why not just pay $80 to get the battery replaced in your current phone?

Right, but you could sell (or more realistically, trade in) your phone for perhaps $200-300.

I don't know if you've ever tried trading in an old phone, but nobody is giving you 200$ for a 5 year old phone.

But say they do. You now need to find a 289-389$ phone (which will cost you 89$ out of pocket) that gives you the same experience.

After 5 years you might...

A 2nd hand one, that'll suffer the same battery issues at best

Apple does not sell a 200$ phone. And 200$ android phones do not have the build quality of an 800$ one, even if it's 5 years old.

You can find carrier locked iPhone SE's for $150, you can get a free iPhone with a postpaid contract as well.