HMD (the new nokia) have the Fusion for AU$500 ($340), I got one on offer to play around for €150 a couple of months ago as you can unlock the bootloader.

This index is based on data and user surveys collected by Numbeo, reflecting the perceptions and experiences of website visitors.

If you want data and not just “poll data” you go to eurostat: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/income-and-living-conditions/database

You can find cheaper rural unfinished houses in France: https://www.properstar.co.uk/listing/121305184

property prices and rent are nor directly connected,

Yes they most certainly are, as rent is the main input of using a house as an investment. The simplest method of gauging if it’s better to rent or buy a property in an area is to use the price to rent ratio.

Scummy resellers must be jumping in the air from excitement.

They’re not, as they know people buy LEDs and other cheap electronics from AliExpress because they’re cheap. The price increase is also not just from import fees but also an (undesired) strengthening of the CNY to most major currencies, as for the euro it’s been almost 10% since January.