I always felt this was over stated, but I think it’s become less true over time.

First different people treat their stuff harder than others. I basically never break or wear out anything, and I usually start with the cheapest option.

Second the quality of cheap shit made in Asia has gone up a lot over the last couple decades. And it is very difficult to know how to pay more for more quality.

ive experimented with paying more for a few things and sometimes it's the cheap stuff which lasts forever.

i have a pair of cheap Chinese earbuds that way outlasted all of the expensive ones I ever bought.