All guitar manufacturers have different lines of the same named instrument and most notoriously is fender. The iconic stratocaster has look-a-likes that one just glancing would never know the difference but some are basically garbage and others are masterpieces. There is quite a bit of e-bay snookery going on because of this. Quite often the price gap will tell you the quality difference. I do feel that instruments costing $800+ often don’t deserve the price tag. It’s usually best to buy the mid-level instrument and upgrade to better components. I’ll resist the temptation to make this too long but here is what I think matters:
#1. The neck quality. It does not matter what else is spectacular or expensive but if the neck sucks then you’re never going to enjoy your instrument. Not only is it the main generator of “resonance” in a solid body it is the primary contact point and nothing less than perfect for you should do. The main reason that through body necks are not as common is that while they are better they cannot be interchanged.
#2. Hardware. All the extra bits need to be high quality, this is no place to skimp and this will be one of the easiest ways to make a budget guitar a real player. Focus on the tuners and bridge, then look at the electronics. Specifically the pickups
#3. Pickups. This is a large topic so I’ll be brief. It’s very seldom that the stock pickups are ok for most and it’s usually the first things musicians change. For hard rock it’s usually a humbucker, for metal it’s mandatory although there are exceptions. If you play many styles some combination of single coils and humbuckers is the way to go. You can also “split” a humbucker into a single coil with a switch. I.M.O. Leo fender got the singlecoil design right back in the 1950’s. Vintage winds with alinco magnets (I usually use alincoV) are the best hands down. I can elaborate MUUCH further if needed.
#4 Set-up and design. Any high quality instrument deserves a proper set-up. If you can’t do this yourself take it to a real luthier. IMO most shops to a poor job setting up instruments. A hundred bucks in setup from a professional who will do all the proper adjustments and fine tuning of details that are often overlooked will be well worth it.