If you're in the Android ecosystem yeah me, too - long story) then there's a lot to be said for buying previous-year or maybe multiple-years-ago 'flagship' phones.

For instance, for me the non-negotiables are Android, OLED screen, microSD slot, both CDMA/LTE and GSM, and the bands I need for US/Can and New Zealand. Multiple SIMs are a don't care - so long as I can swap them when I need to. Ditto camera; I have a real one.

The last time I needed a phone was about two years ago. I picked a Samsung Note 9 (OLED plus SD slot means it'll be a Samsung) open-box (meaning the packaging had been opened but the phone otherwise unused) for $300. I'm happy with it - other than I picked the wrong processor. For another $50 or so I could have gotten a different model that was easy to root, and I'm used to developer phones. But I'm not doing that anymore so I figured WTH.

Also, it you decide to do this, remember that the batteries even in never-used phones age - as do all the spared the manufacturer made for them - and they probably haven't made any of those since it was a current phone. I'm still using a Note 3 as a home theater remote control center - but those batteries are very easily replaceable - and I can still get new ones as that easy replaceability made for a still-active aftermarket. If you're looking to do something like this, the last Note that had an easy no-tools replaceable battery was the 4 (still got a couple of those to replace the 3 when that one dies).

And I've never used a screen protector or case (thing needs to fit in a men's jeans front pocket) and have never had an accident (but watch me bust my phone today).