Unless you’re into all the bells and whistles a cheap TrakPhone from Walmart does everything it should. You talk on it and that’s that. No app’s to fiddle with. Simple communications.
Some of the Tracfones do have Java apps but they are not smartphones. There usually is one model in the line-up as you say which truly is a traditional talk-only phone — no text, web, or extra functions. I like the web access (for short periods - it does cost money) - but have never sent or received a personal text.