I'm happy with a cheap flip phone, for mainly talking and an occasional text.
I've seen people making barely more than minimum wage with $500 phones and $100 rate plans. Ridiculous.
Many people with “smart” phones, particularly in the third world, consider that to be their primary computer. This is why 6” phones have become unexpectedly popular, even here.
You have to shop. My son’s phone broke and, last week, he bought a Moto G for $80 at the Boost Mobile store. He’s been a customer, so he only pays $45 a month for unlimited phone, text, and internet. If he was new, it would be $65 a month for all of that - with the cost dropping by $5 every three months that he paid his bill on time.
You have to shop. His phone is durable, gets fantastic ratings, and does everything that a smartphone should do... without a hitch.
Go to YouTube and check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFD0Nm2dOHw
Just look at every video that Marques Brownlee puts out. Check your reviews and pick the best bargain.
How do you know what their plans cost?
I had a freaking FIT when I found out that my daughter got a new iPhone (AN $800 PHONE!!)
Then I found out that she got the phone for free for agreeing to a 2 year contract of $40 a month. Unlimited talk, text, and internet for that price. She doesn’t even have a house phone anymore. That’s a good deal. Heck, I pay $35 a month for my flip-phone.