The best phone in 2026 is a dying iPhone 12 mini. It’s the smallest smartphone still maintained by a major manufacturer (both software updates and repair parts), runs all apps securely & as designed, costs ~$150 with accessories available for dirt cheap (my favorite sleeve officially made by Apple [1] cost $129 on release but is now available for around $10). A dying battery makes the phone
better - it forces you use the phone less and only when you really need it. Don’t replace your battery, just turn the phone off and you’ll feel immediately less stressed. If you don’t want to miss calls, get an old Apple Watch with cellular and use it as your main “phone”. Buy a dying iPhone mini to save the planet and yourself, and maybe if Apple sees enough active minis they will make another one...
[1]: https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/IPhone_12_Leather_Sleeve_with_MagSafe
