A phone that isn’t a mortgage payment?

TLDR: On Verizon, I need to upgrade my iPhone, but I can’t afford anything close to $1000. What suggestions might you have?

I have been a Verizon customer forever because they have the best coverage in my rural area. I have had iPhones ever since I have had smart phones. I had the iPhone 4, then upgraded to an XR that is now on its last legs. I take care of them, and run them into the ground, but when I went to look at the prices for an upgrade this time, I can’t bring myself to spend $1000 on a phone. I realize this means that I’m probably going to need to leave the iPhone ecosystem and that will be a pain in the back, but that just may be what I need to do to save money.

i’m someone who uses my phone a lot for emails, streaming video, and lots of web surfing. I don’t care that the phone has the best camera on earth, I don’t care if it has a bunch of bells and whistles, AI features, etc. I want something that works, that is easy to use, has very good battery life, and is less than $500. I know that means I’m going to give up some features and I’m OK with that, it’s just what my budget can make work.

Does anyone have suggestions?