You can always buy premium/flagship devices (including iPhone 11 Pro MAX and Galaxy Note10+/S10+) from all sorts of vendors. Unlocked, unbranded, unbloated. Although you wouldn't benefit from carrier subsidies so the devices might cost a little more overall, and you'll have to pay the full price up front. And some tech features (like VoLTE) are commodity incentives accessible (withheld) only for elite devices purchased through carrier contracts, so if you buyvfrom someone else you can't use all your toys properly anyhow.
I agree that $$$$ smartphones are mostly unnecessary, $$$ mid-end devices already seem overkill for the sorts of things I see most people doing on their phones. Some people do rely heavily on phone computing, some people buy fashion instead of tech - and more power to them if expensive phones can make them happy - but the appeal of those choices isn't for me, I'd rather spend that sort of money on other sorts of mobile devices with more robust hardware spec.
