Get a device that is supported by degoogled android systems and get rid of all the garbage. My recommendation is always GrapheneOS on a pixel, just because you can reinstall google play services if you really need to and preserve usability, while massively boosting privacy and security.
Unfortunately the majority of devices supported by degoogled android distros are straight garbage. LIke the pixel line. Best device i've seen would be Fairphone 3+, or Volla Phone 22
No microsd, no jack, no dualsim. So basically noone of the features i need. You know what i don't need from my phone? A lot of processing power. Wtf would i even use that for, "Advanced Calendar"?
That's fine to prefer those features, but it's not accurate to call those phones bad. Mine came with a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C to USB-A adapter and plenty of storage, so all my needs are met with it.
I used blokada on my phone and it blocked around 10k calls per day. I've since moved to use Mullvad as an always on VPN and turned all of the blockers on. Haven't setup a pihole for my home yet because I didn't have access to the router.