I got a new Pixel 7 for free several months ago by trading in my old phone (Motorola G4 or something or other that I bought for $150 and had a street value of $5. The deal was literally, trade in any phone and get the Pixel 7.

So look at what your provider is offering in terms of deals and if you aren't super picky about having the latest and greatest features, you can get a very functional, useful phone for cheap to nothing.

I'm like you - I'd never pay $1,000 for a freaking phone.