To get the most benefit from smart phones, as well as other computers, you have to take charge of them. You can stop the unwanted ads, suggestions, notifications and even the word suggestions. Unfortunately you will have to read the pdf manual or better, go to the website of the phone maker and read how to operate it. My 9 year old grandson can do all this, so .... I believe any of us can if we decide to.
They also have off buttons when you don't want to have them on.
My phone has more than earned its keep over the years, by affording quick help in several minor and a couple of major emergencies. And in a few seconds I can find any information on any subject in the history of mankind. And it is often correct.
It keeps me from having to pay for a GPS in the car, and a golf rangefinder, a compass and GPS when I'm fishing... I always have weather radar on hand and it has at least on one occasion kept me from getting stuck across a large lake when an unexpected storm developed.
It also has an excellent flashlight app, that is really useful. Free. It will find the nearest gas station, with the lowest price, or the nearest restaurant, or about anything else.
I used to buy or rent audio books on CD (tape before that). Now I use my library card to access just about any audio book ever recorded, instantly download to my phone and listen at my leisure, all free. I use it for email, internet, and as a hub for my laptop and/or tablet to connect to the internet, saving a monthly fee for that.
It also serves as a high-resolution camera, video recorder, music/midi player if needed.
I can have a real-time face-to-face conversation with my grandsons in Oklahoma, instantly see the fish my fishing buddies are catching on another lake or in another state, or have Pizza waiting for me to pick up on my way home from a hard day on the golf course or in the boat! That saves a delivery fee and tip btw!
I have USB chargers in my office, bedroom, vehicles, boat and in my music setup. In addition I have three spare batteries always charged, just in case I'm away from electricity for a few days!
Oh, and in an emergency I can use it for a phone as well.