Best Smartphone Value?

[Snicks]

I'm shopping around for a new smartphone.
I like to get a lot for my hard-earned-and-saved dollars.
I'm neither looking for the latest-and-greatest technology nor the cheapest product. The way I tend to shop for major purchases is that I feel I get the most bang for my buck by upgrading a bit from "cheapest option" but beyond a certain point you wind up paying a lot more for just a little bit better and in my mind then it's become a waste of my money. I like solid, reliable products but don't care about luxury or being trendy. As examples of how my taste runs, I drive a Toyota and wear a Seiko watch. I could afford any phone on the market, but that sure as heck doesn't mean I want to just go out and buy something without considering the price. A top-of-the-line phone would be wasted on me.

I'm in my 50's and use my phone for, in order of importance:
- Talking (old school talk)
- Checking Email (work & personal)
- Texting
- Taking photos
- Sometimes Google maps
- I'd also like to start using my library's app to download audiobooks so I can listen to them when I'm out walking. This would be a new use for me.

Any suggestions? Any thoughts on the Moto G5 Plus?
Thanks.

I highly recommend a Samsung J7. The J7 is nice large android phone that works great. I have mine thru Boost Mobile prepaid. Verizon offers one as well thru prepaid or contract.