Looking to replace my old phone

1) What is your budget?

500 USD, I'll maybe stretch if something really hits the marks for an extra 75.

2) What size smartphone would you prefer?

Something like my current 5.6" Samsung s5, but this is low priority if something bigger is a better fit for my usage style and needs.

3) Which country will you buying this smartphone?

U.S.

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

Don't really have much of an opinion beyond I do have some queasiness about Samsung or Apple for some of their less than savory business practices, but that's not enough to 100% stop me if they'll offer a compelling experience for me within my budget.

5) Would you consider phones that are refurbished/redistributed?

Yes, as long the 2nd hand phone doesn't have damage that impairs browsing speeds or some other functionality I use on a regular basis.

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this phone?

Texts, calls, browsing, photography, along with downloading and reading research journal articles.

7) Will you be playing games on your phone? (If so, please state which games or types of games?)

No

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?

Ideally a solid 20 hours of browsing (this way even with battery degradation I can still manage with lowered brightness hours of browsing later in the phone's life) but realistically I'm probably looking at 12 max. Short to mediocre battery is absolutely not acceptable for me.

9) Which carrier are you under?

Verizon

10) What other phone features would you like?

3.5mm headjack, good drop damage resistance (I'll let this slide if a really good shock damage resistant case exists), replaceable battery, and expandable storage. Easier disassembly (not a deal breaker at all but a nice should I need to fix a loose or broken power jack it's not a giant PITA).

11) What screen resolution(s) would you prefer?

I've no preference as long as it's above 300 ppi.

12) Are the phones looks and stylishness important to you?

Not at all. Mine will be covered with a protective case at all times. Looks mean nothing.

13) When are you buying this phone?

Within the next 2 weeks to 6 months.

14) How long do you expect to use this smartphone?

At least 2 years.

 

Your list is unrealistic, pretty well nothing has a removable battery anymore. I will suggest the LG q stylo + (if it works with verison). That device is 80% of a note 9 for 10% of the cost. It has ip67 rating, expandable storage, 64gb on board with 3gb of ram, the lower spec processor gives it longer battery life, it has a nice screen for the price of the device, has a stylus with is really good apparently, has the headphone jack, and NFC. The only real con I can see with the + is the back is plastic and scratches easy. Thats an easy cheap fix though with a nice slim case.

The next version of this phone will probably be replacing my iPhone 8.

 

Maybe Pixel 2 or 2XL on verizon offers should be good enough.