There is no right or wrong answer. If you don’t have access to Internet or don’t use apps, don’t buy a Smartphone. Most of the time they’re more expensive, are fragile and have lesser battery life.
If you are buying a Smartphone - Consider buying a previous generation phone. We have reached a stage in Smartphone development when with each passing year, we’re making mainly cosmetic updates. A previous generation phone will have the same functionality and performance of the latest model, but will be substantially cheaper. Most carriers also have their best deals on BYOD plans. So together, you can make significant savings with last year’s Smartphone + a BYOD plan.
Another option is buying a used phone from a recognized reseller. Please refer to our guide on buying used devices.