I use a LG Stylo mostly because of buttons on BACK of case.
Of all features I find the RECESSED relatively large rocker volume buttons with easy to discern middle selection button located just below the centered high-def camera BEST for continual use.
The case pops open for sim card and microSD card unlimited storage but 32GB is more than enough.
The Stylo has a stylus I don't use at all...the larger screen helps that much.
The 'phablet' size phone is shockingly portable and it has been my main computing device (% of time and # of accesses)
My notebook is indispensable for the keyboard and more productive sessions...BUT very surprising for me for vast majority of information based queries AND exercise-centric Spotify I use the 'phablet'which is light enough to forget in my front pants pocket with corded wrap-around headphones.
The price is so low (feels free really) I don't stress about theft or damage as current setup is cloud based.
My Nexus 7 ('13) tablet is rarely used, usually bedside for reviewing documents that don't resize on zoom and lap is not available.
I don't know why but I jones for the iPad Pro and Pencil stylus just to use it one time...post what you decided and why.
Good luck.
If not for those back of case buttons, I would LOVE go full Apple ecosystem if I could pretend it would add something significantly besides cost and inconvenience of side buttons.
It is peculiar your post drew me to add my perspective.
As an orphan from the semiconductor industry, proficient with hardware, assembly, firmware, and light software coding I think prospective employers neglect seemingly non-qualified engineers that might answer phones or work in receiving while updating specific skills that engineering needs but is disconnected with HR who filters prospects with a laser focus to ensure immediate productivity.
We need to recycle great engineers who are unable to predict the exact programming skills that would lead to NEAR term employment.
How can we address the lack of a domestic engineering ecosystem?
The issue should be framed as what are the chances your home or workplace will collapse during a major earthquake.
I believe a reasonable person will conclude taking reasonable precautions to supplant overwhelmed first responders is the only investment a person need to actually plan in event of a nearby major earthquake.
To believe your family will be harmed by a collapsed building in California is unreasonable hysteria.
Our construction standards have been upgraded to survive the quake.
The few block radius of destruction is infinitesimally small to predict.