Yep. Open source the OS and allow sideloaded applications for folks who draw the line somewhat differently for where to trade off "dumb" vs "smart", and the LightPhone would be a winner, but alas...
I met someone in Bellingham with one of these things once. It was pretty sweet, and they'd explicitly cited their having culled their smartphone addiction with it as a selling point, so I guess it works to some degrees. I forget off the top of my head exactly which feature I wish it had that I wanted to sideload on, but whatever.
lite phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/shop/products/light-phone-ii-b...
The reviews of this phone that I've seen have been pretty brutal so I've avoided it.
mudita: https://store.mudita.com/store/mudita-pure-minimalist-phone-...
Out of stock, but looked interesting.
Anyone aware of any others?