I actually think a non-photographer gets more out of a good phone camera because us semi-professionals just always know the real camera (that we left at home because we is lazy) would be capable of capturing the scene so_much_better.
Yes, preference, most higher end phones are really great, no matter the brand. I used to be really into reading tech news about phones but can’t be bothered anymore because there hasn’t been anything new in years. The next one has to project holographs or some shit for me to get interested.
Life would be very different without a smartphone, not necessary worse or better. I think I’ve gotten into a good place with the phone, I can easily just ignore calls and messages when I don’t want to be social, and just keep the audiobook rolling 24/7.
I ignore mine most too. Most of the time it's on silent and even when I see someone calling rarely do I answer it. People complain about it, but my phone is for my convenience, not theirs. Could I do without it? Yes, I'm not a slave to it. Would it make like difficult? Yep.
I'll test the camera out one of these days. 😁