Personally I don't like the whole Apple thing and prefer Android. Currently I have the LG Q7 Dual SIM but the Q7 has probably been superseded as I've had this phone for a couple of years. I have had LG's in the past and never had a minute's problem with any of them. If you are on a tight budget then a chinese brand, usually sold on eBay etc, are also OK although they often have features that I didn't generally use.
Androids have expandable memory, I have a 32Gb microSD that I've had in several phones during the last 10+ yrs, but the Q7 will accept a 64Gb. MicroSD's are also quite affordable if bought on eBay etc.
Check phone features here <https://www.lg.com/uk/mobile-phones>. Android phones cost a whole lot less than Apple.
At my son's suggestion I bought an Apple phone some years ago and, like you, my account was frozen and the money lost even though I provided proof of my identity. Along with the money, all my photos and music were lost as well, so I wasn't happy as I had spent countless hours copying all my old record/LP's, CD's etc.