i really wanted to make the switch to a dumb phone. just one problem. couldn’t give up my podcast app. so I found the next best thing - an android phone with a magnetic ink display
the only company that makes one is Hisense and its not made with american phone networks in mind so im stuck on a 2G connection. thats ok with me its like the friction thing you mentioned. the magnetic ink puts a lot of friction on normal android use too. my old phone i used to have a bad habit of opening youtube when i was board. the ink can do video and it is kinda neat to see but its rough enough that its not pleasant. even just regular browsing i end up thinking “yeah i could search this on my phone but i think ill just wait till i get to my desktop where i can type properly and not have to wait for the ink and connection”. its basically just a second kindle that can text and call and play mp3s – i have been really happy with it.
have you looked on f-droid ?