I have made progress finding a better (low cost) & more travel-responsive smartphone set-up, so that I hopefully will not get locked out again. Synopsis of my posts on other website so far:
Post #1: Describing the (too common?) challenge I ran into in June this year while traveling.
Post #2: Notes my beginning research into SIM cards.
Post #3: My beginning research into a “better”/new travel smartphone.
Post #7: Progress. Some fruits of the SIM card & travel smartphone research. I may have found a “winning” new smartphone. & I might use an eSIM setup.
Post #8: More Progress; a better Travel Smartphone Set Up.
Post #9: “Hello, new home/travel/anywhere smartphone”.
The full posts are found in the category “Locked Out” on my website: www.melangeofblogs.com.