I also am on a non-subsidised plan and have messed around with cheap phones in the past, with similar experiences. However one thing I've found that eases a good phone's price tag is buying used, through a site like Swappa or Glyde (what I have experience with). Having a hundred plus dollar discount on something that's lightly used is quite helpful, especially considering that if I were to buy new I'd just void the warrantee with rooting anyways.