Finally: my time and money saving recipe
Phone model:
(0) phone carriers have multiple plan lists. make sure you see all of them and avoid any "sale" ads. You can get phone connection for as little as $3/mo. Yes.
(1) Apple, if you have money. Buy an Apple from the apple site or an Open Box from amazon or ebay from a seller with at least 99% user response and more than 10,000 in sales. If the seller isn't that (and on amazon likely won't be): BUY IT FROM APPLE. Apple is higher quality in every way possible including saving your after-purchase time spent.
(2) Samsung. New or moreso Open Box off (off ebay). Best features. Not a cut&run company. The audio camera won't be as good, runs Android: all around best features for the money
buy a Zoogle Pixel if your a desperado android Geek wanting quality? you'll pay a high price though.
(3) do NOT by a USB 3.2 OTG $50 nefarious ads. (usb-c to usb-a with otg). Get the 3.1 for $2.50, very fast, and be happy didn't waste time trying to find 3.2 (you don't need 3.2 for a phone, not usually, perhaps professionally)
(4) do NOT buy a game controller "for the phone". buy a USB-a or USB-c one that your phone recognizes (sorry about your time - i don't have a list of which your phone knows about - and them: they hide it from you - they don't want you saving time and money). BUY ONE that works directly plugged in and works also for your PC - they are around $15, yes.
bluetooth is crap, 3ven bt 4.0 is like walking on a frozen leg. the lag will mean you can't actaully play games. total rip-off.
" How to Connect a Wired USB Controller to Android
If you want to play games on Android with a USB controller, you'll need a USB OTG cable. This is a special tool that adapts a standard USB connector to fit in your phone or tablet.
However, the OTG-USB cable does more than that, even letting you connect all manner of USB devices and drives to Android – controllers too! Our guide to USB-OTG explains this in more detail."
durable and responsive. there are quality re-makes since, but not all are.
ONLY THE WIRED ONES (or wireless, which cell phones do not support), play well enough for gaming
*** you need a hub - or your back to touchscreen mashing ***
? shouldn't my game controller use wifi? yes there aren't any made.
(5) filming vids or need real camera? There are low cost devices that do that at higher speeds and better quality than cell phones do it. Consider canceling that from your "need it on the phone" list.
(6) don't expect to compile run your fav OS on the phone. it's a rat chase.
(7) HUB: there are ALLOT OF FAKE USB HUBS. Get one only from a NETWORKING COMPANY that makes BOTH
both Ethernet Hubs and switches. There are no USB switches you want one they've never made one.
(a) cisco (make sure it's not their low cost model, is maybe china)
(b) linksys
(c) netgear
(d) D-Link
(3) Intel
(f) Gigabit
(g) TP-LINK
(some of the above may not make USB hub that don't require software - but the above is your best chance of finding one that "has a wall plug" which is what to look for)
these shouldn't require software to be installed nor a connection to a PC (not even for power - you should have a wall plug option with the unit). they are actually HUB.
IF IT SAYS IT NEEDS A USB(A/C) TO YOUR PC FOR POWER, they are lying. It's because there's no hub in the hub. It requires software and your PC to be on and nearby.
(cheap models require an extra connection to PC even though your going between two phones. they are not actually hubs. they are a bill gates china rip-off)
smart hubs won't save you. you need a usb-c to usb-a or what. if they could you wouldn't need a hub :)
just the fact you need one means you have multiple things to connect (power + 1 device) and or your device isn't sold as wifi by anyone