As I have previously mentioned, I totally understand that it can be frustrating to be unable to use large bills if you have them on you. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t revolve around you specifically. Smaller stores and businesses aren’t always able to take on the risk of counterfeits, nor are they able to constantly make bank runs every other day to refill the tills. Are you saying, in 2023, you’d rather walk out of a store than use the plethora of other payment options at your fingertips? Contactless, smartphones, debit/credit cards, smaller bills, gift cards?
I never buy phones new anymore unless there’s a huge price drop or good deal involved. I’ll most likely pick up an refurbished or preowned 8 when the 9 and 9a come out, to save on costs. Assuming there’s nothing horribly wrong with the hardware, that is.