You should always by based on what you need, not the price. By "need" I am not talking about life necessities, but rather what you want out of a product. You take a lot of pictures? Aim for a camera focused phone like the XS Max, Pixel 3 or Note 9. You want a big battery that'll last you a long day and then some without sacrificing premium build quality and features? Get a Mate 20 Pro. Phones (and all tech) is rarely completely universal and manufacturers tend to focus on individual points. Hence there is no "best phone" and that is what most people will tell you.
If you want my personal recommendation then stick to iPhone, Samsung, Huawei or LG. Both Huawei and LG are largely focusing on phone development, while Apple and Samsung is shifting away from it. Hence you'll find more new features and bold choices with LG or Huawei.