Beat mobile phone 2024?

Looking at the pixel 8 pro 256gb hoping to get either a low cost monthly deal with some money up front or hopefully to buy the phone SIM free for 24 months and pay it though think this is maybe limited to directly through Google itself and it's expensive compared to other deals.

I'm holding off for a contract as there is meant to be an imminent announcement around mid contract rises so hoping to wait on this or just after the rises in April.

However any suggestions on an alternative to the pixel 8 pro? I like the photo editing stuff in the pixel along with a few more updates that are coming out such as the inbuilt thermometer (though that's an added bonus) anybody got any suggestions for similar or better phones at maybe a better price? Last contract I went for the oppo find x5 but have been disappointed by the phone.
Thanks