Going to buy my first Smart Phone

[BTDretire]

I'm retiring soon, I want to buy a smart phone, for a few reasons, but I'm looking for
additional uses, then make a decision on what phone.
 My reasons now are, checking stock market prices, road maps, pictures, bicycle mileage calculator,
email, listen to podcasts, and maybe I can text my kids, not easy on my flip phone.
Jee, maybe I already have enough reasons.
  I for sure want it to switch to wifi when available. (maybe they all do that)
Ok, any recommendations regarding getting a smart phone?
Probably want a little larger one for my old eyes.

[Greenback Reproduction Specialist]

I'm retiring soon, I want to buy a smart phone, for a few reasons, but I'm looking for
additional uses, then make a decision on what phone.
 My reasons now are, checking stock market prices, road maps, pictures, bicycle mileage calculator,
email, listen to podcasts, and maybe I can text my kids, not easy on my flip phone.
Jee, maybe I already have enough reasons.
  I for sure want it to switch to wifi when available. (maybe they all do that)
Ok, any recommendations regarding getting a smart phone?
Probably want a little larger one for my old eyes.

I don't really have a recommendation, but just about any smart phone made in the last few years are going to do what you want them to. Really your biggest difference is going to be operating system on the phone, android VS windows VS apple. I've used both the android and windows, they worked fine. There are also 1 or 2 other operating systems that allow you to better control information security on your phone from personal stuff being sent to every advertising agency and the big brother.

Also, if you want the super cheap Ting mobile service, just make sure the phone has a sim card slot.

You can find cheap used phones on Craigslist and around the web. I've done it before with success, and it saved a TON of money.

Anyway, just some thoughts to consider.

[HipGnosis]

First things first.
First you need to choose a cell service and data provider.  And a 'plan' (service package).  To do that you need to estimate how much talk, text and data you're going to use.  I know, you probably don't know that... 
Not all providers cover the same area's.  "road maps" sounds like you'll be using it out of metro areas - there's a pretty clear divide on this; some carriers work farther out of town than others.   Note that they have two coverage maps - one for any service (talking) and another for data.
Then you find a phone that works on that carriers network.  I suggest you buy a phone with a 'user replaceable' battery. 
I've bought my last 3 (4?) cell phones via Amazon, but not FROM Amazon.  I research and choose a phone (that works on my carrier) and then search on Amazon for {phone name} Verizon (my network).  Then I click the little 'Buy from $xxx..'  and I filter for refurbished.
You can also buy batteries on Amazon.
Note: there are map apps that don't need data service, but you need to download the areas map in advance (preferably when on WiFi).
Oh, I got my first smart phone because of / for the app that shows the weather radar of wherever I am; My Radar.

[pbnj]

Motorola G4 is very reasonable on the Motorola website.  Its larger than some standard size phones and operates on the latest Android system.  You would then purchace a sim card from your provider such as Ting.  There's a Ting referral thread here and you can get a $25 credit I think.  There are a lot of larger phones now but unless you buy used they get very pricey.

[moof]

I'll second Ting.  Works great for occasional data use.  They have a good selection of phones that are all unlocked depending on what you are after.  I got my Motorola Nexus 6 on closeout for $400 a couple years back and have been very happy with the big screen and the cheap Ting service.  My wife is an Apple person, so she has been very happy with her smaller iPhone 5s she brought over from Virgin Mobile.  We are typically $32/month total for 2 phones.