For those who prefer using an SD card, there are phones available that will enable you to do just that. Personally, I've seen too many SD card disasters, with users understandably upset because they cannot access the important data they've stored on SD cards that have become unusable. So, I prefer to stick with the cloud and USB drives, and prefer knowing that I can access my stored photos from any computer, etc.
I would hope, cardboard60, that you are not the owner of a Google phone, because Google has made it abundantly clear from the beginning that their phones do not have an SD card slot. So, it would seem to make sense that anyone who feels they must have an SD card slot on their phone would certainly not knowingly purchase a phone that clearly does not have an SD card slot. On the other hand, if you do not own a Google Pixel or Pixel XL, then it would seem there is little point to your complaint about the lack of a feature that is important to you on a phone you don't own and don't intend to purchase.
As you seem quite happy with the features offered by Samsung phones, and seem to have no concern for the less than timely updates, carrier bloat, etc., then it would make sense for you to continue on with that brand. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available in the smartphone market, so most of us should be able to find a device that suits our own individual needs.