any suggestions for an Android 5G phone that's easy to root?

Still working on the Stylo

 

Have you tried it lately? It now has an alternative hotspot server that bypasses the phone's tether and connects to a corresponding client on the PC. You can also use it with a USB connection. BTW they seem to be getting away from the FoxFi name and going with just PdaNet+ now.

 

I use to use it with my blue ray player to stream netflix, so a direct connection to a phone wasn't an option. If I remember the PdaNet changed the network name every time didn't it? Or something funky, and my blueray player didn't like it for some reason...I forget what it was.

 

I second the Pixel 5/4a recommendation, as well as the Verizon blacklist. I get mine from google unlocked and the oem unlock is a switch in developer settings then an adb command. Rooting still takes a boot.img from the factory image though. Simple if you know what you're doing.

 

People into rooting and modding should check out these Android phones

Of those, I would choose the pixel. I have the Pixel 3 XL, and I love it. I'm waiting for the Pixel 5 to drop in price.

 

Do phones drop in price?

The note 9 was still the same price when it got dropped.

 

If nothing else, they drop when the new model comes out. If I'm a year behind on phones, it won't be the end of the world. I don't do any high-end mobile gaming.

 

You'll have to buy an unlocked, manufacturer-direct Global model to possibly root something. Check out the XDA forums for a specific model if you're curious whether it can be rooted. I have a locked S10+ on Verizon but use PDANet/Foxfi to bypass the hotspot restriction.