I paid 640 EUR for it. Quite expensive (but remember these are Norwegian prices, prices are significantly higher here (so are wages)). I could definitely get a phone with better performance/functionality for that price and less. But the phone does what I need and I don't miss anything. And as said the other aspects are very important. I gladly pay what those things cost.
Perhaps the prices aren't quite yet back to normal? It seems to improve, or at least the availability is better, but we're not there yet. I was keeping an eye out for a Pixel 4 or 5, despite Google not willing to sell phones in Belgium, and a few months ago it was simply impossible to get any. Now I see Amazon have a few in stock… at a very high price.
I don't know that Fairphone brand, I applaude the fact you can still open the back and replace the battery (which has enough mAh to last longer than average). It looks good but too big for my pocket - I'm not talking about money anymore, just its plain size.
Yes, Samsung is good quality but it's bloated with unnecessary apps. Not going back to them either.