Yeah if I was shopping for a phone today, I'd probably get something like the Nokia 6.1 Plus or one of the newly announced Motorola phones.
Something with solid mid-range specs, Android One, and within the budget you outlined.
Edit: Or the Pocofone F1 if you don't mind switching to a plastic shell in order to get an upgraded processor. It doesn't come with Stock Android/Android One either, sadly.
https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_6_1_plus_(nokia_x6)-9178.php
https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_one_power-9221.phphttps://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_pocophone_f1-9293.phpEdit2: Regarding updates lagging behind, this is why you should get an Android One phone. Timely updates, guaranteed updates for two years, and it's stock android. Basically like the successor to the Nexus program, since Google only make expensive Pixel phones now.
I have the Mi A1 and it's great. The Mi A2 is out now and seems like it would be solid, except they removed the 3.5mm jack, which seems like a very silly decision to me.