I do this with older Kindles that I do not sign into. It works great and inexpensive.

Would like to see a full featured phone like the Note 9.

I use the desktop FreeTube app and watching YouTube works smoothly. On mobile, I use invidious via a browser or Safari in iOS with 1Blocker and NewPipe on Android.

I’m using FreeTube and NewPipe to view now. Yewt.ube is working on iOS devices in Safari with 1Blocker. Firefox and uBO is my last option if I happen to click a link that opens automatically.

Another vote for Fedora. I run it on a 2008 Mac Pro daily just fine. Good luck.