Recommendation on cell phone approach in Europe (Italy) since can't take mine

Robert, you might want to repost this in the Technology section, under Tips and Trip Reports.

I'm in a similar situation, so I'm interested in seeing what responses you get.

Maybe you don't need a phone at all. Maybe what you really need is data (not voice) connectivity and access to apps. A small tablet device.

Personally, I believe that an iPad Mini (Apple's smallest, sometimes cheapest) small tablet is the perfect travel device. Not super-cheap, but...good for many years, many trips, plus it's a great device at home, too. The bigger size screen (but still not large/heavy like a laptop) is a great user experience -- far better than a phone. Worth some consideration.

Perfect opportunity to buy one that you can use for international travel.
When you buy one go online and search a smartphone using the following key words:
UNLOCKED
4G LTE
SMARTPHONE
QUAD BAND
GSM

You can find some under $150. This is an example.
https://www.amazon.com/Nokia-Factory-Unlocked-Android-Verizon/dp/B09CBSS3BX/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1PP4J8Q8BRS32&keywords=Unlocked+4G+quad+band+GSM+smartphone&qid=1645727493&s=wireless&sprefix=unlocked+4g+quad+band+gsm+smartphone%2Caps%2C146&sr=1-12-catcorr

Buy a local SIM as soon as you arrive. There are plans for tourists in all countries.
It is increasingly difficult to live without a smartphone device in Europe, especially now during a pandemic where so many things depend upon a QAR code being sent to your smartphone number.

Maybe try Costco for a cheaper phone?

David makes a really good point, a small tablet and a mobile hotspot (do they still rent those) would be more useful.

If the OP plans to make more than one trip overseas, it might be better to spend more for a more recent phone which is likely to last longer, not to mention offer a better experience with faster processors and more updated OS and access to apps.

And maybe find it a good idea to have a personal phone, where he can install some apps that he otherwise wouldn't have on a work phone.

Or an iPad mini with a cellular modem could be useful but if he plans to use Google Maps for turn by turn directions in a rented car, the iPad may be too large to easily mount high enough on the dash so the driver doesn't have to look down at the screen rather than forward at the road.

Apple currently has the iPhone SE, with a relatively recent processor, starting at $399 with 64 GB of space and a 4.7 inch screen.

But there are rumors that Apple will soon introduce a new generation of iPhone SE, with even larger screen and faster processor in the next couple of weeks.

One option, not sure of the short term logistics though, would be to go to Google Fi. by or bring a low cost phone, and get a plan that has service and data in some 200 countries. Plans are less than $70/mo, you start service here, since it will be your own phone, and you can set it up as you wish. The only thing I can's advise, is if you get back and want to end service, how that works, but with your own phone, the plan is month to month.

T-Mobile may have some good plans as well.

My suggestion would be much the same as Roberto mentioned. Buy an unlocked phone from Amazon or EBay, and use either a SIM purchased in Italy or perhaps something like this - https://travelsim.com/ . It would probably be better to buy a newer model, as some cell networks are decommissioning older 3G networks and moving towards 5G. As someone else mentioned, Apple is expected to announce an updated model of the iPhone SE in the next couple of weeks, so existing stock of the older model may be offered at sale prices.

What type of phone is your work phone? You may want to buy the same type of phone (iOS or Android) as your work phone, as you'll be more familiar with the operation and the Apps.

Buy a Google Pixel 5a that comes with a SIM slot in addition to an eSIM. Google Fi is installed in this model. Make sure you activate the service before you depart from the USA.

After I retired I was suddenly in a similar situation, no international phone! I was not willing to subscribe to a domestic service that would allow global usage...too costly, but I wanted something that was always ready to go. After years of having a world phone, the last thing I wanted to do is become one of the folks who carry a hundred SIM cards or worse, one of the folks who spend their first day somewhere shopping for a local phone or SIM cards.
I bought an el-cheapo Blu phone from Ace Telecom. I keep it loaded up with minutes and ready to go. If I run through the minutes while I am travelling, it's super easy to buy more time/data. I can either pay as I go or load it up. It's not the best phone I have ever owned, and Ace has a bit of a small-time operation feel to it, but the service and the phone have always worked for me.

Thanks for all the comments. Since I have a top of the line phone/service here in the states it really doesn't make sense to buy a personal phone, tablet or even a $300 Pixel. Roberto, I did see phones like you posted but the reviews are not that stellar and may indicate success or failure could be the luck of the draw (though there is always the potential issues may be due to user error). Some that were about $150 seemed more reliable. Thanks again.

Google Fi is closer to $20/month (plus $0.25 per minute for phone use in Europe) and $10 per gigabyte of data usage, prorated. In 2019 I used less than 1 GB per month while traveling in Spain, France and the UK. That was just for walking-around data, because in my hotels I used my tablet on Wi-Fi. I also didn't stream video on my phone.

The up-side to your problem:

Mobile devices have made drawing the "no work on vacation" boundary ever-increasingly difficult. Not being permitted to take your phone would make it much easier to truly disconnect.

Scudder - you are exactly right! A few years ago I did a hiking trek in the Peruvian Andes. Since in the middle of nowhere I did not bother to develop a work around. And it was the most relaxing vacation ever!

While this happens to be a downside, at least your company actually provides your phone and service. I worked for, and son still does, a very large defense/aviation company. There you use your own device with a company load as a second account. If you need to go out of country, you have to submit an itinerary for approval, or have IT wipe your company load. Depending on countries visited, they may still decide to wipe the company load, for security reasons. For China, they discourage you from even taking your own phone, providing a burner instead.

Or, wait until you're on the ground and buy a burner phone and SIM card at a phone store or supermarket. Perhaps just a phone, and then use a tablet for data on wifi.

OP has stated, and repeated, that he doesn't need/want calls. He sees a need for apps. So why the keep talking about PHONES? Phones, schmones, he does not want or need a phone.

Get a small, inexpensive tablet. A used (or even a new) iPad Mini is perfect for this use case. You could also get by with a small Android tablet, though the learning curve might be steeper (depends on the user and their previous experience).

Get one with cellular. But don't get a domestic US SIM for it (maybe you'll want one after you get home). Use it with wifi at home to learn about it and get set up. Then once you're in Italy, but a data SIM for it. Easy, simple, not super expensive, and perfectly fits the OP's stated needs -- for things like Google Maps, vaccine apps, Google Translate, etc. Yes, you will discover many more good uses for it, but none of those involve making phone calls...and you know what, if he DOES need to make a phone call, you can do exactly that using messaging apps, a tablet works perfectly for that.

Yup, that iPad is going to be super handy at night locating your way back through the alleys in Venice.
It will be equally useful trying to figure out if you are close to the restaurant you are looking for in Trastevere or for calling your host for directions when you are lost driving in the hills of Tuscany.
The title of the post is "recommendation on a cell phone approach."
Personally, I carry a phone and a laptop. With those two items in hand I can pretty much do anything that I choose to without feeling like I am a constant slave to an internet connection.