dasaint100
Looking at a making a Pixel 8a or 8 a non data phone for just text and calls.
4G and above use data for both calls and texts even if the carrier doesn't allow you to use the internet connection for other purposes.
Would there be many advantages compared to a basic Nokia for security of calls and texts?
You should avoid carrier-based calls and texts. They're not private/secure. Carriers and other parties can see the content and analyze it, share it, etc. Non-smartphone won't have the option of using Signal, SimpleX, etc. for private/secure communications. You should move as much as you can to end-to-end encrypted messaging and avoid carrier-based calls and texts to the extent possible. Convince as many people as you can to use Signal.
Can think of the USB security, multiple profiles, the hardware is tougher to hack?
Pixels are far more secure than other Android smartphones or traditional cell phones. GrapheneOS is a huge upgrade for their security.
Threat model is being targeted for gain of personal info, location, business info.
Avoid carrier-based calls and texts. Not much you can do about the carrier / cellular network knowing your location while connected. You could buy a non-KYC eSIM but you'll end up connecting it to you by using it to communicate with multiple other people with your identity. Airplane mode avoids cellular so you can avoid the cellular network knowing your location with that but of course then you won't have cellular, only Wi-Fi calling/texting which could also probably be tied to your location since it uses an IPSec tunnel itself rather than going through the VPN. If you want to avoid the carrier knowing your location, airplane mode combined with disabling the SIM works well.