You're absolutely correct. However, when you combine host + time + location data, all at once, on your phone, then your carrier indeed has TONS of data to spy

You're absolutely correct. However, when you combine host + time + location data, all at once, on your phone, then your carrier indeed has TONS of data to spy on you, regardless of the encryption on the phone itself. All good points, & my only point was that while we strengthen each link in the chain, we can't assume we're secure while weaker links exist.