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The gear recommendations will depend on what you want to shoot, really. The problem with smartphones is that the sensor is tiny, so any small detail is lost. Combine this with post-processing they usually do (computational photography), and the end result looks like an oil painting made with small strokes when viewed on a large screen. As others have said, point and shoot cameras are not much better.
An interchangeable DSLR or a mirrorless camera will produce a much better result, and you can be flexible in regards to lens focal length to get photos that you want. Want wide landscape shots - get a wide angle lens, or even that Sirui anamorphic lens. Or even stitch panoramas from multiple shots taken with a tripod. Want to focus on something specific in a distance - get a zoom telephoto lens. Want to take portraits of people a few steps away from you with creamy bokeh backgrounds - get a medium focal length lens.
Most consumer DSLRs have an APS-C sensor which is more than enough for 90% of people. And they are usually the most reasonably priced. Some photographers use a smaller M4/3 sensor for landscapes because it blurs out smaller details, producing painting-like effect. And some swear by full-frame sensors to get improved light sensitivity and less distortion on wide angles. I've seen some amazing photos taken on medium format cameras - they really look close to the wide expanse seen with a naked eye - but those are terribly expensive.
Mirrorless cameras are slightly smaller than DSLR's. But I've climbed mountains with a bag with a couple of bodies and several lenses dangling on my ass, so I don't see the weight as much of a concern.
Price wise, you can get decent cameras for a few hundred bucks/euros, but your main focus should be on good quality lenses. It's better to have a good lens on a mediocre body than the other way around. Looking for second hand equipment will drive the price even further, and you'll be less upset if you smash them on a rock by accident.
