Monopods can be useful, especially in busy places like station platforms where a tripod is best avoided or not allowed - much quicker to set up/collapse/carry around and minimal extra floor space when in use. For a phone, a long telescopic selfie stick could be used as a monopod - lighter and cheaper. Even when collapsed, they can help stabilise/hold steady a handheld camera/phone.
Have you tried using a camera app which might give you more control over exposure, focusing, colour etc.? I used to use 'Open Camera' (free) on my Samsung phone but there are many others around.
(and yes, making best use of/putting up with the available lighting conditions is part of the fun of doing this

- sometimes getting a even a vaguely usable shot is really difficult)