distracted driving ticket - advice on going to trial

i’m 22 F, with only a G2 license. i got a ticket for using my phone while driving. it was very stuck traffic so i quickly replied to a text (which i know was wrong) and was pulled over shortly after. idk if the officer had a bodycam but he was able to label my phone case colour.

i chose to appeal in court as the fine was over $600 and i am a master’s student who has to pay rent/everything else so this is a hefty sum. when i got pulled over, the officer immediately breathalyzed me without stating why he stopped me. he then went back to his car for a while before coming back to explain my charges. i’ve never been pulled over so i’m not sure if that’s normal procedure?

i aim to plead guilty but is there any chance of a reduced fine? or should i just suck it up and pay?? i wouldn’t lose any demerit points, i’d get a 30-day suspension and the fine.