Sorry to hear that someone stole your phone.
My last phone I used until the battery didn't work anymore, and had to finance one for a replacement. I wasn't happy about having to finance, because what you say is true, not everyone can afford to replace phones so easily.
Not likely it will be tracked, most cell phone thieves are aware of how easily it could be tracked, and it's possible that it was stolen for parts, or they know a way to circumvent the tracking.
Thank you for sharing.