Mobile phone recommendations for a complete numpty needed, pleeeeeeeeease

[plonker]

First of all, I need to tell you that I am completely clueless with all things technical.

My contract is about to run out and I want an all-singing, all-dancing sparkling new phone.
I really want an iphone but sadly I can't afford one.
I have been told about Android phones which are apparantly cheaper? Are they as good as iphones?

Can anyone recommend a handset for the Android? ...has anyone got a great deal?
My current contract is £25 per month with 750 any time any network minutes and 750 texts. This is perfect for me and I'm looking for something similar.

I'm on 02 at present, but my contract is due to run out in 2wks so I'm free to look elsewhere.

Sorry don't know about Android but have you thought about a Blackberry? I've just got a Blackberry Curve. My last phone was a 4 year old Nokia so bit of a leap! Touch screen phones do my head in.

Can't believe how easy it is to use, the first time you switch it on it takes you through an idiot's guide to setting up on the phone, screen by screen. I have set it so my AOL and Gmail emails come into the same inbox as texts. The camera is 3.2mp so not amazing but does the job, and the internet is really easy to use and there's loads of apps to download.

I pay £20 a month for 300 text and 300 mins and unlimited internet, but you could swap the unlimited internet for unlimited texts for example, then pay an extra fiver to get a talk booster, taking you to £25.

Thanks boardbunny - I hadn't considered the blackberry 'cos for some reason I thought they were more for business use?

I'll take a look - cheers

Have had a little look and I quite like the sound of the HTC Desire.

Anyone got a good deal on the Desire?

Might be best asking directly - new thread on HTC Desire (as there are a few users on MN) and if not in geekystuff, try chat later

Hi Plonker.

Actually Android phones are far better than any iPhone or iPad and I studied the whole operating systems but wont bother going into the nitty gritty of it all because I know there are quite a lot of iPhone users.

I just got my DH the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 through Orange. Maybe if you google for reviews. Its a really good and easy phone to use with a 8.1mp camera as well. You get it in Black or white. And there are lots of free applications.

Cheers network guy - I think I'll do that

Thanks Eva, I think I'm sufficiently swayed to get an Android now, but I am in interested in why you consider them to be better than the iphone? It's not often something cheaper is better

I just need to choose a handset now ...

Thanks

"It's not often something cheaper is better"

I don't hold with those who feel they only get something "worthwhile" by spending top whack. I'm no driver, but can see people paying OTT prices for fast cars when the legal limit restricts what they can do (lawfully) in the UK.

Getting value for money does not always mean that following the plebs peer group choice is the best idea. Popular >< best in all cases.

The iPod / iPhone / iMac products happen to be of fairly good (== "pretty" and ergonomic) design but are also, to some degree, restrictive.

It's often described as being done by Apple to guarantee a stable hardware and software platform on which applications are more reliable.

That may be so, but there's certainly a 'premium' paid, and I'm still far from convinced that the extra cost is worthwhile.

However, there are plenty who feel strongly they get great value, the products "just work" (straight from the box) and no doubt would tell you that sun shines out of Steve Jobs' ......

PS I do have an (old) iMac and first used one of the "Mac Classic" machines in ~ 1988 (so am not a complete 'Apple hater' by any stretch - just find the kit too costly to buy new).

I really want the Sony Ericsson xperia X10.