This is not an easy subject, there a several great looking phones out there that could be considered as a genuine alternative for iPhone, however most of them have there own issues that make it very hard to credit them as a genuine equal to the iPhone. Whether its the fragmentation of Android, i.e running an older version of the OS on your "latest" smart phone, or problems with battery life, or quirky menus and settings, there still is no complete contender that delivers the total smart phone package as well as Apple, but in case your still looking here are the top choices on o2 at the moment.
1) Dell Streak - This is a very well made good looking device, probably right at the peak for size of a "mobile" phone at 5inches at the screen. It is feature rich, 1GHZ processor, 512mb ram, front facing camera, but, and this is quite a big but, it runs Android 1.6 (Donut) , this unfortunately limits app functionality and also there are some excellent features missing, that newer version of the OS enable. I spoke to Dell about this and they could not give a definite date for upgrade, but this upgrade would be to 2.1 (Eclair) presumably and not the latest 2.2 (fro yo) and with the rumour of gingerbread or 3.0 due for Q4 this year where does this leave the streak, or any other android device with a manufacturer own software skin on for that matter?. I love the streak, and would welcome these dimensions with an iOS device, they make web browsing, typing and media a breeze, and the big screen is very clear. Until the fragmentation of android is addressed and top end devices begin to launch carrying the latest software it is difficult to be tempted away but the Dell is impressive for other things, 7/10 for me.
2) HTC Desire - This is another supremely powerful, fast, well made android device, this time running 2.1 (Eclair) so more up to date, in terms of OS. It is a very nice device to use, very sleek, high build quality, and very comfortable in the hand. HTC sense UI (user interface) makes for a pleasurable experience, and give good social integration as well as one of the best virtual keyboards around. Again there is no definite date for upgrade, and this is a frustration. there is also an optical track pad, a strange inclusion on a touch device. The Desire, delivers in lot of areas, killer looks, high quality, fast browsing and great for social networking, this is 8/10 for me.
3) Sony Ericcson Experia X10 - This handset promised so much, but sadly, has been let down by a few quirky UI decisions, and poor battery life, even compared to most other smart phones. On the plus side, the Timescape and Mediascape additions for Sony Ericcson, are very well thought out, and offer timeline snapshots of your music library and what you listen to as well as your friends and how you interact with them. There just isn't enough going on here to shout about, even though it has one of the best screens around. 6/10 for me.
4) Palm Pre Plus - Where do I Start, probably the most frustrating device. After a very turbulent year Palm has finally been purchased by HP, so hopefully this will guarantee the future of the excellent Web OS, a truly great OS, and the closest rival to IOS in my opinion. The Pre plus itself needs updating, and some killer hardware for HP-Palm would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons. The current hardware, is plasticy, and lacks innovation, although a portrait slider with full qwerty, is always interesting. I really hope a new Web OS device is coming along very soon to give this fantastic OS the credibility it deserves but for now Palm Pre Plus 5/10
