A major inconvenience with the iPhone is that the user cannot even change the battery -- one must go to an Apple Center or mail the device into Apple -- downtime quite unacceptable. The next step is to look at the prices and plans available for the phones chosen. This can be done virtually within a few minutes. Since our current contract expires, we are shopping for the least amount out of pocket. All phones but the iPhone can be easily unlocked to work with most any carrier. Most carriers charge $30-50 for activation as well. A simple spreadsheet helps compare plans, expense, etc.:

Phone

Carrier

Contract

Phone Cost w/Contact

Est. Monthly Price

Est. Contract Price including phone

IPhone

AT&T

2 yr.

$199-$299

$99-$119

$2,575-$3,155

Evo

Sprint

2 yr.

$199

$69-$89/individual

$1,855-$2,335

Google

T-Mobile

2 yr.

$179

$89-$99

$2,315-$2,555

HTC Legend/Tilt

AT&T

2 yr.

$199

$99-$119

$2,575-$3,055

Motorola Droid

Verizon

2 yr.

$199

$89-$99

$2,335-$2,575

The prices range from $1,855 (Sprint Evo) to $3,155 (Apple iPhone). All the screens, weight, etc. are not created equal, however,...

Nationwide statistics are great if someone travels a lot, but of more interest is coverage in the area the phone will be 90% of the time. Looking at those figures T-Mobile is on top, Verizon on Bottom. Screen size, however, on the Sprint Evo is largest and it is the only phone (at present) to offer 4G network capability. It is now time to try the Evo, Google, and Droid phones. First step is to pull as much information from CNet and other unbiased 3rd-party sources.
All three are clearly engineered by the same company, HTC. The Evo is the most ergonomic and has the largest screen though, and the Sprint dealer will offer free activation. Based on price, value, free activation, reliability, and feel, then, it is the Sprint Evo that we chose using the following mind map:

REFERENCES

Gonsalves, A 2010, Android Phones Steal Market Share, viewed August 2010,

Nusca, A 2009, Smartphone vs. Feature Phone, viewed August 2010,

< http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/smartphone-vs.-feature-phone-arms-race-heats-up-which-did-you-buy/6836>

ADDITIONAL SOURCES

http://www.att.com http://www.ConsumeSearch.com/Cell-Phones/best-smartphones http://www.consumerreport.org http://www.CNET.com http://www.sprint.com http://www.t-mobile.com http://www.verizon.com

Decision

Narrowed Down to features, benefits, cost over time, and reliability.

3rd Party research

Test -- Feel, weight, keyboard

Offers/Promos