Hi folks.

Right, both my wife and I's mobiles are in her name. The contract that I use is fantastic for me (Racoon 25 websave) - it gives me all the minutes and texts I need, plus 500 MB, and for that I pay £22 - £23 per month.

I'm due my early upgrade later on this month, and I've finally decided to get a smartphone (have been using a very trusty, but decidedly dated w995). Now, I really want an Android - my wife got an HTC Wildfire just before Christmas, and even though she was tentative before she got it, she now absolutely loves it.

Needless to say, I want something just that wee bit bigger and better (if only to wind her up) - so I'm looking at either the Xperia X10, the HTC Desire, the Desire HD, or the Samsung Galaxy S. I'm a regular reader over on GSM Arena, so I know the pros and cons (or GSM Arena's ideas of pros and cons anyway) of each handset.

I was warned by quite an offhand CSR at my local Orange shop that absolutely no way would I get a free upgrade to any of those handsets (incidentally, I hadn't even asked for a free upgrade at that point). Not that I was particularly surprised by what she said, I was annoyed at how she said it though - although it shouldn't have been a surprise, because I don't think I've ever come across an Orange shopworker who a) had any idea of decent customer service, and who b), didn't seem to realise that the customer may just have a better idea of how the product worked than they did. Anyway, I'm rambling............................

Anyway - quick questions. Out of the four phones, what is folks favourite, if they have it? Also, in your experience, will phone companies budge a bit regarding upgrades, or are they set in stone.

Thanks for reading - any feedback to my wee tale, or any advice, will be welcome.

Hi welcome to the forum. You may have been better posting in a new thread rather than this one but I'll try and help

Only one of those phones I've had experience of is the X10. And I absolutely hated it and had sold it within 2 months. The desire HD generally has favourable comments on it from what I've heard

I have an x10, which incidently I did get as a free upgrade from Orange.

Wouldn't recommend it. I'm on my 4th replacement due to various faults and the operating system is the outdated Android 2.1 with (allegedly) no further updates planned.

I've had at least a little play with all the handsets you mentioned and would recommend the Desire HD first, then the Samsung, then the normal Desire.

Make sure you have a look at a real Desire HD in a shop and that you're happy with the size as it's a big old unit!

HTH.

I got a free early upgrade through vodafone to a Desire. I got 600 mins, 3000 texts and 1 gb data for £25 - and a free phone. So it can be done. So far after 24 hours I am happy with the Desire though it's a steep learning curve with Android!

I'd be shocked if they wouldn't do a free upgrade to the Desire, that phone is pretty outdated now (in terms of high-end smartphones). Try to imply you'll switch networks if you don't get what you want, but without ever being explicit about it, and they should budge pretty quickly.

As for which of those 4 phones are better, I'd say it's a close call between the Desire HD and the Galaxy S. Both are running fairly similar hardware, although the Desire HD has the beefier specs, both have excellent communities behind them for fault-fixing and advice on how to make your experience better. It's really up to you if you need the extra screen real-estate offered by the Desire HD, or would rather have the market-leading screen quality of the Galaxy S. Either one would be an excellent choice as a first smartphone.

Thank you kindly for your views folks, it's much appreciated.

I think I've narrowed it down to the DHD and the Galaxy S, it'll now be a case of whether Orange are willing to give me either of them!

Thanks again.

I have the galaxy s and i have never enjoyed using a phone so much... this may be that android itself is a great system - i trialled it against the Iphone 4 and HTC, and a sony was also an option.

I bought it outright as i was sick of the stupid contracts being offered, and i have never been happier!

Having owned Sony Ericsson phones in the past I would never go back to them - build quality lately has been atrocious.

Also having owned Samsung in the past I wouldn't get one of theirs either - they promise the Earth in terms of updates only never to deliver (search for problems updating the Galaxy Portal/Spica and even Galaxy S)

I now have a Desire HD and it is the best piece of kit I have ever owned. Granted, battery life isn't amazing but with a few tweaks you can easily get a day out of it. Beefy specs, does almost everything you could ever want from a phone and HTC's Sense UI is brilliant as far as manufacturer bolt on software goes.

i got the desire hd on a free upgrade, try calling orange direct and tell em you want your puc number, they will try to keep you....