I know are lots of apps for android, but i'm not sure which phone would be best for me. I have decided on either a blackberry, HTC or Windows 7 phone.

I would want to have a decent size screen, if i was to choose a full touch screen phone at least 3.5 inches to 4.3 inches.

Wouldn't need to get a blackberry for BBM, as won't use it and I could use whatsapp.

I text more than I call, so a hardware qwerty vs software qwerty.

I like the idea of having a few apps and internet on a phone.

I did look at the Dell Streak, but i thought it would be a bit too big.

Screen size vs Screen Resolution?
Blackberry vs Android vs Windows 7
Hardware Qwerty Keyboard vs Software Qwerty Keyboard?

What are the Carphone warehouse like to get a contract? I can''t get the phone I would want from the network directly

Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

Hi,
If you wouldn't use BBM then Blackberry would be a non starter, even the Torch only has a 3.2 inch screen and doesn't give the best browsing experience. A choice of apps would suggest Android is the way to go - the windows market is nothing like the size of Android. So best Android phone for texting on a decent contract without too many minutes.

I'd look at the HTC Desire Z - it's basically an HTC Desire with a pull out qwerty keyboard. You've got a decent 3.7 inch/480*800 screen, Android 2.2/5MP camera/GPS/Google maps etc. Best deal today

Free Desire Z, 300 mins/300 texts/unlimited data = £20/month
HTC Desire Z Deals

Or if you can live with a software qwerty the Desire HD has a better screen and camera although it is physically bigger - but maybe that isn't an issue for you?

Free Desire HD/100 mins/unlimited texts/250mb data = £20/month
Desire HD Deals

Windows now has over 10,000 apps. OP doesn't sound too app-heavy. Yes Android market is over 10 times as large, but any individual only needs a few apps on their phone, I've got less than 15 on mine including games. The larger sizes of the app stores just lead to redundancy and duplication of the same apps.

That said, right now Android might be the better choice for you if whatsapp is important to you - WP7 does not have this right now and uncertain if/when it will get it. (Whatsapp want to make the app but they want more access to the people hub than MS want to let them have).

I recommend you play around with phones of both platforms before you make up your mind. Go to O2 and try out the HTC HD7. Go to three and try out the Samsung Omnia 7, the Samsung Galaxy S and an HTC Desire Z from somewhere.

I think the Dell Venue Pro might be good for you. Portrait sliders with large screens and qwerty keyboards are still quite rare.