Well yes, upgrade time and frankly there's nothing out there that drawing my eye to it.

I'm currently using a HTC desire (first one) with Vodafone. Last upgrade I was being bolshy and got put through to the retentions people and so managed to get what I wanted for £20 a month (300 mins, unlimited txt, 500mb internet)

My issue is that there doesn't seem to be a phone out there that's grabbing my attention. Ok so it might be a bit of me being out of the loop so here's where I need some help.

The options I had thought of were
1) The new Samsung SIII
2) A Sony model (whatever the best one is, I forget)
3) IPhone

The problems I face with each of these is
1) I figure the size of some of the newer phones is simply too big for the pocket - same reason I haven't mentioned the newer HTCs (that and after having the desire for 2 years, I want something else) - are these phones really pocket-worthy?
2) Not having better ideas I figured maybe a Sony Experia. Mainly because not many people have them and because a lot of my other stuff is Sony. Is there a reason lots of people don't have them? Ie, are they any good? Another issue with this option is that Vodafone don't carry the Sonys - that can be remedied by selling what I do choose to upgrade to however.
3) I hadn't wanted to join the Apple ranks but would do if it meant getting a decent deal. I had thoughts about haggling a 4s out of them then selling it and buying something else (which would then bring us back to the start and deciding which phone to get).

Basically, does anyone have any ideas as to what actions I should take? It's guaranteed that I will be talking to retentions and as such the normal rules won't apply regarding normal contract costs.
I'm just in a quandry at the moment as nothing seems to light my fire and my dear old HTC is irritating me at times.

Dear DS, what should I do?

The Samsung S3 is definitely not too big for the pocket.

The 4s goes for under £30 per month at the moment, but don't expect people to be offering good "deals" on them even once the next one comes out. Apple are rubbish like that.

I have no clue on the SonyEricsson stuff, sorry.

Depends if you want to spend about £30-35 a month. If so, just wait a couple of weeks and see what the next iPhone has to offer, then decide between that, the S3, or any of the new HTC offerings (that I think are being announced this month as well).

Well if you're looking to get a phone free on upgrade and sell it, you'll maximise your money with an iPhone or Samsung SIII as they're the top of the range devices and are holding their prices well at the moment.

If you want a phone to keep, then you're already on Android, so surely you'd want to continue to use any apps you've bought, so that would exclude iPhone.

You may also have trouble getting much of a deal on iPhone, even from retentions, as Apple don't give the carriers much scope with discounts.

unless you're desperate, at least see that the iphone 5 has up its sleeve in a couple of weeks.

Pocket wise, I can fit my 7" nexus tablet in my front pocket (it sticks out a bit, but it's there). Ask nicely and I'm sure they'll let you try the s3 in your pockets for size. (be sure to ask though, will look dodgy otherwise!) People that actually own the S3, and the Galaxy Note, which is even bigger, don't complain about its size. (except for Tracey of course)

To confuse you further,there's always the Nexus phones rumoured to be coming out in the autumn as well - pure Google without the touchwiz/sense stuff so guaranteed quick software updates.

AND, with 4g networks rolling out from Orange and T-Mobile before the end of the year, I'd be very tempted to ensure any new phone is compatible (right now, none are, likely to change in the next month or two)

I wouldn't worry about 4G. It's not really something that should be on most people's radar for the next 12-24 months.

I wouldn't worry about the size of phones, since were all screwed now Apple seems to of for some reason made the iPhone 5 bigger.

Why the hell they just couldnt of reduced the black borders top and bottom of the iPhone 4s screen keeping the phone the same size but giving a slightly bigger screen.

I think I'm gonna drag another 12 months out of my iPhone 4s and see if next year a "New" iPhone comes out not just a iPhone 5s. Hopefully by then this thing for ridiculously large phones will have passed by and were back to sensible phone sizes.

In the same spirit it is obviously so that Samsung don't sue them for copying the Galaxy S2.

You dont have to upgrade. If there is nothing inspiring you, stick to the phone you have and switch to a sim-only-deal. It will save you money.

I was delighted with my 3.7" screen. Used it for 18 months, having had an iPhone for 18 months before that.

Then got the Galaxy Nexus, which I thought would feel massive. And it did for a week. Beautiful colour, bright and lots of contrast. But big.

Then I sold my old phone and had to use it to wipe all my stuff. And it was too small. I could barely read it, had to hold it closer. Was irritated by the lack of stuff on the screen at any one time.

The GNex doesn't feel bit in my pocket and is worth every inch.

Phones are becoming the primary was of checking mail, using social sites and reading the web, in ways that they weren't 2 years ago. Small screens are a thing of the past.

The only thing that will make small phones come back is folding screens.

Having said that, I know there are lots of fans but the Note stops being a good phone size.

I have just upgraded from an obsolete HTC Wildfire. For me it was a choice between the S2 and the S3. I went for the S2 as the S3 seemed just a bit too large to me, and it was £49 down then £20 a month, as opposed to £149 down and £26 a month.

Both plans (with Vodafone) are 100 mins, 500 texts, 250MB 24 months, which is plenty for me. YMMV.

Although the fashionistas would say it's yesterday's model, I am delighted with my choice. Well, I would be, wouldn't I, when comparing it to the HTC Wildfire (The bluetooth connection with the Wildfire kept dropping out in the car - this phone is rock solid.)

The SGS2 is still a fantastic phone.

Its still an amazingly good phone.

The S3 however is NOT to big for any pocket! I have mine in my trouser pocket and most times in my shirt pocket.

Sort of true.

Yes I've thought about not bothering to upgrade and just going sim-only. But frankly I'm on £20 a month currently. I'm fairly sure I could get a Samsung out of them for the same a month - going sim only wouldn't save me a huge amount. Plus what I'd be left with is a 2 year old HTC whose battery life is becoming a joke and which likes to delete ALL messages when it wants. Frankly I've had enough of this handset (and it's tainted my opinion of HTCs enough to mean that they aren't on my radar really).

The iPhone 5 will be longer than current iPhones so look for deals with a 4S or a 4. You can also look at HTC One S.

http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/products/phones/


All you need to know about the Xperia range.