What Advice Would You Give a First Time Smartphone Buyer?

Smartphones are all the rage right now, and millions of people are considering upgrading from their old featurephone to an iPhone or a BlackBerry or maybe a Droid. But this can be a nerve-wracking process for the inexperienced. What would those of you who have already made the switch like to tell people who are shopping for their first smartphone?

Buying a high-end phone is a big commitment -- many of these devices cost $200, and there's the monthly service cost. It's not something to be entered into lightly. But if you don't know someone who's an expert on smartphones it can be hard to find good advice.

That's why I'm asking the long-time Brighthand readers to share their best suggestions. Please post any general advice you have for someone in the market for their first high-end phone.

I think any advice would be helpful. What is you favorite wireless carrier? Which is better: iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, webOS? Is a physical keyboard a necessity?

Please post your suggestions in the Brighthand Forums. If possible I'd like you to go into a bit of detail in your responses, so people will understand why you're saying what you are.

And I'd like to thank all of you who take the time share their advice on behalf of those who a looking for some kind of guidance in picking a new phone.