Need smartphone recommendations

[espresso1967]

Being a blackberry user for many years, now I find myself helping my wife get a new phone. She is coming form an iphone, does not want a blackberry. So with that said what is a solid phone that I could help test and recommend to her? How is the Atrix on battery life and what other high end phones does everyone recommend?

Or are there new phones coming soon that I can advise her to hold off?

Thanks in advance

[Gawain]

I am not super familiar with how Android OS is with battery life on a GSM phone, that being said, if she's not a "power" user into rooting and multiple home screens, you may want to add WP7 devices to your list. The Samsung Focus seems to be a pretty sharp device. It has a decent sized battery too.

I only mention that because if she's coming from an iPhone, she's clearly looking for a new "experience" but will likely want similar integration of phone/mp3/movie/marketplace/et al. The WP7 is really the only other truly "fully" integrated platform out there.

Also, while it would cost more because you'd have to buy one unlocked, check out the Pre 2 GSM from HP. webOS is the most underrated OS out there in my opinion. If she wants something smaller, the HP Veer will be out soon (again, likely unlocked from HP).

If you must go Android, based on my own observations, I would look at HTC instead of Motorola. I like Motorola's hardware, but their "MotoBlur" overlay is not as well executed as HTC's Sense UI.

My 2-cents...

[blackberry-unlocking710]

how about HTC or Samsung?

[mikolina]

Nokia... Just kidding.

I agree with WebOS. If she's not a heavy user, she should be fine with lacking some apps. And I find that it is the most intuitive OS to use (but then I guess that's personal opinion.) If she can wait until the Pre 3 comes out...

[wiggy11]

Battery life on the Android devices leaves you wanting more, especially if you know the good battery life on the BB. Any Android that I have used or expereinced through coworkers gets 2 - 8 hours depending on usage, but not a full 12 hours so you find yourself having to charge mid day.