The “Super-phone” is here, or so it seems. And I want it, almost.

For a while now I have been looking for my next phone, with my previous contract with 3 expiring in May 09 I decided to switch to a sim-only plan to keep me going until I found something that I needed. For many years Apple have won me over with the iPhone, but unfortunately it is one device from the company that just seems too expensive, at almost double my current monthly cost with no extra benefits other than a fancy phone. So my iPhone “dreams” shall remain just that.

Enter Google. I’ve always liked the idea of the Android platform with seamless integration into Google’s services, it seems perfect as I have Google Apps setup for my Email, Calendar, Contacts, and any other services they are willing to throw my way. The trouble is the hardware has always seemed all over the place to me, with so many models to choose from it gets a bit confusing, by November I had narrowed my choices down to the HTC Magic on a £30/month contract with Vodafone. So I went through the signup process looking forward to the prospect of a nice new toy to play with, but it just wasn’t meant to be. It seems as I am a student with no reliable income I failed their credit checks, looking back I suppose it was likely to happen, I just wasn’t expecting it.

I expected that to be the end of that, although the following day I got a call from someone at Vodafone explaining the situation, and offering me sim only deal £10 cheaper, but with same allowances (just no phone). Initially I dismissed this but he then went on to offer me the phone for free in 3 months time, so I’m willing to wait for that.

But, fast-forward just 1.5 months and I’m back to square one. iPhone is available on Vodafone with (for my purposes & uses) a much better priced contract. It’s awfully tempting, although I would want to wait until June for the next generation of the device.

And this brings me onto the Nexus One, I could have one for around £400 within just a few days. Much cheaper than the 3GS, but still quite expensive for an item which I will basically get bored of in 12 months time and start searching out for a replacement. I do think that this is an interesting route for Google to go down, offering a flagship device which essentially markets the true potential of the Android OS, for a lot cheaper than many competing products. And I want it, all those high numbers thrown around in the spec sheets are screaming out, but I can’t help but think I would regret not going for the iPhone, the one that I have always wanted yet managed to resist.

It would be nice to hear some opinions of these devices from real users, rather than just the usual marketing babble, please post in the comments if you have any experience you wish to share!