Which phone for technophobe?

[Elimentals]

I'm almost surprised to find myself saying this, but I think you should get a Nokia Lumia.

My reasoning:

1. There's no complicated customisation in Windows Phone 7. The UI incredibly simple. The most you'll ever have to do is re-arrange tiles on your homescreen.

2. Likewise, the aesthetics are designed to promote ease of use. The UI consists of big fonts, big tiles, and simple menus. It's the ultimate in smartphone simplicity.

3. Despite points #1 and #2, it is still a "real" smartphone platform. (I wouldn't say the same about Blackberry.) It has an interface that was designed for touchscreens. It's smooth and fast. You can download apps and games. It syncs with the cloud. It has good developer support - more than 100,000 apps in its app store at last count. The OS will "grow" with you as become more confident in using a smartphone.

(And maybe, after your next upgrade, you'll be ready for something like Android, which is more powerful and more flexible, but also slightly more complicated to use.)

4. If you go with a mid-range option like the Lumia 710, you can get a pretty well-spec'ed phone for a reasonable price.

I was gonna say WP, only problem was that OP wanted a phone that was "Life proof" and value for money, and for me the Defy fits this best. Hence the Android phone with an Alternative launcher like Launcher 7 or Big Launcher to address the technophobe section.

[RyanC]

Well after more searching Im stumped! Apparently 8ta and Nashua mobile are the only ones that sell the defy +, I got an email address of a branch manager for 8ta and wrote to her. I got a very nice reply saying they dont stock that phone, and its not part of the range they are going to stock!
Nashua will sell it at a vast price, and then only if I take out a contract with them. Since Im moving to Zim soon thats a bit pointless.

Are there any motorola reps on here?
It seems a bit pointless advertizing a phone, then not stocking it anywhere. Im going to have to start my search again.

[Vulk]

Well after more searching Im stumped! Apparently 8ta and Nashua mobile are the only ones that sell the defy +, I got an email address of a branch manager for 8ta and wrote to her. I got a very nice reply saying they dont stock that phone, and its not part of the range they are going to stock!
Nashua will sell it at a vast price, and then only if I take out a contract with them. Since Im moving to Zim soon thats a bit pointless.

Are there any motorola reps on here?
It seems a bit pointless advertizing a phone, then not stocking it anywhere. Im going to have to start my search again.

I thought you were sticking with BB?

Nevertheless, if you're going for Android, might I suggest checking out the HTC One V? It's stylish, not too expensive, and has similar specs to the Defy+. Best of all, it runs Android 4.0, where as the Defy+ only has Android 2.3. I really can't understate what a big deal this is - Android 4.0 is a huge improvement over its predecessors, across the board.

[RyanC]

Thanks Vulk
Im using the BB, but I hate it, it will barely let me open a webpage, the keypad is too small etc etc. I'll have a look at the HTC.
I've got to the stage where I really want a new phone, like a kid wanting a new toy!

I've been looking at buying a phone on the internet, but I'd rather pay a bit more here and have a local warantee.

[Vulk]

Thanks Vulk
Im using the BB, but I hate it, it will barely let me open a webpage, the keypad is too small etc etc. I'll have a look at the HTC.
I've got to the stage where I really want a new phone, like a kid wanting a new toy!

I've been looking at buying a phone on the internet, but I'd rather pay a bit more here and have a local warantee.

I don't suppose you know anyone who will be visiting the US the near future? If you do, ask them to buy you the Galaxy Nexus from Google Play