What are you going to use the phone for? Is it simply to talk? If that's the case, then a "smartphone" is not for you. Youl'll be paying for features you won't use - web browsing, texting, email, etc. It is difficult to find a phone nowadays that is just for talking. The major players want you to not only talk, but text, get email, browse, FB, Twitter, music, videos, etc.
If you just want to talk, check with wireless carriers who may have "basic" phones available, or a low level smartphone. It's getting harder and harder to find these phones. Depending on the provider, calling packages are determined by the number of minutes/mo you want, as well as the number of phones you have. The data packages usually start around $30.00/mo and up IN ADDITION to the calling package. My wife has a basic phone with 450 min/mo and unlimited texting for $45.00/mo through Verizon.
Both the Droid and iPhone have all the 'bell and whistle' features. As someone said, the operating systems are different. They both basically do the same things. I know several people with Droids. I've had a Blackberry and now have an iPhone. I have to say I like the iPhone better, but that's just me.
EDIT: What happened to my formatting?
|UPDATED|11/5/2011 12:04:10 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
______________
Lifetime Member #55
'77 Orange L48 SOLD
'00 Black FRC SOLD
(click to see a larger version)