It all starts with what you need to do with the smart phone. Within the rather wide genre of "Smart phones", there are a lot of choices.

Almost always, it's a good idea to start with the OS of your choice. If you are used to Mac OS, you'll appreciate iPhone and its successors. If you've used Android before, this is what you might want to use. Both iPhone and Android based phones have to plenty to go for them -- this part of the Industry is constantly evolving, I am sure you know.

If your company pushes a phone into your hands, you'll use it of course. I am guessing it usually is a Blackberry. Some companies will have you choose your own smart phone.

For self-employed, business persons, etc., it's a good idea to start with popular consumer-based, personal smartphones (you can always add applications to turn them into nifty business assets).

Essentially then, it all boils down to this for you:

• Budget
• Type and Usage: business or personal? -- All smartphones can serve both categories as long as they have popular OS powering them up.
• Community support, popularity, application development scene behind the OS (Currently iOS and Android lead the scene with Windows and Symbian trailing behind)

This should help you narrow down your choices. Remember that the next phone release will be better, stronger, and more efficient than the one you'll buy ( more often than not). Don't let that bother you. Just buy and use it for as long as you want. You'll have choices when you decide to buy again.