Help with new phone (thinking X10 Mini Pro)

[Vogon Poet]

Hey guys,
I am thinking of getting a new phone I want to go onto a plan. I would like to be on a plan of about $30 a month.
I noticed the Xperia Mini Pro on the Vodafone website has a $30 a month plan. Would this mean you pay $30 a month and nothing extra for the actual phone? And what would you get with that plan (how many messages, talk time etc)? I've never had a smart phone before so is 1 gb per month enough? Are there any other small smart phones available on $30 plans? I figure if you can get them for this price I may as well upgrade to one.

Also I was thinking of getting this phone because I would like a smart phone but I want one that isn't too big that will easily fit in my pockets. Are there any other options available for small smart phones? Would people with the mini and the mini pro recommend them? I think I am more interested in the pro because you have the option of either typing a message with one thumb on the on screen one or using the qwerty keyboard. But I think just the mini would be good as I am used to the old style keypad anyway. So i'm not really sold on any phone yet and i'm also not entirely sold on the mini pro over the mini - although I suppose it would be easier to write emails and long messges with. However, I did notice that the reviews on this site weren't exactly gushing with praise in regards to either of them. Also the x10 mini isn't on the Vodafone site as a plan anyway. Also do you lose too much functionality with the smaller screen? I'm not too worried about this though.

Also I was wondering how does this phone sort messages? Is it like the iphone in that it sorts messages into contacts?
Any why did they only upgrade this phone to Android 2.1? Do the phones come with 2.1 or come with 1.6 and require an upgrade? I know very little about phone OS' so does it really matter that it is only version 2.1? Will it be upgraded to 2.2?

Also what is the community like? Are there lots of aps available? Are many available for free?

Appreciate any help. Apologies for having so many questions. Cheers.

Also what are the aps like?
Sorry for the bits of this that don't make sense I posted this on another forum but didn't get many responses.

[Vogon Poet]

Does anyone think maybe I should be looking at a different phone? Recommendations?

[dmmg]

Well, i'll try to answer some of the questions.
I have a X10 mini (not Pro) and i like it a lot, but I have some friends that prefer the larger screen models. If you plan to often read or edit documents, and write large emails, you may find the small screen really limiting. Also, the X10 mini doesn't has a software qwerty keyboard, even when in horizontal mode.
The 2.1 is already available for upgrade, and the installation procedure is very easy. The software will guide you thru the process. But be aware that you need to connect the phone to a windows computer to do so. They say the 2.2 will be released soon.

[Vogon Poet]

Well, i'll try to answer some of the questions.
I have a X10 mini (not Pro) and i like it a lot, but I have some friends that prefer the larger screen models. If you plan to often read or edit documents, and write large emails, you may find the small screen really limiting. Also, the X10 mini doesn't has a software qwerty keyboard, even when in horizontal mode.
The 2.1 is already available for upgrade, and the installation procedure is very easy. The software will guide you thru the process. But be aware that you need to connect the phone to a windows computer to do so. They say the 2.2 will be released soon.
Thanks mate. So it doesn't come with the update. Also I have a Mac (but there is a PC in my house), can you transfer files etc form mac to the phone? The music might not be in the correct format though.
Thanks.