I'll throw in my $0.02 worth.

I have destroyed several phones at work including a couple of the first generation motorola razrs. My current phones (yes plural) are a fairly cheap samsung SGH-a237 and an iphone 3GS. Both are on the ATT network and in my area I get good performance from both of them (as a phone that is). So far both of these phone have stood up pretty well to my fumbling. Both have been dropped, kicked, stepped on and generally subjected to a lot of accidental stress tests. So far the worst damage is to the samsung which has a couple of deep scratches in the plastic. I do have a (thin) case for the iphone and that may help it some.

For what it is worth I really like the iphone and have not had bad luck with apps for it. Of course I tend to read a lot of reviews and don't just grab "cool" looking apps. The phone has been great when traveling with my son since we need to be able to find gluten free restaurants and groceries as we travel, this makes is almost literally a life saver for us. The other apps I have tend to support my work (engineering type stuff). Like all things in life, YMMV

- Eric