looking for a 'normal phone'; Desire, Xperia X10

The HTC Hero (Sprint) or Droid Eris (Verizon) are fairly small. The Eris I believe has 2.1 already and the Hero is supposed to get it this month. They are both a little inferior to the newer (although larger) phones. The Motorola Droid (Verizon) is also a decent size, and is a more capable phone.

 

Just yesterday there was all sorts of news about the new HTC Wildfire which is a slightly smaller version of the Desire. Only QVGA screen and 500Mhz processor though, so a bit of a step backwards in the spec dept.

Have you actually played with a Desire? It fits nicely into any pocket I have.

 

I forgot to mention to Sony Xperia X10 mini. It's quite a bit smaller than the normal x10, not sure if it's available in Europe.

 

Acer Liquid has a 3.5" screenwhich is big but not too big

 

The Liquid is about the same size as the Desire or iPhone.

Your problem is that HVGA phones seem to be too big, the Legend is about the smallest. QVGA phones (X10 mini, HTC Tattoo) are too small. You're going to have to either decide to live with one of those, or wait and hope someone is making a 2.7" - 3" HVGA phone, which I've never heard of anyone attempting.

I thought the Hero would be too big for my pocket but I soon got used to the weight. I don't even notice my Desire now. I liked the Hero's chin

 

I'm used to smaller phones and the HTC incredible is VERY small, slim, and pocketable. Take a look the next time you pass by Verizon. The biggest phone I ever owned was a BB Bold 9000 and I honestly didn't like its size very much. I've usually owned smaller SE phones.

 

Liquid is the same size as iPhone. Isn't the Desire 3.7"?

 

It is, yes. In terms of overall phone size, the Liquid has more trim so I figure although the Desire has a larger screen (a whole 0.2", that's 5mm), they'll be about the same size. According to GSMArena, the Liquid is wider and deeper than the Desire, but shorter and the same weight.