Cell phones: Right cell phone for me

To answer your questions...

First of all, if you haven't bought a new cell phone in a while, you will likely find that phones available today (even the free ones from the online stores) are smaller and more lightweight yet have much longer battery life than any older phone.

Secondly, the shape or appearance of the antenna means nothing. The other question you were asked about which network you want is the more important issue. CDMA networks (such as Verizon and Sprint) tend to require heavier, more expensive phones with external stub antennas. GSM networks (such as T-Mobile and Cingular) tend to have a much wider selection of phones. Pound for pound, GSM phones tend to be cheaper, lighter weight and smaller, and have internal antennas that don't stick out. There are of course exceptions.