I just got a Samsung Galaxy Ace (android too), and it's pretty nice and easy to use. that's my first smartphone and It actually feels pretty instinctive ! I'm not a specialist but Samsung has nothing to be ashamed of next to apple, and I think Samsung is a bit cheaper.
I don't play or use useless apps on it. I use it to read/send mails, phone, text et... you have all the same usual useful fonctions. The only difference between Samsung /Apple and Blackberry is that the first ones are full tactile where blackberry has a "physical" keyboard (with mini keys, I hate it). The "proness" of blackberry is just for the face of the brand, Obama's phone ya know! but it's basically the same.