If size is the issue, I'd go Motorola RAZR M or Incredible 4G. The Inc 4G is aging, but holding it's own (my wife has been using one since October with few complaints).

The RAZR M has a large screen in a small size (around the same size as the iPhone 5, but bigger screen).

I've heard from someone in Verizon QA that former Incredible (first version) owners are more likely to go iPhone than any other, due to the experiences they had with it. I also hear that 40% of them then return the iPhone.

The iPhone isn't bad, but in my opinion, you have to be the type to accept that you always have a phone that seems behind the times. If you've maintained the original Incredible for some time, this might be your style, which should not be taken negatively.