A crash course in smart phones

I'm pretty technically savvy when it comes to computers and things like that, but my phone died today and I'm going to make my first foray into the world of smart phones.

I really don't know anything about smartphones. To me, it seems like it might just be a money pit for me where I wind up trying to keep up with the latest and the greatest. Since I know nothing a crash course would be greatly appreciated.

I would be using the phone for basic things, calls text messages downloading apps, nothing too technically intense or rigorous.

I definitely want one that will allow me to use as much voice recognition as possible. Ideally I would like to be able to dictate text messages and emails.

thanks in advance for the advice.