I am also waiting patiently for something dual core with a 4+ inch display as my next dev phone... hopefully the next dev phone that's released (no samsung for me... blec).
Samsung would have to do something pretty special to get me to buy one. HTC or Motorola are the only android phones I'd consider buying anymore, HTC being the first choice.
htc devices have a cheaper *feel than a comparable motorola in my opinion... but I like them nonetheless.
I'd totally agree with you in that statement on every phone up to the Thunderbolt and other unibody phones from HTC. They feel extremely solid in the hand, just like the D1 does. Now, I can't say I'd still expect it to withstand all the drops my Droid has withstood, even with a case. I haven't had a case on my Droid since the month after I got it over a year ago, and it withstands every single drop I have given it. It truly is a brick