Best smartphone besides the iPhone (Verizon Wireless)?

I currently have an iPhone 4s and thanks to the stupid iOS 7 update, my phone's software has been destroyed. I still have a few months left on my plan and am considering getting a different type of phone with my next upgrade. I fear that if I get the iPhone 5, the same thing will eventually happen where the iPhones 6 and 7 will come out, then Apple will gradually force iOS updates with software that is too advanced for the iPhone 5.

*I'm not too concerned with bells and whistles. I don't store music on my phone. I love the amount of apps available to the iPhone, but I'm not one of those people who has an app for everything.

Galaxy s5
HTC m8
Nexus 5

Well if you don't want Iphone, then you have Android, Windows, and Blackberry as an alternative.

Iphone's Rival is the android Samsung Galaxy S 4 and new flagship phone, Samsung Galaxy S 5. Next in line would be the Motorola DROID ULTRAand DROID MAXX, followed by the Moto X, Moto Mini, HTC One.

I suggest you go to a Verizon Store and play with a Android, Windows and Blackberry demo phone. Ask the agent questions. There's a size, shape, and UI for any android user. We don't believe is "force ideology" where "1 phone rules them all".