Before you start thinking of which handheld radio is best, think about the practicality of a handheld radio for you. Do you have one or more repeaters nearby? The range of a handheld radio may not be as much as you're thinking. 4 or 5 watts and a small antenna may not be the best match for a first radio. Many new hams quickly purchase a handheld model, only to find out that they are not able to reach a repeater (or anyone else via simplex).
Would you be using the handheld in your vehicle? Handheld radios do not work well in vehicles. Sure, you could add an external antenna and connect to vehicle power, but now you've got a rats nest of wires to deal with. Do you really want to connect/disconnect all those cables several times a day?
If you don't have a lot of nearby repeaters, or if you spend a lot of time indoors, or a lot of time in your vehicle, perhaps you should consider a more-powerful base/mobile rig instead.
So... handheld or mobile - give it some serious thought before you give in to the latest and greatest bells and whistles.