What decent Android handset to use instead of iPhone 5?

Hello community,

I'm intending to replace my useful, but very slow Nokia N8 with something that would have a greater number of useful applications. As I'm a Mac user, my natural choice was the iPhone 5, but considered its grossly overpriced compared to its sibling, the iPod Touch (Same for the iPhone 4S): while the iPod costs $300, the iPhone 5 is $700, and the 4S, $600, all before taxes.

Now, I'm seriously considering an Android such as the Galaxy S3 or Nexus 4, but I know big G is all about quantity, not quality. So far, no fan-Droid was able to provide me with a clear answer on that.

I want a phone that:
- makes a good wireless modem without drying the battery in 2 hours
- supports the most common applications, including (gasp!) commercial ones I use, say, to find a good place to chill out with friends in an unknown "barrio"
- top quality predictive texting (Apple's iPod Touch being the best I tried so far)
- supports third-party IMAPS servers, with supports for aliases.
- supports standards-based, not Google-based, calendar sync, as well as Mac Address book, ideally locally, or through the cloud. Considering difficulties in easily accessing a wifi network in this city, local sync would be preferable, though not mandatory.
- native eduroam authentication

To support it all, there are only two platforms meeting these requirements: iPhone OS and Android. Windows Mobile still isn't a significant player when it comes to application, neither is Blackberry, nor Symbian.
I am still concerned about the reputation of insecurity that Android market has, but the completely unreasonable price tag of the iPhones, even to Apple standards, push me in the other direction.

What other handsets can be considered?

Well, battery life isn't my biggest concern. I would like to be able to pull a full working day out of it, including tethering, and not be forced to have a spare charger, which I wasn't able to do with the N8 and its 6-hours battery. 3G drains battery really fast also, and is completely unnecessary for voice. Do these handset allow one to exclusively use GSM for voice conversation, 3G or LTE for all data-relAted tasks?

If android, it has to be easily rootable, cleanable (especially from the crap manufacturers preinstall, much as on Windows). Lets not forget about eduroam, so far I was told that it may not be natively supported in Android. Experiences?

I had an eye on the Note II, but is simply too large to be comfortably used as a phone. As for better predictive texting on Android than iOS, how can you do better than the best? Also, is the sensitive quality of Android devices on par with iPhone? As for the apps, I'm more impulsive. If I use a service I like, I start looking for an application.

What is SwiftKeys?

I had something called SwiftKeys or Swype on my Nokia N8, but I found it very slow to learn, and not so efficient if you're not into the habit os swiping your finger to enter a word. Plus, it was a major battery hog. But if these bugs were ironed out and battery draw reduced to what it should be (no more than standard typing), I'm willing to give it a try once again.

As for the other requirements, are they all met?

Ok, it seems I have started an uncontrollable flow of enthusiasm from Android fans.. So let me re-paste requirements, numbered for your convenience:

1. - makes a good wireless modem without drying the battery in 2 hours
2. - supports the most common applications, including (gasp!) commercial ones I use, say, to find a good place to chill out with friends in an unknown "barrio"
3. - top quality predictive texting (Apple's iPod Touch being the best I tried so far)
4. - supports third-party IMAPS servers, with supports for aliases.
5. - supports standards-based, not Google-based, calendar sync, as well as Mac Address book, ideally locally, or through the cloud. Considering difficulties in easily accessing a wifi network in this city, local sync would be preferable, though not mandatory.
6. - native eduroam authentication

Are these criteria met?
I would hate buying a spanking new handset only to find out it doesn't fit my needs and return it / resell it.

Doesn't answer my updated question, still. I'm starting to understand that Androids, generally speaking, do have a battery life issue.