Two problems here:
First, cell phones are no longer just phones; they are computers. If they have a vulnerable service on an open port, you can get in. The same rules that apply to computer security apply to phone security, with a few exceptions (most computers can't receive SMS, most phones don't run HTTP, etc.). If you're looking to gain control over an iPhone, you will pretty much need to 0day it or find a flaw in a popular web app, most of which will be sandboxed. In short, not super easy but it has been done.
Second, the phone network is different than a computer network. You'll want to take a look at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_network and branch out from there. There's a lot of proprietary and complex shit going on to make sure Allison can talk to Becca about why Cody is *sooo* much hotter than Derek. There was a decent talk at DefCon/BlackHat (can't remember which) a few years back about intercepting phone calls by posing as a legitimate base station. Basically phones don't check authenticity of their station before placing a call, so the closest station wins.
Sorta relevant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnSK8AotyyMI can't find the video right now (in a bit of a hurry) of the rogue base station, but this vid is not bad either.
Long story longer, nothing will necessarily be "easier" to hack, but if you learn the tech behind it and think a bit, you can start seeing patterns. Patterns are easy to break.