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HTC EVO 4G Android Phone (Sprint)

HTC EVO 4G Android Phone (Sprint)

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Brand: HTC
Category: Wireless

List Price: $499.99
Buy New: $199.99
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Seller: Amazon.com
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 78 reviews
Sales Rank: 58

Color: Black
Media: Wireless Phone
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0

Model: EVO
UPC: 821793005788
ASIN: B003N9B3CY

Release Date: June 4, 2010
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Availability: Usually ships in 5 to 7 weeks

Features:
  • Android-powered phone with 4G wireless connectivity for download speeds up to 10x faster than 3G (also compatible with 3G networks)
  • Sprint TV and Amazon MP3 Store enabled; GPS turn-by-turn directions via Sprint Navigation; access to thousands of apps from Android Market
  • Wi-Fi networking (with optional hotspot capability); 8-MP camera with HD video capture; front-facing 1.3-MP camera for video chats; microSD expansion to 32 GB; Bluetooth stereo music
  • Up to 6 hours of talk time; released in June, 1020
  • What's in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, 8 GB microSD memory card, quick start guide, user manual

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com Product Description

Exclusively from Sprint, the HTC EVO 4G mobile phone is the world's first 3G/4G Android handset, offering simultaneous voice and data connectivity and download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G. Additionally, the HTC EVO 4G can still connect to 3G data services in areas not currently served by Sprint's 4G network (learn more about Sprint's 4G network below).



The HTC EVO 4G's 4.3-inch screen is perfect for watching video on the go (see larger image).
Packed full of powerful mobile communication and multimedia features, the HTC EVO 4G has a large, vibrant 4.3 inch display and a built-in kickstand for easy viewing of videos--from Sprint TV programming to HD movies captured on the 8-megapixel auto-focus camera. It's powered by a screaming fast 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and Google's Android 2.1 operating system. With integrated Google technology, the HTC EVO 4G brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by Voice, YouTube and Picasa. The HTC EVO 4G also provides easy access to both personal and corporate email, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail.

And through Android Market, you'll get access to thousands of useful applications, widgets and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day. The HTC EVO 4G also includes HTC Sense, a user interface overlay from HTC that makes it easy for you to create an individualized mobile experience tailored specifically to your needs.

The forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera makes it easy to have video calls using the two-way voice and video service from Qik (upgraded account service required). And with built-in mobile hotspot functionality, the HTC EVO 4G also allows up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices--including laptop, camera, music player, video player and any other Wi-Fi-enabled device--to enjoy the benefits of 4G speeds on the go. Other features include music downloads from the Amazon MP3 Store, microSD memory expansion (8 GB card included; optional 32 GB cards supported), Adobe Flash support, HDMI audio/video output, and up to 6 hours of battery life (learn more about power management on the HTC EVO 4G).



The HTC EVO 4G offers lightning fast 4G speeds, Android 2.1 operating system, and a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor (see larger image).


The handy kickstand makes it easy to watch videos on-the-go.

Sprint's Blazing Fast 4G Network

Sprint 4G offers a faster wireless experience than any other U.S. national wireless carrier, and Sprint is the only national carrier offering wireless 4G service in 32 markets (with more coming online soon). Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G, giving the HTC EVO 4G the fastest data speeds of any U.S. wireless device available today. Sprint 4G network coverage is expected to reach 120 million people by the end of 2010.

Sprint 4G services dramatically increase download speeds for photos, videos and large files. You can download a favorite song, picture, sitcom or large video in seconds, not minutes, or watch live streaming video- all while on the go, not just from the home or office. Additionally, businesses can benefit from the fast connectivity speeds of 4G. Some examples include:

  • Real estate agents can conduct virtual property tours.
  • Construction teams using 4G in the field can save valuable time by sharing schematics with engineers online.
  • Insurance companies can speed their claims management through real-time communication with on-site adjusters.
  • Health care professionals can improve their ability to remotely monitor patients.
  • Emergency first responders can rapidly assess and coordinate disaster action with real-time on-site video and audio.
  • Photojournalists can instantly transfer high-resolution images to the newsroom.
Learn more about what to expect when switching between 3G and 4G coverage.

Key Features

  • Ultra-fast 4G connectivity with simultaneous voice and data capability (peak download speeds of more than 10 Mbps; peak upload speeds of 1 Mbps; average download speeds of 3-6 Mbps)
  • 3G data speeds (EVDO Rev A.) in areas not yet served by 4G (peak download speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps; peak upload speeds of 1.8 Mbps; average download speeds of 600 kbps-1.4 Mbps)
  • Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
  • Built-in mobile hotspot functionality allows up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 3G or 4G experience on the go with a laptop, camera, music player, game unit, video player, or any other Wi-Fi enabled device.
  • Powered by the Android 2.1 operating system with deep integration of Google services and access to thousands of apps to customize your phone via the Android Market.
  • Google mobile services including Google Search, Google Maps, Google Talk, Gmail, YouTube , and syncing with Google Calendar
  • Access to Google Goggles to search with pictures instead of words. It works with everything from books, DVDs and barcodes to landmarks, logos, artwork and wine labels.
  • Updated HTC Sense user experience includes Friend Stream to integrate Facebook, Twitter and more into a single flow of updates.
  • 1 GHz Snapdragon processor speeds up everything--from playing games to watching shows to opening files from work.
  • GPS using Sprint Navigation for turn by turn directions, and points of interest searches
  • 4.3-inch capacitive display with pinch-to-zoom and tactile feedback
  • 8-megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED flash
  • Capture HD-quality video (720p)
  • HDMI audio/video port enables you to output pictures, slides and videos in HD quality (720p) via HDMI cable (sold separately)
  • Forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera for making video calls. Two-way voice and video capability will be available as an upgrade to the preloaded Qik app on HTC EVO 4G to enable conversational, interactive, real-time sharing between mobile devices or from mobile-to-desktop.
  • Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
  • Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB (8 GB card included).
  • Digital audio player and FM radio
  • Access to personal and corporate e-mail with Microsoft Direct Push Technology and HTML support. Send and receive email from multiple corporate and personal email accounts. Also, get wireless email access to popular commercial POP3 and IMAP accounts like AOL, Gmail, and Yahoo!
  • Instant messaging via popular services including Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger.
  • View documents including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF on the go to maximize your productivity
  • Visual Voicemail gives you quick and easy access to just the messages you want to listen to by letting you go directly to a specific message, without needing to listen to or skip past previous messages.
  • Full HTML Web browser
  • Adobe Flash technology ensures that rich Internet content, such as embedded video and animation, are displayed the way they are meant to be seen.
  • Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
  • Built-in kickstand for hands-free viewing
  • 3.5mm stereo headset jack

Vital Statistics
The HTC EVO 4G weighs 6 ounces and measures 4.8 x 2.6 x 0.5 inches. It comes with a large-capacity, 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery with up to 6 hours of battery life. It runs on Sprint's 4G network as well as the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A frequencies.

What's in the Box
HTC EVO 4G handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, 8 GB microSD memory card, quick start guide, user manual

Sprint Services

  • GPS capable with Sprint Navigation: This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone--by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, "Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street." As you approach the turn, you will hear, "Turn right on Elm Street." Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it's easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.

  • Sprint TV enabled: With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive video service combines high-quality streaming audio and video from channels including the NFL Network, ABC, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, E!, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and more.

  • Stay Sporty with Sprint: With NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, instantly connect to the NASCAR information you want, when you want it. Follow NASCAR action from practice to race day with real-time leaderboard and alerts. Get exclusive access to your favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver with real-time driver stats, breaking news and more. Live in-car audio, race radio, NASCAR on SPEED and other audio/video only available on select phones. Visit sprint.com/speed for details.

    To access, just text "NASCAR" to 7777 on your Sprint phone or visit the Sprint Digital Lounge to download NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile (standard text messaging and data rates apply).

    This phone also provides access to Sprint Football Live--free for any phone with a data plan. You'll be able to follow all the live play-by-play action with the Live Game Center for both pro and college football games, as well as stay on top of the pro football draft with a Live Draft Tracker and in-depth analysis and bios on nearly 500 top prospects. Access by texting "FOOTBALL" to 7777 on the handset to download Sprint Football Live from Sprint Digital Lounge (standard text messaging and data rates apply).

Learn More

HTC EVO 4G Power Management

The HTC EVO 4G offers new capabilities for a smartphone that require more power, which can impact its battery life more than what you may have experienced using other smartphones.

  • It has more radios to power (3G, 4G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS).
  • It features a larger screen than most typical smartphones.
  • It offers more capabilities than most typical smartphones, including:
    • Management of multiple email accounts and syncing
    • WiFi access point
    • WiFi Router capability
    • 4G data
    • GPS
    • Access to several 3rd party applications through the Market
    • Applications and Processes running in the background

With the HTC EVO 4G, you have the ability to manage your phone's power consumption to optimize its battery life. These include:

Battery Usage Tools
Before you are ready to charge your phone you can view what has been using your battery during this charge cycle.
  • Settings -> About Phone -> Battery -> Battery use
Multiple Radios

The multiple radios on this device will use battery life even when you are not using them.

  • To improve battery life, turn off your Bluetooth, GPS, 4G, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Sprint Mobile Hotspot if you are not using them.
4G Connectivity

The 4G radio should only be turned ON when the improved network speed is required for an application, such as YouTube, Web Browsing, or Sprint Mobile Hotspot. When not in use, its important to use the built-in 4G widget (preloaded on Home tile left of center) to turn the 4G radio OFF.

If you have your 4G radio ON, but are no longer in 4G coverage then your device will be scanning in an attempt to re-acquire the 4G network. Your battery can be significantly drained by the scanning processes, so if you know you will be out of 4G coverage for an extended period of time or if you are not acquiring a 4G signal as indicated in the task bar, it would be important to turn your 4G radio OFF.

E-mail Applications Settings

The e-mail settings allow you to setup peak and off-peak hours for e-mail sync on each email account.

  • Pop Account
    • Mail -> Menu -> More -> Settings -> Send & Receive -> Set Download Frequency
  • Exchange Account
    • Mail -> Menu -> More -> Settings -> Send & Receive -> Schedule

Generally, less frequent syncing equates to better battery life.

Google Talk

As soon as you sign up for the Google Market or Gmail with your Gmail account information, you are also signed in to the Google Talk instant messaging application. The Talk application tracks the presence of your Google Talk contacts in order to let you know who is available to instant message. Each presence change uses a small amount of power even if you do not have the Talk application open.

If you have numerous contacts who are changing presence throughout the day all of these small impacts to your battery can add up to significantly shorten your battery life.

To see a complete list of power management tips for the HTC EVO 4G, click here to read this PDF overview.

Switching between 3G and 4G coverage



Browser app connection warning.


Mail app connection warning.

When switching between 3G and 4G coverage, the HTC EVO 4G may experience a very brief interruption of data service as the device switches network connections. During this brief interruption, applications attempting to access data may be unable to do so and may display an error message. Below are some examples of how to proceed if an error message appears on the device. Other data-usage applications may experience a very brief interruption and will continue functioning once the network handoff is complete.

  • Mail application: Simply tap the Cancel button and refresh your inbox after a few seconds by tapping Menu > Refresh.
  • Browser application: Simply wait a few seconds and attempt loading the webpage again by tapping the refresh arrows or re-entering the address.
  • YouTube: Simply tap the OK button and attempt loading the desired video again
  • Sprint Mobile Hotspot: The Sprint Mobile Hotspot will remain on, but there will be no internet connectivity until the device reconnects to the data network.
  • Pandora: Pandora may briefly pause until connectivity to the data network is restored




Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 78
1 2 3 4 5 6 ...16Next »



5 out of 5 stars Worth the hype/wait, absolutely love it!!   June 6, 2010
Khan Noonien Singh (Costa Mesa, CA)
102 out of 106 found this review helpful

Updated 9/5 (for brief Epic comparison): I've been on Sprint since 2005 and have pretty much had their best phone: Mogul, Touch Pro, Pre and now the one that makes all those look silly (though WebOS is wonderful), the HTC Evo.

Let's start off with the battery life myth: If you've had a smart phone before, it's not hard to get great (not just ok) battery life with the Evo. I was already happy with my battery life, but since the Froyo update 2 weeks ago, I am easily making it 36 hours without charging. If Sprint has poor coverage in your area and you are often roaming, then your battery life will be reduced from my results.

Android 2.2 is easy to use and you will love all the Marketplace apps to customize it as your own. The 7 home screens are plenty and can be hard to fill up when you have so many other useful tools and shortcuts from some of the terrific apps developers have made. The navigation works so well that it's replacing my Garmin Nuvi 265WT. I have tons of music loaded onto a 16GB card and Doubletwist player has a nice and fast UI. I use RockPlayer to watch AVI and DropBox to wirelessly add episodes of House or Breaking Bad every few days. I wasn't thrilled with the arrows on the stock keyboard or the look of the messaging app, so with Android, guess what you do? Replace them! I replaced those with Better Keyboard and Handcent and love them.

Speech recognition: Wonderful! I've been using this more than typing. They say don't text and drive, but I can voice-to-text and drive. Speach is also in navigation apps and works well. I also use it all the time in the search bar and the function of being able to say "maps of ___ bank" or "directions to ___ restaurant" have been very handy.

Voice quality: I make a lot of calls, and usually 3-4 a day to people I've never talked to before. Calls are very clear and they need to be. I get 4-6 out of 6 bars from Los Angeles, all over Orange County, down to Chula Vista. I would be beyond frustrated with anything else. This obviously depends on your region, but in Southern California, I get excellent reception everywhere I go.

Camera: I took several pictures at the Long Beach Aquarium and they came out nicely. I also brought my Canon Elph 12mp and those came out better but if you are expecting a phone to be on par with a dedicated camera, that's a little unrealistic.

vs. iPhone 4: since many will make the comparison, it's fair to touch upon and since I've used it for several hours (I resell used ones), I'm qualified. If you already have an iPhone, it doesn't matter how glowing my review of the EVO is, you're most likely getting the iPhone 4. If you want things really simple and won't ever concern yourself with customizing, root/or jailbreak etc., that's an area iOS, to it's credit, excels in. If you like to customize all the little details to your liking, then Android is for you, simple as that. The display on the iPhone 4 does look nice but it's not really something you think of when you are using it, despite Apple embellishing this feature. I get why people love their iPhones, but I don't get why those in bad coverage areas would sacrifice the phone function of a phone, something a lot of my friends do. Get an Ipod Touch (or iPad), tether it, and get a phone from a carrier in your area that has good reception. This seems to be a hard concept for a lot of people to understand.

Epic 4G: I've been using the Epic for a few days now as my main phone. The Epic has much more vibrant colors with the Super AMOLED screen (so it makes sense that T-Mobile's version is called Vibrant). Physical keyboard is personal preference but the only time I used it was to test it. I prefer the software keyboard by a wide margin, so it's unnecessary. If you plan on playing a lot of games with your phone, Samsung's Hummingbird CPU will leave the Evo in the dust. The Epic is a great phone and the SAMOLED screen is impressive. I would gladly pay the $50 premium to get that screen on the Evo, but I'll get over it. The Evo has the edge in everything else I prefer and judging from recent history, I expect it to get a Gingerbread update several weeks before the Epic.

BOTTOM LINE: Shop for carrier coverage in your area, BEFORE the phone, unless you don't make that many calls. A great phone with poor coverage is not so great anymore. If Sprint sucks in your area, don't get it. If Sprint is awesome, like it is in Orange County, CA, you are going to love the EVO.



5 out of 5 stars The Apple iPhone Is So 2009, says Evo   June 7, 2010
C. Brown (Phoenix, AZ USA)
72 out of 75 found this review helpful

The Evo is THE alternative for those not wanting to put up with the iPhone restrictions or AT&T's well publicized shortcomings.
As a proud new owner since Friday I can honestly say the Evo lives up to the hype - and then some.
A warning though: the Evo is much larger than the iPhone and pretty much any other phone out there. For tall/large folks with large
hands this is actually wonderful, but for those who like the tiniest, sleekest toys to go along with their midget hands, this thing isn't it.

Regardless if you live in a Sprint 4G area, you'll pay an extra $10 fee. If you haven't already, you also need to upgrade to one of Sprint's more expensive plans.

Keep in mind that, as with all Androids, you can turn off and/or customize almost any feature you don't like. The Evo is not quite as intuitive to learn as the iPhone but it's also
a lot more capable and powerful. The growing Android app marketplace really helps with this.


PROS
Gorgeous, gigantic, super bright, crystal clear screen. Best. Screen. Ever.
Truly fast at everything - apps launch instantly, everything is just "zippy",
Powerful enough to run a bunch of stuff simultaneously without slowing down at all
Very modern and "hip" interface.
Fantastic integration with all things Google (Maps, Gmail, Google Voice, etc.), Social Networks (Friend Stream is amazing), and GPS
Call quality is excellent
WiFi works very well
Touch screen is VERY sensitive and fast. Could be Pro or a Con.
Videos are unbelievably large and crisp on this thing - no other phone comes close yet
Has lots of options and customization features
8 Megapixel camera AND HD video camcorder (!) surprisingly good quality for a phone
Does eBooks very well (need free eBook reader)
Android app market is huge and growing fast. Downloads and installs are super simple and fast.
Everything about this thing is just fast.
Casing/back doesn't show fingerprints or lint much at all (screen is another story, see below)
Did I mention it's FAST?

CONS
Battery Life. This makes sense as the gigantic screen by itself likes to eat up juice when in use. WiFi, Bluetooth and certain auto-updating apps also drain the battery.
Suggestion: turn WiFi OFF when you leave your house. Keep the default timeout setting to 1 minute or so to make sure the screen turns off after a short time of not
using the device. Turn Bluetooth off if you're not using it. Reduce screen brightness, it's set to Auto by default when you get the Evo.

Default email client not super intuitive, plus polling intervals can not be set to anything shorter than 5 minutes. Email client can easily be replaced with other apps if you wish though.

Touch screen is VERY sensitive and fast. Some folks might need to get used to how fast/sensitive it is. Could be a Pro or a Con.

Soft keyboard has some minor quirks, mostly in terms of intuitiveness. Hard to describe here.

For people with larger hands like me, the Evo is perfect. For someone with very small hands, this device could be a nightmare to use. Seriously - it's LARGE.

Like all touch devices, the touch screen is a fingerprint magnet


SUMMARY
If you are on Sprint (or considering switching) and want the fastest and arguably best device out there at this time, the Evo is it.



5 out of 5 stars Chose this over the IPhone, no regrets!   June 14, 2010
D. Porter (UT USA)
27 out of 27 found this review helpful

I have had this phone for almost a week now. The only other phone I considered was the new IPhone, so far I am very pleased with my decision. Before purchasing this phone I had Palm and Microsoft SmartPhones. I also have an IPod touch at home that I use regularly and love. I didn't have any experience with Android.

Pros:
-This is a large phone. I was worried about this at first, but it is not cumbersome to use as a phone, and the large display looks great! I have large hands and my previous phones all had QWERTY keyboards. I was worried about the switch to soft keys. The large display makes texting and typing easier than I expected.
-Android is great! Having used Apple products for a long time, I was nervous that Android would be a step down in terms of usability. Quite the opposite is true, the interface is very intuitive and easy to use.
-Applications. I have downloaded many apps (widgets). I was surprised to find that most of what I was using on my IPod touch had comparable apps for Android. There are a few I am waiting on (Audible is a big one to me, but it isn't out on the IPhone yet either).
-EMail. I didn't have a Gmail account until I got this phone, but I created one and used it to import all of my contacts from Outlook. I have been using Google Earth, Google Documents, and of course Gmail on the phone. All work perfectly and I am finding myself drawn into the Google world. I wonder if I'll ever go back to Hotmail or Yahoo....
-The camera is great! I don't know why I would even bother carrying a point-and-shoot anymore. The flash and zoom are new to me on a phone camera, and both work well. I haven't taken a bad photo yet. The ability to easily do basic editing of photos on the phone makes sharing pictures easier than anything else I've tried.
-On the same note, the video camera also works great. I haven't tried the HDMI output yet but am anxious to do it. I have taken several videos and uploaded them to the Internet, seamless.
-Sprint Navigation and Sprint TV both work well. I haven't even tried Google Maps turn-by-turn navigation yet, I'm sure that I will.
-Speech recognition. Most queries can be done verbally instead of by typing them in. Speech to text for contacts and navigation works well, so long as I pronounce clearly I have had no problems.
-Good For Enterprise. I didn't want to single out one app, but this one deserves it. This application allows me to attach to my calendar, email, and contacts in Microsoft Exchange at work. Thus far it has worked flawlessly, and gives me all the business functionality I need on a much, much, MUCH cooler phone than a Blackberry.

Not-So-Pros (I can't really say cons):
-Battery Life. Granted it is my first week so I had almost everything turned on all week. I will work on a power management plan going forward. I usually charge my phone overnight, but with GPS, data, and Wi-Fi running, plus using the phone extensively I have to recharge during the day. I'm hoping I can find a happy medium that allows me to go all day without recharging. On a good note, all my mini-USB accessories from my last Palm phone work fine to charge the phone.

As I said, I was considering either this phone or the new IPhone. Feature for feature they are very similar, and since I already had ITunes and multiple IPods it seemed a no-brainer to get the IPhone. What brought me to the Evo was not the phone, but the carrier. I chose the carrier first, the phone second.

I have been very happy with Sprint's network for years now, both data and voice. I am concerned that AT&T is no longer offering unlimited data on the IPhone, no doubt driven by the fact that their network was unprepared and overwhelmed by the IPhone's success. I've heard AT&T's spin control (most people don't use 2Gig per month, they are spending a ton upgrading their network, blah blah blah), but the experience of my friends who have the IPhone is always "the phone is great, the network is not". I have a family plan with 4 phones; my Sprint plan with 4 smartphones (unlimited data and text on all 4) cost less per month than AT&T's plan to have one IPhone (limited data) and three phones (no data). In the end, the Sprint network (faster, unlimited data, and cheaper) made the IPhone, much as I wanted it, the wrong choice for me.

At this point, I assume when I replace this phone the IPhone will be available on Sprint. No doubt if I could have had an IPhone on Sprint I would have done that. However I'm impressed enough by the HTC phone and Google OS to say that even though a week ago Apple could have had my business (on the right network) that next time they will have to earn it. Nothing against Apple, but I like this phone that much.

***Update 6/18/2010

I continue to be very happy with my decision to stay on Sprint and purchase the Evo. A few updates:

-Battery Life. After some time online in a few forums, I have tuned my phone so that I am getting about 30 hours between charges. Turning off GPS and Bluetooth when not in use (there are easy switches on the homepage), switching to WiFi at home instead of 3G, and limiting checks for the Good app and email did most of the work. Since I usually charge every night, this is more than enough for me. I still use the phone about 1-2 hours during the day for voice, plus about an hour of data.

-Apps. I have installed 32 applications. Only had problems with 2, and they were low-rated freebies. The Amazon.com app, Flickster, Pandora, ATK, Google Earth, Sprint TV and Sprint Navigation continue to be favorites. Google Maps also is very easy to use.

-Sprint. Performance on the Sprint network is great. Given the mess AT&T had with the new IPhone orders this week, and the fact that something like a million new IPhones will be going on the already overloaded AT&T network, I feel even better in my decision to choose the carrier first and the phone second.



5 out of 5 stars Convergence is here - and it works pretty well!   June 13, 2010
Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA)
26 out of 26 found this review helpful

I've been n the technology industry for a long time and over the past several decades, I've heard a number of visionaries (real and wannabe) prophesy about the day when the computer could be held in the palm of your hand and you'd use it for everything without compromising on anything.

Well if that day isn't entirely here, it is very, very close as is demonstrated with the Sprint HTC Evo 4G.

This is one amazing machine.

The 4.3" screen is absolutely marvelous. Unlike my last four HTC smartphones (PPC6700, PPC6800, Touch Pro, Touch Pro 2), I can read without squinting!

The Android Operating System puts Windows Mobile 6 (or whatever they are calling it these days) to shame.

The 1 Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor is blazingly fast. Multitasking is quick and efficient.

Available RAM is a bit on the chintzy side.

There's a lot of bloatware installed on the system, but that is easily gotten rid of. You have to be extremely careful with setting options since, as delivered, the Evo 4G will suck your battery dry within a few hours of just sitting there and seemingly doing nothing. In my early days of experimentation, I went from 100% charge when I went to bed to 15% by morning. This is one device where you really want to learn all you can about it. Read the manual, delve deeply into the settings and follow the forums. When people talk about poor battery life on this phone, they're being honest but also exposing their ignorance or unwillingness to optimize the battery life. My suggestion to Sprint, HTC and Google would be to deliver the Evo 4G with all the battery sucking options turned off and thus avoid the unnecessary bad rap about battery life.

I have never been a fan of onscreen keyboards - until now. The onscreen keyboard on the Evo is great. It took me a little while to gain accuracy and speed, but I am now as fast if not faster than with the slider keyboards on my earlier HTC smartphones. One of the first purchases I made to complement the Evo is the Freedom Pro Bluetooth keyboard. (You also have to buy drivers for it from Google's Market service.) Couple that with any of several notes applications, email or QuickOffice and you can leave your laptop at home on many occasions. By the way, the Evo will support the new 32GB microSDHC cards.

The Evo, with an optional Sprint service, can serve as a WiFi access point for up to eight other devices. The service while seemingly pricey is half the cost of Sprint's standalone data service. Sprint levies a $10 surcharge on monthly usage fees for the Evo. Allegedly this is to cover truly unlimited data service on 4G networks. The problem I'v encountered is that Sprint's 4G service in Chicago is spotty and practically impossible to obtain indoors. When you can get 4G, It can be blazingly fast - but it can often also be no better than a good 3G connection as well. To date, I am not overly impressed with 4G in terms of actual availability.

Evo has two cameras. The rear-facing one is typical of higher end cell phone cameras. Usable, but not great, pictures. The twin LED flash helps a lot. The front-facing camera can be used with the Qik service for video calls. So far I am not impressed with Qik and the fact that are adding a surcharge for "premium" features which, in my opinion, shouldn't be considered premium doesn't help. Fring allows you to use Skype and Skype itself has promised an Android client this year.

There are many cool things about this phone. It is, in my opinion, physically beautiful. I like the large size and it fits my hand well. The Android OS, so far, has been dependable with no system crashes. An occasional application crash, but not the OS itself. The four capacitive buttons on the bottom work more often than not. The volume controls on the right side are a design error in my view, but they work well enough.

The HTC Sense User Interface, which I had turned off on my HTC Touch Pro and Touch Pro 2 smartphones has finally reached a level of maturity where it adds to the convenience of using the device.

Call quality has been quite acceptable.

Many tasks that can drive you mad on other phones are simple on the Evo. Finding and connecting with new WiFi and Bluetooth devices is as simple as it can get.

That said, the WiFi and phone receivers on the Evo seem exceptionally poor. I lose the WiFi signal in my unit, something that does not occur with my other phones or computers. Likewise my Sprint signal is far weaker indoors than with any of my previous Sprint HTC phones. This may, in fact, turn out to be a dealbreaker for me. Having had the unit for a week now, I have eliminated all the other possibilities for the poor reception - it is the Evo at fault here and I will be communicating with Sprint this next week to learn what they intend to do about the problem. The forums have been filled with complaints about these issues and, if my experience is a guide, with good reason.

Google's Android Market offers a broad array of software, much of it useful. I have downloaded a number of programs, free and paid, and found them useful.

A couple of little blessings: a kickstand on the back so you can conveniently watch videos or listen to music or books and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Overall this is an incredible piece of work. With my Bluetooth external keyboard, I can see myself leaving the laptop at home on many occasions. The Evo, so far, handles all my basic tasks smoothly, quickly and efficiently.

You have to really learn about this device in order to manage power consumption - otherwise your battery life will be abysmal. And many, including myself, are unhappy with what might be weak WiFi and cell receivers or may be a firmware problem. I am hoping that the problem can be resolved soon.

Sprint, HTC and Google have done a real number on the Sprint HTC Evo 4G. It is outstanding, a true engineering masterpiece. All the power you need for your everyday work tasks and communication fitted into the palm of your hand. On top of that, it is a great entertainment center as well, the 4.3" screen being more than adequate for watching most movies and video. Speaker volume is adequate and speaker fidelity is as bad as any other. Use headphones for your listening.

The Evo is a great device and probably more fun to play with than I am entitled to have.

Jerry



5 out of 5 stars Love my EVO.   June 17, 2010
Richard Cabrera (Miami)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Got 2 of these on "Opening Day" - June 4th, 2010. My local Best buy had a limited amount of Evo's - I was unaware of this at the time - I noticed there was a couple at the mobile center setting up their new Evo's. So my wife an I indicated to the Rep that we also want a couple of Evo's. She gladly told us that to give her a moment and she would set us up. 5 mins went buy (It was about 10am) and a few more people starting forming a line behind us.. So the rep inquired who else was there for the evo? Well, EVERYONE WAS there for the evo. To close out the story, my wife and I got 2 of the last 3 phones left at the store that day.

Ok now to my/our experience

I'm transitioning from a Blackberry Curve 8330 to the HTC Evo. The only recent experience I had with touch screens was my iTouch which I gave my self for Xmas this past year. I really like my itouch, so I was torn between waiting for the iphone (6/24/2010) or getting the EVO. I'm so glad I got the EVO..

PROS
1 - The screen is HUGE... The Automatic brightness level is GREAT. I did download an app which I can pop up simple level controls so I can minimize battery consumption when I'm using the phone. but overall I keep the brightness on auto.
2 - Battery life for a phone that size, the amount of data it crunches in/out, the speed of the processor, etc, etc.. Is not all that bad. I charge it overnight, use it for about 30mins on my train ride into work, use it casually at work, really use it a lot at lunch time, by around 2pm I'm down to about 40% battery. Thats not bad in my opinion.. Again, I'm using task killer apps, brightness level controls, etc. to minimize battery consumption but nevertheless it does a good job at holding battery life.
3 - WiFi Tethering or Hotspot works flawlessly.
4 - Android OS is great. I'm still getting used to how things work but overall I'm really happy with it.
5 - Google integration - I LOVE THIS FEATURE. although I had a blackberry, it wasn't an enterprise server one. therefore I had to manually sync my contacts with BB's desktop manager (WHAT A PAIN THAT WAS). I always had duplicate meetings, wrong calendar events, deleted contacts, added contacts.. A ROYAL MESS.. - In comes GOOGLE Calendar, Google Contacts, Google everything and WAla... Life is GOOD...
6 - 8mp camera - Just like other owners have said, it's GREAT. Zoom feature is a bit cumbersome and takes some time to get used to it (im still working on that) but it works and it works well.
7 - 720p recorder.. AWESOME.. my daughter had a ballett recitale a few days and I took about 20 mins of HD video.. LOOKS GREAT.
8 - Front camera is good idea. I'm messing around with Qik (Video conferencing App) but I've only done 1 test.. Gotta try it again. Seems to work ok.
9 - Sprint has excellent tower/service coverage throughout Miami. So I've always been pretty happy with sprint.
10 - Weight is not that bad. For the size, the accessories the phone has, the processor, etc, etc. It's pretty balanced out. My wife doesn't seem to mind the weight, and she's a picky one when it comes to how heavy the phone is.
11 - GET ONE, GET ONE NOW... I got 2 at best buy 6/4/2010 for 199 each. [...]

CONS
1 - $10 data charge (WTF)I don't have 4g in my area, Sprint doesn't say when I'll have it in my area, never was anything mentioned about $10 extra data charge on the plan to have these phones. Why offer an "Unlimited Family Data Plan" if it's not really unlimited.??? This really has me upset. I might not be that upset about it if we had 4g in my area but we don't...
2 - $30 for wifi hotspot option. WTF again... This was a feature that was going to be offered as part of the data plan. Now it's $30 per month.. What's up with that? I mentioned earlier that the Wifi hotspot works great. Well it does, there are apps that can assist in getting the service working. Look into it. Tricky to do it but works. And just like a rep from sprint told me a couple of days ago, if you are forced into the $10 charge take full advantage of the data service. I tried to get more info about why the $10 and the rep honestly told me that they were not given any information why. He was sorry to have to tell me that but they just don't know.
3 - My wife doesn't like the power button. she has long finger nails and it's a pain for her to turn on the phone. specially since we have the slide cases to protect the phone on.
4 - OTTERBOX hasn't come out with a case for this. I'm already on the WAITING list with them. I did get an email notifiying me that it's in the works and will soon be released. I LOVE the OTTERBox on my iTouch.. It's GREAT..
5 - Android Market is not as nice as Apples. itunes is a nice software to have to synce your ipod/iphone. back it up, and do other things to the ipod. Android doesn't have anything quite that good yet. There are talks about something comeing out soon, but it's not out yet. I have read some articles, where you can actually integrate your itunes with the Android phone. I'm going to try that out this weekend.
6 - Apple definetly has a lot nicer FREE apps than Android. I do have to tip my hat off to Apple for that one. then again, they have a few years lead time on Android with making apps. Android will catch up, I'm sure...


Thats pretty much my story. Hope the review helps in any sort of way.
Enjoy the EVO if you do get it.


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