"As you can see there is very little difference between T-Mobile?s 7.2 Mbps 3G data network and the Sprint 4G WiMAX network"
Maybe not in download speeds, but your upload speed more than doubled. Video chat, live Qik streaming, and uploading content to Facebook/YouTube is going to be quite a bit better on 4G.
Several reviews were posted last week on the Sprint HTC EVO 4G and a demo unit was sent to me on Friday. I spent the weekend using it and wanted to post some of my own first impressions before I went offline for a week on a cruise with my wife. I posted my top 10 smartphones of 2010 article on Friday too and had the EVO 4G in the number one spot due to the amazing specifications. After two and a half days of usage, I would have to say I think I made the right choice in awarding the EVO 4G the top place and depending on what Apple announces in a couple of weeks the EVO 4G may soon be mine. Make sure to also check out fellow ZDNet Mobile Gadgeteer Joel’s first impressions on the Sprint HTC EVO 4G too. Check out some Sprint HTC EVO 4G photos and screenshots in my image gallery, the video walk through below, and some more of my initial impressions.
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In the box and first impressions
My first thought when I opened up the FedEx packaging containing the demo Sprint HTC EVO 4G was that Sprint sent along a microwave dinner for me instead of a phone. The EVO 4G comes in a tub that seems to be made of recycled material wrapped in a paper sleeve listing the box contents and showing off an image of the device and some apps. Inside the box you will find the HTC EVO 4G, Li-Ion battery, A/C USB adapter, USB cable, 8GB microSD card (inserted in the device), English and Spanish Getting Started Guides, Basics Guide, Terms and Conditions, and recycling envelope. There are no headphones included with the EVO 4G and no HDMI cable to test this capability.
When I first pulled the EVO 4G out of the box I thought it felt a lot like the HTC Incredible with full soft touch back and red rimmed camera and the HTC HD2 with the large display. It is thicker than the HD2 and is definitely a large device for those who are willing to sacrifice a super pocketable phone for the large display. The thing is built like a tank though and is one of the most solid feeling phones I have ever had the pleasure of trying out. The front display is glossy, but didn’t seem to show many fingerprints as I tapped on the display and it also easily wiped clean. The HTC EVO 4G felt great in my hand and is an extremely attractive slab of tech.
Specifications
Specifications for the Sprint HTC EVO 4G include the following:
- Android 2.1 with HTC Sense 2.5 experience
- 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
- 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash for crisp, detailed images and support for 720p video capture
- Front facing 1.3 megapixel camera for video chat with Qik application
- 4.3 inch WVGA (480×800) capacitive touch display
- Dedicated, touch-sensitive Home, Menu, Back and Search areas
- Proximity sensor, light sensor and digital compass
- Integrated GPS
- Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
- Bluetooth 2.1
- FM radio
- 3.5 mm headset jack
- microSD card slot with included 8GB card
- Integrated WiMAX radio for 4G access and WiFi Hotspot capability
- Loaded Sprint apps, including Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, Sprint Football, and NASCAR Mobile
- Friend Stream for unified Flickr, Facebook and Twitter updates
- Leap view for quick access to all seven home screen panels
- Dimensions: 4.8 x 2.6 x 0.5 inches and 6 ounces
Compared to the HTC Droid Incredible, we see an improved video camera, larger display, WiMAX radio, front facing camera, and weight almost 1.5 ounces more. The EVO 4G is the largest and most powerful Google Android device available and has specifications that are currently unrivaled in the smartphone market. However, specs aren’t always everything and I personally found the HTC Droid Incredible and Google Nexus One a bit more convenient to carry and use.
Walk around the hardware
The large 4.3 inch display takes up most of the front of the EVO 4G and matches the size of the HTC HD2 Windows Mobile device display. I found the display to have a light pink tint and it seemed washed out just a bit to me. Then again, when I have a display with lots of darker icons or backgrounds the display looks just fine so maybe I am being overly sensitive. The T-Mobile HTC HD2 had colors that were more vibrant and the OLED on my Nexus One really blows away the EVO 4G. Then again, the fonts under the application shortcuts appear clearer and crisper on the EVO 4G. The indicator light and proximity sensor are hidden in the silver grill of the earpiece up top with the front facing camera located above the display. There are no physical buttons on the front, but there are four touch sensitive keys/areas at the bottom for Home, Menu, Back, and Search.
Jumping to the right you will find volume keys while the left side is empty. The mic, HDMI port, and microUSB port are found on the bottom. There was no HDMI cable included in the packaging so I was not able to test out this capability. The 3.5mm headset jack and power button are placed on the top of the EVO 4G.
The 8 megapixel camera and dual LED flash lights are found on the upper back. I posted a couple of photos taken this past weekend in my image gallery above. The camera captures 720p video and after taking a few photos at the Sounders game I think this could easily replace your point and shoot camera. Like the HTC Droid Incredible you will find the entire back of the device under the cover colored red with the area around the camera lens also appearing red. The battery has to be removed to access the microSD card and a rather strange plastic release tab is used to raise and lower the microSD card into the slot. There is also a very sturdy metal kickstand (and I do mean sturdy) towards the bottom of the back.
