At yesterday’s HTC/Sprint event, I wasn’t too surprised to hear Sprint lavish the EVO line with praise. As they pointed out, Sprint introduced the EVO 4G two years ago and the 3D last year. Now, the company is giving us the third generation of the EVO franchise, and while at first glance it just seemed like a Sprint take on the HTC One brand (in fact, several tipsters claimed it would be called the EVO One), it turned out that there was some more going on under the hood.
The HTC EVO 4G LTE has a crisp, vivid 4.7 HD display. Pictures and video looked awesome during our brief hands-on. Even cooler is that your video doesn’t have to stay on your device to take up valuable memory. Sprint will make available an optional accessory for wireless HD streaming. Unlike Apple’s AirPlay, which only sends video, this solution will allow you to use an HDTV as an actual monitor for your phone. We only got to see a quick demo, but to call it impressive as hell would be an understatement.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvXn6AI-D5s’]
HTC was particularly proud of the camera in the EVO 4G LTE. The smartphone manufacturer’s goal was to make a “real camera that happened to be in a phone.” The camera can take rapid fire shots, which is nice, but what’s nicer is the ability to take a photo while taking a video. This is something my VHS-C camcorder could do in 1999, so it’s good to see this seemingly simple tech coming to phones. Hit the dedicated camera button while taking a video or even while watching one to snap a picture. Oh yes, that’s right — there’s a dedicated camera button. One other neat function of the camera button is that holding it while the phone is on standby takes you right to the camera app.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6kx8fq4DOU’]
Sprint is pushing the phone functionality as the EVO 4G LTE will be the first phone with “HD Voice”, which is created by using tech Sprint adds as it rolls out LTE and tech in the phone itself. For example, the EVO 4G LTE has two microphones, like many noise-canceling Bluetooth headsets.
On the topic of sound, let’s not forget the addition of Beats Audio. Sprint has opened Beats to the entire OS instead of just its own music app. For example, Pandora can now take advantage of the technology. You can also turn it off if you like. All of your music apps reside in HTC’s Music Hub. This is a clever, elegant idea.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pUzq3FyCS4′]
Physically, the phone is just lovely. All thin and black with red highlights. Despite the large screen size, it doesn’t feel unwieldy in my hand. In fact, it was so light and well-balanced as to make me wonder if I was holding anything. The EVO’s kickstand sees a return and I gotta say, I like it. HTC’s Sense 4.0 is a lot less intrusive than previous versions, and the phone was snappy as all-get-out. Frankly, I was almost embarrassed to be seen with my ancient Palm Pre.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV5kR3XceIQ’]
Priced at $199 and set for release some time in the second quarter of 2012, I have to say that the EVO 4G LTE has me far more intrigued than I thought I would be.
Evo = Evolution …What is dull about that name .. Oh Come On Mannnnnnnn
Evo 4G LTE is kinda dull. It lacks panache.
But I give it credit for brand consistency.
I’m onto my second HTC phone now; I recently upgrade from the Desire to the Velocity. If they keep up this kind of quality, I can’t see myself ever using another brand of phone.