Virgin Mobile Goes 4G, And Another EVO Is Born

With Sprint transitioning to a4G network based on LTE instead of WiMax, I was wondering what the company would do with the old fiber — other than support existing handsets, that is. It looks like Spring will use that infrastructure to prop up their no-contract networks. While competing network MetroPCS does offer a (pricey and throttled)4G pre-pay plan, Virgin is adding the speed without tagging on the price. Rates start at $35 a month, and you can get the advantage of high speed without dealing with high price.

Virgin will also be adding two new Broadband2Go devices with a USB stick called the U600 and an Overdrive wireless hotspot. These are great for frequent travelers.

What about phones though, you ask? Virgin has announced the EVO V 4G to handle your need for speed. Due out on May 31, this handset brings Android 4.0 to the pre-pay party. While it does have Sense 3.6 instead of the new Sense 4.0, I suspect only a small subset of people care.

For the most part, the device seems like a reworked original EVO, what with the 4.3 qHD screen (the best screen on Virgin phones), but the rear cameras is 5 MP instead of 8 and includes support for 3D imaging. Not bad. In addition, the battery is a 1730 mAh battery instead of the universally reviled 1500 mAh in the original EVO.  Those two tweaks may be enough to keep this from just being last year’s high-end tossed to the pre-pay wolves.

coughmotorolatriumphcough

Priced at $299, it may cost more than some high-end handsets on Sprint, but your monthly savings make this an awesome deal.