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Sprint EVO 4G phone details finally solid: June 4 launch, $199
The summer smart phone war just got a little more interesting.
While speculation is that Apple will debut a new version of the iPhone sometime in June, Sprint has firmed up details for its heavyweight contender, the HTC EVO 4G.
The phone will be released June 4 and will cost $199 (after a significant mail-in rebate. Original cost is $450. Word is that Best Buy will take the discount at off at the time of purchase and is already taking preorders.) It is the first mobile phone to run on Sprint’s 4G network, theoretically offering higher data speeds (if you’re in a 4G area like most of Austin), and uses the Android operating system.
If demand for the recently released Droid Incredible are any indication, this one may sell out fast. Sprint has said it had a long waiting list for the phone before pricing and a release date were even announced.
Now, about that pricing — those who buy the phone will be required to pay a $10 fee for 4G data on top of the voice/data plan, even if you don’t live in an area that has 4G service. And if you want to use one of the phone’s most touted features — the ability to turn the EVO into a WI-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices, that’s another $30 a month. With Sprint’s anytime plan ($69.99), the mandatory $10 a month fee and hotspot service, you’re looking at a $110-a-month cell phone bill.
But some might find the phone is worth it. Here are some of the standout features that will make it a strong iPhone competitor if what’s on paper works as advertised:
- Voice and data capabilities at the same time in 4G and Wi-Fi areas (which I’m guessing is not standard on Sprint phones).
- Two cameras — an 8-megapixel auto-focus camera with HD video recording and a forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera (which Sprint says will allow for video chatting).
- HDMI output — you’ll be able to connect it to an HDTV to watch videos from the phone (with a separate HDMI cable).
- A kickstand on the back to hold up the phone for watching videos.
- It will include Flash.
It’ll have Android’s most current features including Google Maps turn-by-turn navigation, Google Goggles and whatever other apps for Android that may be on the horizon.
So what do you think? The phone seems pricey, but has many features that are not yet standard on smartphones and may not even be included in whatever Apple’s new iPhone version will be.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Rear view:
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Comments
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By Jacob
May 13, 2010 12:05 PM | Link to this
Something about having a kickstand really makes me want the phone. I think it's a childhood memory thing. I want it more to hook up to my 57 inch TV. I wonder if I can live without a data plan...