HTC Evo 4G Review

The HTC Evo 4G was the very first 4G smartphone to be produced in the United States. Although there are now a variety of other 4G rivals, how exactly does the Evo compare with the other 4G devices out there? Would it be worth getting hold of one?

Key Features Of The HTC Evo 4G

Rough Price: $160 to $500
Release Year: 2010
Operating System: Android 2.3
Size: 4.8 x 2.6 x 0.5
Weight: 6 oz
Storage Options: 8 GB included, micro-SD expandable up to 32GB
Processor: 1GHz Snapdragon
Screen: 4.3 WVGA capacitive touchscreen
Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
Cameras: 8 MP Main Camera/ 1.3 MP front-facing camera
Internet: 4G, HSDPA, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Battery Life: 5.2 hours talk time, 146 hours standby
Service Provider: Sprint

Primary Advantages Of The HTC Evo 4G

4G Connectivity: As pointed out previously, 4G has been the main selling point with this device. 4G is another type of mobile broadband connection which means you will always have the ability to get connected to the internet even if out of range of a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The beauty of 4G is the fact that it’s a whole lot faster compared to 3G or HSDPA – the technologies currently available to the majority of users. The actual data transfer rates depend upon the network, but Sprint claim you ought to be able to obtain typical download speeds of between 3 and 6 Mb per second when you use your Evo. In case your location isn’t served by 4G (which is definitely an expanding technology) you’ll be able to still connect to 3G broadband.

Hotspot Functionality: Apart from the 4G connectivity features, you will have the cabability to turn your phone into a hotspot for other gadgets. As much as eight Wi-Fi enabled devices may be connected to share your 3G or 4G connection, which can be very handy if you wish to connect your laptop computer or perhaps gaming system in places you wouldn’t normally be able to! Needless to say, this function does add a little to your monthly bill.

Screen: The display on this device is larger compared to what you will see with some others, having an excellent quality 4.3 inch display. The dimensions of this particular screen is somewhat larger than the majority of smartphones available for sale at this time, which does make a difference while browsing internet pages as well as executing other tasks. Every little bit of space is important if you are looking at a device as small as a smartphone!

High Quality Camera: The digital camera in the HTC Evo 4G is among the best you can find on a current smartphone. Equipped with 8 megapixels, it is possible to capture very good quality images and HD movies. The front camera comes in at 1.3 MP for making video calls, which is a great tool to include on a smartphone.

Video Calls: While we’re talking about video calling, the included Qik chat application enables you to make video calls even to individuals who don’t possess a compatible phone. With some other smartphones, the other person is generally required to have the same software. But Qik chat on the HTC Evo 4G may be used to talk with anyone who has the application installed on his or her PC.

Design: The appearance of this phone looks quite good especially considering the size of the display screen. One helpful feature is a snap out stand at the rear of the product. This allows you to prop it up to view videos and movies hands-free.

Call Quality: The call quality on the HTC Evo 4G is remarkably good, regardless of whether you’re using standard calls or the speakerphone.

HTC Sense: On the HTC smartphones, you are going to generally notice that the HTC Sense user interface has been placed over the top of the Android os which adds additional functionality and provides the unit a unique way of operating.

If you are a tech geek who actually prefers Android just the way it is then you possibly will not be pleased about this fact. Nonetheless, HTC Sense does genuinely add something to the interface. Since Android can occasionally be somewhat complicated for the user, HTC Sense helps to keep things as simple to use as possible. Additionally, it provides a number of widgets and tools that can help pull all of your social networking accounts into one place. It’s very user friendly and genuinely looks great.

Controls: The HTC Evo 4G comes with an excellent touch screen keyboard. It doesn’t feel cramped when you’re using it (thanks to the slightly larger screen), and is easy to type with a good level of accuracy. This smartphone also makes use of four touch-sensitive navigation buttons below the screen that help make it easy to access your menu or search everything on the phone.

Connections: The HTC Evo 4G comes with a standard micro-USB port and a Type D connector HDMI port. This means, with the right cable, you can connect the phone up to your TV to view your photos or videos on a bigger screen.

Drawbacks Of The HTC Evo 4G

Size: The HTC Evo 4G does look a little chunky thanks to its bigger screen, and this is a noticeable difference to some of the older HTC smartphone models. It’s also larger and thicker than some of the top smartphone players out there, such as the Apple iPhone 4.

However, most people will be able to put up with this once they see just how good the screen looks on this phone.

Limited 4G: When buying any 4G smartphone it’s always crucial to realize that 4G is not available to everyone at the moment. Always check with the cell phone carrier that you’ll be able to access 4G in your area before making your buying decision on the inclusion of 4G alone.

Battery Life: A large screen like this is bound to use up quite a lot of battery life, unfortunately. Talk time battery life is low at just over four hours, and standby is a measly 146 hours. This is one of the poorest batteries of all the smartphones on the market, so be prepared to use energy saving tricks (such as turning off Wi-Fi, lowering brightness etc.) if you want to get the most out of this smartphone.

Should You Buy The HTC Evo 4G?

With a good quality camera, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and a middle-of-the-range price, the HTC Evo 4G is one of the best Android smartphones available to buy, especially if you live in an area where you can take advantage of the superior 4G download speeds!