Abilene (ip-192.com): Sprint is launching the first 4G capable phone on June 04. With a 4.3-inch touch screen, the HTC Evo 4G not only beets every other Android powered phone, but also Apple's iPhone featuring a 3.5-inch display. When running on the WiMAX network, Sprint promises download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G, or 3 to 6 mbps on average. Users will be able to share the wireless connection with up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices.
The phone currently runs on Google's Android 2.1 software, and rumors have it that Sprint will offer an upgrade path to version 2.2. The new version will offer USB tethering and Adobe 10.1 Flash support, among other features. Like the next generation iPhone, the Evo 4G has two cameras. The high resolution rear facing optic provides 8 million pixels (MP). The 1.3 MP front facing camera is intended for video conferencing. Dual flash, upgradable memory via a microSD slot, a FM radio and Amazon MP3 store, Bluetooth 2.1, and a hands-free kickstand come standard. The phone is powered by a 1GHz QUALCOMM processor and ships with 1GB ROM and 512 MB RAM.
This clearly makes the HTC Evo 4G one of the most advanced phones, if 4G coverage is available. Currently, a population of about 40 million people is covered, and Sprint says that Clearwire (the company that operates the WiMAX network) will expand coverage to approximately 120 million people by the end of 2010. If 4G is not available, the phone will use the existing 3G network.
The HTC Evo 4G can simultaneously handle voice and data transmissions, and the large screen makes it suitable for HD video.
Price is another issue. While offered for a reasonable $200, Sprint announced that it will charge a $10 premium on top of its $70 unlimited everything plan, regardless of 4G availability. Users who like to share the connection with other Wi-Fi devices have to pay another premium of $30 per month, which brings the offering to $110 before surcharges and taxes.
Photo: Sprint/HTC
[...] to Android 2.2 later in the year. This will include the new Sprint Evo 4G (ip-192.com reported here), the Desire, the Droid, and most likely any other phones currently under [...]