HTC Evo 4G LTE

HTC EVO 4G LTE REVIEW

With the roll over to LTE from WIMAX, Sprint has taken the path to have Android 4.x on all its new 4G Android devices, the first being the Google flagship Galaxy Nexus. But one of the first third-party LTE Androids is the update to the HTC EVO LTE. The original HTC EVO 4G became the top-selling launch-day phone on Sprint back in 2010. Minor updates to the line followed, such as the EVO 3D, as well as a Star Wars-branded White R2D2 model. So how does the new HTC EVO 4G LTE, an Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0.3) using HTC Sense 4.0 UI stack up to the family title in 2012. The EVO 4G LTE is only 0.35 inches thick, compared to the 0.5 inches of its predecessor, with a form factor of 5.3 inches by 2.7 inches. The screen is a sharp 4.7-inch Capacitive Super-LCD 2, 312 dots per inch with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution at 24-bit (16.7 million) color. To watch HD video is a joy; it’s easy and fair to say it is impressively crystal clear. The HTC EVO 4G LTE comes with two cameras, the front facing one is a commendable 1.3 megapixel, perfect for video chat and Google+ Hangouts. The Camera on the back, though, is an impressive new backlight 8MP camera for handling low light extremely well, with LED flash and autofocus. The rear camera takes some impressive shots and has a bunch of built-in filter effects for the Instagram using faithful. The phone even has a dedicated camera button, which I would love to see on all smartphones. The phone has built in 10GB of space, and support for Micro-SDHC up to 32GB. Sense, the custom UI interface by HTC, has some creature comforts and sports the new update of grouped apps feature of Android 4.0 UI design, social media integration and profile backup. But like other custom UIs on other Android phones, Sense holds back the platform. Also unlike Galaxy Nexus, which makes the home, app, and back buttons part of the display UI, HTC is stuck on using permanent soft buttons, which takes real estate from the screen. I love the hardware of the HTC EVO 4G LTE, I just wish people would use a standard system already for the UI. I get why companies like HTC do it, as how would customers delineate between the phones otherwise and the device experience, but I still don't like it. It's almost like the custom UIs hold back everyone, expanding Android fragmentation. Personally I would love to see the custom UI development teams put to work on custom hardware promoting apps like high-quality camera apps that would take advantage of the hardware perks of the HTC EVO 4G LTE's camera. But luckily HTC knows that a lot of fans of Android have the same feelings on custom UIs; they released the Kernel source code of the HTC EVO 4G LTE. This will allow third-party Android development teams, like Cyanogen Mod, to support the easy to root HTC EVO 4G LTE.  The sleek, slender form factor, even including the signature EVO 4G built-in kickstand, makes this a remarkable update. For the general consumer the phone is impressive, the responsiveness is great. I love the evolution and simple design of the HTC EVO 4G line. The slender form factor did have to give up the removable battery but in the sake of optimization performance increased from the Android 4.0 based firmware, and the SoC hardware integration, it's not a terrible loss. HTC nailed the kickstand, as you can prop the phone up with it in the traditional sense, as well as turn it right over so that the kickstand is resting against the table. Either way it works, which means that you can plug your phone into the charger while you’re kickstanding. Just as you’d expect, the lock button and 3.5mm headphone jack are up top, microUSB is on the top left-hand side, and volume rocker is on the left. There’s also a dedicated camera shutter button on the bottom right-hand side of the phone. Above the Evo's large display is a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for snapping vanity shots or video chatting. Also, just as on the HTC One X, there are three capacitive buttons for back, home, and recent applications below the screen. A stylish silver, oval power button and standard 3.5mm headphone jack are on the handset's top edge. The right side houses a thin black volume bar that I found difficult to press or even locate, as it blends in with the phone's black background. Here, too, are the phone's dedicated camera button crafted in silver and an etched ring-pattern surface. Unfortunately I couldn't get the button to wake up the phone and launch the camera from standby. On the phone's back is its main 8-megapixel camera with LED flash. It sits on the top portion, which is crafted from high-gloss plastic and covers the Evo's microSD card slot. The lower half uses handsome and fingerprint-repellant anodized aluminum. Dividing the two regions is a striking red stripe that conceals a spring-loaded kickstand. It's an awesome feature, one that I feel more big-screen phones should have. I also appreciate how the kickstand functions properly regardless of whether the phone is placed on its left or right side. This phone accommodates a microSD storage device (up to 32GB capacity). The install slot for this us under the top rear cover, which --unlike the EVO 4G-- does not have an obvious "pry point" for removing the cover. Work around the USB/charging port with a thin, flat tool and the cover will snap right off. The separate HDMI port present on the EVO 4G has left the 4G LTE, leaving this phone with just two ports: the USB/charging port (on the side) and a standard aux output. In addition to an on/off button (top), volume controls (right side), there is now a physical camera button on the lower right side of the phone. Video capture is in the .mp4 format, and was crisp and clear even in dim lighting. The 4G LTE has two cameras: one full 1080p HD, the other a front facing 1.3 MP camera. Still images..which can be captured even as the HD is recording are also crisp and clear. The HTC Evo 4G LTE's 2,000mAh battery as providing 7.5 hours of talk time. My anecdotal battery tests, which consist of playing a 720p HD video continuously, reflected the Evo's claimed longevity. The phone persevered for almost 8 hours, 7 hours and 55 minutes to be exact before finally shutting down. Super fast and does everything I need it too, and more. Thinner and lighter than its EVO 4G predecessor. Camera is excellent and takes great video as well Battery life.

SPECIFICATION & FEATURES

HTC EVO 4G LTE PRICE

Price in USA $575

Price in UK £380

Price in EURO €420

Price in PAK Rs.63,000

Price in INDIA Rs.27,500