Gadget of the Week: HTC Evo 4G

Smartphone competition is at an all time high this year. There is no shortage of performance, pricey models to choose from. However, one handset features something that nothing else does: WiMAX 4G. Sprint is the first carrier to use 4G speeds, and its HTC Evo 4G, running Google’s Android 2.1 Eclair, is the other hotly anticipated smartphone to be released in June.

W H A T ‘ S - H O T :
+ WiMAX 4G, the fastest speed out there, allows the Evo to download data at rates that make 3G whimper in shame.
+ Sprint’s Hotspot app turns the Evo into a 3G/4G wireless router.
+ The 4.3″ display is one of the biggest on the market, produces satisfying images and colors, and is bright enough to be usable near sunlight. Capacitive multi-touch is also very responsive, far moreso than the Nexus One, Motorola Droid, etc.
+ Equipped with the speedy 1GHz Snapdragon processor, the Evo briskly zips around Android applications.
+ The energetic 1500 mAh battery delivers a commendable 5.5 hours for a 1Ghz phone with a 4.3-inch screen.
+ HTC’s Sense UI is deemed to be the best in the business and takes Android to another level of usability and eye candy. The YouTube HQ application drastically improves high quality YouTube content.
+ The front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera is future proof.
+ The Evo’s body feels sturdy, has clean lines, and may be the prettiest HTC phone.
+ Voice quality is strong, and the speaker is loud.
+ Micro HDMI output with 720p video support is a sweet bonus.
+ Inclusive 8Gb microSD card.
+ Aluminum Kickstand!
+ At 8-megapixel and with dual LED flash and 720p recording, the camera shoots average photographs and passable video. There is virtually no shutter lag.

W H A T ‘ S - N O T :
- 4G coverage is very limited presently. Dropping from 4 bars down to 1 can happen rather abruptly even in urban areas.
- Although $200 with contract is reasonable for a premium smartphone, WiMAX data and voice plans for the Evo begin at $70 per month along with a $10 monthly “Premium Data buy-up” charge –that is $960 annually.
- The extra size of the 4.3″ LCD makes smaller fonts and images easier to see, but the resolution of 800×480 is the same as the HTC Desire, Nexus One, Droid Incredible, LG Ally, and is lower than the Motorola Droid.
+ While the front-facing camera is nice to have, it is also useless for video calling at the moment because Sprint has yet to enable the feature.
- We now know why a digital or analogue joystick/joypad (of which the Evo has none) can be quite practical for selecting very small links/objects and for scrolling.
- Android 2.1 will be replaced by 2.2 FroYo, but Sprint has not officially stated when the update is arriving.