Mobile operator Sprint has announced that the HTC EVO 4G—what’s being touted as the first 4G phone in the United States—will go on sale June 4 for $199. The phone gets its 4G credentials for running on Sprint’s WiMax network; however, if you live (or travel to) an area where WiMax isn’t available, the device drops down to 3G service to continue providing connectivity. And Sprint is very much aware that people would like to use a WiMax device with their computers and other WiFi-enabled gear: for $29.99 per month on top of other service charges, folks will be able to use the HTC EVO 4G as a mobile hotspot for up to eight devices.
“HTC EVO 4G is a fantastic 3G device, but when you use it in our growing 4G coverage area, it becomes a multimedia powerhouse,” said Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, in a statement. “The EVO 4G experience is much like going from TV to HDTV. But EVO has more than just an impressive list of features—it is also fun to use with remarkable gaming, video, and Web-browsing capabilities.”
The HTC EVO 4G will run the Android 2.1 platform, meaning it has access to a world of Android applications in addition to built-in email, mapping, Web-browsing, messaging and social networking capabilities. The HTC EVO 4G features a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, two cameras (one forward-facing 1.3 megapixel webcam for video chat capabilities and an 8 megapixel camera for photographs and capturing HD video). The phone also features integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 wireless networking, an FM radio receiver, integrated GPS, and a cute little built-in kickstand so the phone can be set up to show videos or images on a tabletop or other surface. The HTC EVO 4G also has HD video cable capability, and an HDMI output for pushing high-definition content out to a big screen television or other HDMI-savvy display. The phone ships with an 8 GB microSD card, but supports capacities up to 32 GB.
Of course, the phone’s signature feature is its capability to tap into 4G service from via WiMax, with peak download speeds of more than 10 Mbps (an average is more like 3–6 Mbps) and top upload speeds of 1 Mbps. The phone can act like a hotspot for up to eight additional Wi-Fi devices, and will drop down to 3G EVDO Rev. A connectivity if it can’t connect to WiMax.
The Sprint HTC EVO 4G will be available through all Sprint retail channels beginning June 4 for $199, after a $100 mail-in rebate and with a new two-year service agreement. Sprint’s “Everything Data” plans start at $69.99 per month; $10 more per month upgrades to “Premium Data” service. For an addition $29.99 per month, Sprint will let customers use the HTC EVO 4G as a mobile hotspot for up to eight devices.
As with most smartphones, the initial cost of the phone is almost negligible compared to the cost of voice and data service over the course of a two-year contract—particularly, in this case, with mobile hotspot service added on. But for folks who live in a WiMax-enabled market—and who absolutely need 4G speeds—the HTC EVO 4G will be hard to resist.
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