Sprint has a lot riding on the HTC EVO, the first smartphone device (i.e., not a dongle) for its WiMax network. That’s why when it initially reported extraordinarily strong sales (300,000-plus in the first day alone), the industry took notice. Unfortunately, the reports were wrong, which Sprint was forced to admit in a follow-up statement (it had only sold half that number). The device itself also seems to be getting mixed reviews.
Sprint pointed some of the early praise, including:
* “Sprint HTC EVO 4G! There, do we have your attention? Of course we do, it’s hard to ignore the phone that has proven to be the hottest Android kit for the foreseeable future.” –IntoMobile
* “If you want the biggest, brawniest, most ridiculously muscular phone you can buy, it’s the Evo.” – Gizmodo
* “The HTC EVO 4G represents a huge step forward for both the Android platform and Sprint’s 4G network.” – PC World
But more recently, the device has taken some lumps. Battery life is apparently abysmal, and the HTC Sense user interface — which overlays the standard Android OS — is no longer as appealing as it was when Android was just out of the gate, with Wired calling Android skins “an acne problem.” Meanwhile, TechCrunch called it a “seriously flawed device,” echoing some of those same concerns:
I’m an Android Fanboy, and I’m telling you not to buy this device. The battery life is abysmal – MobileCrunch calls it a “dealbreaker” and I agree. Yes you can do a few things to get a little extra time out of it, but this device routinely runs out of power while sitting on standby overnight next to my bed. You aren’t just charging this once a day. Or twice a day. You need to be thinking about your next power fix just about any time you are using it. I keep chargers at home, in my office, in my car, and an extra one to suck power from my laptop. That keeps it going, but it isn’t fun.
And it’s more than that. The HTC Sense user interface and all the extra HTC and Sprint software on this device just makes it a joke for anyone that wants to fully control and customize their device. You can get rid of or at least turn off much of it, but it’s a pain to do that. And worse, you can’t upgrade the Android OS to new releases until HTC and Sprint are ready to let you do that. See Gizmodo for a full analysis of the problem.
Connected Planet’s take,
Kevin Fitchard:
Ouch. Sprint — and arguably the whole WiMax industry — needs this device to be a win. It’s only a few months before the first LTE networks launch and a year before we start seeing LTE handsets. If Sprint wants to make the most of the advantage, it needs a device people will fawn over. I suppose you could argue that the reviews on the gadget sites don’t matter much, that smartphones are now in the mainstream, and the mass market can make its own decisions. But in this case, Sprint and HTC need warmth and fuzziness from the Wireds and the TechCrunches. The only thing that really distinguishes this device from other smartphones and even other Android devices is its 4G chip, and very few people have a clear grasp of what “4G” means. Early adopters read the blogs religiously, and early adopters are what Sprint really needs right now.
That’s our take on this. Let us know what you think in the comments section below:
“The HTC Sense user interface — which overlays the standard Android OS — is no longer as appealing as it was when Android was just out of the gate, with Wired calling Android skins “an acne problem.””
You obviously didn’t read the Wired article. It said Sense was an exception to the awful array of android skins.
John, that’s a good catch and a fair point. Thought the Wired story was interesting (and I’m a Droid user) for raising concerns about device-specific UIs. While it did say Sense was a good UI, it also raised the question whether with 2.2/Froyo such OSs were as necessary as in the past. Something worth watching. Tks. – Rich Karpinski, Connected Planet
1) Sense can be turned off. Battery can be dealt with for heavy users by getting a larger battery.
2) Sense will likely go away in future Android releases.
3) HTC is beating or competing with iPhone 4 internet polls more than any phone since first iPhone came out. It is the first true iPhone competitor. Sprint can\\\’t keep them in stock.
I’m just a regular Joe, sports-loving guy. There is no comparison in my opinion. EVO is a superior phone to the iPhone. Gotta have Flash. I was taken by the hype of the iPhone a couple of years ago. Only Apple fanatics can live with its major drawbacks. Thankfully, HTC and Google have a network to go to that blows the doors off of AT&T too. Battery life? Please. Give me a break. Not an issue unless you have no life whatsoever.
The battery life thing is a joke. I believe its perpetrated by people who just want something negative to say about Evo. I’ve had mine for a week now. I work very long hrs and with heavy usage everyday (txtn,web browsing,taking pix,tweeting,navigation,downloading apps,and of course talking) I have yet to see this so called abysmal battery life. I’ve managed to get about 8hrs+ b4 the fone says it needs to be charged. When u consider how much is packed in2 smart phones these days,how long do u reAlistically expect a battery to last? especially when u can run Mp3,nav,gps,internet,video recording,fm radio etc all @ once. I unplugged my Evo at around 7am 2day and 6hrs later my battery is @ 52%. Furthermore,id like to see where the lukewarm reviews this article claims the Evo is getting are from. I’ve been reading tons of blogs and most consumer reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. The phone is fast,smooth,and easy to use. The display is large and bright and makes surfing and just looking at things on the fone a breeze. So far I am loving my Evo.
Furthermore,the author states “apparently battery life is abysmal” which really means “I have not used the device I’m writing about”. How can u make an honest assessment or evaluation of something that u haven’t experienced for yourself? Why should any1 pay any attention to what u have to say? And if mixed reviews are what you’re claiming then why isn’t there a positive blurb posted along with the negative one? the author is clearly biased. Put the proof is in the pudding,the fact that they’re sold out shows a lot of people are obviously feeling good about the Evo. I’m one of them.
I got my Eco 4 last week and really like all the things it can do I would definitely recommend it.
Reading the user reviews of the phone tells a much different story. Its reported to be blazing fast, great features, and an excellent interface. Only gripes are battery-life which is equal to better than any other phone in a similiar category which all stated they can live with and then the size is bigger than than what is really desired.
Seems like a winner to me.
Kevin I couldn’t disagree with you more about the battery life on the EVO. I been able to surf the web, play YouTube videos, and listen to the radio all in one charge of battery which would give me 8 hours before my next charge. I’m pretty sure the people that are complaining about the battery, are not your not tech savvy customers. Any tech savvy person will tell you in order to consume less battery life on any Android phone you would need to get an App killer. Not having an App killer means programs running in the background which leads to quick battery drainage. Android 2.1 also comes with a build in battery usage app. This is very useful to see what apps are draining the battery. You could fine it by fallowing these steps: settings – about –battery – battery uses. I have to say the EVO is by far the most superior phone out in the market today.
Its just the normal bloggers protecting turf for the big boys. Wimax is out of their control and it includes may entrpreneurs so big telcom is upset, very upset. It is ridiculous that every time something new comes out not from the original big boys its considered bad. Sprint is a real innovator for once and the fangs of the big boys and their lackeys is going on big time.
Battery abysmal? What does that mean? LOL
Never expected any objectivity from this author. Sprint Basher. Representative of the entrenched big Telcos?
The Mugen Power Batteries website just update the extended battery for HTC Evo,
http://www.mugen-power-batteries.com/mugen-power-extended-battery-for-htc-evo-4g-1800mah.html
have to get the 1800mAh for more battery life for my Evo, hope it can improve more time for me using it.
the original battery life time terrible!