In America we typically think “the bigger the better” and most times that’s not true. As is the case with the 8-megapixel camera attached to the rear of the EVO 4G. When lighting is adequate – when you’re outside and not in dimly lit bar – the thing excels but the same could be said for any and every camera phone released in the last year. Camera controls are impressive thanks to HTC’s Sense.
The dual LED flash is nice but will blind anyone caught in its path. Testing the EVO in a dark bar was a very bad idea. You’d think I had taken the curtains off a vampire nest or something.
Click to enlarge all images.
This one was taken in my dark living room after an episode of “The Big Bang Theory”.
This was taken on Minna Street in San Francisco.
This was taken from my hotel room in San Francisco last week around 8AM.
This was taken under harsh lighting conditions.
This was taken with the forward facing camera.
HD video capture is certainly something to boast but it ain’t pretty on the EVO. Check it out.
Unfortunately, I can’t comment on 4G at this time, as there is no 4G running in NYC. And that’s a huge part of what makes this device special. Otherwise, it’s just another Android device from HTC.
But I can speak to data plans and what features excel under broadband-like speeds. One downside to having an EVO in parts of the country where there is no 4G service is the inability to avoid the 4G WiMax tax (it’s not really a tax) that adds $10/month to your bill. Aside from that, the Sprint Hotspot is an additional $30/month allowing up to eight devices to leach off your Sprint connection. During my testing, I was only able to tether two additional devices (iPhone, Laptop and/or BlackBerry).
• $69.99/month – 450 anytime minutes including unlimited text
• $89.99/month – 900 anytime minutes including unlimited text
• $99.99/month – Unlimited Minutes
Keep in mind that you have to tack an additional $10/month for any of the above plans and an additional $30/month for Sprint Hotspot. It ain’t cheap, but you’re getting a whole lotta phone. The EVO 4G retails for $199.99 from Sprint after a two-year contract and $100MIR.
My one major complaint with the EVO 4G is that it doesn’t support TIME’s Exchange server. When I set it up and restarted the device it went into a loop of the Sprint animation. It’s a known issue and I’m told HTC is working on a patch. Not all Exchange accounts will trigger this bug, but mine did.
It seems as though every new HTC device ends up being the best Android device available. The same could be said for the EVO 4G, but this is likely the one device to stand the test of time. It has all specs to make any fanboy drool and once Sprint/HTC roll out Android 2.2, the EVO 4G will reign supreme. That is until HTC decides to one up itself.
The HTC EVO 4G will be available starting tomorrow at your local Sprint and Radio Shack stores.