HTC EVO Shift 4G announced officially by Sprint

posted by Daniel P. / Jan 04, 2011, 8:47 AM

HTC EVO Shift 4G announced officially by Sprint

UPDATE: According to some of our tipsters, Best Buy is gearing to launch the handset this Friday, January 7, so feel free to check if the retailer has it up for sale, if you're among the most impatient ones. Also, our partner 3rd party retailer Wirefly has a video preview of the handset, embedded below.

The worst kept smartphone secret in the US is finally official. After numerous rumors, and after we were tipped with almost press-quality shots last week, the HTC EVO Shift 4G has arrived on Sprint for $149.99, after a $100 mail-in rebate. That is on contract, of course, and the $10 monthly fee for using Sprint's WiMAX service is still required.

Dubbed as the successor of the acclaimed HTC EVO 4G by Sprint itself, the HTC EVO Shift 4G adds a physical slide-out QWERTY, and shrinks the screen size to 3.6" with 480x800 pixels of resolution, from the 4.3" on the EVO 4G. That means text will be crispier to read, which is a good feat, since the phone comes with the Amazon Kindle app preinstalled. The addition of a physical keyboard means dimensions of 4.6"x2.3"x0.6", and 5.9 ounces of weight, pretty significant. The handset is slightly smaller, thinner and lighter than the T-Mobile G2.

The HTC EVO Shift 4G is powered by a second-gen Snapdragon chipset, clocked at 800MHz, has 512MB RAM/2GB ROM, and a 5MP camera with LED flash, capable of HD video. The chipset differs from the one on the T-Mobile G2 with the WiMAX instead of HSPA+ connectivity, but otherwise it has similar capabilities, and we have seen this silicon overclocked to 1.9GHz by enthusiasts.

Other than that, the phone features the full suite of connectivity options - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, A-GPS and FM radio - as well as the usual for a high-end handset proximity and ambient light sensors plus accelerometer and digital compass. The 1500mAh battery is rated for 6 hours of talk time.

The HTC EVO Shift 4G will have the newest version of HTC Sense UI, which means it will sport some offline navigational capabilities and access to HTCSense.com for remote backup and management of the phone. HTC has big plans for the future of HTC Sense, and the EVO Shift 4G is the first phone from a US carrier with this version of the acclaimed interface, so here is a feature that sets it apart.

Sprint has placed Sprint TV and Nascar Sprint Cup Mobile on the handset, and is planning to release the HTC EVO Shift 4G to the masses on Sunday, January 9th.

The carrier also announced its 17th 4G device - a Novatel MiFi 3G/4G hotspot for $49.99 on contract, after a $50 mail-in rebate. This one will be available across all retail channels on February 27th.

source: Sprint

HTC EVO Shift 4G

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PhoneArena Rating:

8.0

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User Rating:

8.1

Based on 8 Reviews

Display 3.6" 480 x 800 pixels

Camera 5 MP

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S2, Single core, 800 MHz

Battery 1500 mAh

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21 Comments

1. oddmanout

Posts: 443; Member since: May 22, 2009

Practically a redesigned desire z. Hopefully the rom comes out soon. I'm using the dezire z rom with the overclocked 1.4 ghz kernel on my g2 and it gets a little flunky at times. This should be a bit more stable coming from another US carrier with similar specs..

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 9:05 AM 0

2. leefer77

Posts: 23; Member since: Jan 04, 2011

Maybe its just ignorance on my part, but this seems to be a poor "successor" to the EVO. Other than 1GB more ROM and the fact that the latest maintenance update on the EVO is screwy, everything else seems to be a downgrade. Surely there will eventually be an updated version of the original EVO? Nothing about this phone makes me want to "upgrade" to it from the original. Then again it could be ignorance. Maybe someone who is more knowledgeable can enlighten me.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 9:28 AM 0

3. pattypatterson

Posts: 48; Member since: May 28, 2010

There will not be a phone out for Sprint that has better specs than the EVO until June when they release their next flagship device. If they released something now that was better than the EVO they wouldnt be able to call the EVO their flagship because its not the best Sprint offers. They do this every June Sprint comes out with a phone that blows away the competition in some form for the EVO it was specs screen and 4g and the pre blew everyone away on just hype.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 9:45 AM 1

7. jtjacks1

Posts: 4; Member since: Dec 15, 2010

I believe you're right. Sprint cant give you its best device right off the bat, especially with a new Iphone sure to come within the next few months. I think this release was basically just to get another 4G device out. Its DEFINITELY not better than the EVO, Sprint just wants to try and hold people's attention for a little while longer.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 10:08 AM 0

11. leefer77

Posts: 23; Member since: Jan 04, 2011

Good! Maybe an EVO 2 (or something more imaginative) that has a dual-core processor, a super AMOLED display with 16 million colors, wireless n, and a better battery. This is my wish list of course. That would be a better successor. I still love my EVO though.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 11:48 AM 0

4. bobjones unregistered

why the $10 charge? I thought the charge wasn't for 4g, it was for the evo's 4.3" screen, kick stand, dual cameras, 1ghz processor... the shift does not have any of these, SO SPRINT why the $10 up charge again????? just admit it is for 4g.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 9:48 AM 0

6. pattypatterson

Posts: 48; Member since: May 28, 2010

For starters it has adobe flash built in which means you are using wayyyy more bandwith than any other device and front facing camera for video calling. If your so concerned why dont you go to vzw and pay 69.99 for unlimited minutes plus 20 for unlimited text plus 30 to have an android device plus another 10 for telenav...or you could go with att and get unlimited minutes for 69.99, unlmited text for another 20, another 10 for telenav,and another 25 for internet on an iphone and were gonna cap you at 2gb a month!!!...please stop whining about 79.99 per month for all of these services built in!!! this is the best plan in the history of wireless considering free tethering is only an app away...

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 10:03 AM 0

9. leefer77

Posts: 23; Member since: Jan 04, 2011

I totally agree. I don't mind the extra $10. I have a family plan with Sprint with an EVO and a blackberry. I only pay a fraction more than a family member with one iPhone, and he doesn't have as many features in his plan.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 11:39 AM 1

10. Whateverman

Posts: 3295; Member since: May 17, 2009

VZW has a plan that includes all of that for just $69, identical to the Sprint plan (Sorry, except for the Sprint TV. But I had an Evo for a short time and wasn't impressed with Sprint TV at all!). The problem I had with the Evo is that even if you lived in an area with no 4g access. So if it really bothers you to pay that extra $10, just call VZW and tell them you would become their customer, but only if you were allowed to start with the $69 plan that includes data and text. I'm sure they'll take you up on the offer.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 11:47 AM 0

12. leefer77

Posts: 23; Member since: Jan 04, 2011

I just checked VZW. The only plan close to Sprint's is the unlimited talk and text for $89 which gives you unlimited talk and texting, but you still have to pay $1.99 for each MB of data unless you have a data plan added on. That will cost you an extra $15 to $25 a month depending on how much data you want limit yourself to. If you go with the $69 "unlimited" plan, not only will you pay extra for data, you'll be paying 20 cents per text unless you get a package starting at $5 a month. If this is wrong, my apologies, but that's what their website says. Sprint is still much cheaper even with the $10 premium data fee. Not to mention it is an unlimited data plan. And, from my experience, Sprint's network is just as good. I do agree that Sprint TV is not very impressive though.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 12:06 PM 1

16. Whateverman

Posts: 3295; Member since: May 17, 2009

It's only for their "Premier or Premium" customers (Which is stupid!). So it will not be only the website. You have to ask a customer service rep or a store rep about the plan. I am on the plan right now. Call 800-922-0204 and tell them you would switch companies for this plan and see what they say. It worked for me.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 2:10 PM 0

5. cappycobra unregistered

@ bobjones "That is on contract, of course, and the $10 monthly fee for using Sprint's WiMAX service is still required." WiMAX=4G

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 9:59 AM 0

15. Kakarotto

Posts: 255; Member since: Dec 07, 2010

WiMax is not 4G! WiMax is successor to the WiFi. Actually it's WiFi with better range. In Europe WiMax belongs to 3,5G. Only LTE is 4G!!!

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 1:39 PM 0

21. Topaz unregistered

Before you make such a bold comment read this article:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G

posted on Jan 20, 2011, 10:21 PM 0

8. Shafeer

Posts: 79; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

I am NOT convinced by android phones any more, I like their software but there are just too many phones with it. I'm looking for something new, something outside the box. WP7 have done that which is why I like them.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 10:29 AM 0

13. saneok

Posts: 78; Member since: Oct 01, 2009

The design is ugly.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 12:46 PM 0

14. moofoodooloo

Posts: 137; Member since: Jan 04, 2011

This will be a great phone. I've had a lot of customers that would purchase the Evo, but complain that it's just a little too big for them. It'll be great to have a mini Evo, there's definitely a market for it.

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 1:03 PM 1

17. Mr. Outchere unregistered

There are a couple more differences between the evo shift and the original evo. You can see some of the differences on this versus video from Wirefly. I dont know, i think i perfer the size of the original EVO still.http://www.wirefly.com/learn/resources/cell-phone-comparison/htc-evo-shift-vs-evo-4g-schmackdown/

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 3:11 PM 0

18. Favela unregistered

I think I'll stick with my crappy Hero for now till something better shows up if not Ima just switch to another carrier Sprints 69.99 plan can't be beat but honestly they're very limited when it comes to phones and I don't know about you guys but I don't wanna wait half a year when phones like the LG Optimus 2X a.k.a "Star" will come out in this upcoming month

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 4:16 PM 0

19. Boti95

Posts: 162; Member since: Sep 05, 2010

Will it cost as much as the HTC EVO 4G or less?

posted on Jan 04, 2011, 4:28 PM 0

20. heyitzme

Posts: 87; Member since: Jan 03, 2011

Less. Priced at the lowest cost at launch for any current 4G phones. Sprint will offer the HTC EVO Shift for $149.99. MSRP $399.99 2YR Service Agreement- $249.99 Instant Rebate - $100 Required Plans: Everything Plan $10 Premium Data Add-On.