[Update] HTC EVO 4G: $199 at Launch, Available June 4th, $450 Off-Contract?
[Update] A couple of weeks ago, I (Quentyn, here) signed up to be notified regarding the EVO’s pricing and availability. Sprint’s official press release only stated the 2-year contract pricing, but we’ve extracted from that email that the phone will cost $450 off-contract.
Phone Offer: While supplies last. $449.99 – $150.00 (two-year activation) – $100.00 (mail-in rebate) = $199.99 (final price).
This is a lot easier to swallow than the $600 we’d been hearing about. While Sprint didn’t officially announce this price, I wouldn’t understand why it’d be anything different from the starting point they used in the customer information email. If we are able to clear this up, we’ll update you with the information accordingly.
Rob is at the EVO 4G event that just kicked off in New York City, and Dan Hesse took the stage to announce what everyone has been waiting to hear: the HTC EVO 4G will launch on June 4th at a price of $199.99 on a two-year contract from Sprint after a $100 rebate.
The EVO 4G will still get the same $69.99 per month for unlimited data treatment, and mobile hotspot functionality powering up to 8 devices can be added for an additional $29.99 per month. Simultaneous voice and data is present, with the caveat that it only works when on a 4G or Wi-Fi network. Sprint did mention there would be a “$10 Premium Data add-on” to take advantage of a richer data experience, but we’ve yet to confirm if the add-on is to enable 4G (if you’re in a 4G-ready market) or something entirely different.
[Update]: Bummer. Looks like the $10 Add-on is – in fact – a requirement if you’re looking to use the EVO. John Taylor says that the add-on is mandatory regardless of if you’re on 3G or 4G. Reason being is because the EVO is expected to use a considerable amount more of data compared to Sprint’s other phones. This was confirmed by the email Sprint sent to customers requesting updates to their inbox. [source: John Taylor of Sprint]
More info, pics, and vids will be coming shortly as our coverage of the event continues, but for now check out this official comparison video to see how the EVO 4G stacks up against some of the competition:
And you might also want to take a gander at this lengthy fact sheet in case you haven’t already fed yourself chock full of tasty EVO 4G specs:
The world’s first 3G/4G Android handset, exclusively from Sprint, HTC EVO™ 4G, offers a rich mobile Internet experience with a fully integrated suite of services built on the AndroidTM 2.1 platform. HTC EVO 4G includes a blazing-fast 1GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor, the award-winning HTC SenseTM user experience, an 8.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with HD-capable video camcorder and a forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera. HTC EVO supports industry leading features including Simultaneous Voice and Data while in 4G coverage and new Mobile Video Chat, the two-way voice and video service from Qik. The large vibrant 4.3 inch display, built-in kickstand, 3.5 mm headset jack and HDMI output make HTC EVO 4G an unparalleled platform for wireless entertainment. Download music, pictures, files, or videos in seconds – not minutes – and watch streaming video on the go on a network with download speeds that are up to 10 times faster than 3G speeds.1 With built-in mobile hotspot functionality, HTC EVO 4G also allows up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices, including laptop, camera, music player, video player and any other Wi-Fi-enabled device, to enjoy the benefits of 3G/4G speeds on the go.
PRODUCTIVITY
3G/4G capability
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ QSD8650 (1GHz) processor
4.3” capacitive display with pinch-to-zoom and tactile feedback
World-class HTML browser – bandwidth and quality that rival that of netbooks
Android 2.1, with access to more than 35,000 apps on Android Market
Simultaneous voice and data capability in 4G and Wi-Fi coverage areas, enabling Web surfing and more while talking
GoogleTM mobile services including Google SearchTM, Google MapsTM, Google TalkTM, GmailTM, YouTubeTM , and syncs with Google CalendarTM
Access to Google Goggles™ to search with pictures instead of words
Sprint Navigation, with turn-by-turn driving directions and 3D maps
Updated HTC Sense, award-winning user experience, which includes Friend Stream to integrate Facebook, Twitter and more into a single flow of updates
Visual voicemail
Messaging – personal and business email, IM and text messaging
3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability – connects up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices
4G data speeds (WiMAX) – peak download speeds of more than 10 Mbps; peak upload speeds of 1 Mbps; average download speeds of 3-6 Mbps.
3G data speeds (EVDO Rev A.) – peak download speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps; peak upload speeds of 1.8 Mbps; average download speeds of 600 kbps-1.4 Mbps.ENTERTAINMENT
Video chat service available as an upgrade to the pre-loaded Qik app to enable conversational, interactive, real-time sharing between mobile devices or from mobile-to-desktop
8MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash and 1.3MP front-facing camera
High-quality video streaming and downloads at 3G and 4G data speeds
Capture and share HD-quality video (720p) from your phone
Output pictures, slides and videos in HD quality (720p) via HDMI cable (sold separately)
Live video sharing with Qik
Built-in kickstand for hands-free viewing
Media player with 3.5mm stereo headset jack
FM radio and Amazon MP3 store
Sprint applications including Sprint TV® and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile(SM)
Bluetooth® 2.1 with A2DP Stereo and EDR
Built-in WiFi®: 802.11 b/g
Digital compass, G-Sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor, GPS
Expandable memory: 8GB microSD card included; supports up to 32GB
SPECIFICATIONSDimensions: 4.8″ x 2.6″ x .5″ (LxWxT)
Weight: 6 ounces
Main display: 4.3” WVGA (800×480) 65K colors
Battery life: 6 hours of talk time. Time may vary depending on 3G/4G coverage and usage.
Standard removable 1500mAh Lithium (Li-on) battery
Memory: 1GB ROM, 512MB RAM1 “Up to 10x faster” based on download speed comparison of 3G’s 600 kbps vs. 4G’s 6 Mbps. Industry published 3G avg. speeds (600 kbps-1.7 Mbps); 4G avg. speeds (3-6 Mbps). Actual speeds may vary. Sprint 4G is currently available in 32 markets and counting, and on select devices. See www.sprint.com/4G for details. Not all services available on 4G and coverage may default to 3G/separate network where 4G unavailable.Note: Device features, specifications, services and applications are subject to change.