EVO 4G Easily Surpasses Palm Pre As Sprint’s Most Successful Launch
Today, Sprint’s announcing that the HTC EVO 4G (their latest addition to their lineup – Android or otherwise) has become their biggest device launch. Some pretty numbers to throw out is that Sprint sold three times as many EVO 4Gs on June 4th as the Palm Pre and Samsung Instinct combined: and that includes the first three days for each of the two latter phones.
Dan Hesse – perhaps the most beloved CEO in America’s wireless industry right now – had this to say:
HTC EVO 4G is a clear winner for customers with the powerful combination of an amazing multimedia experience in 3G coverage areas that becomes even better in our growing number of 4G markets. It is terrific to see customers react so positively to this device and the innovative experience it brings to them.
We knew HTC and Sprint made a big splash with the EVO 4G when their activation systems came to a trickling crawl as the launch morning moved on. With the west coast finally waking up to rush out to stores, Sprint couldn’t handle all of that extra traffic that they so dutifully enjoyed.
Sprint’s also acknowledging that their initial stock was being eaten away alarmingly fast and they’ve stated they’re working on shipping more devices in the coming week (they expect additional shipments to start hitting many of their stores and their retail partners’ stores on a daily basis).
[Update]: BGR’s reporting that a reliable source inside of Sprint is saying that the EVO did more than 200,000 units on launch day. Take that for what you will because that’s all they had to offer us.
Have you gotten your EVO? Read on for the full press details.
HTC EVOTM 4G Breaks Sales Records for Sprint on Launch Day; America’s First 4G Phone is a Hit with Customers
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jun 07, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Friday, June 4, was an early morning for thousands of customers who lined up several hours before Sprint (NYSE: S) stores opened their doors in anticipation of the first day of sales for America’s first 3G/4G phone, HTC EVOTM 4G. Customers were anxious to get their hands on HTC EVO 4G providing record sales figures for Sprint stores around the country.Friday sales of HTC EVO 4G marked the largest quantity of a single phone sold in one day ever for Sprint – the record was previously held by both Samsung InstinctTM and Palm PreTM. In addition, the total number of HTC EVO 4G devices sold on launch day was three times the number of Samsung Instinct and Palm Pre devices sold over their first three days on the market combined.
“HTC EVO 4G is a clear winner for customers with the powerful combination of an amazing multimedia experience in 3G coverage areas that becomes even better in our growing number of 4G markets. It is terrific to see customers react so positively to this device and the innovative experience it brings to them,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO.
The record pace of HTC EVO 4G sales led to temporary shortages of the device at some of the 22,000 sales locations across the United States, including Sprint retail stores, national retail partners including RadioShack, Best Buy and Walmart, and indirect dealers. Sprint and HTC are diligently working around the clock to increase inventory in all sales channels. Additional shipments are arriving in retail stores on a regular basis with many stores seeing daily deliveries.
“HTC EVO 4G has more than lived up to our expectations that it would be one of the most anticipated technology products of the year,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president – Product Development for Sprint. “We are working closely with our partners at HTC to increase the supply and get EVO 4G into the hands of everyone who wants one as quickly as possible.”
RAVE REVIEWS ROLLING IN
Respected technology and telecommunications media and analysts lavished HTC EVO 4G with praise through its opening weekend:
“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
“Entertainment – this is where the EVO 4G really shines – there’s so much to do, it can actually be hard to decide; there’s mobile video, games, a fully featured music player, and web browsing at blazing fast speeds.” – Brighthand
“The HTC EVO 4G represents a huge step forward for both the Android platform and Sprint’s 4G network.” – PC World
“When it comes to 4G, Sprint is the sheriff in town … EVO 4G is simply the most advanced phone today.” – Ubergizmo
In the June 4 issue of Investor’s Business Daily, Ken Dulaney, Gartner analyst, commented, “The device is magnificent. It’s a work of technological art.”
“It will certainly fly off the shelves as one of the most advanced 3G smartphones available… With a 4.3-inch 480 x 800 pixel LCD display and a rear kick stand, the EVO looks more like a mobile TV than a phone. I would not mind watching the Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals on this screen in a pinch.” – Berge Ayvazian, Yankee Group analyst
CNET, LAPTOP Magazine and eWeek gave HTC EVO 4G awards for Best of Show when it was announced at CTIA this spring. It was also recently cited on MobileTechReview’s Best Smartphones and Best Touch Screen Phones lists.Sprint customers joined in the praise as well:
“I woke up and thought it was Christmas. This phone is so innovative and Sprint is so far ahead of everyone else when it comes to innovation. I’m so excited and looking forward to getting to know EVO better.” – Peggi Terzakis, Chicago, Ill.
“I couldn’t wait until the phone was released. I’ve been sitting everyday just counting the days until launch. I’m a musician so I’m most excited to test the sound quality, all of the multimedia capabilities and the front and back-facing cameras. This is one unique device.” – Orlando Williams, Atlanta, Ga.
“I’ve been using the EVO for two days now and this is the best smart phone I’ve had! Sprint’s 3G network is reliable and it will provide our AfterCollege employees throughout the country with reliable internet access. With Sprint’s network and hotspot feature, we will have significant cost savings.” – Robert Angulo, San Francisco, Calif.
“I’m excited about this phone. It’s huge and I can finally watch videos.” – Jordan Grinevitch, Phoenix, Ariz.
“I’m most excited about the 4G speed and the hotspot. I can get rid of my wireless cards!” – Terence Govan, Lewisville, Texas
Customer favorites on HTC EVO 4G’s long list of features include the 4.3-inch screen, dual 8MP video camera capable of capturing HD quality and front-facing 1.3MP camera. They also appreciate the HDMI output jack making it simple to start a movie for your children in the backseat of the car with the phone and then connect to an HDTV to finish it when you arrive at home. 1 Business customers highlight its super-fast 1GHz processor, simultaneous voice and data capability in 4G or Wi-Fi coverage areas enabling Web surfing and more during conversation, and built-in mobile hotspot for up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices.2