By 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
Evo broke records with hardly any marketing and promotion!Best phone out!
What was the exact # of EVOs sold?
Osho
How many have they sold so far?
We want numbers :P
yeah, why no numbers? just a load of BS if there are no numbers provided. I hate it when companies do that, don’t be ashamed, it should be public knowledge for sales numbers from any publicly traded company.
if you can say it sold more than 3x the pre and instinct combined over a three day period that means you have numbers….
GIVE US NUMBERS
It’s a great phone, but I really think someone is going to have to step up from a form factor perspective to compete with the just announced iPhone 4. I love Android and it’s open nature, but the phones need to get smaller and the battery life needs to be improved.
The iPhone 4 sounds like a real contender now:
– 326 ppi display (960×640), industry leading
– 24% thinner than 3GS, much thinner than any other smartphone made today
– 40% bigger battery than the 3GS, 10 hours wifi browsing time, 7 hours talk time, 300 hours standby, 10 hours video playback
– Glass surface front and back, never a need for a case, iPhone displays just don’t scratch period
It will make all of the existing Android phones look chunky and old
Dave.. I don’t think Android phones will ever be clunky and old because even if the new Iphone was so fancy and advanced to make all previous phones obsolete (which I highly doubt) a new Android phone is probably right around the corner which will be as good if not better. New I-phones only come out every few years… lately we’ve been getting great Android phones at least once a month!
I have read that there was 460k plus units sold for EVO in the first weekend of release (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), thats pretty damn good for Sprint seeing as how they are not as popular as Verizon or AT&T, this phone will help them.
Dave,
We don’t care about the Iturd and what it can do. Apple, the sheltered company, is just repeating bad history. They tried to compete with Microsoft back in the day and lost. They are trying to compete with Google and pretty much every mobile device manufacture in existence, and again they will lose. You can always shine a turd. So Dave, quit wasting your money on Apple’s great marketing schemes and join the unlimited Google revolution.
@Dave, well you can always pick up the iphone 4. It’s a good looking device and if that floats your boat, I say go for it. I picked up an EVO and I don’t think it’s large or clunky. It actually has a really good form factor. I don’t want a smaller phone, I want a larger display. Otherwise browsing the Web and reading docs becomes a poor experience.
Apple can’t make the iphone any larger now that they have the ipad. If they do then people won’t buy both, they’ll compromise and get the phone with the large screen. Personally that’s not the direction I want to go with my devices, I’d rather have a single device with some compromises rather than a phone and a tablet.
I have the Incredible and bought the first one on launch day at my local Verizon store. They got in twenty at the first of the launch week and I was lucky to have connections. They called me the day before and advised that they were opening early and I was the first one on the doorstep. Glad I was given that their site now says shipping on or before 6/25/10. It truly is an incredible unit and I don’t care what anyone says about the EVO or the new Iphone. Sprint and AT&T’s service stinks in many areas including my area. Verizon has great service and it is the old theory of what good is the phone if it don’t work. Always wanted an Iphone and understand that Big Red is getting it sometime but I will stick with Android no desire for Iphone. I came from two Blackberry Strom 2s plus other Blackberry phones and now own both the Moto Droid and the Incredible. My wife who doesn’t understand phones or technology much had a Blackberry Tour, had trouble with the trackball and this past Saturday traded for the LG Ally. She loves it and it is pretty cool for what it is. We’re fast becoming an Android family and I’m spreading the word. By the way my Incredible works flawlessly not one hiccup. Good luck Sprint customers. The EVO looks pretty good and if you like Sprint’s service you should be very happy.
I’m just pointing out some things that the iPhone 4 has going for it, it’s that simple.
I’m not even saying that overall it’s better than the EVO.
It’s obvious from the responses to my post that some people on this forum are not even interested in an honest comparison, but have a pre-disposition against the iPhone.
Buy what you want, but it makes no sense to close your eyes to some of the very strong points of the new iPhone.
The new iPhone will be much more comfortable in your pocket, and have a much nicer display than the EVO. To me, those are some pretty substantial things that people should care about. I also think the noise canceling dual microphones will make for incredible call quality.
Barry, I bet you would go crazy over an Android phone with a display like that (if one existed), or one that was so thin (if there was one). Like it or not, Apple did completely change the industry. The iPhone has 58% of the mobile browsing market, and it is Android that is trying to catch up.
Why are you so against an honest discussion ?
Dave, I think you’re missing the point. This site is about comparing Android phones. Yes the new iPhone has very impressive specs, but there’s no reason why HTC or whoever can’t match them. So like it or not, you are a troll so please go away.
way to go!
evo sold 3 times of pre and instinct combined, and did so with like 1% of the marketing budget of the pre and instinct. (obviously i made up the 1% part, but i saw no ad blitz for evo).
Hey Dave, I agree that Apple did change mobile industry. No doubt about that. It created a mobile computing platform, not just a phone and I think that was the real breakthrough. And you’re right Android is catching up. Will it every surpass Apple? I think that’s debatable, but not really relevant either. As long as the OS is solid and a good mobile internet experience then that’s enough for me. All the other stuff, like the apps, is just gravy. However, keeping Android an open platform is a good way to grow adoption.
Personally, your point about having a pocketable phone isn’t a strong argument for me. I’m not going to generalize and say it doesn’t matter. That would be dumb. But for me it’s not a strong selling point. I’m sure for others, like yourself, it is. This is about personal taste so there’s plenty of room for varying phone sizes. For me, I don’t like the phone in my pocket. I never have and I doubt I ever will. I’ve always opted for a clip even with the old Sanyo phones Sprint had. I’m sure I looked lame, but I felt it was a lot more functional.
There’s plenty of space for Android devices and the iPhone. I was hoping for a bit more from the 4, a bit more wow factor. But Apple made excellent evolutionary updates. I can’t say any of them were a bad move. It’s a great looking display from all the pics, but every shot is a close up. I want to see it in front of me or some shots from a bit farther away, like with the shots of the Super Amoled screen vs a regular amoled screen. I’m sure it looks good though, I doubt they would have made such a big deal about it if it wasn’t. However, someone did point out that the Xperia X1 had 311 ppi. Revolutionary no, but an excellent evolution. I’m looking forward to see it as a couple of my friends’ contracts are up.
iPhone has some good specs but it won’t be too tough to beat. However, iPhone is limited by AT&T, screensize, lack of SD and physical controls such as keyboard and trackball. I would like all of these features in one phone but it is easy to keep hitting Apple even for a couple…I know I could use a 4.3″ screen and Apple will always be stuck on 3.5″
I get it John, you can’t have a logical debate, thus the “go away” comment. It’s a common tactic when someone doesn’t have anything meaningful to contribute.
I actually may by the EVO, and I like the openness of Android. But, I’m not ready to bury my head in the sand and just pretend that Android is better than everything else by default.
I concede that you are right on one regard, HTC or someone else will once again “match them” or as some might put it “copy them”.
Isn’t anyone at least a little bit impressed that Apple is competing at this level by itself and going against the likes of Motorola, HTC, Samsung, … on their own while still producing an industry leading product in many ways ?
Apple is good for some and EVO is good for some. The reason I ordered an EVO was because AT&T just limited their bandwidth whereas Sprint is still unlimited and cheaper. The sad thing is that Netflix just announced a Apple app, that is a big plus but I can see people blowing by the 2.5 GB limit on AT&T and receiving huge bills, especially families with teens.
It’s not so much about which phone is best at this point, it’s more about which plan will allow you to use your phone to maximum benefit.
Dave, why are you so worked up about this? Your argument has been consistently passive aggressive as common to all trolls such as yourself. I never said Android was better than everything else by default, its just what I prefer. I do concede its nice to see the iphone “copy” (as reality might put it) Android’s support for higher resolution screens, multitasking, dual noise cancelling mics, and folders. Competition is good for both camps, right? Enjoy upgrading your iphone to the new one (admit it already and stop trolling)
John, I’m not worked up at all. This whole discussion just started with me saying I really like the EVO but that I’m on the fence because there are some really nice things about the new iPhone. It seems like you just hated to hear that, and basically told me to “Go Away”, another member hated that I liked the slimness and screen on the iPhone, and promptly started calling it the “iTurd”. Of course I’m going to get upset with shallow comments like that.
I honestly do not yet know which phone I will get, I have been to the Sprint store three times since Friday looking at the EVO, and plan to decide after seeing the iPhone 4 in person.
I see the same thing on the iPhone boards, if anyone says anything nice about an Android phone they get ripped to shreds. I’m really not in one camp or the other, and I find it really funny how quickly people get defensive and nasty.
I may wind up with the EVO, but there are tradeoffs with any phone (including the iPhone 4G).
All I want to say is that the EVO has 4G connection really fast speed.
I luv my evo