Sprint Nextel continued to add to its LTE device lineup with the launch of the HTC Evo 4G LTE smartphone expected to hit shelves by mid-year. The device joins a trio of previously announced LTE-enabled devices by the carrier ahead of its LTE network launch expected in the coming months.
Sprint Nextel noted the HTC device, which will sell for $200 and be available for pre-sale beginning May 7, will run Google’s latest Android 4.0 operating system, include a 4.7-inch display, sport an 8-megapixel rear-facing and 1.3-megapixel front-facing cameras and run a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor. The smartphone will also include a 2,000 mAh battery in its attempt to keep the power on and include a rear kickstand jutting from its aluminum frame.
HTC pointed out that the camera technology embedded in the device should give it a leg up on the competition. The Evo 4G LTE will include upgraded hardware and software technology, camera lens, sensor and what HTC calls its ImageChip to enhance picture quality. The device maker also said the phone will have a f/2.0 camera lens designed to capture more light and a self adjusting flash that compensates for the distance of what is being photographed. Users will also be able to take a picture while at the same time capturing video.
HTC also noted that the device will be the first offered in the United States to include HD Voice calling capabilities, compatible with Sprint Nextel’s Network Vision upgrade program beginning later this year. HD Voice is expected to provide “fuller, more natural-sounding and less fatiguing voice quality and should reduce troublesome background noises.”
In addition to expected improvements in call quality, the Evo 4G LTE will include audio enhancements from Beats Audio and HTC’s Sync Manager that will allow users to organize music on the device.
Sprint Nextel noted that it was hoping the new device would allow the carrier to re-capture some of the magic created two years ago with the launch of the WiMAX-enabled Evo 4G device, which the carrier said has since sold more than 7 million units. That device was well regarded for its feature set as well as being one of the first smartphone compatible with the carrier’s WiMAX offering. Sprint Nextel has recently noted that it will stop selling WiMAX-enabled devices as it and network partner Clearwire turn their focus to LTE technology.
The device could also be important to Sprint Nextel as a counter to its increasing reliance on Apple’s iPhone, which the carrier began offering late last year. Recent reports have suggested that the iPhone has been a top seller for the carrier and that Sprint Nextel has committed billions of dollars to Apple to purchase future devices. However, financial analysts have noted that the iPhone has a larger subsidy to meet its current price points compared with Android-powered devices and thus is a bigger financial hit to the carriers.
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