The second generation EVO phone has finally landed, and we can safely say that it is another winner. Android 2.2, a second generation rapid Snapdragon processor, endless applications from the Android Market, and a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, the HTC Shift EVO 4G made to the text message fanatic and feed social freak. The phone also has a pretty impressive 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video, and supports 4G hotspots. Will the HTC Shift EVO 4G have what it takes to destroy the Samsung 4G Epic, Droid 2 Motorola and T-Mobile G2? Search our exclusive review.
In terms of architecture, the neighbors of the HTC Shift EVO 4G, the 4G Epic Samsung, Motorola Droid 2 and T-Mobile G2, because all three phones are specialized in the slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The HTC EVO 4G keyboard is very similar to the Droid 2′s as we look at the design because it does not snap off when the Samsung 4G’s Epic. Instead there is a significant amount of resistance when sliding out the HTC Shift EVO the keyboard, which lacks refinement. The placement of the volume buttons make it hard to open and close the keyboard, without changing the volume up or down. The buttons on the keyboard of the HTC Shift EVO 4G’s are small, but they are nicely spaced and have a function button for quick action. The HTC Shift EVO 4G also has a small directional pad in the bottom right corner, but we found it unnecessary, as the touch screen is good enough.
Speaking of touch screens, the HTC Shift EVO 4G features an 3.6-inch WVGA display with a capacitive great sensitivity. HTC really know their stuff when it comes to building a quality phone and the HTC Shift EVO 4G is no exception. The screen has a brushed metal casing and a large inlaid ear. The four haptic feedback buttons at the bottom of the screen are very sensitive as the screen, and we had no problem tapping and sweeping on the HTC Shift EVO 4G. Along the back of the phone, HTC put a matte finish on the plastic back, which, when removed, reveals the 1500 mAh battery. But there is no sign of a microSD card slot. This is because the battery must be removed to access the 2GB MicroSD card included.
The HTC Shift EVO 4G also a camera button is missing, so it is certainly not the best equipped phone in terms of external audits. The 5-megapixel camera lens with LED flash is embedded in the back, and the HTC Shift EVO 4G has a 3.5mm audio jack. In terms of portability, the phone is a bit thicker than the average non-keyboard phone, and is on par with the Droid in the case of two dimensions. The Shift-4G is definitely not as equipped and advanced as its creator, the HTC EVO 4G, and comparing the two is akin to comparing the Motorola Droid X and Motorola Droid 2.
The HTC Shift EVO 4G excels when it comes to speed and productivity. It has a 800MHz Second-Generation Snapdragon chipset with a faster GPU, the EVO Shift 4G similar to some of the 1GHz speed phones on the market today. For our fun browsing, the HTC Shift utilizes EVO 4G Sense HTC with Android 2.2, the latter contribute to increase the speed and compatibility with Flash 10.1 while browsing the Internet. Along with the HTC Shift 4G mobile hotspot EVO 4G power, the phone has Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n Wireless-N and Stereo Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, and proximity, motion and light sensors. The HTC Shift EVO 4G is a beast in QWERTY clothing, and we found that the phone is very efficient when it came to speed. The EVO Shift 4G was one of the fastest phones we’ve tested to date.
With feeling and Android 2.2, could not really much better at this point in time. HTC brought us Friend Stream, which allowed us to totally all our Facebook and Twitter status update contacts in a big widget. The HTC Shift EVO 4G allowed us to select our favorite contacts and display them on one of the seven home screens, in addition to Web bookmarks. Speaking of Home Screens, Leap had the phone, so we are on the screen to your home screens as thumbnails, pinch and tap the one we wanted in order to minimize the number of swipes from screen to screen. We could add or remove widgets, applications, folders and shortcuts by holding down and somewhere in an open area of the home screen.
The HTC Shift also 3D games EVO 4G processed without problems, thanks to the 6-axis sensor, and the revamped Market offered more than 100,000 applications to download. We liked the look of the new Android Market, but the new layout makes it easier to accidentally hit an adverse selection. The HTC Shift EVO 4G offered high quality YouTube videos, but when we play YouTube videos from the Internet browser, the choppy framerate could not real-time sound. More goodies include Google Gmail, Maps, Calendar, and Search. Like any Sprint phone, the HTC Shift EVO 4G includes NASCAR Sprint Cup Live, Sprint TV, Sprint and the Zone, which require subscriptions.
For more productivity on the go, the HTC Shift EVO 4G had Quickoffice, which allowed us to compose or Word or Excel 97-2003 97-2003 files work. Everything about the interface of the HTC Shift EVO 4G and navigation experience was seamless, and it was one of the most pleasant browsing experience we have had on a phone to date. Even the people hub was intuitive, so we slide from All contacts to groups to online directories for Call History. HTC and Sprint have another champion in the 4G circuit.
Well, the wait for a new EVO phone is over and it was worth it. The HTC Shift for Sprint 4G EVO is a clear winner. It is as fast as most of the speed demons of the smartphone track, thanks to the second generation Snapdragon chipset and Android 2.2. The EVO Shift 4G also proves its versatility with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and access to many applications such as Quickoffice, HTC Mail, the Android Market, Google and a robust suite.