Sprint to launch its first WiMAX handset in H1 2010

By on Feb 19, 2010 at 7:28 AM
General February 19, 2010

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In an interview with Forbes Magazine, Sprint revealed that its first WiMAX enabled handset will launch in the first half of 2010, a few months ahead of its projected 2H 2010 launch. Paget Alves, Sprint’s president of Business Markets, confirmed that the handset and its 4G connectivity will target  businesses and government agencies as well as consumers. He declined to  provide additional details on the phone but previous rumors suggest that this handset is the HTC A9292 WiMAX bar that was spotted on a Sprint inventory list at the beginning of 2010. This mysterious candybar is thought to be the HTC Supersonic, an Android-powered, Snapdragon-packing handset that was spotted and photographed back in January. Anyone with a need for speed ready to jump on board with WiMAX and pick up this blazing fast handset when it launches?

[via Engadget]

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  • JPRS

    all i gotta say is: SUPERSONIC-FRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS! to delicious dualmode EvDO/WiMAX!

  • CorkyT74

    Q: WiMAX is a device that allows CDMA devices to do what 3G GSM devices already do, right? Voice and data simultaneously?

    • MOOSE WOLFGANSKY

      MUCH, MUCH FASTERRER!!!!

    • Jaycraw28

      HAHA no my dear friend 3g and Gsm are so out of date poor speeds and bad call clarity.. 4g is 10x faster and unlimited for us sprint subscribers.

    • JT

      No, WiMax is a type of connection, like GSM, TDMA( used by ATT before they purchased Cingular, CDMA, and the one that Nextel runs on(forgot the terminology for it) but better when it comes to transmitting or receiving whether it is voice or data. I do like CDMA better than any type of GSM for security reasons, with GSM I only need your cell # to be able to clone it. With CDMA, I need the cell number, MSID, ESN or the actual cellphone but, then what’s the point.( just kidding but, it is the reality of GSM, I do have family members that own cells that work on GSM) I had not had a chance to play with anything that runs on WiMax, hopefully it is as secure if not more than CDMA. Maybe Sprint should have gone with EVDO rev. B. I am sure WiMax is more capable to transmit or receive at a higher speed with less latency.

  • Dwayne

    I think that the supersonic is an intetesting device but there are too may device coming out to keep track of. I will be holding on to my Hero. I agree with one of the previous posters. It os better to go with a carrier that suits your needs and then choose a device. I love Sprint. Their service Is great and their prices are even better.

    • jerbear

      I’ve always done that. It’s pointless to choose a carrier based on devices. Sprint has worked for me. Not perfect but definitely the least expensive option and service is no worse than any other carrier. People love to complain about handset options but I think that is more due to short attention spans and memories. Last June Sprint got the Pre which has 3GS-like specs and was a great option for people who wanted a polished handset with a keyboard and an extensible OS. Then they got the Moment which was the best Android phone until Droid came out in November. Now TMo has the Nexus and VZW will get it soon. People get so frustrated that there aren’t new devices on Sprint but it’s always staggered. Carriers don’t launch competing flagship devices one right after the other. If the Supersonic is out by June then all those Pre early adopters will have it as an option for their 1-year upgrade (something else you get only on Sprint)

  • ChocoTaco

    C’mon Sprint’s 4G WiMAX and T-Mobile’s 21Mbps HSPA. Give me a reason to get off Verizon before I get a smartphone. This mandatory data requirement BS that’ll eventually threaten the 5 lines on my family plan has me placing the nail in the VZW coffin. I’m just waiting to drop the hammer.

    • JT

      21Mpbs is fast for web surfing, watching online video, however, does anyone knows what is the QoS(ping, packet loss) for HSPA? WiMax is good for VOIP, gaming, which the QoS is very important for proper operation. Also, Sprint, Clear, Comcast and all the other companies should not set a speed limit on WiMax, Let it operate at its maximum(true) capacity, then my 60Mbps cable service can go away.

      • boii89

        agreed they should not put a limit to it but then again if they dnt the traffic would be hell. As for Tmobile they are still trying to roll out their 3g services which completely suck! Honestly verizon has the best coverage yet the worse plans along with every1 else. I had Verizon for 5 hours before i returned the phone because i realized Sprint offered everything else they were charging extra for UNLIMITED web, email, tv, telenav, and txt msgs for free. Sprint is by far the cheapest company there is for post paid 69.99 plus my 25% work discount! INCREDIBLE and where i went there was NO ACTIVATION FEE with 1 free accessory. Sprint’s line of phones are incredible with the original palm pre yea it has little memory but just wait until they release th 32GB i bet verizon wont be laughin and since Palm partnered up with Sprint alrdy it must have to be EVDO/WiMAX! AT&T is still waiting on an Android and a WebOS they have their BYEPhone which doesnt do nothing! just apps! great… Clear is the MAN right now i can play PS3 online while my little bro plays 360 online in the mean time my sis is doing her homework online all while my OG is going thru facebook! now thats the SH*T! Same with Sprints 4g devices same service just a little more expensive but its worth it

      • JT

        What I was trying to say is that, Sprint and the other companies should not put a speed limit on WiMax, to just open the “valve” to allow for WiMax at full speed. I mean there are plans to use WiMax as a backhaul(the line either fiber optic, copper, etc. between the cell tower and the carrier’s network) to LTE, this is why I say WiMax is better than LTE. Everybody uses a version of Microwave radios for lots of things like remote communications, NASA, TV broadcasters, Cable companies. Might be wrong on some of these.

  • Jouten

    Is it just me? Or is HTC really kicking ass in the smartphone market these days?

    • Azeron

      HTC has always been in the game. They didn’t always have their brand on the phone (particularly with Verizon). I do agree that they are right in the thick of tthings now though.

      • Andrews

        gettin that BGR action, and not just PhoneScoopin it.

    • jerbear

      They have always had some of the best smart phones. This will be maybe the 4th HTC I’ve owned over the years.

    • boii89

      yes they are!

  • MMAVOICE

    I am going to name my dog Wimax and buy him a pair of neon Air Force 1′s. Because anything this cool deserves a mascot.

    • keishi

      Hey, is that you, Michael Schiavello?

  • jerbear

    good timing. My year is up in june

  • Quint

    I’m leaving att for sprint. I’ve just been waiting for this phone, all my family has switched to sprint and my att is horrible. i’m tired of my dropped calls. Plus i want yearly upgrades :D

    • keishi

      Is that you, Michael Schiavello?

      • keishi

        this got posted to the wrong comment, sorry.

  • nee

    Welcome to the WiMax parade… Sprint! As for the supersonic, The device will be similar to the HTC HD2 and equipped with 4.3-inch display and fast processor (that still remains unknown) integrated into a really thin body. Details: http://is.gd/8N1bL

  • NickG

    So WiMAX will basically be like Verizon FIOS. only a few will be able to get it because the rollout will be slow and only those areas that can afford the infrastructure will build for it. Great choice for those who live in those areas. A big NO-GO for those who live in places that aren’t major metros.

  • NGK

    Won’t it still be 3G capable>? (as are sprint’s 4G aircards) so using one in a non WiMAX environment will still be a great 3G android phnoe with capability for 4G where available. A lot of people travel these days (including myself) so having one for sick fast use in other markets would be a bonus until it becomes available in my market, Florida. Sweet Sprint, hurry.

    • jerbear

      It will be the same as your current phone switching from 1x to EVDO or EDGE to 3G as it is available.

  • Majorhunadadun

    My Pre will be history if Palm doesn’t hit me up with some new shit….

  • BrainJuice

    Lol Mofo.
    Your neck is looking a little red over there.
    Asshole.

  • John

    Definitely looking forward to this phone. My Verizon contract expires in May, and since I live in the Chicago area, this phone is perfect!

  • Nigel

    T Mobile is a joke, they barely have any 3G coverage. Sprint already has 14 times more 3G than T Mobile and twice ATT’s 3G coverage, so even when T Mobile roams on ATT they still lack Sprint’s coverage. Now ATT and T Mobile for lack of a 4G coverage and being two years behind in deploying their 4G coverage are making outlandish claims that their 3G coverage has speeds of 21Mbs. Funny!!!!
    In case you didn’t know Wimax will have mutated into Wimax 2 after it is ratified by the ITU this summer. Wimax 2, aka IEEE 802.16m, has average download speeds of 100Mbs and has manifested 1Gbs in lab testing. To militate Sprint’s

  • Nigel

    T Mobile is a joke, they barely have any 3G coverage. Sprint already has 14 times more 3G than T Mobile and twice ATT’s 3G coverage, so even when T Mobile roams on ATT they still lack Sprint’s coverage. Now ATT and T Mobile for lack of a 4G coverage and being two years behind in deploying their 4G coverage are making outlandish claims that their 3G coverage has speeds of 21Mbs. Funny!!!!
    In case you didn’t know Wimax will have mutated into Wimax 2 after it is ratified by the ITU this summer. Wimax 2, aka IEEE 802.16m, has average download speeds of 100Mbs and has manifested 1Gbs in lab testing. To militate Sprint’s Wimax position, the Sprint Wimax syndication, which includes Google, Intel, Comcast, Time Warner, have the necessary Spectrum to make Wimax work at the optimal speeds. Remember, without the requisite spectrum none of these platforms can work efficiently.

  • Nigel

    Sprint’s main problem until recently has been a lack of a decent line up of phones. It is that simple. That is no longer the case and the ensuing results should manifest this in the coming quarters. With the introduction of a game changing smartphone, the HTC Supersonic; with a 1.5 Ghz processor,4.3″ AM-OLED screen running on a dual mode Wimax capable platform Sprint for once will have a winner. Wimax will have 120 million POPs before the end of this year and should be fully deployed by the end of 2011 with 240 million POPs in the US.

    • JT

      My Mogul is not working properly now, so the Supersonic would be the answer, need it now.

    • Jaycraw28

      1.5 GHZ where did you get that info I tought I was 1Ghz let me know

  • raypatt

    When this phone hits sprint, I’m dumping the iphone and back to spring. ATT is the worst service i’ve ever had.

  • MarkH

    Man my Tmo contract just expired this month. I am going to wait for this phone to come out and will probably jump ship. I was going to go for the HD2 but this is basically the same phone but on android. I will have to learn a new OS but thats ok. I already have a TWC 4G USB stick but it doesn’t penetrate through the lining on the energy efficient windows very well so I only get 1 bar in my room. I hope Clear works on this problem.

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