Breaking: HTC EVO 4G available June 4th for $199.99

By on May 12, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Breaking May 12, 2010

evo-4g-ctia

We’re at the HTC EVO 4G event in New York City and Dan Hesse just let it be known that the HTC EVO 4G will drop June 4th for $199.99. As awesome as this all is, we should caution you that you’ll need the $69.99 Everything Data plan and up to use an EVO 4G. And if you live in a market that has WiMAX, you’re kindly asked to hand over an extra $10 per month as a “premium data add-on”. If you were planning on taking advantages of the EVO’s ability to act as a Wi-Fi hotspot for 8 extra devices, you’ll be dinged an additional $29.99. Don’t get us wrong because we’re not criticizing — when you think about it, this is really in line with what you’d pay for an Overdrive Mi-Fi from Sprint — we’re just letting you know what’s up with no BS. Feeling let down? What if we told you that Sprint has managed to find a way to let you make voice calls over 4G opening the door simultaneous voice and data connections in addition to making video calls via Qik over its EV-DO and WiMAX networks? Yeah, we thought so. Rock on, Sprint. Rock on.

We’ll be back later with more information — including a bunch of pictures — from the event.

Click on through to check out the press release!


America’s First 4G Phone, HTC EVOTM 4G, Debuts on June 4 Packed with Industry-Leading Features Including Access to Mobile Video Chat, Simultaneous Voice and Data and HD Video Capture

Sprint leads the 4G revolution with the highly anticipated, award-winning HTC EVO 4G priced at just $199.99; add mobile hotspot capability for up to eight devices for just $29.99

NEW YORK, May 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — If you were creating your dream wireless device what would it look like? Two cameras and video chat so you can say goodnight to your children when you are away on a business trip? Simultaneous voice and data, so you can call in your take-out order while you look at their menu on the Internet? The ability to plug your phone into your HDTV, so you can let your children finish the movie they started watching in the car’s backseat when you get home? And a huge screen for watching the videos you download in seconds – not minutes – with the fastest wireless data speeds available in America today? Stop daydreaming and get ready for Sprint (NYSE: S) to make your dreams come true on June 4 when the highly anticipated HTC EVO 4G debuts.

The critics agree that HTC EVO 4G is this summer’s must-have wireless experience as it continues to win their accolades and endorsements. CNET, LAPTOP and eWeek gave HTC EVO 4G awards for Best of Show when it was announced at CTIA this spring. Engadget said, “It’s easily the best specced phone we’ve ever witnessed.” The Financial Times cooed, “The first 4G phone in the U.S., the HTC EVO … ticks just about all the boxes for my ideal phone.”

“HTC EVO 4G is a fantastic 3G device, but when you use it in our growing 4G coverage area, it becomes a multimedia powerhouse,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. “The EVO 4G experience is much like going from TV to HDTV. But EVO has more than just an impressive list of features – it is also fun to use with remarkable gaming, video and web-browsing capabilities.”

With the launch of HTC EVO 4G, Sprint customers will be able to enjoy capabilities they have never experienced before with a new video chat service from Qik. The two-way voice and video capability will be available as an upgrade to the preloaded Qik app on HTC EVO 4G to enable conversational, interactive, real-time sharing between mobile devices or from mobile-to-desktop.

Amazing Features, Beautiful Design

HTC EVO 4G features the latest version of the increasingly popular Android platform, Android 2.1, offering more than 35,000 apps, as well as a mind-blowing list of features, including:

  • Simultaneous voice and data capability in 4G and Wi-Fi coverage areas, enabling Web surfing and more while the conversation continues.
  • Offering a new way to search with pictures instead of words, Google Goggles works with everything from books, DVDs and barcodes to landmarks, logos, artwork and wine labels.
  • Superfast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, ensuring a smooth and quick movement within phone menus.
  • Two cameras – an 8.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with HD-capable video camcorder and a forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera.
  • Built-in mobile hotspot functionality allowing up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 3G or 4G experience on the go with a laptop, camera, music player, game unit, video player, or any other Wi-Fi enabled device.
  • Integrated HD video capture with the ability to capture and share live video via the Qik Web site, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.
  • Ability to easily watch video with the device on an HDTV via an HDMI cable (sold separately).
  • Custom Web browser optimized for the 4.3 inch display and Sprint 4G speeds to deliver a full, no-compromise Internet experience.
  • A handy kickstand built into the back, making it easy to watch videos on-the-go.
  • Adobe Flash technology ensures that rich Internet content, such as embedded video and animation, are displayed the way they are meant to be seen.
  • Pinch-to-zoom and automatic text reflowing provide easy Web page views.

HTC EVO 4G boasts the newest version of the highly acclaimed HTC Sense user experience. With HTC Sense, HTC EVO 4G users can use Friend Stream to aggregate multiple social communication channels, including Facebook and Twitter into one organized flow of updates; a “Leap” thumbnail view to easily switch between home screen “panels;” the ability to download new, interactive widgets; and a “polite” ringer, which quiets the ringing phone once lifted up.

While the performance of currently available Android applications will be enhanced by access to 4G data speeds, a Sprint 4G developer guide is available today from the Sprint ADP Web site at http://developer.sprint.com. The Sprint 4G developer guide provides details on developing for an Android 2.1 handset and how to take advantage of HTC EVO 4G’s unique hardware and software capabilities and the Sprint 4G network. The Sprint Application Developer Program has been providing tools for third-party developers since Sprint first launched the Wireless Web on its phones in 2001.

Worry-Free Pricing


HTC EVO 4G will be available in all Sprint retail channels, including Sprint.com and national retail partners, RadioShack, Best Buy and Wal-Mart. Sprint will price the award-winning device at $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate (taxes excluded) with a new line activation or eligible upgrade. Pre-registration is available now at http://www.sprint.com/evo.

In order to provide the best experience, HTC EVO 4G will use Sprint’s industry-leading Everything Data or Business Advantage Messaging and Data plans that include unlimited Web, texting and calling on the Sprint Network to every mobile in America with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM. Everything Data plans start at $69.99 per month. A $10 per month Premium Data add-on will apply allowing customers to take advantage of a richer data experience than ever before.

Additionally, an optional pricing add-on will turn HTC EVO 4G into a mobile hotspot connecting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, gaming devices and digital cameras, simultaneously at 4G speeds where available and at 3G speeds anywhere on the Sprint 3G network for just $29.99 per month – half the monthly cost of the current Mobile Broadband plan (pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).

With the Sprint Free Guarantee, customers can take advantage of HTC EVO 4G for 30 days and if not completely satisfied, may return the device within 30 days to get reimbursed for the device purchase and activation fee, get both the early termination and restocking fees waived, and receive a full refund for the monthly service plan charges.

Blazing trails with Sprint 4G


Sprint 4G offers a faster wireless experience than any other U.S. national wireless carrier, and Sprint is the only national carrier offering wireless 4G service today in 32 markets. Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G2,giving HTC EVO 4G the fastest data speeds of any U.S. wireless device available today.

As the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology, Sprint made history by launching 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. Today, Sprint 4G covers 41 million people and expects to have up to 120 million people covered by the end of 2010.

Sprint currently offers 4G service in 32 markets: Georgia – Atlanta, Milledgeville; Hawaii – Honolulu, Maui; Idaho – Boise; Illinois – Chicago; Maryland – Baltimore; Nevada – Las Vegas; North Carolina – Charlotte, Greensboro, (along with High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (along with Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon – Portland, Salem; Pennsylvania – Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading, York; Texas – Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco, Wichita Falls; Washington – Bellingham, Seattle. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/4G.

In 2010, Sprint expects to launch 4G service in multiple markets, including but not limited to, Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, New York City, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

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  • lowkey

    $10 more for 4g sucks.dan hesse promised it would be free.he lied.i think im going to get the droid incredible instead.i don’t like being lied to and dan hesse is a liar.

    • Homer

      All carriers lie, Verizon claims broadband 3G in areas where you’ll have dial up speeds…. plus you are going to pay A LOT more than $79.99 with Verizon… Hell if you add the hotspot functionality to the Evo it would STILL be cheaper than Verizon and Verizon won’t even give you nearly all the features.

  • w3apon

    This is a really amazing phone. I contacted Sprint customer support and if you don’t live in a 4G area you can still get the phone but you don’t have to pay th extra $10 for he 4G service. The hotspot application is optional. Leaving at&t for this bad boy.

    • webby

      The CSR you spoke to is just wrong. Here is what a Sprint mucky muck said in a blog about the issue:

      “If you buy the Sprint 4G EVO, you have to pay this $10 charge each month. This is specific to the device. It’s not related to whether you are using 3G or 4G. It is required if you have the phone.”

      The Sprint blog is here:
      http://jbtaylor.posterous.com/more-detail-on-the-sprint-evo-4g-10month-prem

  • Luther

    Meh… I’m getting the phone.. it does more than any other phone on the market AND i’ll still be paying less than my iphone PLUS i’ll get yearly upgrades after 6 months :D

    • D

      depending on which state you live in, AT&T gives you a new phone every six months. Did you know that? :)

  • michael

    this phone makes me want to leave at&t… i think i will use the 30 day sprint gurantee to give their network a run for its money and to ensure it works in my area… nothing like an awesome phone and poor coverage in certain areas

  • Boba Fat

    I’m sure I’ll get downranked in a heartbeat but here goes: I used to have a iphone 3gs, switched to the HD2, nice phone, horrible OS. Then decided to set up shop with Sprint in anticipation of the Evo, got a HTC Hero in the meantime. I have to say, coming from a iphone, using Android is awkward. The ‘ease’ of using the phone was lost, that is something the iphone has. As much as I wanted to embrace Android and ditch the Iphone, Today I will return the Hero and keep my iphone. Android works for most, but not all. This has been Boba Fat coming to you from a small 8×8 cubicle in Rockville, MD. Adios!

  • chingy

    29.99 for mobile hot spot?! WTF!?! isn’t there an app for that dam it?!!?

    • D

      only if it’s rooted. plus people only complain about paying for things when something they get for free (after tinkering and hacking) is taken away. If we didn’t have hacks, your comment wouldn’t even be posted.

      • Mr. Incrediblle

        Ummm PDAnet is free and it allows you to tether, no hotspot but still tethering ain’t that bad, let me tell you. But at the same time, I’ve heard that if there is a significant spike in usage, you can be red flagged and they can cancel your service. Just a warning!

  • Z

    I like the EVO and I would port over all five lines from Verizon to the Sprint Eveything Data if the additional 10 dollar fee did not exist, which is probably $10 per line. I would definately get the mobile hotspot if the $10 fee did not exist. Perhaps Sprint can waive the 10 fee if the mobile hotspot feature is purchased. (Marketing Idea)

  • Mike

    If I have to pay an additional $10/month for the right to own the phone since I’ll use more data.

    How about since there is no 4G near me and no plans for any by the end of the 2 year contract and I use 90% of the data on my phone via WiFi, then Sprint sell me the EVO for $50 because they are gonna make an additional $240 off me for nothing?

  • BrainJuice

    Downrated because I want this phone? Lol boy, BGR reader suuuuuure are biased.

  • KirkRoquet

    An $10 extra a month for this phone? Ok. I’m going to do it and love it. If you can’t afford it, then you can’t. Quit “not buying things” on principle. Get what you want or don’t. Better yet, go to a website and post a complaint about it with an anonymous account. That’ll learn ‘em!

    • Mike

      It’s not the issue of being able to afford it or not.

      It is the fact that Hesse said that 4G service wouldn’t cost any extra than 3G service does, couple that with the fact that most Sprint customers are on an “unlimited plan” which has unlimited data, calls, text, etc.

      So now a new 4G phone comes out and we are told we have to pay for “Premium Data” and the reason given for the charge by the Sprint PR team is that the phone has a faster processor, bigger screen, and an 8 megapixel camera, instead of just telling us that it is in fact a 4G charge everyone is paying for no matter if you have 4G service or not.

      People don’t like being called stupid or lied to their face.

      What about Joe Consumer who is already on an Unlimited everything plan for $100/month. How much more data can he use over and above his UNLIMITED service already?

      Sprint just needs to stop lying and be a straight shooter on what the $10 charge is all about and I bet you wouldn’t have 75% of these complaints.

      • KirkRoquet

        I have the Simply Everything plan and pay over $100/month at the moment. I don’t care if Hesse lied. They all lie.

        Is Sprint being opportunists for being first to market with 4G? Sure they are and as a stockholder I expect them to be. Innovation shouldn’t be free.

        The fact remains, if you don’t want to pay the surcharge… don’t. If you don’t want to pay for it only because you don’t live in a 4G area, then wait until you do.

        Want to know what is more powerful than whining? Action. Don’t buy it.

      • Mike

        Still losing sight of the issue.

        Sprint says you have to pay us $10 to use this phone. On top of what you already pay monthly because this phone has a nice camera, fast processor and big screen.

        We all know it’s BS and would much rather them just come out and say it as such, not feeding us P.R. spin and tell us that it is rain, when it fact it is them pissing on our heads.

      • Mike

        Also, I don’t plan on buying it, I am happy with my Pre believe it or not.

      • Not important

        No one believes you’re happy with the Pre.

      • KirkRoquet

        The $10 fee is for owning a phone *capable* of using the 4G network. That’s the real reason. If you live in an area without it, tough luck. It’s a mobile phone, you could still drive to an area where it is available and use it. That is why you cannot buy the phone without the surcharge.

        It’s a legitimate fee for owning the best phone on the market with (arguably) the best OS, too.

        I’m sure once Verizon and AT&T roll out their 4G networks, one of two things will happen. VZ/T will also add a surcharge to use their 4G capable phones… or Sprint will drop theirs.

        I’m not really arguing with you, btw. I don’t like paying more for something if I don’t have to. But I want this phone more than I wanted the iPhone when it was first released. I use a Pre at the moment.

        Worse part is, I cannot upgrade until September. So if I want this phone now I will have to pay full price. And I will. I’m mad about that but happy to get the phone.

  • Some Guy

    So, to all of you who are up in arms about the extra $10 for 4G markets, consider this…. Verizon or AT&T, unlimited calls $69.99, unlimited text $20, unlimited data and android market (for some reason they think it should be seperate) $30. A total of $119.99. $79.99 doesnt seem bad at all. Thats the same price as Verizon charges for a 450 plan with unlimited data and txt on a non-smartphone. Sprint blows that out of the water.

    To those of you who are upset about the extra $29.99 for the mobile hot-spot, think about how much you pay for your phone right now by itself, then think about how much you pay for your internet. If you have a single connection 3G or 4G Air card, a Mi-Fi, or an Overdrive, you are paying an extra $59.99. This phone still saves you money.

    And lastly, to those of you who are advocates of Long Term Evolution (LTE for short) and are trying to say that this will give Verizon and AT&T a leg up in the 4G market, do some research on LTE. It is a service that at best could call itself 3.9G as it does not meet IMT Advanced 4G requirements. There is a reason its full name is 3GPP Long Term Evolution, its still a product of 3G, they might as well call it EV-DO REV B.

  • Michael

    Boooo! I have been a Sprint customer for 10 years and have been waiting for them to come out with a phone like this for a long time. I already have 2 lines on a $150 monthly plan. It’s disappointing to see them want to nickel and dime us even more! That puts me over $200 per month to use the full capabilities of the EVO! Guess what Sprint, Verizon is coming out with LTE soon and will have a phone better than the EVO by next year. (HTC rocks!) I don’t want to switch but…… Does customer loyalty count for anything? Come on Sprint!

    • Dan

      I agree, 11 year customer everything share plan and now another $10 a month. I don’t think Sprint cares if they about long term customers at all.

  • Supersonic FTMFW

    Ha. Come on man. I bought one for my Tilt and the other for my Sprint TP2. That’s all.

  • Supersonic FTMFW

    Stop talking out of your ass. I got the Sprint announcement email about an hour ago. Here is the fine print. Notice the 449.99.

    May require up to a $36 activation fee/line, credit approval and deposit. Up to $200 early termination fee/line applies. Phone Offer: While supplies last. $449.99 – $150.00 (two-year activation) – $100.00 (mail-in rebate) = $199.99 (final price). Mail-in Rebate: Requires activation at the time of purchase. Line must be active 30 consecutive days. Allow 10 to 14 weeks for rebate. Upgrade: Existing customers in good standing with service on the same device for more than 22 consecutive months currently activated with a service plan of $39.99 or higher may be eligible. See in-store rebate form, sprint.com/upgrade for details. Everything Data Plan: Includes 450 Anytime Minutes. Additional Anytime Minutes (overage): Up to $0.40/minute. Nights: Monday – Thursday 7pm – 7am; Weekends: Friday 7pm – Monday 7am. Partial minutes charged as full minutes. Any Mobile, Anytime (AMA)/Unlimited Calls to Mobile: Applies when directly dialing/receiving standard voice calls between domestic wireless numbers as determined when the call is placed using independent 3rd party and Sprint data bases. Standard roaming rates/restrictions apply. Only available with select Sprint Plans and while on the Nationwide Sprint or Nextel National Networks (excludes calls to voicemail, 411, and other indirect methods). Data/Web: Premium content/downloads (games, ringers, songs, certain channels, etc.) are additional charge. Messaging: Includes text, picture and video for domestic messages sent or received. International messages are $0.20 sent or received. SMS voice messages may incur an additional data charge of $0.03/KB. Text to 3rd parties to participate in promotions or other may result in additional charges. International services are not included. GPS Navigation: GPS reliability varies by environment. Voice/Data Usage Limitation: Sprint reserves the right, without notice, to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if off-network usage in a month exceeds: (1) voice: 800 minutes or a majority of minutes; or (2) data: 300 megabytes or a majority of kilobytes. For other usage restrictions, including limiting throughput, see sprint.com/termsandconditions.

  • Doll

    Well how come with other carriers you don’t get anything? i.e. AT&T

  • http://craigjolicoeur.com Craig P J

    Not fully accurate. 2.2 will have built in OS support for tethering but it is still up to the individual carriers to allow it or not. Of course you can always just root your device and I’m sure be able to do tethering regardless.

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