New HTC EVO Shift 4G image surfaces; launching January 9th?

By on Dec 13, 2010 at 8:35 AM
mobile December 13, 2010

We last heard from the HTC EVO Shift 4G / HTC Knight / HTC Speedy last week when it popped up in a new series of accessory shots. It was a safe bet that we would soon be seeing more of Sprint’s HTC Desire Z iteration, and the weekend provided two new tidbits. The first is a new image of the device — the first clear image where we can see its four-line QWERTY keypad. The image shows the phone sitting in a protective case that adds some bulk, however, but picture a shrunken EVO 4G with a sliding QWERTY and you’re good to go. The second piece of the puzzle that may have fallen into place over the weekend is a release date: January 9th. This is pretty close to the date we reported back in October — January 6th — and it falls in line with Sprint’s tendency to launch new devices on Sundays. Our date, which also happens to be the first day of CES next month, is likely when we’ll see this puppy announced.

Hit the jump for a screen shot that supports the January 9th release date.

Read [Image] Read [Release date]

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33 Comments

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  • Myway593

    The manager at teh Sprint store had one and let me see it….All I can say is…PURE JUNK…TO RUN ON THE Where is 4G Network….

    • YourWaySucks

      Pure junk? Based on what facts… the fact that you got to “see” this new device for lets say more than a minute? Please. Your opinion is not only bias, but also has nothing to justify it.

      The EVO is considered one of the best phones in the entire Android handset lineup. To say that this device would be “pure junk” without having touched or giving it a thorough testing is just pure speculation. The fact that they are introducing this new device, which aims to be identical to the EVO in a lot of ways shows testament to my previous statement about the EVO itself. Based on the EVO’s success, I see no reason why this device wouldn’t be just as popular.

      Besides the phone specs (TBA, if not already), the major addition is the qwerty keyboard. There are a lot of people wanting a physical keyboard for this type of device and HTC (who are IMO the best Android device manufactures) are listening to their consumers and offering what they want.

      I’d hold off until at least CES and when the official announcement is made in regards to the phone before labeling this device as “pure junk”.

      • Hecwise

        Dan Heese even said he thought it was junk.

      • Pooch

        When and Where was that? This phone hasn’t even officially been annouced.

    • Perry Valton

      Wow! you must a very special guy.

  • MyPhoneCaptivates

    This phone is the sucessor to the Evo?….and its a Desire Z? Fail.

    • Anonymous

      It’s funny this is copy and paste of an Engadget story from this weekend and even they said the pic was tweaked and questionable at best. Shouldn’t give the looks much credit considering.

    • Rey_banz

      …its clearly not the successor to the Evo moron… its a variant of the Evo w/ a keyboard!!!

    • Anonymous

      Last time I checked the Desire Z was one of the best Phones out with a beter chipset than anything else on the market.

    • Anonymous

      Last time I checked the Desire Z was one of the best Phones out with a beter chipset than anything else on the market.

  • Mr. Bill

    People need to get over the physical qwerty keyboard garbage. But but but I need it to code….no you don’t. If you were doing any kind of important coding it would be done on something like your pc or laptop. Adapt you babies.

    • Teamblackberry

      Unlike you, a lot of people prefer a physical keyboard, which is why HTC continues to release android phones with the full keyboard. Having a physical keyboard gives you more options than just using your “touchscreen” keyboard…….I think its about time you wake up

      • Mr. Bill

        Some forms of life never evolve and become extinct…and you are defnitely entitled to that option.

      • Pooch

        Some people have never evolved to appreciate that other people’s opinions have validity to them, it is called appreciating diversity.

        Among some of the groups that don’t appreciate diversity are the KKK and the Nazi’s.

        EVOLVE Mr. Bill.

      • RIM SUCKS

        Ummmm because you don’t like physical keyboard mean everyone doesn’t? Then does each manufacturer come out with both full touch and full QWERTY phones? Is it possible that some people might prefer and actual keyboard? I would gladly trade in my EVO for an HTC device with full QWERTY and I am pretty sure I am not the only one.

    • http://twitter.com/stulaw11 Jon Klurfeld

      Im sorry but if you reply to mass email a day typing on a screen doesnt work well for anything more than a paragraph without wanting to throw the phone against a wall

  • serpentor

    Just ugly

  • WTF

    I like the ROFL photoshopped above the sun on the screen of the phone. Good job there BgR

    • Anonymous

      BgR did not do that. That is the signature of the person that leaked it (RofL from SprintUsers)

      • Anonymous

        Rofl has been around since when I first came to sprint 5 years ago lol

  • Anonymous

    Uggggh people, the rofl is the username of the person from SprintUsers that posted it. Without the case, it looks almost identical to the Evo. The thickness that the keyboard adds is the one thing that I may not like. It’s a smaller version of the Evo, with a keyboard, hardly hideous. Don’t judge a phone by its case.

  • Anonymous

    What is that foolishness in the bottom right?

  • Anonymous

    I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s no longer worth trying to keep up with all the different phones out there. I’ll still read the articles about them, but I just won’t care as much.

  • http://twitter.com/basimthedream Basim TheDream®™©

    This is not a successor to the EVO, the EVO 2 is slated for a release in March and is basically the same as the EVO w/ a dual core and 10mp camera. This is however a competitor to the Epic for those of us who don’t like the Galaxy S and would rather have Sense UI.

    • popular nobody

      EVO 2 is coming out in the 3Q for next year, and the camera is still 8mp, Sony Super LCD screen, with dual core.

      • Anonymous

        EVO 2 is coming out in February and will feature a quad core processor with 2 font-facing cameras and 3 rear-facing cameras.

  • popular nobody

    People know that’s not a live picture of the phone, let alone a dummy unit right? I’m amazed of how bad that user wanted internet credit, but it was a nice try. Physical keyboard looks and feels better in person, it’s a nice solution if you’ve rather use HTC, not Samsung.

  • Anonymous

    This is just a dummy unit of the device. I doubt that keyboard color scheme will make it to the final build. Im sure that theyll add that front cam at the last minute also Hopefully raise the keys also.

    With that said, the track pad is a beautiful add.Definitely sumthin Sprint would want to make it stand out. Ill never go back to an all touchscreen phone. Once the screen goes your S.O.L. People dont want to admit that. On screen keyboards are great for quick messages but last i check a message can contain 160 characters. Plus an extra way to navigate once the screen goes.

    I wish this was released in time for Xmas but i guess Sprint wanted to geet those other major markets out first. Gettin mine off contract, and blowin my upgrade in June

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/William-Diaz/100000639956723 William Diaz

    Ditch the “protective case” replace it with a front facing camera and you got yourself a deal.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/William-Diaz/100000639956723 William Diaz

    Ditch the “protective case” replace it with a front facing camera and you got yourself a deal.

  • vaocmo70

    What about the HTC merge?

  • http://twitter.com/D4mi4n1988 Damian Wozniak

    Keyboard looks like it will be a pain to type on

  • Seanyboi16

    ummmm…anyone can tell this is clearly fake…jus sayin

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