Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) is hoping to build on its success with the original HTC Evo WiMAX smartphone by launching the next iteration of the device featuring LTE and HD voice. The HTC Evo 4G LTE smartphone will be available sometime in the second quarter, with pre-orders beginning Monday, May 7. It will cost $199.99 with a two-year contract.
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Click here for details on the HTC Evo 4G for Sprint. |
The HTC EVO 4G LTE will run on Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android 4.0, or Ice Cream Sandwich, and will be integrated with HTC Sense 4, which the company said will help with navigation and usability. The device will have a 4.7-inch HD screen, HD voice capability, 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) Snapdragon S4 processor, a 2000mAh embedded battery and dual-camera with instant capture capability. The device is remarkably similar to HTC's flagship One X phone announced in February at Mobile world Congress; AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) will launch the LTE-capable One X.
According to Sprint, with the launch of the HTC Evo 4G LTE, it will be the first U.S. carrier to offer nationwide HD voice capability beginning in late 2012 as part of its Network Vision upgrade.
Sprint is planning to launch LTE in Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City and San Antonio, Texas by mid-year through its Network Vision program. Yesterday, Sprint said that all its LTE smartphones will have access to unlimited data plans. The operator also said that its first LTE smartphone will be the LG Viper, which will make its debut later this month for $100 with a two-year contract and $50 mail-in rebate card.
The company has also indicated it will launch the LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and according to a report from The Verge, that device will debut April 22. The report, which cited an internal Walmart document, also said the Viper will be available April 15. The carrier also intends to launch a LTE mobile hotspot from Sierra Wireless that can also access Clearwire's (NASDAQ:CLWR) mobile WiMAX network.
Sprint has confirmed that around 15 LTE devices, including handsets, tablets and data cards, are on track to be launched in 2012.
For more:
- see this release
- see this CNET article
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