@jbtaylor on tech

I'm a spokesman for Sprint. This personal site is where I share news stories and my views about our company, our phones and other devices. I also write a bit about tech policy, the wireless industry and life in Washington, D.C.

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My take on Sprint's 4G phones: EVO vs. Epic

via youtube.com

Today at Sprint, we launch the Samsung Epic 4G. The Epic joins the HTC EVO 4G as our second 4G phone.

(The phones are the only 4G phones in America -- Sprint is the first and only national wireless carrier to offer 4G.)

I like several things about both phones -- both have 2 cameras, both offer a Sprint Mobile Hotspot, both have super fast processors.

But for me, I have to go with the Epic because of the Super AMOLED screen and the slide out QWERTY keyboard.

If you get the chance, stop by a Sprint store to check out the Epic. It's my favorite phone in our current device line up.

The Reviews of Sprint's Epic 4G Are In

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via zdnet.com

The initial reviews of the Samsung Epic 4G phone from Sprint are in. Here's a quick summary:

Chris Ziegler with Engadget writes: "Speaking in more general terms, it's really impressive that Sprint has already managed to release two very high-end, exceptionally desirable devices built specifically to take advantage of its 4G network. In fact, we'd say that the Epic and the EVO -- even more than the Pre -- have vaulted Sprint from its status as an also-ran to perhaps the most gadget-savvy carrier in the US today."

Jason Chen with Gizmodo says the Epic is "the best 4G phone and best Samsung Galaxy S phone" He writes:  "When you compare the Epic to the EVO, the Epic is the clear winner. Whether it's the slide-out keyboard, better screen, longer battery life or Swype built in, there are plenty of reasons to choose this phone instead. Placed aside the other Galaxy S phones, the Epic still comes out ahead. It's the only one of the four that has 4G, and the only one that has the slide-out keyboard. Most everything else across all four carriers are the same, except for small details in pricing and data plans. But when you're trying to decide between three skinny brothers and a stronger (but fatter) fourth brother, it's clear what the choice is."

Mark Spoonauer with Laptop Magazine writes: "The bottom line is that the Epic 4G is the best device in the Samsung’s Galaxy S line and one more reason to consider switching to Sprint. This feature-packed Android slider sports one of the best keyboards we’ve used, a front-facing camera for video chats, and 4G data capability for blazing fast downloads."

Sascha Segan with PC Magazine writes: "Do you like keyboards? Do you need the click of a physical button to feel like you're actually writing something on your phone? Don't be ashamed if you do. The Samsung Epic 4G for Sprint is the carrier's second 4G phone, and it's the first with a physical QWERTY keyboard. It's a powerful, high-end Android smartphone that is a great choice for Sprint customers, and it's our new Editors' Choice for keyboarded smartphones on Sprint."

Nicole Lee with CNET writes: "Out of all the phones in the Samsung Galaxy S series, the Samsung Epic 4G strikes us as the most desirable for power users... we think the Epic 4G truly deserves its name as its design and feature set make it the all-in-one powerhouse in the Galaxy S family."

Vincent Nguyen with Slashgear writes: "Out of the box, Sprint’s Epic 4G does everything we could ask of it, with the growing space to keep up with whatever Android – and the legion of third-party developers – might have round the corner. Place your pre-order now, people; the Epic 4G is likely to be just as popular as it deserves to be."

To learn more about Sprint's Epic 4G, visit this special site on Sprint.com. You can sign up to be notified of additional news about the phone leading up to its first day of sales on August 31.

More HTC EVO 4G Reviews to Peruse

Last Updated May 25 -- 

Earlier this Last week, I compiled links to the first round of reviews of the HTC EVO 4G from Sprint. The phone is available for sale on June 4 for $199 after mail in rebate. To get updates from Sprint about the device, sign up at www.sprint.com/evo .

While most tech reviewers I work with try very hard not to read the reviews written by their peers before they write their own reviews, sometimes that's not possible. Other tech reviewers I work with like to read what others have to say before they sit down to write. Their rationale is that they want to add new information to the conversation rather than repeat earlier observations.

To help you keep track of the reviews, I decided to add new reviews that have come out since the first round. I'll leave it you to decide what's new from earlier reviews.

Here's what I found since my last post:

Larry Magid, an independent tech writer for the Huffington Post and @CBSNews.com says:

"This is the most advanced Android phone on the market and an excellent option for anyone looking for a full-featured smartphone with Web access, an excellent camera and some very advanced features."

Lisa Gade with Mobile Tech Review says:

"I don't much believe that phones can be a turnaround for a carrier but in this case it really just might happen."

Ginny Mies from PC World says:

"...the EVO 4G is a winner with its solid hardware, multimedia capabilities, and speediness. Even if you don't have 4G connectivity in your city, you'll be pleased with this smartphone."

Matthew Miller from ZDNet says:

"Several reviews were posted last week on the Sprint HTC EVO 4G and a demo unit was sent to me on Friday. I spent the weekend using it and wanted to post some of my own first impressions before I went offline for a week on a cruise with my wife. I posted my top 10 smartphones of 2010 article on Friday too and had the EVO 4G in the number one spot due to the amazing specifications. After two and a half days of usage, I would have to say I think I made the right choice in awarding the EVO 4G the top place and depending on what Apple announces in a couple of weeks the EVO 4G may soon be mine."

Vincent Nguyen from Slashgear says:

"Long anticipated, hugely specified and just plain huge: there’s a lot to like about the HTC EVO 4G. The first WiMAX phone in the US brings with it the promise of DSL-like mobile data access along with the flexibility of Google’s Android OS, complete with HTC’s now-legendary hardware quality and flexible Sense UI."

"...one of the most capable and impressive handsets not only running Android but in the US smartphone segment altogether."

Philip Berne from Phonescoop says:

"...the HTC Evo 4G stands on its own as a great smartphone. For basic calling features, especially the rich, detailed address book with all its social networking extras, the Evo 4G is the best in its class. It's fast and responsive all around, and I love the HTC Sense interface design. The phone browses the Web like the best phones on the market, and even Flash Lite can't keep this phone down. Music and multimedia features could use more advanced features, but even without the bells and whistles music sounded great and videos were fun to watch on the gigantic screen."

Early Reviews of the Sprint EVO 4G are Coming in

The early reviews are coming in for the HTC EVO 4G. I'm told by teammates to expect a few more over the next day or so. Separately, I am getting a small number of devices to share with the reporters I work with in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington, D.C. By the time the phone goes on sale on June 4, there should be dozens of reviews out to help you decide if you want to buy this phone.

Here are the highlights:

Walt Mossberg with the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) says:

"The HTC EVO 4G, when used on Sprint's 4G network, offers the highest consistent downstream data speeds I have ever seen on a cellular network. It also has a number of other strong features: a front-facing camera for video chatting, and the ability to serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot (for an extra fee of $30 a month) that can simultaneously connect up to eight laptops or other devices to the Internet."

Chris Ziegler with Engadget says:

"Let us be crystal clear: we love this phone. Nay, we adore it. ...truly one of the best smartphones ever made..."

Sascha Segan with PC Magazine says:

"...if you live online, the EVO offers a big, beautiful, and powerful window to the world."

"The EVO starts with a world-class 3G smartphone and adds 4G as a "turbo boost" option. If you're an intensive Web user, you'll like it even without 4G."

Bonnie Cha with CNET says:

"Overall, the HTC Evo 4G is, hands-down, the best smartphone that Sprint has to offer and certainly ranks as one of the best Android phones on the market today."

Jessica Mintz with the Associated Press says:

"HTC's Evo 4G phone is fast, powerful and fun to use — as long as your heart isn't set on tapping into the speedier new network it was designed for."

Mark Spoonauer with Laptop Magazine says:

"Even if 4G hasn’t yet reached your neck of the woods, the Evo 4G is a killer device thanks to its zippy processor, huge display, and an interface that makes Android more intuitive and user-friendly. While the keyboard could be better and the battery life longer, the Evo 4G richly deserves our Editors’ Choice award. It’s a no-brainer for Sprint customers, and a tempting choice for those on other carriers."

Matt Buchannan with Gizmodo says:

"It's actually staggering how different the experience is of using a phone that has over 4 inches of display, diagonally, versus more conventional screens, which run closer to 3.5 inches. Even when you're using the same OS at the same resolution—in this case, Android 2.1 with HTC's Sense UI at 800x480, seen on their last few Android phones.

It's kind of like when the jeans you've been wearing forever start to fit a little too snugly because you've been eating a little too well, and you finally cave and buy a bigger pair of jeans, there's a mindblowing moment when you close the button for the first time of how much freedom you suddenly have to breathe. So you kind of hyperventilate."

Level Setting on the EVO and Your Comments

Folks -- let me level set this for you.

This isn't Howard's Forum or for that matter, Sprint.com's community site. It's my personal blog to talk about public policy. Occasionally, I will include posts about a product. That's what I've done here this week.

What I can't do is respond to every comment posted here. (My job is not this customer focused -- since my EVO-related posts I've been working with reporters asking about FCC spectrum issues and I've been helping the Sprint Foundation with an education event yesterday.) In my spare time, I am working through responding to the emails I've received from you.

Please don't take my slow response as an unwillingness to respond. But at the same time, please recognize that Posterous has some limitations when it comes to comment moderation.

I've only deleted one comment posted and that's because a commenter posted the email addresses of some of our executives. Jamming their email inboxes isn't the way to address your frustration. Because this commenter has repeated to post this information, I am going to have to close off comments to the blog until I can figure out how to contact this person to take this offline.

What that means is none of your comments -- the bulk of which are respectful in tone -- won't be seen. I wish it were different, but Posterous has its limitations. I am checking with them to see how I can show all of your comments and block this one offender.

I don't have a problem with comments otherwise, even the personal and unfounded attacks.

But it's just not cool on the part of this one commenter.

I will be writing more here next week about this issue and this device. And I will do my best to respond to your emails.

But for now, have a good weekend and get outside. (It's supposed to be beautiful where I live.)

John

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Update - 5-19: because of some trollish behavior by a few who insist on attacking me personally because of a pricing decision Sprint made and I'm communicating, I've decided to close comments on the blog until my work schedule eases up and I have the time to delete this nonsense one comment at a time or until the behavior stops, whichever comes first. To learn more about my approach to comment moderation and the limitations of Posterous.com, check out my bio section.

 

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