HTC EVO V Review, no contract Android smartphone with 3D for Virgin Mobile
by Antonio Wells
Aug 28, 2012 9:56 AM –
HTC EVO V , the ‘V’ is for Virgin Mobile as this is their shining, and first 4G Android smartphone. If it looks and is described just like the HTC EVO 3D, then don’t be surprised there because that’s exactly what this phone is- just not tethered to a carrier contract, yet still runs on the Sprint talk & data network. Sounds like it’s for you… well read more in our review!
Price: $299.99 $239.99
Carrier: Virgin Mobile (Exclusive)
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Runs modern version of Android, 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich!
- Large 4.3 inch touchscreen!
- Runs on Sprint’s 3G and 4G networks!
- Mobile hotspot to share Internet connection with up to five devices!
- Has a 3D camera and can view photos back in real 3D!
- No contract phone!
Cons
- 3G and 4G speeds noticeably slow in Chicagoland area.
- 3D is more novelty than practical.
- It’s thick and bulky.
Design
The HTC EVO V feels large, comfortable in the hand but chunky, weighted & firm; a masculine design indeed. It boasts a 4.3″ Super LCD 3D display (of 540×960 qHD resolution). It has a switch on the lower right side to toggle between 2D and 3D, this is really only applicable in 3D capable apps like the camera app. Additionally, it has a dedicated camera shutter button. Viewing the phone from the back reminds me of a swell designed portable tape recorder, but the bug eyes are in fact both of the cameras needed to produce 3D imagery. In my opinion, and especially after using the HTC One S and Samsung Galaxy S3 as daily flyers, the HTC EVO V is a tad bit on the thick side measuring just under half an inch thick (0.46 inches to be exact).
Features
Ships with Android 4, Ice Cream Sandwich
The HTC EVO V ships with a more modern version of the Android software, it still pains me to see other major manufacturers and carriers, still releasing new phones to the market on older versions. However, it’s not all entirely their fault as Android is so frustratingly fragmented. In all, you benefit from sleeker design and personalization as the phone features HTC’s Sense user interface that gives it that iconic look with the large clock/weather widget on the home screen. Customization doesn’t stop there, because of Sense, I really like how the Contacts/People app aggregates various ways you can contact a person; from the dialer, from text messages, from social networks and more.
Cameras (3D on rear VGA on front)
HTC EVO V 3D HD Imaging Camera
Clearly one of the stand out features of the HTC EVO V is that it can take 3D photos and video plus display 3D images without some goofy glasses. Though, in my opinion, this is more a novelty than necessity. Immediately, when you look at the 3D picture or video, it is so overwhelming that it makes your eyes and brain ache a bit; it’s a jarring adjustment every time.
HTC EVO V Sample Picture
Whether you fancy three dimensional flicks or not, the EVO V packs some punch with its photos as it has dual 5 megapixel rear cameras and a VGA quality front facing camera for vanity shots and video calling.
4G (WiMAX for the Tech Pundits)
3G/4G Internet Speed Test Results for HTC EVO V for Virgin Mobile on Sprint's Network
It’s sad to say, but this was the deal-breaker for me, the Internet speeds were turtle slow… even when the 4G toggle was switched on. Take a peep of my speed test results above. Initially I assumed it was the area (in our office Sprint’s WiMAX 4G is notorious for being slow), I received pretty fast results the first day and they tanked and never recovered past that, no matter what location I visited. On average I experienced 1.3 Mbps downloads and 322 kbps uploads. Furthermore, in my tests, I visited all major sections of the city with the exception of the west side; so north side, central (and downtown), south and south suburbs- same slow results. 
Virgin Mobile Live
Virgin Mobile Live Music Streaming App
Each phone on the carrier is equipped with their own free streaming music station. Upon launching the app you can listen to tunes 24/7 as well as watch videos, if you like the track, you can purchase it. Whether you have Virgin’s service or not, you can still experience it free from the web at Virgin Mobile Live.
Call Quality, Performance and Battery life
Quandrant and Antutu Benchmarks for HTC EVO V
In my conversations, call quality on the EVO V was decent and not great. Meaning, the volume of the person I was speaking to was lower in comparison to other phones, although it improved with earbuds.
I remember when the HTC EVO 3D, the phone this is based on, debuted at CTIA in 2011. At that time, the numerous announcements of dual-core processing phones, Sprint showed a chart that essentially had the phone’s 1.2 GHz dually as the king of the pack… my how times & tech have changed so fast. In the smartphone benchmark test performed above, the HTC EVO V sits quite low on the totem pole. Don’t get me wrong, the phone’s performance is fast, capable of running today’s HD games for Android, yet the latest crop of phones are ridiculously fast… and the next breed will only blaze faster.
If you keep 4G off, you can essentially last the entire day with regard to battery life on this phone. As a light-moderate user I was able to get on average 12-15 hours with 4G turned off and just above half that with it on. Advice: toggle 4G as necessary.
Pictures
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HTC EVO V Front Angle
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HTC EVO V Back Side Angle View
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HTC EVO V 3D Images
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HTC EVO V 3D HD Imaging
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HTC EVO V Front View
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HTC EVO V Back View
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HTC EVO V 3D Toggle and Camera Shutter Button
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HTC EVO V USB Side View
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HTC EVO V Top Side View
Bonus: check out the benefit concert for homeless youth Virgin Mobile hosted with rapper/actor/author/philanthropist, Common, and we were there to cover it.
Watch on Mobile
Tags:
4G WiMAX,
Android 4.0,
Android Smartphone,
HTC,
HTC EVO 3D,
HTC EVO V,
HTC EVO V Android Apps,
HTC EVO V Apps,
Ice Cream Sandwich,
ICS,
Virgin Mobile,
WiMAX
Categorised in: Android Phones, Featured, News
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