We've got the second-generation HTC EVO Shift 4G review here! Find out if the Shift 4G can carry on the EVO legacy.
HTC EVO Shift 4G Overview
The second-generation EVO phone has finally landed, and we can safely say that it's another winner. With Android 2.2, a speedy second-generation Snapdragon processor, endless applications from the Android market, and a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, the HTC EVO Shift 4G was crafted for the text message fanatic and social feed freak. The phone also has a pretty impressive 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video, and supports 4G hotspots. Will the HTC EVO Shift 4G have what it takes to destroy the Samsung Epic 4G, Motorola Droid 2, and T-Mobile G2? Find out in our exclusive review.
HTC EVO Shift 4G Design
In terms of architecture, the closest neighbors to the HTC EVO Shift 4G are the Samsung Epic 4G, Motorola Droid 2, and T-Mobile G2, as all three phones specialize in slide-out QWERTY keyboards. The HTC EVO 4G's keyboard is very similar to the Droid 2's when we look at design, as it does not snap out like the Samsung Epic 4G's. Instead, there is a significant amount of resistance when sliding out the HTC EVO Shift's keyboard, which lacks refinement. Also, the placement of the volume controls make it difficult to open and close the keyboard without toggling the volume up or down. The buttons on the HTC EVO Shift 4G's keyboard are small, but they're nicely spaced and include a Function button for fast action. The HTC EVO Shift 4G also has a small directional pad in the bottom right corner, but we found it to be unnecessary, as the touchscreen was sufficient enough.
Speaking of touchscreens, the HTC EVO Shift 4G has a 3.6-inch WVGA capacitive display with fantastic sensitivity. HTC really knows their stuff when it comes to the construction of a quality phone, and the HTC EVO Shift 4G is no exception. The screen features a brushed metal housing and large inlaid earpiece. The four haptic feedback buttons along the bottom of the screen are as highly responsive as the screen, and we had no problem flicking and swiping on the HTC EVO Shift 4G. Along the back of the phone, HTC put a matte finish on the plastic back panel, which, when removed, reveals the 1500 mAh battery. But there's no sign of a MicroSD card slot. That's because the battery must be removed in order to access the included 2GB MicroSD card.
The HTC EVO Shift 4G also lacks a Camera button, so it's definitely not the most equipped phone when it comes to external controls. The 5-megapixel camera lens with LED flash is embedded in back, and the HTC EVO Shift 4G has a 3.5mm audio jack. In terms of portability, the phone is a bit thicker than the average non-keyboard phone, and is on par with the Droid 2 when it comes to dimensions. The Shift 4G is certainly not as equipped and advanced as its creator, the HTC EVO 4G, and comparing the two is akin to comparing the Motorola Droid X with the Motorola Droid 2.
HTC EVO Shift 4G Software and Interface
The HTC EVO Shift 4G excels when it comes to speed and productivity. It has an 800MHz Second-Generation Snapdragon Chipset with faster GPU, which makes the EVO Shift 4G comparable to some of the 1GHz speed phones on the market. For our browsing pleasure, the HTC EVO Shift 4G utilizes HTC Sense in conjunction with Android 2.2, the latter contributing to the speed boost and compatibility with Flash 10.1 while browsing the Internet. Along with the HTC EVO Shift 4G's 4G mobile hotspot capability, the phone has Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n Wireless-N and Stereo Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, and Proximity, Motion, and Light sensors. The HTC EVO Shift 4G is a beast in QWERTY clothing, and we found the phone to be highly efficient when it came to speed. The EVO Shift 4G was one of the quickest phones we've tested to date.
With Sense and Android 2.2, it couldn't really get any better at this point in time. HTC brought us Friend Stream, which allowed us to aggregate all of our Facebook and Twitter contacts into one large status update widget. The HTC EVO Shift 4G allowed us to select our favorite contacts and display them on one of the 7 home screens, in addition to web page bookmarks. Speaking of Home Screens, the phone had Leap, which allowed us to pinch the screen to display all home screens displayed as thumbnails and then tap the one we wanted in order to minimize multiple swipes from screen to screen. We could add or remove widgets, applications, shortcuts, and folders by pressing and holding anywhere on an open portion of the home screen.
The HTC EVO Shift 4G also handled 3D games without any problems, thanks to its 6-axis sensor, and the revamped Android Market offered over 100,000 applications to download. We liked the look of the new Android Market, but its new layout makes it easier to inadvertently tap an unwanted selection. The HTC EVO Shift 4G offered High Quality YouTube videos, though when we played YouTube videos from within the Internet browser, the choppy framerate could not match the real-time sound. More Google goodies included Gmail, Maps, Calendar, and Search. Like any Sprint phone, the HTC EVO Shift 4G includes NASCAR, Sprint Football Live, Sprint TV, and Sprint Zone, which need subscriptions.
For more productivity on the go, the HTC EVO Shift 4G had Quickoffice, which allowed us to compose or work on Word 97-2003 or Excel 97-2003 files. Everything about the HTC EVO Shift 4G's interface and navigation experience was seamless, and it was one of the most pleasurable browsing experiences we've had on a phone to date. Even the People hub was intuitive, allowing us to slide from All Contacts to Groups to Online Directories to Call History. HTC and Sprint have created another champ in the 4G circuit.
HTC EVO Shift 4G Call Quality/Battery Life
Although the HTC EVO Shift 4G is only equipped with one microphone, it excels with very good call quality. Background noise was minimal, if it even existed at all, and we did not experience any dead spots. Nothing to complain about regarding the Shift 4G's sound quality. For battery life the phone will take you relatively far, as long you minimize Wi-Fi usage and keep the screen dim. Of course, playing 3D games, browsing the Internet, and talking on the EVO Shift 4G all day long will wear the battery down to a crisp, but we found the phone's overall battery stamina to run somewhere along the upper middle echelon the standard battery life meter.
HTC EVO Shift 4G Camera
It feels odd to notate the following, but the HTC EVO Shift 4G was the first phone to actually reestablish our hope for the world of digital imaging within the cell phone landscape. The HTC EVO Shift 4G surpassed the T-Mobile G2 and Motorola Droid 2 in both still image and video quality, and we feel that it edged out the Samsung Epic 4G by a neck.
Colors were significantly accurate, and the saturation meter allowed us to boost hues when needed. Also, the ability to shift dynamic range could be achieved via a Contrast slider that offered two steps, which were enough to battle most backlight attacks. In low light, the HTC EVO Shift 4G had the same sensitivity as the Epic 4G, but its flash performance was superior. Flash performance on the phone was great, and Auto White Balance never failed.
The HTC EVO Shift 4G can capture 720p HD videos with its 5-megapixel camera at 30fps, though in low light, the fps drop significantly. Still, the impressive flash performance makes the HTC EVO 4G a blast to shoot with in low light, and we could even apply all of the image effects to our videos. We will say that audio recording is not up to snuff, as recorded sound was a few steps above junk.
The HTC EVO Shift 4G has a great camera interface with plenty of manual controls and an organized interface that enabled us to get in and out with ease. The camera also offered touch focus, which was a great tool, but we couldn't focus while recording like the iPhone. Despite its few flaws, the HTC EVO Shift 4G was one of the premiere digital imaging performers in our labs.
Well, the wait for a new EVO phone is over, and it was worth it. The HTC EVO Shift 4G for Sprint is a definite winner. It's as quick as most of the top speed demons in the smartphone circuit, thanks to its second-generation Snapdragon chipset and Android 2.2. The EVO Shift 4G also proves its versatility with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and access to plenty of applications like Quickoffice, HTC Mail, the Android Market, and a robust Google Suite.
The HTC EVO 4G may not have the front facing camera, HDMI terminal, or giant screen found on its bigger brother, the HTC EVO 4G, but it was built for the avid messager and social feed fiend. Consider the HTC EVO Shift 4G to be the subdued version of the 4G phone that started it all. Compared to its competitors, the HTC EVO Shift 4G is one of the top contenders, so be sure to check it out before you settle on a Samsung Epic 4G or branch out to another carrier for the Motorola Droid 2 or T-Mobile G2.
Price and Release Date
The HTC EVO Shift 4G will be available from Sprint on January 9. It'll cost $150 with a new two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate.
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