• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Is the Evo living up to the hype or should I avoid it?

Androidcurious

Android Enthusiast
Jul 6, 2010
324
111
Yes, another one of these threads. However, I'm interested in some specific user experience now that hte phone has been out for a while.

Most importantly...

Does it have all the lag people have complained about? I've played with one in a store and didn't notice any lag. It's not quite as smooth as iOS, but that doesn't mean much. However, you guys have had it for about a month now. Does it slow down the more apps you use? (Note: I'm not app crazy. I'm much more interested in a phone's core functionality than apps).

What is all this talk between you guys of "Did you get 003?" and the like?

Is the screen separation issue really an issue or a tempest in a teapot? I'm a tech blog reader so I know that these things are generally a big deal to a few and most devices have no issues.

How fast is the camera when taking shots? Instantly ready to go one after the other or a bit of a delay?

Is the battery really as bad as they say? I understand that 4G eats a lot, and if you have a billion things going at once that'll hurt, but on the flip side I don't want to have to have everything off to the point that I'm using a flat screen RAZR.

Your input is greatly appreciated.
 
I've witnessed almost ZERO lag on my Evo.

The "0003" stuff is just talk about the hardware version. Despite what people on this forum will tell you, it means absolutely nothing, at least not right now with only versions 0001-0003 out.

The screen seperation issue is real, but HTC is right when they say it's minor. Now we have seen some cases of horrible, horrible, seperating on this forum, but that's 1-2 Evos out of what must be hundreds of users on this forum. Most people that have "light leakage" probably DON'T have a screen seperation issue worth returning. The screen adhesive will definately need improvement, but any Evos that actually have a seperating screen are in the minority.

As for the battery, just compare it to a laptop. An Evo can perform most tasks an average laptop user does. And Evo's battery lasts much much longer than a laptop. The different radios isn't really that big of a deal. If you're not using a navigation app, there's no need for GPS to be on. If you're not using wifi or 4g, there's no need for them to be on either. With the awesome Sense widgets, toggling these on and off is a breeze.
 
Upvote 0
Yes, another one of these threads. However, I'm interested in some specific user experience now that hte phone has been out for a while.

Most importantly...

Does it have all the lag people have complained about? I've played with one in a store and didn't notice any lag. It's not quite as smooth as iOS, but that doesn't mean much. However, you guys have had it for about a month now. Does it slow down the more apps you use? (Note: I'm not app crazy. I'm much more interested in a phone's core functionality than apps).
No lag that I have noticed and I have plenty of apps. I have not heard many complaints either.

What is all this talk between you guys of "Did you get 003?" and the like?
I wouldn't read into all that too much. You don't really have a choice in the matter and I don't think that it matters all that much in the first place.

Is the screen separation issue really an issue or a tempest in a teapot? I'm a tech blog reader so I know that these things are generally a big deal to a few and most devices have no issues.
I have not noticed this with my launch day phone and according to HTC it is cosmetic but the newer phone should not exhibit this issue at all.

How fast is the camera when taking shots? Instantly ready to go one after the other or a bit of a delay?
There is a slight delay but it is far less than any other camera phone that I have ever owned.

Is the battery really as bad as they say? I understand that 4G eats a lot, and if you have a billion things going at once that'll hurt, but on the flip side I don't want to have to have everything off to the point that I'm using a flat screen RAZR.
Battery life has been great for me. It has lasted me all day every day except for two days that I used the navigation app for an extended period of time then I had to find a charger, but that is to be expected when using a resource hungry app like navigation.

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Just get one already!:cool:
 
Upvote 0
I've witnessed almost ZERO lag on my Evo.

The "0003" stuff is just talk about the hardware version. Despite what people on this forum will tell you, it means absolutely nothing, at least not right now with only versions 0001-0003 out.

The screen seperation issue is real, but HTC is right when they say it's minor. Now we have seen some cases of horrible, horrible, seperating on this forum, but that's 1-2 Evos out of what must be hundreds of users on this forum. Most people that have "light leakage" probably DON'T have a screen seperation issue worth returning. The screen adhesive will definately need improvement, but any Evos that actually have a seperating screen are in the minority.

Is HTC changing the build at all to fix this defect? Sounds like a manufacturing issue instead of a ...sigh...design flaw like the iPhone 4's antenna.
 
Upvote 0
I love it.

Most of the issues you site are really not that big of a problem.

As for the laggness.

There is no such thing. It is just a bunch of people measuring to the sq mm something that is not really that important. If you plan of heavy gaming on the phone, then it might be noticeable. But so far all the "reports" are just people measurbating about how fast it can be. I wish someone would write a program that would measure frames per second under normal use, they would find that in most cases it was less then 10.

It does slow down alot if you do not use a task killer, all the sprint preinstalled stuff does kill performance. They should have installed a task killer by default, but they will not because god forbid if your nfl program is not loaded and waiting for you.

Which brings us back to battery life. Most people will say a lightly used task killer extends battery life into 20 hours or so. I have personally seen this, if I turn off task killer, I get about 3 hours. If I turn on task killer, I get about 26 hours now.

As for what is good for you, you have a 30 day return period, give it a run around the block. Only you can decide if it is the phone for you.
 
Upvote 0
I love it.

Most of the issues you site are really not that big of a problem.

As for the laggness.

There is no such thing. It is just a bunch of people measuring to the sq mm something that is not really that important. If you plan of heavy gaming on the phone, then it might be noticeable. But so far all the "reports" are just people measurbating about how fast it can be. I wish someone would write a program that would measure frames per second under normal use, they would find that in most cases it was less then 10.

It does slow down alot if you do not use a task killer, all the sprint preinstalled stuff does kill performance. They should have installed a task killer by default, but they will not because god forbid if your nfl program is not loaded and waiting for you.

Which brings us back to battery life. Most people will say a lightly used task killer extends battery life into 20 hours or so. I have personally seen this, if I turn off task killer, I get about 3 hours. If I turn on task killer, I get about 26 hours now.

As for what is good for you, you have a 30 day return period, give it a run around the block. Only you can decide if it is the phone for you.

Ultimately that's my plan. What I"m looking for are consistent comments, both pro and con. You can glean a pretty good idea if a device is right for you if you pay attention to the details I've asked about. That's why all of your input is so greatly appreciated. It's the guys who have been using it every day for the last month that give you the most honest appraisals.
 
Upvote 0
The EVO is my third smart phone and by FAR the BEST I have ever used. My first touch screen was the HTC Touch. It was pretty bad, but I think most of the problem was with that Microsoft OS. I got rid of it cause it locked up all the time and went to a BlackBerry Curve. No complaints with the BB, but was pretty boring. However, it never failed. My point is, I was skeptical to get the EVO. It has definately lived up to the hype!! I have the HW version 3 and have had NO issues at all. Battery last about 15 to 19 hours with moderate use. Be honest, if you use navigation and those other battery draining programs you need to get a car charger. NO complaints here at all! Go for it! This is by far the best phone on the best network!
 
Upvote 0
absolutely love my evo! have had some battery troubles but i think i have it all figured out now. got rid of all the task killers and am using juicedefender and a battery meter both from the market. not too sure if juicedefender is helping as much as i think it is but had the best battery day yet when i used it.
I have not had a single problem with lag at all! only thing that lags is launcher pro but i think it is a bit buggy and it is only one function that lags that i never need to use except for initial setup!
amazing phone and great network as well!
 
Upvote 0
The camera boots up quick, but has a 1-3 second delay after hitting the shutter button. IMO...not very speedy when compared to other phones.

EVO is simply the best phone out there. No comparison yet. When a comparison is on the market, it will take several versions to get through bugs and EVO will be leveled out by then. In fact, the EVO has very few issues. A v2 we had was flawless, but Sprint pissed me off, so I returned it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nikkihp79
Upvote 0
I don't post that much on any forums, but I wanted you to know that the Evo is definitely the best smartphone I have ever owned. I have tried them all and by far, the Evo exceeds. The iPhones are a little smoother, but the Evo does not lag. I have seen iPhones slow down just as much as I have seen my Evo slow down, but on both phones, it is very rare.

I too was worried about slow down after installing multiple apps, but I have quite a few apps now and I notice zero change. I do run System Panel to end tasks after awhile, but it is an instant wipe, etc.

Not sure if the screen issues have been taken care of, but I don't pay any attention to mine. I have the insurance, and I'll deal with it if it ever happens.

I'm an extremely heavy phone user, as I'm a consultant and I use it for my main business line. My battery lasts well enough. I do charge in my car whenever I can and I do have an extra battery.

Hope it helps a little
 
Upvote 0
Had mine since 6/6.

I use it for Skype videoconferencing to desktop Skype users.

I use mine for an eBook reader - the screen is big enough for that - also, for the World Newspaper apps.

Netradio aside, it has a built-in FM radio and I enjoy that immensely.

Your decision is really, really simple.


  1. Sprint offers the best data plan at the best price.
  2. CDMA technology - used by Sprint's network - is crystal clear on voice.
  3. The Evo is the biggest, baddest, best phone on the Sprint network.

For everyday media access of - web, eBooks, emails, friendly videos sent in the mail, MS Office document reading, you simply cannot beat the 4.3" screen.

The rest comes from basic Android goodness - and despite complaints that HTC Sense just isn't with it - it gives you 7 desktops that you can put apps/widgets on - VERY handy.

Keep out of the social networking and all of the other crap that babbles constantly on the web, put up the widgets that give you full control of each of the phone's many radios, and your battery will last quite a long while. I often go from sunup past sundown without any difficulty.

Buy one - you're done.
 
Upvote 0
This is my first smartphone, and I've been waiting for one like the Evo for some time. I have a foldable Bluetooth keyboard that works with it.

I don't have cable tv, but I've been using the hdmi connection to watch shows on my tv, streamed by the Evo

I use the hotspot feature for internet with my laptop, but the 4.3" screen is great for browsing and I find that I barely use my laptop anymore.

I use the Evo for browsing, spreadsheets, wordprocessing, camera and video, and lots of other uses. I can't recommend it enough.
 
Upvote 0
I've been using PDAs and smartphones for a decade now and the Evo is definitely the best and most powerful amalgamation of both I have ever had. I have never done the iPhone thing because it lacks so much power compared to prior real mobile OSes such as WM, but Android has no such issues and is rounding into form that competes with iOS in usability and WM in capability. That IMO is the best of both worlds and leaves me wanting little. It has taken five years for a phone-PDA to reach that point for me, as the last standalone WM pdas were quite powerful.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones