HTC Evo V 4G_Is it a good choice?

[Bruce_Wayne]

So I'm switching to Virgins no-contract plan, and HTCs Evo V 4G caught my eye. After doing research however, I saw many negatives reviews saying the hardware wasn't good and that errors would always pop up, but there were also many reviews saying it was a great phone and that the errors had been fixed.. Just wanted to get some feedback and opinions before I make the purchase.. Virgin didn't have many phones to offer, and I'm not into the whole 'iPhone cult' so the Evo V seemed like a good choice. Feedback?

 

[xmr405o]

Hello Bruce_Wayne (or is it Batman!)

Welcome to the forums. I'm assuming you want opinions from people who actually have the device. So I'm inclined to move this thread to the EVO V sub forum. Let me know if you want to move it back to the general section. I'll send you the new link so you don't have to search for it.

I just ordered the EVO V for my son as a late X-mas present. It's his first smartphone that is actually going to be activated. However, I do have an unactivated EVO 3D that I got used and my daughter is using it as a wifi device. The EVO 3D and EVO V are identical phones but for different carriers.

I bought the EVO V because the EVO 3D isn't a bad phone so I figured it would be a decent "starter" smartphone for my son. My experience with the EVO 3D has been ok. Some apps do freeze sometimes. I was never a fan of HTC Sense so I wasn't too surprised when I saw the EVO 3D freezing. Besides it was a used phone so what I experienced with the EVO 3D didn't really affect my choice of getting the EVO V. I got it for $149.99, which to me is a great price for a new phone without a contract. It's worth a shot since there is no contract.

I'm on the verge of installing a new launcher for my daughter or even rooting and installing a custom rom if her phone continues to freeze. I'm optimistic that my son will enjoy his smartphone.

Here are some things I like about the EVO V/EVO 3d

-Screen is nice and bright
-The camera is really nice. I like the built-in effects and options.
-3D is cool but not spectacular. My daughter loved it for the first week then stopped using it.
-Sound quality of the speakers are good.
-Wifi connection is stable

 

[coco3133]

Yes it is for 150 because the only "better" phone VM has is the SG2 which is twice the price for only a slightly better camera and processor.

Many issues people had are from getting a bad phone or issues that can be fixed by rooting it (easier then it seems).

I love mine and I payed 320 with tax for it 2 months ago.

 

[rs98]

I bought this phone back in September when it actually had some texting problems. However, VM recently made an update that has fixed these issues. On top of that, this is a great phone. Remember, it is basically an HTC Evo 3D, which was the top phone in 2011. At $150, you cannot go wrong with it. My sister bought one for $150 from Best Buy after they matched the price.

 

[Bruce_Wayne]

Thanks for the responses! I had a question concerning the battery life as well.. Many were saying it did not make it thru the day and advised buying an extended battery as well. Feedback?

 

[rs98]

I have not bought an extended battery thus far. I play games on my phone when I have time, and it seems to last through the whole day without a low battery message. It can last me the whole day with moderate to heavy use, and I like my screen brightness pretty high.

 

[coco3133]

With the 50 bucks you save I would invest in a extended battery Cuz u can never have good enough battery life

 

[Prinny]

Honestly, it depends on the ROM and usage...


I can make it through an 8 hour shift, barely touching my phone, and be at about 70~80% battery. That's if I hardly use it though, which at work I don't really.

If I play with it all day, battery goes down the drain.

Would I recommend this phone? Definitely yes. One of the best phones I've ever owned.

 

[KryptoNyte]

Are you interested in rooting the phone, and installing other software following directions similar to this thread;

http://androidforums.com/evo-v-4g-a...ng-turning-your-phone-into-evo-3d-thread.html

In other words, would it bother you if you were in a position where the phone simply wouldn't make phone calls and send text messages in a reliable fashion unless you were required to follow the list of directions as mentioned in the thread above?

 

[lightsleeper23]

If you look in the evo v section here on the forums you will see entire threads about the “radio interface resource shortage “. I went through 2 of these phones that has bad hardware and had to end up getting a different phone. NONE of the fixes they told me to try worked. It would lose signal completely several times a day, so you had no idea how many calls and texts you were missing until you tried to make one yourself and realized it had no signal. It was very bad. The signal was broken until you went into settings and reset the profile and prl. But it would only work for a short time. If they have fixed this, i am not aware. The word was it was a hardware problem and could not be fixed by a software patch. My personal advice would be to avoid this phone.

 

[zaius42]

The phone is good. Dated, but good..

If you really love sense then I'd recommend it. If you want something capable of running a stock android rom with full functionality. Looks elsewhere.

 

[rs98]

If you look in the evo v section here on the forums you will see entire threads about the

 

[lightsleeper23]

Well if that's the case I'd love to hear from the folks in that thread that the issue is truly fixed. Considering it was a significant issue that has gone on for months, it would really ease peoples minds. As of a couple weeks ago it appears it was still ongoing. Maybe a new thread should be dedicated to such testimonials. Because if that is the case that is truly good news. I was very saddened that I had to return that phone. Twice.

 

[SuperAfnan]

Wow there have been lots of replies on this thread.

Just wondering why you would get a prepaid phone since you're a billionaire. I would get Verizon instead.

But yes this phone is great if you start rooting and flashing custom roms you will see what I mean. Even without that, the phone is wonderful and the radio error seems to be gone now that virgin has rolled out the update. Since the price is dropping I don't see why you shouldn't get it. Be sure to definitely root it and s off and you will get a much nicer experience and customize the phone to your needs. There is so much you can do once you have done that.

If you're wondering if you should get the S2, I wouldn't since there is a big price difference and not a big difference on specs.

 

[Bruce_Wayne]

Wow there have been lots of replies on this thread.

Just wondering why you would get a prepaid phone since you're a billionaire. I would get Verizon instead.

But yes this phone is great if you start rooting and flashing custom roms you will see what I mean. Even without that, the phone is wonderful and the radio error seems to be gone now that virgin has rolled out the update. Since the price is dropping I don't see why you shouldn't get it. Be sure to definitely root it and s off and you will get a much nicer experience and customize the phone to your needs. There is so much you can do once you have done that.

If you're wondering if you should get the S2, I wouldn't since there is a big price difference and not a big difference on specs.

Had to give Alfred a raise.. Haha but thanks everyone who commented, very glad to hear that the "radio-interference" problem has been fixed, pretty sure ill place my order in tonight....perhaps order a few thousand..to avoid suspicion. :vamp:

 

[KryptoNyte]

I would seriously recommend purchasing the phone locally, and then checking to make darn sure that it arrives WITH the update already on it. If it doesn't have the update on it, I would fiddle with it for a few weeks (depending on the retailer's return window) and if it still didn't receive the update I would take it back to the store and take my cash back out of Virgin Mobile's pocket. Taking cash BACK from these companies is all they understand.

I have a friend that still hasn't received the update and the phone is a complete headache.

 

[OverByter]

If you look in the evo v section here on the forums you will see entire threads about the

 

[brunolly]

Well if that's the case I'd love to hear from the folks in that thread that the issue is truly fixed. Considering it was a significant issue that has gone on for months, it would really ease peoples minds. As of a couple weeks ago it appears it was still ongoing. Maybe a new thread should be dedicated to such testimonials. Because if that is the case that is truly good news. I was very saddened that I had to return that phone. Twice.

Many people have received the update but many haven't as well, apparently. The update seems to have been halted, and from what I can gather, many if not all new phones are being sold without the radio fix update. If that is true, then I could not in any way, shape, or form recommend this phone as a new purchase. It may flat out not work half the time with no fix in sight other than the DIY fix.

 

[SuperAfnan]

If you buy the phone and still find out the error is still there, no worries! Just go into the all things root forum and go to the thread turning it into an evo 3d. Do the tweaks there and the errors will go away. You will also get the benefits of turning it into an evo 3d and getting better signal anyway. I guess there is nothing to lose!

 

[OverByter]

I paid $275 for the "privilege" of owning the first prepaid Android, the Samsung Intercept. You want to talk about a phone with issues. Now compare that experience to the Evo V, the texting issue affects a minority of users, there's both an official and diy solution, find another device for $150 with anywhere near the specs on this phone. The Motorola Triumph had numerous issues that 2 years later have never been addressed and they still list it for $200. I pre ordered my EVO for $300 and received it on launch day and even at that price I'm extremely pleased and have absolutely no qualms about recommending it. :thumbup:

 

[brunolly]

I paid $275 for the "privilege" of owning the first prepaid Android, the Samsung Intercept. You want to talk about a phone with issues. Now compare that experience to the Evo V, the texting issue affects a minority of users, there's both an official and diy solution, find another device for $150 with anywhere near the specs on this phone. The Motorola Triumph had numerous issues that 2 years later have never been addressed and they still list it for $200. I pre ordered my EVO for $300 and received it on launch day and even at that price I'm extremely pleased and have absolutely no qualms about recommending it. :thumbup:

Slight correction here. There's an "official" solution for those lucky enough to get it, arbitrarily. It's misleading to minimize the fact that a new purchaser of this phone, if affected by this problem,may be REQUIRED to root and fix.

 

[reddeaddorito]

The battery is horrible, but it's a good device.

 

[OverByter]

The battery is horrible, but it's a good device.

True, but remarkably the Triumph was even worse!

 

[lightsleeper23]

I think you're minimizing the problem by suggesting its only s texting issue, and it only affects s minority of users. No, it is a complete loss of all cell signal, as if the phone were in airplane mode. It rendered my phone useless. And it effects enough if them to seriously worry about purchasing one. I got 2 in a row with the issue. And it'd unclear whether the update is even available now. And the DIY fix is something that definitely would not appeal to evetone. Only people that enjoy and are comfortable with rooting and messing around with the phone a lot, voiding any warranty immediately and potentially bricking their device.

Obviously you feel.comfortable reccomending this phone. I certainly do not. Yes, spec-wise the phone is awesome. If there were sufficient evidence that this problem were truly resolved and none being sold would have it anymore, I would reccomend it as well. Until then I can not.

 

[OverByter]

I don't think that I'm minimizing the issues, I'm going by my experience with the phone as are you. I've had it since launch, very rarely received the texting error, and when it did occur I acknowledged the error message and hit resend and that was the end of it. Since the ota update I haven't had a single error. My friend received a replacement about 2 weeks ago and got the ota last week so I know that at least a week ago it was still being pushed. And I pointed out the Triumph, which I went through 6 replacement phones before I gave up and to this day, 1 1/2 years later has never gotten any updates. I've never completely lost my signal and have decent 4G speeds where I live, so while I do feel sorry for your experience based on my own I definitely don't have a problem with recommending the phone to friends and family members.