Eventually Sprint Spark devices will be SVDO once Sprint starts to deploy VoLTE, problem solved.
Anecdotally, yeah, but technically, no.
When you're on 3G, it's EVDO.
If your handset supported it beginning in 2012, when you were on 3G, it's SVDO.
Unlike VoLTE, SVDO is a 3G technology. Also unlike VoLTE, Sprint doesn't have to change anything at their end - it's a programmable modem enhancement in the handset.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 (original, later called the S4 Pro sometimes) included the world modem on board with virtually all features enabled - so phones that got it got SVDO because no one paid extra to remove the stock feature.
Other processors can include the modem on board but due to extremely high demand for the parts and desire for different feature controls, the parts were more popularly supplied with the modem in a separate chip. Sprint didn't click the box for SVDO with any of the manufacturers - probably to wean people off of 3G or for marketing reasons - so we lost the feature.
It's not a cost or transceiver issue - modem features are like choosing from the family meal at a Chinese restaurant and choosing EVDO vs SVDO was about as big a difference as which soup with the family meal.
@jalan94 -
I've followed s4gru nearly from the beginning.
I also worked in the semiconductor industry for R&D supply and support - I've been to every foundry in Asia that has ramped up and made these parts and I've been there through qualifications.
I've also used an SVDO phone after Spark tower upgrades. Naturally, I got better LTE performance with a Spark handset.
Pretty sure I know exactly what I'm talking about.