[LexInHouston]

I'll say that while I have slowly grown used to the shiny black cover, I do wish there was a matte replacement. And honestly, who's to say that there won't be? If you watch the HTC video that speaks about the design process, they seem to show many prototypes, and one has the top cover as a matte piece. I would be willing to bet that there is some other issue that required the shiny piece. Maybe they couldn't use the matte black coating without interfering with something else, much like the EVO 3D couldn't use a metal kickstand without interference to the 3D cameras, which as we know, caused HTC to pull that beautiful kickstand case that they had designed. Which leads to a new question, if they simply couldn't use the matted finish for interference reasons, will we have problems with cases of that finish?

[tarun.patel]

I won't buy this phone until back is fixed period. I don't use phone case. Sprint and HTC- whats wrong with you guys? You have screwed original one X design.

[rushlmp]

I think it was a terrific idea, and seems like it would be a low cost fix. I don't have Sprint, but I love the look of this phone, especially with the red kickstand, and would love to purchase it if tmo ever made it available. I don't think there is anything wrong with the author making a well thought out suggestion or for saying they will still buy the product. Kudos for writing something positive and potentially helpful to both the consumer and the company.

[dubdrop]

Hell put in the beats headphones and the back. If they promote the bears...give us the beats package. As far as the back it maybe to late to add it in but to sell multiple colors when released.

[SamsungSucks]

I see no issues with the looks of this phone.

[JCool525]

I really don't care how the phone looks on the back. The shiny plate isn't much of a big deal. I'm going to get some type of protective case to go around the phone anyway..

[biggdogg9]

I'm just going to repaint it with black plastic paint that u will us on ur dasboard

[crzycrkr]

Man you people are still going on about the shiny aspect of a portion of the phone. Jesus, being a man is a lost art it seems. You're looking for anything to complain about like a bunch of chicks.

Sent from my EVO Shift

You spend an awful lot of time here questioning others masculinity while posturing your own, lol. You realize this is a phone we're talking about, right?

[charlie hustle]

I have a better idea. Lets talk about the premier customers who usually upgrade every year are now forced to upgrade every other year. This forces me to wait and skip this phone for next years phone or phony up extra money to get this phone this year. The yearly upgrade kept the loyal customers loyal. Now next year, i have options, like do i upgrade or do i look at other carriers?

[Daedalus]

I won't buy this phone until back is fixed period. I don't use phone case. Sprint and HTC- whats wrong with you guys? You have screwed original one X design.

Good I am glad you will not buy this phone. What make you think that HTC considers this is "Broken" and needs to be "Fixed". Personally I am not a big fan of the high gloss back but I do not believe in "Style over Substance".

[crzycrkr]

I have a better idea. Lets talk about the premier customers who usually upgrade every year are now forced to upgrade every other year. This forces me to wait and skip this phone for next years phone or phony up extra money to get this phone this year. The yearly upgrade kept the loyal customers loyal. Now next year, i have options, like do i upgrade or do i look at other carriers?

Keep your current phone in good shape, sell it, and buy a new phone off contract. That's what I do

[pmjohnson99]

Thanks Phil.... much appreciated.

I'm not talking about a redesign though. Just an inclusion of an alternative removable back with the phone, instead of including a cheap pair of ear buds (if they intended on doing that) that not many will use.

You mean like Compaq use to do with those plastic panels you could snap on to their Laptops and Desktops. Remember how popular that was?

The phone was poured over by a bunch of really creative designers in fashionable eyeglasses and cool shoes.

I love your compromise of "spend more money so I buy the same phone I was gonna buy".

You'll be fine...buy the phone and love it...you'll forget about the cover if it's tits!

[tarun.patel]

I personally don't like this design and i am not going to buy it. Many of my friends who owns original EVO are in the same Boat and they are looking alternate solution with Verizon or AT&T. HTC and Sprint - you are loosing business here.

[experiment 626]

I think when the EVO 4G LTE is actually released and people have a chance to handle it a lot of people's aesthetic concerns will be replaced by appreciation towards HTC's attention to functional detail.

[TheOnlyMorgan]

Man you people are still going on about the shiny aspect of a portion of the phone. Jesus, being a man is a lost art it seems. You're looking for anything to complain about like a bunch of chicks.

Sent from my EVO Shift

I don't think it's so much about being a man, it's just stupid to me that people are complaining about such insignificant things. I only want this phone for the hardware honestly. Glossy plastic, I don't care. It's a great device, I want it. Thank you, gawd bless Amerkuh.

[tarun.patel]

I don't think it's so much about being a man, it's just stupid to me that people are complaining about such insignificant things. I only want this phone for the hardware honestly. Glossy plastic, I don't care. It's a great device, I want it. Thank you, gawd bless Amerkuh.

isn't is stupid that Sprint and HTC added that two color design at first place?

[Y2Dre]

Since everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I'm about to put mine out there. I, for one, am glad that so many people are complaining about this (in my opinion) insignificant issue. That means I have a better chance of getting one on launch day.

However, I can't understand why so many people are so adadmant about it. They had me at "kickstand".

[crzycrkr]

In all honesty, I also find it kind of funny that everyone bashes Samsung for their "cheap plastic" yet give HTC a complete pass on it. I realize its only part of the phone, bit that glossy black piece looks far cheaper than anything I've ever seen Samsung put out.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

[Mercury81]

Who cares about the back, put a cover on it, plus it in your hand facing away from you, and remember you look at the front of the phone not the back.

Once in a while I take the cover off just to peek at my Evo's back....the nerve,lol

From my EVO4G

[bwithey11]

People complain bc phones are so plain and boring and similar, then HTC goe sand makes an amazing looking phone (which I no doubt will look even better in hand) and people complain bc it doesn't look just like the One X. Are you [deleted] kidding me? Just bc it isn't what was expected doesn't mean it's ugly. It's unique, bold, and striking. I admit that at first I thought it didn't look right bc I, too, was expecting the One X design. But after looking at all of the photos of it, I have come to realize the genius and beauty behind it. Think of all the things in the world that are two-tone like this. People have painted the walls in their homes like this for years, you see custom painted cars with this same style, and an infinite number of clothing items with the same top/bottom two-tone. And instead of doing something ridiculous like making it half red half black, they went with a less drastic black/charcoal combo. And as for the different finishes, it may not seem right, but why isn't it? The bottom 2/3 are of a finish optimal for grip and holding, while the top 1/3 is more for aesthetics. The contrast of the two split with a red band is one of the most striking and good looking designs I have ever seen on a phone. HTC didn't make this decision lightly (they know more about making phones than Sprint, and their opinions carried a lot more weight.) and decided to make a radical change from the norm (being a black, sometimes white, slab back). They should be applauded for this design, not drowning in a pool of whiner's tears.

[neopanther]

My issue with your letter is of all the things you chose to take them to task over it's the battery cover? Dude seriously? My issue is with that damn non-removable battery. I buy a cradle charger and spare batteries every time I get a device. This will be my 6th HTC device. I saw the open letter and got excited because I hoped they would surprise us (I know better) and send another official letter saying something to the effect of: "We're paying attention and from now on we're producing a version of the device with a removable battery." All that energy over a cover? I'm sorry man. I'm not with you on that one.

[int_architect]

Awesome post! I couldn't have stated it any better. I'm in the number so turned off the glossy "dutch door" that I'm waiting to see what Samsung will offer in its next device. I'm not even remotely considering Apple, as I prefer the flexibility of Android, but I know whatever Samsung does, it will be harmonious.

[orlanka]

It's easy to bash another persons opinion, especially if it's not the same as yours or delivered in the way you would have written it. For those that were/are passionate about the aesthetics of this phone it's often easier to post the knee jerk reaction piece of 'I hate you guys and I am on my way with a posse, pitchforks and torches'. I appreciate the time that was taken to present solutions rather than rant simply about the problems. Are they viable solutions that HTC or Sprint can apply before launch? As many have said, probably not. The 'problem' does present itself, however, as an opportunity for either Sprint or HTC to create aftermarket options or for a third party to come in and fill that void. Either way, it's not the end of the world, it's not the end of the EVO, and there will always be other options down the road.

There are better ways to debate what we perceive as issues with the phones that are presented to us throughout the year. I'm not going to be quoting Rodney King any time soon but keep in mind that this is a community of people with the same basic interest.

I am ready to relinquish my soap box to who ever is next in line, but one question before I go. Was this open letter sent to HTC or Sprint? Of all the opinions and ideas presented in it, I hope it was more than just a post in some random forum on some Android website (no offense Phil and the gang).

[BigDinCA]

For everyone who sits here and says that "real men don't whine about what their phone looks like": get real. It's a piece of eye-candy. And if you're a man, you like the things you own to look good. Women want it to have butterflies and crystals and Hello kitty on it. Men just want it to look good out of the box.

I would imagine that not one single guy that has posted the "real men" type of comment would be okay with his brand new, Candy Apple red 2013 Shelby Mustang rolling off the lot with a Bondo/primer-colored spoiler on the back. And what would it matter? It's still functional and it still gets the job done, right? Why not roll around with 3 different colors on your quarter panels as well? And while you're at it, have them make two of the tires whitewalls. As long as they are the same size and model, they'll be just as effective.

And if you're the type that says "screw it, I'm gonna put a case on it anyway", what would you do if the only case that was offered was a pink one that had "I Love Kittens" lettered across the back in glitter? Or if the only case had the New England Patriots logo on it? You'd be complaining to the company that makes the case! I realize those examples are not realistic, but when you pick out your case, you DO think about how it looks. There will be dragons or motorcycles on it. It will have your favorite team on it. Or your college. Or you want a different color red than HTC offers, so you go for the Seidio two-piece instead.

People need to stop pretending that the look of the tech doesn't mean anything. It does. Especially when you're going to be dropping $200 or more on it.

That being said, the back glossy piece is nothing special, save for the lens cover. And it wouldn't take much for HTC to make the same exact cover in different colors. Plastic injection molding isn't that difficult if you already have the molds created. I just don't know if it would be that cost-effective for them unless they sell a ton of these things in black. But if you're one of the people who's going to just put a case on it anyway, help out your fellow geeks here and sand the glossy piece down or paint it with some different types of paint so we can figure out how to change it ourselves. It's been done before.

[posterboy7596]

blah blah blah, my diamond slippers are white diamonds not the pink I prefer....Talk about first world problems.

I'm not going to defend sprint or htc's decision about device design, I don't really care. Killer camera, good memory, nice screen, and an upgraded kickstand. They could decide to make it in only purple and I'd buy one. I'm still tickled every time I pull up netflix on my original evo and flip out the kickstand and watch some stuff sitting at my desk at work.