For iPhone Users: A Convert's First Impressions of the EVO

[Mike NYC]

Up until Friday, I had been using an iPhone 3G as my only phone. I'm an admitted Apple enthusiast. My girlfriend used to joke that I loved my iPhone more than I loved her. But I was getting a little bored with the OS and uninspired by the new hardware specs that Gizmodo revealed, so I read every review and message board about the EVO that I could find, and I decided to make the jump knowing that I had 30 days to form an opinion and the option to return the phone.

I know that a lot of other iPhone users' contracts are coming up this summer, and you may find yourself in a position similar to the one I was inm so I hope this helps. (Note: I've only been using the EVO since Friday, and this is my first time with an Android device, so I'm still dealing with a learning curve.)

PROS:

- The Screen: it's huge, bright, and simply gorgeous. Hardware-wise, the #1 reason I left the iPhone is because the screen was too small. After using the EVO for three days, I wonder how I even survived on a 3.5" screen. And we know the new iPhone isn't getting any bigger. The EVO's is massive and it's perfect. It makes a world of difference, it really does.

- Notifications: for all the amazing touches on the iPhone OS, it's lack of an elegant notification system is puzzling. The "blue pop-up icon" thing never really did it for me. On the other hand, I think I'm in love with the "window shade" effect on Android. I think it might be my favorite feature, software-wise, on the entire phone. Efficient, elegant, and unobtrusive. In other words, exactly how notifications should be handled.

- Google Integrated Apps: I'm a heavy GMail user, and this mail app is just so much better than what's on the iPhone. Throw in Finance, Goggles, Listen, and Talk (I can't believe I got by with Meebo on the iPhone), and you've got an instant upgrade of core Google apps on your EVO. (There's also Voice, which I never understood the point of since the most annoying thing ever is having to get a new phone number; also, Picasa integration would be nice).

- The "Expose"-like effect of pinching the screen to bring up all of your home screens, easily enabling you to jump from one to another with a single touch. Brilliant.

- Multi-tasking: it's coming to the iPhone, but from what they've shown of it so far, it's not going to be as good as what's on Android.

- Widgets: especially the one for Bookmarks, enabling a quick and easy way of reaching your favorite websites.

- The cameras: to be honest, I don't take my pictures or video, but when I'm on a vacation or something it's nice to have, and from what little I've used of them so far, they seem more than capable on the EVO.

- 4G: we don't have it here yet in Manhattan, and supposedly it's a battery killer, but having that option when it does launch is a nice luxury.

I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting, but again this is just first impressions.

CONS (most of these are just personal preference and not really objective):

- The iPod music player will be tough to replace, let's just put it that way.

- The Browser: I tried the stock browser, and am now using Dolphin HD. Not a deal-breaker or anything, but I found Safari smoother, much more elegant to zoom with, and easier to navigate (having to hit "Menu" in Dolphin to page back, for example).

- Music/photo syncing: again, another personal preference, but I prefer the iTunes-like syncing. I shouldn't have to mount an SD card. I'm going to try DoubleTwist once I upgrade my Mac OS to Snow Leopard and see how it goes.

- The kickstand. I don't know, I think it's kind of tacky and if I keep this phone for the duration of the contract, it's going to start to get loose and maybe poke my leg when the phone is in my pocket. I wish they hadn't included it.

- The voicemail feature should be integrated with the Phone function (or is it, and I just haven't figured it out yet?)

- Software updates: I'm already dreading the wait to get Froyo.

- Overall polish: these are little things that Apple excels at. I miss the bounce-scrolling. The Android icons should all be the same size (I have PDANet right next to Stocks and they look silly because they're sized so differently) and their names shouldn't be cut off (it reads "The Weath" for The Weather Channel). The phone app should load with a list of contacts. Little things like that.

OVERALL:

I did a lot of research into buying the EVO. I knew that I was going to like it before I bought it, but there were three potential reasons why I would return it before the 30-day trial. 1. Battery life; 2. Sprint service in Manhattan; and 3. the phone would be so big that it's unwieldy in one hand.

The only thing I'm still slightly worried about, after using the EVO for three days, is battery life: but these are smart phones that are meant to be used heavily, and I kept a spare charger at work for my iPhone and I'm going to do the same thing for my EVO.

I've decided I'm going to keep the phone, because I love it. iPhone users, if you're hesitant like I was about making the jump, don't be: the EVO is amazing and Sprint has a sure winner on it's hands.

 

[Yourdogsdead]

Very good fair review, Sprint is fine in Manhattan right? if I go into the city I would like to know.

 

[Jordus]

I dont know what phone you are using, the phone app loads with all my recently contacted contacts, and you can just start typing a name to find one.

 

[Mike NYC]

So far, Sprint has been fine, no complaints. When I get to work tomorrow, I want to see how it performs in Times Square, because that's where I had my biggest problems with AT&T.

Jordus: the phone loads with your recent contacts, that's correct. And you can start typing a name. But that's not what I said.

 

[djtarique]

This has to be the best post ever made

 

[Darth Mo]

I'm hoping the battery does whatever they do since Li Ion batteries don't need conditioning. I managed to kill the battery Friday night in a little over 3 hours. Really all I did were a few text messages during the hockey game and by the time the game was over, the battery was in the red from a full charge.

I'm optimistic though coming from the Palm Pre. The first day I took it to work it was off the charger at 7:15, then it was completely dead before noon. And it wasn't as if I was hammering all morning as I was working. But after a week or so of charging cycles, it was up to around 10 hours. Then with software updates, before I sold it Friday, I could get 16 hours easily with regular use and 24-30 hours if I knew I needed it and tried to use it as little as possible. You should know if it will get better well within your 30 days.

 

[JimH2k2]

For voice mail you can just hold down 1 in the phone app. Were you referring to the visual voicemail feature?

I use google voice for all voice mail and the app for android is smooth compared to the Pre I came from.

 

[frank828#AC]

unlike the iphone, you can replace the battery. i always keep an extra battery at home, work and in my car. That along with a charger in the car, work and home.

this is how i've been dealing with smartphone battery issues for years now. i never have battery issues now haha.

 

[Mike NYC]

For voice mail you can just hold down 1 in the phone app. Were you referring to the visual voicemail feature?

I use google voice for all voice mail and the app for android is smooth compared to the Pre I came from.

My mistake: yes, I was referring to visual voicemail.

I love the idea behind Google Voice, but I just can't get another "new" number to have to give out to everybody I know. I wish you could "port" your Sprint number to GV and manage it that way (unless you can and I just don't know about it?)

 

[YBCold]

Great Post!

As for the battery life I got mine on Friday and it lasted me the entire day Saturday and I was playing with it the hole day. Just make sure not to leave yourself logged into Google Talk (Talk app in the app list) and change the settings so it doen't log you in automaticlly when you turn on the phone.

Enjoy! I know I am!

 

[Darth Mo]

My mistake: yes, I was referring to visual voicemail.

I love the idea behind Google Voice, but I just can't get another "new" number to have to give out to everybody I know. I wish you could "port" your Sprint number to GV and manage it that way (unless you can and I just don't know about it?)

You can. Once you set up a Google Voice account, it will ask you if you want to forward a cell phone number then give you the code you need to enter on your cell phone. Sprint offers free forwarding of unanswered calls, so you don't have to worry about charges.

Once you get it set up, it's seamless to use and you don't have worry about hacking/jury-rigging anything to get to your voicemails.

 

[YBCold]

I know this is the age of texting but the Voice Mail app on the Evo that records and plays back works fine for me. Not sure what more one could ask for.

 

[kinster02]

Coming from from a Pre I don't know how you are getting only 3hrs of battery life, you seriously need to do some adjustments to your setting, unless you are using 4g you should get at least 8hrs min. The first day I got over 12hrs of constant use, no 4g,camera/ video use . Here's a link that may help you, adjust to fit your needs.

20 tips to improve HTC EVO 4G battery life

 

[Flip]

I came fr a Pre n I was used to WEBOS, fIRSt time with Android os n still learning but Woow I love the phone....no regrets at all even though I miss WEBOS but this phone is worth it

 

[trini4040]

Thanks for keeping it "real"..even if you did not keep the phone i would of still respected your review...we're glad your here...and i must agree we still have a long way to go but at least we're moving in the right direction...i
ve been with sprint for over 10 years...and i've always believed in them...

 

[IIJBII]

Very nice/fair review coming from an iPhone. It's good to see these type of fair reviews.

 

[Jordus]

Jordus: the phone loads with your recent contacts, that's correct. And you can start typing a name. But that's not what I said.

um ok. Does the iphone display every person in your phone book when you hit the phone app?

One extra button push gets you into your whole book, or just type 2-3 letters of their name like I said before.

Laziness.

 

[Gigity]

um ok. Does the iphone display every person in your phone book when you hit the phone app?

One extra button push gets you into your whole book, or just type 2-3 letters of their name like I said before.

Laziness.

I pity everyone in your life.

And to the OP, thank you thank you for the impressions. You're me, except you're me with the phone. I'm still waiting for tomorrows iphone info before I make a decision. So far my only trepidation is losing phone access to all my content purchased over the years via iTunes. Thanks again.

 

[Darth Mo]

Coming from from a Pre I don't know how you are getting only 3hrs of battery life, you seriously need to do some adjustments to your setting, unless you are using 4g you should get at least 8hrs min. The first day I got over 12hrs of constant use, no 4g,camera/ video use . Here's a link that may help you, adjust to fit your needs.

20 tips to improve HTC EVO 4G battery life

No clue what it was, I may have had the screen cranked up, GPS running, and god knows what else.

Yesterday, I tweaked some settings from a guide and after four hours it was around 60%. I tried a couple more tweaks and will put it through the paces tonight and see what I come up with. Going to be at the same place for the hockey game so we'll see.

I do believe the 3 hours was a fluke and I was shocked as well but it happened.

 

[Cory Streater]

- The iPod music player will be tough to replace, let's just put it that way.

- Music/photo syncing: again, another personal preference, but I prefer the iTunes-like syncing. I shouldn't have to mount an SD card. I'm going to try DoubleTwist once I upgrade my Mac OS to Snow Leopard and see how it goes.

- The voicemail feature should be integrated with the Phone function (or is it, and I just haven't figured it out yet?)

1.) Lot's of choices in music players. My favorite is MixZing.

2.) iSyncr will give you everything that you need to sync with iTunes.

3.) It's already built in. For alternatives check out Fusion Mail & You Mail.

Excellent write-up BTW.