Phonescoop evolution 3d review is up.

[Nrbelex]

Can't get all of it, but...

(If mods have a problem with this, feel free to delete!)

The EVO 3D is an attractive smartphone. It borrows heavily from last year's model, but makes some tasteful changes that let this new device look current. The material - mostly plastic, rubber, and glass - are of the best quality and feel fantastic in the hand. Despite its size and weight, the EVO 3D doesn't feel ridiculously large. The combined soft-touch paint job and ribbed texture of the battery cover give the EVO 3D an amazing amount of traction against your skin. It may as well be glued into your palm. Of course, these also provide some friction when you're trying to get it into a jeans pocket.

Unlike the HTC Sensation 4G, which has a fantastic feel to its front face, the EVO 3D has a sharp ridge framing the display. This edge is somewhat uncomfortable at times. Circular capacitive touch buttons rest below the EVO 3D's display, and are similar to the ones on the original. I like that they?re separated visually, but there is no texture to the silver circles. Your thumb will slide right over them without feeling any difference. These four buttons offer haptic feedback if you so desire.

...

Screen

The EVO 3D shares the same qHD Super LCD that's found on HTC's Sensation 4G. It measures 4.3 inches and packs in 960 x 540 pixels. It looks excellent. It?s bright, colors are rich, and graphics look razor-sharp. It's nearly impossible to pick out individual pixels. You have to break out a magnifying glass for that. HTC has done an excellent job choosing these Super LCD displays, and the EVO 3D's is among the best I've tested.

Signal

Hmm. First, WiMax performance. The 4G radio can find Sprint's WiMax network, but not very consistently. Using the phone in New York City on two separate occasions, it connected to the WiMax network lickety-split, held onto it for a minute, and then dropped it. I wasn't able to reconnect to the 4G network for several moments. The rest of the time I was in NYC, the signal waffled between 4G and 3G, as though it couldn't decide which network it preferred. Data speeds and browser performance were, understandably, inconsistent. When it was connected to WiMax, it was fast. When it wasn't, things slowed down.

As for 3G, out in NJ where 4G isn't live yet, I was able to spend a weekend with the EVO 3D using EVDO-only coverage. How well did this work? In a word: disaster. The EVO 3D barely held onto one bar most of the time. This led to missed calls, plenty of repeat dials, and several dropped calls. Not good. As for 3G data performance, it was better than voice performance for sure. Speeds were decent, and 3G browsing sessions were acceptably quick, even with only one bar. At my home in NJ, one bar is pretty typical for Sprint. It performed on par with other Sprint 3G devices.

Sound

Sound is a bit of a mixed bag with the EVO 3D. Earpiece volume is great. Phone calls are plenty loud in your ear, and border on painful when the volume is set to the max. A mid-level setting is appropriate for most environments. Call quality, however, wasn't so great. Voices were often garbled, making me ask those with whom I spoke to repeat themselves. The speakerphone was also capable of producing plenty of volume, but the garbled quality of calls were magnified here. Ringers and alert tones could be set to maddeningly loud volumes, and the vibrate alert was strong enough to make the EVO 3D dance across my desk.

Battery

HTC gave the EVO 3D's battery a significant boost over the original EVO 4G, increasing its capacity from 1500mAh to 1730mAh. Sprint said they believed that the increase would help squash the well-deserved complaints about the EVO 4G's battery life. While there is a definite improvement, the EVO 3D still does not have what I'd call "good" battery life. Where the EVO 4G barely lasted through lunch time, the EVO 3D at least makes it past 5PM consistently. Under WiMax coverage, it definitely died off in about 10 to 12 hours. In 3G-only coverage regions -- with the WiMax radio turned off -- the EVO 3D performed only marginally better. Ranging instead between 14 and 16 hours from full charge to dead. Bottom line: charge it every night, and make sure you have a USB cable handy at all times.

 

[MikeBinOK]

I think the key phrase from FocusFreak's quote is "It performed on par with other Sprint 3G Devices." In other words, it doesn't sound like there is a problem.

 

[FocusFreak]

I think the key phrase from FocusFreak's quote is "It performed on par with other Sprint 3G Devices. "

Right, for DATA. He said the phone part of the device was a disaster with dropped calls, missed calls and repeat dials.The 4G didnt work in NYC either which is a very good 4G area.

 

[tomley]

Right, for DATA. He said the phone part of the device was a disaster with dropped calls, missed calls and repeat dials.The 4G didnt work in NYC either which is a very good 4G area.

That's the part that worries me. My 4G has these issues already...

 

[MikeBinOK]

Interesting point, but not clear what he means from the poorly written review. He made the statement immediately after referring to one bar signal areas. The one bar refers only to voice signal strength, which doesn't necessarily represent the strength of the EVDO radio signal. But since he referred to 3G, you may be right. I am still not ready to panic on the theory that HTC got something this basic wrong, and Sprint unquestioningly released the flawed phone.

 

[xusxmarinesx]

it still has 9 days before it hits shelves probably 7 more days before its actually out to the stores. even 8 days to the stores. software can change just like that and it sounds like a software issue. My og evo 4g has gingerbread and i have amazing calls and no dropped calls. we all know an OTA can happen even on launch date. Just how engadget said about the sensation that even with the dual core the phone felt sluggish. That dude was the only one who said it felt sluggish. Maybe htc or sprint made them take it down cause they know about this issue and are fixing it and thats why they dont want people to review it right now

 

[MikeBinOK]

As for 4G, I gotta admit I've never been impressed by Wimax. So I wouldn't be surprised if his criticism there is accurate.

 

[Djblue]

Right, for DATA. He said the phone part of the device was a disaster with dropped calls, missed calls and repeat dials.The 4G didnt work in NYC either which is a very good 4G area.

Actually considering all of his reviews done with Sprint phones, he just lives in an area with a bad sprint connection. He complainedabout the connection of many other phones such as the original Evo and the Evo Shift. Anyway i'd just wait for other sites to get the phone to have better results.

 

[VickMackey#AC]

Right, for DATA. He said the phone part of the device was a disaster with dropped calls, missed calls and repeat dials.The 4G didnt work in NYC either which is a very good 4G area.

yes, with 1 bar dude. When did you get unbanned?

 

[FocusFreak]

Actually considering all of his reviews done with Sprint phones, he just lives in an area with a bad sprint connection. He complainedabout the connection of many other phones such as the original Evo and the Evo Shift. Anyway i'd just wait for other sites to get the phone to have better results.

Lots of people live in NJ dude, not like we are talking middle of nowhere here. Tons of people live in areas where even 3G coverage isnt so great. So it will be acceptable for them to have issues with a brand new phone? Of course the phone is going to perform very well in an area with outstanding coverage, what phone wouldnt?

 

[FocusFreak]

yes, with 1 bar dude. When did you get unbanned?

I have never been banned here. Unlike the other forum, expressing a less than favorable view about Sprint or HTC doesnt get you banned here. I am not insulting anyone, calling names or any of that. Not everyone is going to think the phone is amazing and other people are pointing out the problems too, not just me.

 

[blaidan]

Right, for DATA. He said the phone part of the device was a disaster with dropped calls, missed calls and repeat dials.The 4G didnt work in NYC either which is a very good 4G area.

Regarding 4G, the reviewer fails to say where he tested the phone. Was he testing 4G in NYC while he was standing out on the street? If so, then yeah, he should have had better 4G performance. Was he testing 4G while in an office building with no windows? If so, then his results shouldn't really be a surpirse.

Regarding his voice experience, he does mention (as has already been mentioned several times throughout this thread) that where he tested it he routinely only gets 1 bar. I would expect exactly the results that he received based on this information.

His review of battery life suffers from the same lack of information and clarity with regard to where he tested it. If he was testing the battery life in his NJ area where he routinely gets 1 bar then of course his battery life is going to suffer.

In all, I'm not all that impressed with the quality of this review in general. I expect more detail and information regarding testing conditions in a review. I'll choose to take this review and stack it against others as they come out. I tend to take the most negative and most positive reviews and throw them out when making a decision based on reviews. This interview seems to lack essential information that an informed consumer should require when making their decision.

 

[VickMackey#AC]

Bottom line, it was a poor review by a guy who continues to review phones where there is no covg. News covg, not every single sq mile of every state is covered. Sad but true.

 

[VickMackey#AC]

I have never been banned here. Unlike the other forum, expressing a less than favorable view about Sprint or HTC doesnt get you banned here. I am not insulting anyone, calling names or any of that. Not everyone is going to think the phone is amazing and other people are pointing out the problems too, not just me.

nor did I advocate for same. I don't believe in banning for a dissenting opinion. Trolling is subjective. That "other" forum is ridiculous. They ban if you state facts that go against the popular feeling.

 

[peppergrinder314]

I have never been banned here. Unlike the other forum, expressing a less than favorable view about Sprint or HTC doesnt get you banned here. I am not insulting anyone, calling names or any of that. Not everyone is going to think the phone is amazing and other people are pointing out the problems too, not just me.

Why am I not surprised to see you in this thread trying to bash the Evo3d AGAIN! As much as you might want it to suck, it probably wont. Do you really hate this device that much? Is it HTC you dislike? Any way just so you guys know this guy has been in pretty much every thread that has tries to bash the Evo, always tossing more fuel to the fire(he loves him some GS2). You've got 30 days to try the phone yourself so take advantage of that. I'm going to try it out and see but the GS2 looks very nice too. I'm loyal to whichever company makes the better phone to suite my need.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[PSYCHOTRON_CB]

If focus is giving his opinion on stuff that's cool with me. Its good to have people being skeptical about products that others blindly follow/buy. Like android vs apple etc..
Like he said not everyone is going to like the E3D just like some of people think the NS4G is a POS. Anyways as long as we all make points with facts about the product and talk about it will be constructive for those of us buying the phone.
We will see more about the E3D soon so lets not make misconceptions about anything till more is out.

 

[FocusFreak]

Right. I dont hate the 3D, in fact, I might get one if its stable enough and doesnt have a ton of problems. I am skeptical though because I got the Evo 4G on launch day and that had many issues. So I am waiting to see.

 

[PSYCHOTRON_CB]

Right. I dont hate the 3D, in fact, I might get one if its stable enough and doesnt have a ton of problems. I am skeptical though because I got the Evo 4G on launch day and that had many issues. So I am waiting to see.

I feel ya bro just go by what you learn from real people & review sites to make your own decision.
Plus you get 30 days to tinker & return if you don't like it which is nice. I hope it all works out well too since i am going to get one. Remember its new hardware with new software and if we should know anything is that there will be bugs im sure of it. but with all the open development we will see fixes in a timely manner.

 

[peppergrinder314]

If focus is giving his opinion on stuff that's cool with me. Its good to have people being skeptical about products that others blindly follow/buy. Like android vs apple etc..
Like he said not everyone is going to like the E3D just like some of people think the NS4G is a POS. Anyways as long as we all make points with facts about the product and talk about it will be constructive for those of us buying the phone.
We will see more about the E3D soon so lets not make misconceptions about anything till more is out.

I totally agree with you he is entitled to his opinions. But I also agree with your statement "as long as we all make points with FACTS about the product" which he is not doing. We van talk about the Nexus problems because it's a fact the has been out for awhile so we can state facts. We talk about the GS2 screen issues because its also been out and people have experienced these issuse. So I really don't see his comment as being constructive his "opinion" that Sprint must have made the reviewer pull his review because there's a cover up! Come on seems alittle like fueling the fire more than "making factual unbiased points" about the phone. I mean I agree we should be skeptical and question things but it seems to me that he's disguising his biased opinions with "skepticism". I mean just check out his other comments doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. But I could be wrong just an opinion not a fact.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[PSYCHOTRON_CB]

lol nah you have a point pepper. I have read his posts and they do seem skewed to one side but his theory on sprint is more comical than viable based one one review that got pulled. The most likely thing is it got released ahead of schedule then pulled due to an agreement with sprint since they sent them the phone before release.
Anyways people should just refrain from responding to someones opinion if they don't like hearing it hehe just a thought. 9 more days to go!