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294 of 305 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
EVO 3D vs EVO 4G: Flagship Faceoff, June 25, 2011
This review is from: HTC EVO 3D 4G Android Phone (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)
Off the bat, the EVO 3D has been getting a lot of mixed reviews. People either love it or hate it, but many reviews floating around have tended to direct the focus of their positive or negative feedback towards one of two things: the 3D features, or everything else. I hope the dispel the mass hysteria of other reviews by giving you a realistic account of my ongoing experience with this undoubtedly groundbreaking new phone. I'll also be heavily comparing it side by side with its predecessor, the EVO 4G, which I've owned for a year now. And for those of you who will be replacing another Android phone, I'll include an overview of how to transfer apps and data from your other phone to the EVO 3D. Note: Be aware that I will also be mentioning the EVO 4G frequently throughout this review, so be sure to pay attention and not confuse the two. Let's quickly look at what's new. Here are my pros (+) and cons (-). More in-depth coverage follows: + 3D glasses-free display - simply reciting the obvious here! + Dual 5 megapixel rear cameras - photos and videos shot in 3D can also be viewed in 2D! + Dedicated physical camera button - with two pressure levels, like a real camera + qHD display - ultrafine, high quality graphics at 540x960 screen resolution + Dual core Snapdragon processor - hasn't freezed up on me once! + Numerous software improvements - details noted further below + Super fast boot up/restart - purportedly hinders some Market apps, can be disabled via Settings > Power + Larger 1730 mAh battery - yet seems physically smaller than EVO 4G's battery - Battery still doesn't tend to last a full day - 3D drains it at 1% per minute, display also a power leach - Camera takes too long to snap photos, especially 3D photos - a good 1-2 seconds! - Camera glass easy to smudge when holding the EVO 3D in your hand, can ruin some 3D shots - Camera's aluminum bezel easy to damage, doesn't fit evenly flush against the glass - No kickstand - keep your eyes peeled for a kickstand case accessory ===== Look and Feel ===== The EVO 3D looks strikingly similar to its predecessor, the EVO 4G. Since the original 4G phone has been so successful, I guess they figured why fix what isn't broken. Sadly though, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. HTC decided to trade up the kickstand, supposedly for a bigger battery although the EVO 3D battery is physically smaller than its EVO 4G counterpart. I'll miss the kickstand, though it was awkward to use at times, most notably on soft or unlevel surfaces. Otherwise, we've got the same capacitive touch buttons along the bottom (home, menu, back & search... the perfect order), the same 4.3" screen, with a slightly taller, equal width body, and the same soft touch back side, this time with a bit of added texture, which I don't really care for personally, but I digress. Naturally, with the dual cameras spread across half the back, holding the EVO 3D is a bit awkward. The glass covering those rear cameras is definitely not oleophobic, so it smudges easily, and I find myself constantly cleaning it up so my photos turn out clearly. Also, the bezel around those rear cameras was also easily susceptible to damage (had some dents fresh out of the box!) and also won't stay flush with the glass and can get caught on loose threads, or scrape the palm occasionally, an awkward sensation much like that of a razor blade shaving across your skin. Undoubtedly, you'll also notice an unsightly huge silver button gracing the right side of the EVO 3D. This new camera button is a stragely welcome addition, more on that in a sec, but you should be aware that it can also greet your palm with a harsh scrape every now and then, as well. Otherwise, the EVO 3D has a generally comfortable feel for its form factor. ===== Camera ===== Aside from the dual rear facing cameras, one of the most unmistakable new features of the EVO 3D has to be the huge silver button that at first seems to marr the landscape. Upon further use, however, I began to realize that this may have been one of the best new features. Perhaps you're like me... when I got my EVO 4G, it all but replaced my point and shoot camera. However, having to touch a specific, small circular area of the screen to capture the image proved unhelpful at times, provoking blurred shots or requiring me to contort my wrist and hand in an odd way when taking self portraits and such with the 8mp rear camera. Not any more! Also note: Engadget reviewer claimed the phone had to "spot" setting to control light metering like the EVO 4G has, whereby you can touch a subject on your screen, and the brightness automatically adjusts to that object. However, the reviewer failed to realize that there is indeed spot metering, it's just built into the phone now as a default. I like that, because this wasn't the default on the EVO 4G and I suffered some ill fated, over exposed shots before I found the setting. So now you just have to tap to focus and adjust brightness. Simple enough! Works in video mode too, even WHILE recording! ===== Camera in 3D ===== Taking pictures in 3D is novel, but getting the perfect shot can be hopelessly difficult. There's a 2 second delay. Your subject has to stay still, period. I tried taking pictures of my pets, and not one came out perfectly because they inevitably move in the 2 second wait after pressing the button till it actually takes the shot. Images captured in 3D can also be viewed in 2D, but there's a little trick involved. You have to use the pinch gesture to zoom into the photo slightly. Alternately, you can touch and drag the photo, as if moving between photos, although this doesn't technically disable the autostereoscopic display like pinching to zoom does, meaning you can still notice the subtle vertical lines of the autostereoscopic screen effect (much like those promotional lenticular "3D" holograms you may have seen on cereal boxes, or other places). Perhaps the device is capturing two shots, which explains why the 3D mode takes 2 seconds to fully capture the shot. ===== Video ===== This is where EVO 3D's dual core processor shines. On my EVO 4G, capturing smooth video was often an utter disappointment. Video would often be choppy, pixelated and unsynched with the audio, that is, when the video would even record at all. Sometimes it completely cut out after a few seconds, or decided to capture sound but no video. It seemed to get worse as time went on. What was causing the issues was beyond me, but it had to be some other app's processes getting in the way. Email? Tasker? Sprint's own ridiculous and lousy built in apps? Not sure, but I had a class 4 SD card, so that shouldn't have been the bottleneck. Nevertheless, the EVO 3D records flawless video, even after transferring all my apps and settings to the new device. Perfect! Now I don't have to worry about whether I will capture flawed video of the kids, and in 3D to boot! Another great new addition is that you can now zoom in and refocus (by touching the screen on the subject you'd like to refocus on) DURING video capture! Phenomenal! Videos are also saved in MP4 format instead of that useless 3GP that the EVO 4G uses. This includes 3D videos, which when opened on a normal computer show the left and right channels side by side, though each channel appears stretched. ===== Video in 3D ===== Now, do beware of high battery usage with 3D capture--I calculated around 1% per minute. 3D video capture ate through the battery like it was a piece of pumpkin pie with an extra large dollop of whipped cream! Nevertheless, shooting video in 3D seems much easier than shooting photos in 3D because you don't really have to worry about your subject staying still. It's great for those shots of the kids, or pets, or a high-speed train coming right at you! To my great relief, video shot in 3D can indeed be viewed in either 2D or 3D, on demand. When viewing a 3D video, it will default to 3D, but if you tap the screen, you'll see a 3D/2D box icon in the top right corner of the screen. Tap it to toggle between 3D and 2D. I'll add more info in the comments about converting between various 2D and 3D formats for viewing on other 2D and 3D devices, including 3D televisions and such, so stay tuned! Also, 3D videos as well as BUG NOTICE: Within my first few days of using the 3D camera and camcorder, I noticed a fair number of my videos and pictures were only getting shot in 2D instead of 3D, and the 3D was definitely switched on. I think it may have something to do with powering the device on with the 3D already set to 3D mode. So be sure to switch it off and on if you're taking photos outside, where you won't necessarily see the 3D effects clearly. ===== Movies in 3D ===== HTC has included The Green Hornet in 3D, as a psuedo "app", so you can find it under the same name, on the apps screen in the T's. It seems like the "app" is merely just a link to HTC's "Watch" app. I also had to agreen to a mile-long terms of service agreement, install the software update, and create an HTC Watch account, before it would let me watch the included movie. For all the effort, they could have at least included a better 3D movie like Avatar or Tron! Something I'd not mind watching over and over. The Green Hornet wasn't that great of a movie, but I digress. ===== Other Thoughts on 3D ===== The 3D features of the EVO 3D may feel a bit gimicky to some, but that's likely only because of the small viewing "sweet spot" due to it being glasses-free technology. It's not likely that any glasses-free 3D device will be able to improve on that limitation without tracking your eyes, plus it will likely remain single-viewer. But, that's what you get without having to wear those nerdy...
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49 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The EVO 3D: A Worthy Successor, June 24, 2011
This review is from: HTC EVO 3D 4G Android Phone (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)
4.7 stars***** UPDATED Call Quality 6/25 USEFUL TIP: Want to find more 3D content for your EVO 3D? Use the Youtube app on the phone and search for: yt3d:enable=true. This will provide you with a ton of 3D content! There are also some apps in the marketplace to allow you to download these videos to show friends when WIFI is not available. The EVO 3D was a phone I was originally on the fence about purchasing. After all, I loved my HTC EVO 4G and was happy with its performance. I debated about whether this phone was really worth the extra cash simply for the sake of having the newest iteration on the market. My review that follows is my initial thoughts on the phone, particularly in comparison to the previous EVO 4G. If you have a question about the phone, want to see a picture, or want me to test a specific feature; simply post a comment and I will do my best to facilitate your request and answer any questions. --------------------------------------------- THE HARDWARE On the Outside: The EVO 3D, in my opinion is striking in its general design and form. The black with red accenting looks great and the phone itself feels study, without being heavier (now 6 ounces) than the EVO 4g. The glass is the ultra-scratch-resistant gorilla glass, or a substance VERY much akin. The phone feels slightly more thin and narrow than its predecessor, ultimately making it more comfortable to hold, while the somewhat rough texture on its back provides a nice grip surface. When I first saw pictures of the phone, I thought it was less attractive than the original EVO. Now that I have the real deal physically in my hand I think it may be the most attractive phone I have seen to date (if you are in to that sort of thing). In terms of it's build quality, the phone feels like a baby tank- another HTC boon. I would be remiss if I did not mention one detail of the hardware: the lack of a kickstand. This may not be painful, unless you are an EVO 4G owner. Where for art thou dearest kickstand? According to HTC the kickstand was sacrificed in order to accommodate the larger battery and double camera lenses. Whatever the reason, I miss it. Internally: The EVO 3D boasts a duel-core 1.2Ghz CPU with the Adreno 220 GPU and 1 GB of dedicated RAM. When using the phone for daily operations it feels quick and responsive- though there is no sensation that this phone is more powerful than its predecessor in most tasks. However, there is one major caveat: while my prior EVO 4g takes over a minute to power on, the new EVO 3D is on in less than 20 seconds. I have yet to encounter any applications that feel sluggish on the EVO 3D, though I rarely encountered such problems on the previous version of the EVO. All-in -all it feels smooth and nimble even when pushed by demanding programs. The Camera Camera's on cell phones are not typically a make or break aspect for me. I can tell you that the 3D pictures are a lot of fun and the phone can easily convert them to a standard 2D image if needed. The quality of the 5MP cameras on the EVO 3D do seem to be slightly inferior to that of the previous 8MP camera on the EVO 4G. However, they are fairly close as to be hard to distinguish, at least by my untrained eye. If I had to pick (and I guess we do) I would rather have the 3D camera of the new unit in lieu of the higher MP EVO 4G simply for the added 3D benefits. The Battery Here again is an area where the EVO 3D easily outshines its forerunner. The new 1,730 mAH battery is noticeably more robust. I have been toying with the EVO 3D endlessly and still making it through a full day of use with relative ease. Unfortunately, where I live I was unable to test the 4G network- though I am quite sure the battery would drain significantly faster in this mode. The Screen This screen is pretty awesome- and I'm not talking about the 3D effects (I'll cover those later). The display boasts a crisp and clear qHd* 960 x540 resolution viewing area with excellent color and contrast. This is an area where the new EVO 3D makes a strong case for EVO 4g owners to make the leap to the new version. (*qHD stands for quarter of full high definition) ---- 3D Aspect Obviously, HTC wanted to highlight the main "gimmick" of the device when they named the phone the EVO 3D. The 3D content is certainly cool. If you or anyone you know owns the new Nintendo DS, you will find the experience to be very similar. The phone comes with a trial version of a Spiderman game in 3D, and I must admit I had a dopey grin on my face the entire time I was playing. Pictures in 3D are interesting, however several people I surveyed found them to be headache inducing, or straining on their eyes. There is also a copy of the Green Hornet available to watch in 3D on the device which I found to be a lot of fun and a great resource to show off the phones capabilities to friends. While there are no glasses required to view the images in 3D, you must hold the phone at the correct angle in order to view them clearly- otherwise they look like blurry nonsense. Fortunately the 3D camera features are easily controllable with a 3D/2D slider button located on the exterior of the phone. Call Quality The call quality on the EVO 3D is rather unexceptional. In my experience I noticed extremely similar results with my previous EVO 4G in terms of call quality. The earpiece transmitted voice consistently unbroken and I could easily understand my callers. The microphone allowed my callers to hear my own speech perfectly well with no complaints. UPDATE 6/25: Today, I went back and forth between my E3D and E4G. I have to say the speaker is better on my 3D in terms of clarity, and despite what some profession reviews state the call quality on my end is considerably higher. Software The Evo 3D comes equipped with the latest version of Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) with HTC Sense 3.0 on top. The new version of Sense is quite sleek and is probably my favorite stock user interface from any phone developer to date. The new lockscreen options are quite welcome and aid in accessing frequenting used areas of the phone with greater efficiency and speed. Sense uses a new "3D" carousel for its page transitions which took me a few minutes to become accustomed, yet provide a sleek system for browsing the phone contents. The new HTC widgets are ultra-impressive, particularly the live weather backgrounds and widgets. The new Sense offers a great balance between worthwhile features and glitzy eye-candy making the phone a joy to operate. One minor thing I don't like about the new Sense 3.0 is that is does not permit wallpaper/background scrolling. Therefore, as you move along the navigation panels the background image remains stagnant and fixed. This adversely effects many wallpapers on the market as they can no longer be viewed in their entirety. Hopefully, HTC modifies this aspect- otherwise I'm switching launchers in the future. Final Thoughts The Evo 3D is a great phone and easily the new king of the hill for Sprint Customers. While current EVO 4G owners may be hesitant to upgrade simply for 3D capabilities (especially if you are running some exceptional custom software), the improved screen, battery and software might be enough to sway the majority of 4G users into the new EVO 3D. If you are looking for a great phone on Sprint and don't already own an EVO 4G, this phone choice is a no-brainer. While I miss the kickstand on the EVO 4G more than I thought I would, the EVO 3D shines in every area where I thought the original could use improvement- making this one fairly amazing daily driver. Questions? Feel free to leave me a comment and I'll try to respond as soon as possible.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
High Quality Phone / Solid Build, July 9, 2011
This review is from: HTC EVO 3D 4G Android Phone (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)
Pros: - Battery management included in the software (explanation included in summary) - Application / Memory management included in the software (explanation included in summary) - QHD screen which displays full web pages equal to a PC - Build quality - 800mhz frequency added to this phones radio - The 3d works which makes it more than a gimmick Cons: - Would prefer more internal storage. - High resolution display makes the icons smaller which you may not like coming from a phone with a lower resolution display because it may strain your eyes. - Not full root capable at this time but HTC is working on it (so are the XDA developers) Summary: Summary of the Pros: I have always been a fan of HTC sense and its widgets. This version provides a user experience like no other. There are days were I like to position or day trade in the stock market and the HTC stock widget app is great for monitoring stocks' current trading price and it includes charts. I also make use of the HTC calendar for scheduling my appointments with clients. It is beautiful to look at and it works well.There is a battery management system included (go to menu,settings then power...) to enable power efficiency or power saving profiles that you can tweak to your needs. I like this because it eliminates the need to install a third party app. When you pull down the drawer from the top of the screen and touch "quick settings" at the bottom, there is an option that reads, "total memory".Touch "total memory" to open a list of currently running programs which you can move to the sd card... Here you can also stop select programs from running, or touch the "kill all" button on the bottom to shut off everything that is listed, this is another great accessible feature that will do well on its on without the need for a third party task killer. The QHD screen is very responsive and great for web browsing. I know a lot of people have been reading the reviews on the Samsung Galaxy s2 and its super amoled plus screen. I went to an at&t store and looked at the samsung infuse which uses the same super amoled plus screen as the samsung gs2. Yes the colors look more rich than the QHD display, but in some areas the amoled was over saturated. Supposedly the new gs2 will feature a way of turning down the saturation. In short the difference was not enough for me to claim the super amoled plus screen as vastly superior to a super LCD QHD display. Plus this phone's build quality is solid, another improvement over the origanal EVO 4G. The photos you see on the web on this phone do not do it justice. I looks much better in person. This phone has an upgraded radio which supports the 800mhz band. What this means is that when Sprint is done migrating the IDEN network used for Nextel, this phone will be able to make use of the 800mhz frequency. What does that mean to you? Basically your reception will increase inside buildings because lower radio frequencies penetrate through walls better. I have viewed 3d content such as the green hornet, yes like most people have said what you see is depth in your viewing. But, there are times where you do have images that look like they pop of the screen. To have an idea what I am talking about watch the scene were Kato goes into the frig to get two beers, when he spins off both of the bottle caps you do see the affect where it looks like the bottle caps came at you off the screen. There are also plenty of you tube content in 3d. Summary of cons: In comparison to the samsung gs2 and the photon this phone comes up short on internal memory but I guess that is the trade of for the 3d cameras. My other issue is the higher resolution screen. While I like the better view of webpages and increased legibility of text, I have a hard time texting with one hand because the characters on the keyboard are smaller. Not that big of an issue but I do make more mistakes now then I did before with the original EVO. Conclusion: This phone is a smart purchase. I did not buy this phone for its 3d capabilities but for its dual core processor, gpu and ram. I had considered waiting for the samsung gs2 and photon to be released before I made by decision but I decided to go with the EVO 3d because my experience with HTC has never been negative. In comparison to the Samsung, the latest samsung designs tries to hard to be an iphone clone, which just annoys me regardless of what hardware its built with. The motorola photon just seems boring, its only strong point is its GSM support and Internal storage. GSM is something I will barely use. The EVO 3D does everything I need, fast and with style. It has a rich feature set for all types of users.
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