Unveiling HTC EVO Shift 4G Features Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The HTC EVO Shift 4G is a notable device from HTC that combines a compact design with practical features. Released in January 2011, this device sports a dimension of 117 x 60 x 16 mm, and weighs about 130 g, offering a solid and sturdy construction. One of the significant highlights of the EVO Shift 4G is its full QWERTY keyboard, which slides out smoothly, providing a tactile feel that many users cherish, particularly those who prefer physical keys over touchscreens for typing. The device comes with a classic black color that adds a touch of elegance to its robust design. The inclusion of a Mini-SIM slot is characteristic for phones from this era.

Display

The HTC EVO Shift 4G features a 3.6-inch TFT screen that offers 65K colors. While this may seem limited by today’s standards, at the time of its release, it provided a decent display for everyday use. The screen resolution stands at 480 x 800 pixels, with a pixel density of approximately 259 ppi, which ensures clear text and moderately vibrant visuals for images and videos. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, providing a level of durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Hardware and Performance

This device is powered by the Qualcomm MSM7630 Snapdragon S2 chipset, with an 800 MHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 205 GPU, ensuring efficient performance for its time. While it may not support modern high-performance requirements, it was more than capable of handling basic tasks such as web browsing, social media, and light multimedia usage back in 2011. It came with 512MB of RAM and 2GB of internal storage, though the storage could be expanded via a dedicated microSDHC slot, offering flexibility to users to store more media and applications.

Camera

The HTC EVO Shift 4G is equipped with a 5 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of capturing decent images that were quite satisfactory when the conditions were favorable. The camera can record videos at 720p, making it a viable option for shooting basic video clips. Though the smartphone lacks a dedicated selfie camera by modern standards, it does provide basic front-facing capabilities suitable for video calls and basic selfies.

Operating System and Software

Pre-installed with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and upgradeable to version 2.3 (Gingerbread), the HTC EVO Shift 4G was designed to provide a smooth user experience through HTC’s Sense UI. This interface was known for its user-friendly design and practical features like customizable home screens and widgets, offering an engaging user experience. However, as newer Android versions were released, this phone was considered outdated, limited by its system’s constraints.

Connectivity and Network

The HTC EVO Shift 4G is engineered to work on CDMA / EVDO networks featuring 2G bands (CDMA 800 / 1900) and 3G bands (CDMA2000 1xEV-DO), attaining speeds up to EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, which was competitive for mobile internet use at the time. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, WiMAX 802.16 e, and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, ensuring users could easily connect to networks and devices. The presence of GPS and A-GPS positioning helped users with navigation and location-based services.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, providing standby times of up to 146 hours and talk time up to 6 hours. Considering its specifications, the battery life was sufficient for moderate daily use, covering basic calling and texting. The fact that the battery is removable was an advantage, allowing users to replace it once it lost its ability to hold charge efficiently.

Additional Features

The HTC EVO Shift 4G includes several sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass. It supports HTML and Adobe Flash in its browser, catering to diverse web content consumption. Moreover, it offers standard sound features with a 3.5mm audio jack and built-in loudspeaker, facilitating convenience for multimedia consumption.

Pricing and Availability

At its launch, the HTC EVO Shift 4G was priced around 120 EUR. Given its features and performance, it was considered a good value, striking a balance between affordability and functionality. However, the device has been discontinued and is no longer available in new condition but might be found in second-hand markets or collections.

Conclusion

The HTC EVO Shift 4G, with its full QWERTY keyboard, decent performance for its time, and good connectivity options, holds a special place in the evolution of smartphones. It catered to a niche audience that appreciated physical keyboards while embracing early adoption of Android’s growing ecosystem. As a device launched in the early 2010s, it tells the tale of a transitional phase in mobile technology, between traditional physical keyboards and the touch-centric smartphones we know today.