Sprint PPC-6700 is the HTC Apache

So the PPC-6600 will still be getting its EV-DO upgrade, but it turns out that the Sprint PPC-6700 is actually going to be the HTC Apache, itself a CDMA version of the HTC Wizard. Pardon the crap photos, but that's the beast above (and below — click on for one mo').

[Thanks, Christopher]

[Grandpa @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

OB: I want one.
OB: Antenna knob? WTF?

[PHug @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Now THIS is news!
A crappy treo 670 is not.
Though i will admit that if i didn't know about this i would buy an EV-DO treo.

I want this phone so bad. Verizon better hurry up and get it or i'm sprints newest customer

[010111 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

does anyone sell the GSM one yet? in the US? like for a normal earthly dollar amount? why does this CDMA one need a sausage sized antenna on it?

[emehrkay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

sprint has the best web plan out of all of the providers, 15 bucks for unlimited internet, cingular is 44 - who i have. I might have to move to sprint to enjoy a phone like this

[Joseph T. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

15 bucks, really? That's neat. My Sidekick plan is $20 a month and boy, do I max that out. I can't even imagine the ACTUAL charges if they charged me per MB.

[SheriffDane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Someone please tell me why there are still smartphones with external antennas

or why there are still phones with external antennas

i HATE antennas

[aj @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

nobody understants why CDMA phones need antennas. its becuase CDMA uses some kinda of external frequency, like i ripped the antennae out of my verizonwireless phone and i never got service again. the guy at the store said it was becuase the phone needs to create some kind of frequncy.

[SheriffDane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

well, at least we're finally converging SLIDING qwerty 'boards with our touch screens, dammit. I DONT WANT TO CHOOSE ANYMORE

[PHug @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

every phone i ever owned had an antenna so it doesn't bother me.

This phone can not touch my greasy fingers fast enough. I'm so happy i didn't buy the treo 650 and the samsung i730 now

[David C @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Every wireless device need some kind of frequency. CDMA phone with no external antenna do exist. LG 5225, Nokia 3xxx...ect.

The guy at the Verizon store is probally speaking nonsense just to get you off his back.

[Zach Mauch @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I think that the external antena may have two reasons. The first is because CDMA does require more of an antena than GSM. My second theory is that it helps it to get better wifi reception (The sx66 wifi reception is less than steller). Personally, I will gladly sacrifice the antena for better wifi and phone reception.

Zach

[JimJimBinks @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Holy crap. This is my last month with Nextel and I was debating between switching to T-Mobile or Sprint. I think this phone just made the decision for me. There'd better be a decent rebate though or my fiancee will stab me.

[Carlos S @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

The antennas in CDMA devices are impossed by the CDMA providers. They want to give you the best coverage and the external antenna greatly improves reception. Both Sprint and Verizon require from the OEM the antenna on their devices.

[Christopher Price @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Both the Samsung i730 and HTC PPC-6700 use external antennas to reduce the size of the devices. The PPC-6600 (the predecessor to the PPC-6700) is larger, but also has an internal antenna. A well-designed internal antenna in a CDMA phone will work just as well as a well-designed internal antenna in a GSM phone.

[Cullen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

personally i like the antenna, it lets me orient the thing in my pocket more easily than with an internal one. plus it looks more fancy with a nub sticking up. i donno. does tmobile have some kind of evdo/3g/whatever in minnesota? does anyone know?

*calls 611 and asks*

[Asher @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

$15 per month? Bah... I pay $4.99 with T-Mobile for the unlimited T-Zones service, which in California is actually the Cingular EDGE network. I use DUN with my unlocked Treo and Powerbook to surf at ~100kbps. Back on topic, the HTC looks sweet!

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I like the bubbley buttons on the KB. Almost reminds me of the N9300 ones. And the buttons on top remind me of the Live Drive... makes it look familiar on several different levels. As the approach of the BB7100 with different models for different carriers, this makes sense. Gives it all personality.

This might retire my CSKII :) OR, I will just use them both - because Im a whore.

[Tony @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Please, people, if you think you're gonna be around some cool new products, learn how to use the MACRO function on your camera!

:-)

[nabirman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Anyone have any idea when this is going to be hitting the shelves? 4th quarter maybe?

[E.DIZZLE @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN SPRINT WILL LAUNCH THIS PHONE AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST.

[centauress @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Launch: Early Oct, they say. Expect it to be sometime between Sep 25 and Dec 25.

Price: $649. That's the expected price.

Purchasing one: You bet your sweet bippy I am.

[DJ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

im sick and tired of hearing about the treos 650,670 who cares those people that want a nice running and also great looking pocket pc phone running windows based needs to get their hands on this!!!!

[aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Hopefully there is some deal where I can turn my PPC-6600 in early and get one of those beasts. Sprint is usally really lame about telling me when I can save money though, so I'm going to have to get on them.

[Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Here's the scoop. With the Sprint/Nextel Merger, Sprint's goal is to go multimedia. So with this HTC you will be able to watch TV, do streaming music and expect better syncing with your desktop. Look out for possible walkie-talkie. This new Microsoft OS is capable of operating it in a PDA with the feature. Microsoft and Apple have been working together to provide a more stable OS. This phone according to Sprint has been labeled UTStarcomm 6700 or formly the Audiovox 6700. The EVDO on Sprint is due of before Christmas and is estimated to run 300-500kps. It is capable of much more but this is what is currently being released. It is possible that this will be the next evolution in phones. It is due mid-September early-October.

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Just got my hands on one of these and it is really cool! I mean I was really looking forward to the MPX and settled for the MPX200 but this thing is nice.

Win Mobile 5

Mini-SD

Camera (Can make MPG4)

WIFI - that I have tested and it will switch automatically when syncing email from PCS to WIFI.

Good sound quality

About the same weight as a Samsung i600.
Really like the QWERTY for typing. Very natural and quicker than other forms of input.

Just started using it so I will be posting results on my site once I have more info.

I also understand they are discussing upgrades to other PPC phones like the i600. My source says they are concerned about the possible support issues from people doing self upgrades.

[G man @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Just went to their site and it says available 9/16,,,,,,,,,,,cool


http://www.sprint.com/business/products/phones/ppc6700_pdaPhones.jsp

[michael drexler @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

DOES ANYONE KNOW THE BATTERY LIFE OF THE HTC APACHE. M DREXLER

[michael drexler @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

DOES ANYONE KNOW THE MONTHLY FEE FOR UNLIMITED EVDO ON THE SPRINT PHONE SYSTEM. IT IS 45 $ ON VERIZON. SOMEONE WROTE IT IS 15 DOLLARS ON SPRINT. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE M DREXLER

[Gary V. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

So far, I'm sold on this phone and it's a good motivator to switch my voice service over from the 'Yesterday's Technology, Today!' stance that T-Mobile USA (come on, highspeed data in 2007?!?) has and jump over to Sprint. Right now the waiting game to see if Sprint actually deactivates the Dial-Up Networking Bluetooth profile.

I don't think that Sprint has mentioned a firm price on EV-DO service as of yet for handsets. For their PC Connection Cards the price is currently $60 a month if you already have voice service through Sprint so I could see a similar price point if not lower to stay ahead of the game.

[Joe B. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Better get multiple batteries. I got one and can barely get it to last three hours.

[Joe B. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

As for the $15 for unlimited access, its true. Hell of a deal! Just need more battery life....

[Rich @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I just ordered this phone for my corporate account for $354. Below is the pricing for EVDO also known as (Power Vision)
$25 Power Vision Ultimate Pack for Business Individual Purchase
Unlimited EV-DO (Power vision) and Web Access
Unlimited Picture mail and Video mail
Streaming News and Radio Channel
Channel 50 Sprint TV Ultimate

$20 Power Vision Plus Pack for Business Individual Purchase
Unlimited EV-DO (Power vision) and Web Access
Unlimited Picture mail and Video mail
Streaming News and Radio Channel
Channel 1 Sprint TV Plus
First month Free

$15 Power Vision Access Pack for Business Individual Purchase
Unlimited EV-DO (Power vision) and Web Access
Streaming News and Radio Channel
First month Free

[E71 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Now if they'd put a GPS chip in there and make it to work with GSM networks I'd shell out $1000 for it. I need one with "all of the above" features so bad. I admit the antenna is a little large but hey, a fat antenna is better than none. I don't want people thinking I'm crazy and that I talk to my PDA.

[RLane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Did anyone have problems with getting the data to work? Everytime they give me the code to configure the data ##Number# then talk so you can edit a screen. This screen does not come up. Has anyone had the same issue? I connect when I create a connection to #777. But when I attempt to access a web page it times out. Your help is appreciated.

[RLane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Did anyone have problems with getting the data to work? Everytime they give me the code to configure the data ##Number# then talk so you can edit a screen. This screen does not come up. Has anyone had the same issue? I connect when I create a connection to #777. But when I attempt to access a web page it times out. Your help is appreciated.

[Lauren Rigg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Ok, I have had the Samsung i700 for 2 years now. Boss says have to switch to Alltel if I want my cell bill paid by the company. I called Alltel data support to see if there was a Windows device offered from Alltel. The guy said Alltel has plans to offer the Audiovox 6700 before Christmas. I called back to confirm the rumor (not telling tech support where I heard it from) fter she had me on hold for a while her response was "We wil be offeing an Audiovox Pocket PC, but I cannot say what model." Anyone know anymore about this?

[Walter Schild @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Battery life is a SERIOUS problem. I'm getting 3-4 hours with moderate use. And that's with WiFi off.

[Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I found out for sure: Alltel will be offering the Audiovox 6700 & also the Treo 650 before the holidays.

[Janice @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

This phone plus GPS is what I want/need. Any idea if something is already available or when something might be coming out? Also, how can I order the 6700? The sprint stores in NM are clueless.

[Chanz @ Jan 6th 2006 10:30AM]

i am a new and proud owner of the PPC 6700 ive got lots of good things to report about the phone and a few crucial bad things. I love the internet capabilities, the QWERTY keyboard, the microsoft applications and the phone options. I hate the battery life with heavy usage i get maybe 2 to 3 hours max if that! I also hate the picture mail features. The camera and camcorder are perfect but i can only recieve pictures i cannot SEND them to another phone #. This is a pretty expensive device i know it has that capability, i have everything in my plan, can someone help me with this??