HTC MAX 4G officially announced, world's first GSM / WiMAX phone

Hey Sprint, you listening? Granted, GSM doesn't do Sprint a whole lot of good in the States, but swapping a CDMA radio into HTC's first WiMAX effort here would make for a downright mighty response to the Touch HD. The previously-seen T8920 has turned out to be the MAX 4G, an 800 x 480 monster with 8GB of Flash on board, two cameras, an FM radio, GPS, WiFi, triband EDGE, and -- most importantly -- WiMAX support, making it the first GSM / WiMAX handset anywhere in the world. It'll be launching on Scartel's Yota network in Russia, and if you have friends cool enough to have a MAX 4G of their own, calls between the two of y'all will automatically be routed over the WiMAX airwaves using VoIP. A launch date hasn't been announced, but unless you're in Russia, there's probably not much point in even bothering to lust after this one. If you insist, though, you can check out a couple additional shots of the phone over at Engadget Mobile.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Nov 12th 2008 1:02PM]

I want. NOW

[Josh @ Nov 12th 2008 1:09PM]

so pretty...

i want also

[rock99rock @ Nov 12th 2008 1:11PM]

"unless you're in Russia, there's probably not much point in even bothering to lust after this one."

Chris, you know better than this :) You're such a tease. I never thought i'd say this, but i would switch to sprint for this. (pending non-removal of aforementioned awesome features.)

I, too, want NOW.

[allislost @ Nov 12th 2008 1:28PM]

In Russia phone calls you! ...wait... that's not that funny... i'll try again after a few hours of sleep.

[spass @ Nov 12th 2008 5:44PM]

OK, I want one!
Will I get ranked all the way up now?

[usricklane @ Nov 12th 2008 5:58PM]

for what ... i wouldn't have it for free
htc has the worst touch screen sensitivity
even if u lock it , it will , it will answer any call by itself
and there is no hard cases to protect you from a scandalous call

[usricklane @ Nov 12th 2008 6:08PM]

i am not an Apple iphone fanatic, but
the iphone has best touch screen ever
i already have the htc diamond, i bought it for usd$990 in june 08, i thought high about it
now i want to sell for 200 and if not possible i will give it away for free

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Nov 12th 2008 6:39PM]

Give it to me then.

[Wonderkid @ Nov 12th 2008 1:05PM]

Quote me on this a couple of years from now - or sooner if Apple and/or Fon and/or Google and/or some other unheard of as yet startup really get behind the concept, P2P communication (with no base stations at all eventually) will be the future. And it will bring about something that humanity deserves, FREE unlimited communications. You buy your device and only pay for the energy it consumes. And even that could be free once solar re-charging stations are placed across the planet. A few new technologies are listed at lifemachine.com.

[Brad, The @ Nov 12th 2008 1:07PM]

Good luck with that.

[Wonderkid @ Nov 12th 2008 1:08PM]

...a few new solar energy technologies that is. Power can also be obtained from other sustainable sources appropriate to the local environment, energy generating clothing and more. As long as we don't mess up, this is a great time to be alive is it not? All the pieces are falling into place...

[Mile @ Nov 12th 2008 1:09PM]

All we need are more of those companies that are created to spend money to help people instead of being created to make a profit.

[Mycroft @ Nov 12th 2008 2:32PM]

@ Mile

...and these companies that "spend money to help people" would get there money from...?

[Josh @ Nov 12th 2008 3:38PM]

Sustainable planet.... check
Sustainable p2p.... check
Sustainable cell bills.... check
Sustainable business model..................................

[bangladeshiluv @ Nov 12th 2008 1:05PM]

i have Sprint. so sad.

[sip @ Nov 12th 2008 1:27PM]

Gah! What about verizon!? They still don't even have the touch pro out yet!

[AtOurGates @ Nov 12th 2008 2:14PM]

Sprint + CMDA HTC Max + Android = My Wildest Dreams Coming True.

On 2nd thought, apparently my dreams aren't all that wild. I should work on that.

[JCFBt @ Nov 30th 2008 4:44PM]

I KNOW!!!! they don't have it on verizon1!!! it gets on my nervz & jusst my luck too; they wouldn't have the phone i want.. GGRR!!!

[Marc-O @ Nov 12th 2008 1:05PM]

Still want a Touch HD... HTC ! Bring it here !

*waits*

[Flashpoint @ Nov 12th 2008 1:05PM]

man, if iPhones had CDMA this thing wouldn't stand a chance.

[Level 5 @ Nov 12th 2008 1:06PM]

FAP!

[Mike C @ Nov 12th 2008 1:07PM]

oh my....

[ginger.al @ Nov 12th 2008 1:11PM]

don't tell me that ur mike chan

[Mike C @ Nov 12th 2008 1:15PM]

no sir. Just yet another Mike C.

[Mile @ Nov 12th 2008 1:07PM]

And here I am on my brand new - non-wimax Fuze! *mad*

[eggothewaffle @ Nov 12th 2008 1:12PM]

Living in Baltimore and enjoying the low-latency and relatively high speed speeds of WiMAX, I would love it if more phone manufacturers started integrating WiMAX into their phones or at least offering it as an option.

Watching (or listening) to streaming media while in a bus going at 60 mph never gets old.

[bandigolo @ Nov 12th 2008 1:17PM]

question for you, Mr. Waffle: which device are you currently using to watch streaming video via WiMAX

[eggothewaffle @ Nov 12th 2008 1:25PM]

It's a Lenovo with an integrated WiMAX radio.

[bandigolo @ Nov 12th 2008 1:13PM]

Don't be sad. By the time the U.S. has WiMAX coverage worth buying a device for, all of our 2-year contracts will be up!

[bandigolo @ Nov 12th 2008 1:14PM]

unless you live in Baltimore, apparently.

What's the latest on Sprint's "nationwide" WiMAX effort?

[DirtyVegas @ Nov 12th 2008 1:21PM]

By the time they ship to the US, and the dinosaur networks here will support them, Europe/Asia/Russia (read : rest of world) will be on to 5G.

[Patriks7 @ Nov 12th 2008 1:25PM]

Wow so awesome..
BTW on the pics.. is it just me or does that look like something different than TouchFlo 3D?

[XIYL @ Nov 13th 2008 12:44AM]

It doesn't look like anything. The phone isn't on in the pictures.

[Patriks7 @ Nov 13th 2008 2:16AM]

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/htc-max-4g-officially-announced-worlds-first-gsm-wimax-phone/1154087/

You sure about that?

[scape @ Nov 12th 2008 1:40PM]

man, htc has such sexy phones! and the dream is what google went with! pitiful!

[electron @ Nov 12th 2008 1:41PM]

haha, when I first saw that I thought is was going to be the replacement to the samsung P2.. *hmmmm, maybe I should look at title first and THEN the picture... * :D

[Kaiser-Machead @ Nov 12th 2008 1:59PM]

Could it be, that I actually want a WinMo phone at long last? Little on the chunky side, but.....I like em chunky ;)

[raeesgillani @ Nov 12th 2008 2:02PM]

OMD!!!!!!!!! n WTF!!!! first i wanted htc touch diamond, then i wanted htc touch hd and now this for f**k's sake y????

[boe @ Nov 12th 2008 2:08PM]

I have the HTC diamond and it has horrible battery life. I'm not sure if SPrint or HTC is to blame although if you call either they say you need to talk to the other company -
Sprint: "You need to call HTC, we don't manufacture phones"
HTC: "You need to call your carrier. We design the phone but Sprint modifies the ROM to fit their network"

Issues with the Sprint HTC Diamond
Bluetooth stack - very weak - causes tremendous battery drain and static.
Radio - very poorly implmented - signal varies from moment to moment even in stationary locations - causes battery issues.
Wireless network access - poorly implemented - after you have a push e-mail or any other internet access even after the transfer is complete, the internet connection stays open for 10 more minutes - causes battery drain.
Tilt sensor - poorly implemented - always engaged - sensing your changes in vector as you move - problem if you keep your phone in your pocket while you walk - causes battery drain.

If you have exchange push and bluetooth enabled - you will be lucky to get a half a day's battery use even if you barely use the phone for calling.

Bad screen sensor - hard to select items on edge of screen.

[xconan @ Nov 13th 2008 6:42AM]

You could probably get a higher capacity battery for the touch pro. http://www.alltouchdiamond.com/general-touch-diamond-discussion/1800mah-high-capacity-battery/msg1586/

There's alternatives to the 1340mA are 900mA and1800mA. Though I don't know if the 1800mA is supported and in some instances affects the radio on the CDMA versions but not the GSM versions.

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/htc-max-4g-officially-announced-worlds-first-gsm-wimax-phone/1154088/

[Brian @ Nov 12th 2008 2:08PM]

That is one fantastic looking phone.

[Neeko @ Nov 12th 2008 2:15PM]

Why oooh why must Engadget tease us Americans with such beautiful full screen devices...I REFUSE to switch to AT&T for an iphone. I actually like WinMo and my sprint coverage is excellent and half the price of what i would pay with an iphone. But HTC is really pissing me off releasing half assed phones to the US then giving the rest of the world these great phones with huge screens. Granted (half assed) isnt realy fair since im considering upgrading my mogul for a Diamond.

What have i done to you HTC/Sprint why must you tease me. I pay my bills i tell everyone how much i like the devices and service. Just give us a phone thats worthy of the high prices were willing to pay.

Im done ranting.

[matt @ Nov 12th 2008 3:46PM]

Why would you want a touchscreen? Its an imperfect interface for a mobile device.

[pedantic @ Nov 12th 2008 2:26PM]

Aren't the American GSM based companies and Verizon going with LTE for 4G?

[Brian @ Nov 12th 2008 4:32PM]

Yes, but Sprint is going to be using (already is in Baltimore) WiMAX. So, if they just swapped the GSM radio out with a CDMA it would be good to go.

[BJ is Gooder @ Nov 12th 2008 2:35PM]

It may be a case of the camera angle but this thing looks like it could snap in my pocket if I stood up too quickly!

[narutogrey @ Nov 12th 2008 6:56PM]

Considering this phone is almost an inch thick, I don't think you'll have to worry about it snapping... unless I misunderstood your statement.

[Unique Gift Ideas @ Nov 12th 2008 2:41PM]

Two cameras...Why?

[Johan S @ Nov 12th 2008 2:58PM]

In addition to the high quality one that's on the back there's also low quality one that's front facing. It takes up very little space and only adds 30 cents to the build cost so why not .. given that it lets you look at the other person while on a video call with them.

This phone is meant to be full featured so if you want less features you can get a cheaper phone.

[matt @ Nov 12th 2008 3:42PM]

@unique
Have you ever heard of video calling? That is what the camera is for on practically every mid range up phone is for. I get 100mins/month of free video calls on my contract, which would be handy if it was actually that useful.