How would you change HTC's EVO 4G?

It may be America's first 4G smartphone, but if we had to guess, we'd surmise that not everyone sees it as perfect. Even if we (almost) did. HTC's EVO 4G was (and still is) a showstopper of epic proportions, boasting one of the largest screens in the smartphone universe and offering blistering speed under the hood. But with phone innovation happening faster than anyone could've ever imagined just a few years ago, we're sure that some ideas have been planted in your head since its launch earlier in the year. For those who've been toying with this here phone, we're keenly interested in learning how you'd change things if given the chance. Would you offer a 3G-only version for those uninterested in paying that extra $10 / month surcharge? Would you be a lot more satisfied with Android 2.2 loaded on? Toss it over to another carrier? Go on and get vocal in comments below, cool?

[Ryuuzaki Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:50PM]

Hmm. I would get rid of HTC Sense.

[techee44 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:55PM]

@hammydbest

ugggghhhh! This is getting so annoying, it isn't funny anymore! Really!

[shiznick Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:55PM]

@Ryuuzaki
Or add an easy button.

[robertvega81 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:57PM]

@Ryuuzaki I agree these skins are getting annoying

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:59PM]

@Ryuuzaki

Say to hell away with 4G and make it GSM.

I'd like 4G, but if I have to choose between EVO without 4G or no EVO at all, I'll take EVO without 4G.

And remove the 30fps cap. I don't know what's the problem (I haven't cared enough to look since I can't get one anyway) but I'd like more FPS.

Give it the SoC in the Galaxy S as well as its S-AMOLED.

Change the back so it doesn't rest on the camera lens. Seriously in 2010 manufacturers still don't get the fact that you HAVE to recess the lens?

Let me add or remove homescreens like you can on the Dell Streak.

Easier to access MicroSD card.

Optical trackball.

Seriously, just give me a GSM version and I'll still buy it.

[JS Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:59PM]

@Ryuuzaki

Resolution. I would increase the pixels per inch so that the pixels aren't visible and the display is crisp. Probably that would give it an a 720p resolution.

[geniusdog254 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:59PM]

@Ryuuzaki I'd keep Sense personally. I would add a better GPU rather than the crappy Adreno in it. That way games would be a ton better.

[Mike10010100 Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:00AM]

@Ryuuzaki

Stock Android 3.0, please. No Sense. Hey, we DID say that it didn't have to be realistic, right?

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:00AM]

@BigJayDogg3

Also, I'd like actual physical buttons under the screen. Just a nitpick, but I SERIOUSLY like the tactile feedback a *click* gives.

[sean4123 Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:02AM]

@hammydbest Congrats on being a moron. It's sad how happy that apple blunder has made you.

[raiden8383 Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:03AM]

@Ryuuzaki

More 4G coverage and More battery life.

[Wiizer Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:06AM]

@Ryuuzaki

Make the back look like my lovely HD2. :D

[rockSY Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:07AM]

@Ryuuzaki While I admire EVO 4G very much what I need is an EVO esque equivalent HTC 3G/4G device on GSM network or better unlocked please. I absolutely love this phone but I am frequent overseas traveler therefore the only thing which has stopped me from buying this is that this phone is on a non GSM network. !!! :(

[Plazmic Flame Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:08AM]

@Ryuuzaki

Make a GSM version.

[JakeK66 Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:08AM]

@JS
Higher resolution? You must have some super freak eyes because it's pretty much impossible to see it's pixels. For example, with my glasses on, I can still see what the small font says when it's showing all 7 screens at once.

Battery life - that's something that needs to be changed.

[ImSpartacus Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:10AM]

@JS 2.1 and 2.2 only support up to WVGA and FWVGA. I think Gingerbread will support 720p for tablets.

For the EVO? I just want stock 2.2 and maybe better battery life.

[hammydbest Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:12AM]

@sean4123 hey, i'm not the one who started slinging mud at other companies....

[DefPoet Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:13AM]

@Ryuuzaki
sense is hand down more functional than stock when it comes to text selection stock android 2.1 and lower are ugly

[AcE17 Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:15AM]

Give it a magical external antenna! :D

[donnythebowler Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:18AM]

@Ryuuzaki Yes! Sense needs to go. Just give me a damn choice.

[pabloda Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:20AM]

@Ryuuzaki and froyo...

[Plazmic Flame Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:21AM]

Engadget, I hope you do HTC a favor and forward some of these comments to them, I'm seeing a trend of "GSM Version".... why they never did it... beyond me...

[chiliu78 Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:24AM]

@Ryuuzaki
Dude, you can disable it on the EVO. You would know this if you owned one

[The Dark Knight Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:27AM]

@geniusdog254

Sense makes the phone feel more user friendly and sleek, which I always got to be sleek, but HTC needs to update quicker which is why I would be willing to get rid of sense for updates to be 3-4 months quicker. Other than faster updates, I would love to have better battery life but I believe that is more of how efficiently the software runs.

[MicrosoftOwns Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:27AM]

@Ryuuzaki

i would get rid of android. hacked together UI

[trolling Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:33AM]

@MicrosoftOwns I agree get rid of android have there own OS!

[big nazty Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:35AM]

@BigJayDogg3 you ask 4 2 much no wonder y you dont get what you want

[RhymeMaster Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:39AM]

@Ryuuzaki
Make it out of Carbon Fiber

[Leegh229 Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:43AM]

@hammydbest U are soo annoying when I read your post android fanboy

[DgDeBx Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:49AM]

It should have an app that will build you an island and then transform into a jet and fly you there.

[Billy Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:05AM]

@Ryuuzaki I would make the screen even bigger

[doc69 Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:10AM]

@techee44
Yes it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nezarules Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:14AM]

@Ryuuzaki
I would change it for an iphone 4. hell yeah!!

[Apple561 Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:27AM]

@Ryuuzaki

I honestly think iOS 4 would look great on that

[Glodokboy Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:30AM]

@Ryuuzaki

1. I hope it really prints money...
2. GSM version

[scl23enN4m3 Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:32AM]

@chiliu78

Not after the update...typing this from my Evo.

[theaussiepunk Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:35AM]

@BigJayDogg3
The phone doesn't rest on the camera lens dude, it rests on the rim surrounding the camera lens. The lens itself is actually recessed from the rim just enough to protect it. I set my phone on tables, desks all the time and have yet to have one single blemish on the lens.

[Openwave Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:37AM]

@BigJayDogg3 add or remove homescreens? There's an android app for that

[estarkey7 Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:41AM]

@Ryuuzaki If you don't like sense, just turn it off! Come on, this ain't an apple product you know.

[tekdemon Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:41AM]

@Ryuuzaki I'd keep Sense if only because HTC's sensified keyboard is about 9000x better than the regular android keyboard.
But I'd probably want a slightly slimmer phone with a slider keyboard.

[RabidAppleFanboi Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:54AM]

@Ryuuzaki And also ship it with Android 2.2, just like the Nexus One.

What? Nexus One is dead? Just like the KIN? No way!

[TickLe MY eLMo Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:58AM]

@Plazmic Flame

Maybe because it was a sprint exclusive?

[Stratus41298 Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:58AM]

@Ryuuzaki

Have it make an island then turn into a jet and fly me there. Points to all who get that ref!

[Openwave Posted Jul 24th 2010 2:01AM]

@theaussiepunk ahh they don't mention that everywhere. Interesting.

[davebu3 Posted Jul 24th 2010 2:02AM]

@robertvega81 I actually quite like Sense, atleast the widgets. Give me the sense widgets and I'll be set LauncherPro. My requests for chages though are

TouchPro2 Keyboard PLEASE I need 1GHz and that keyboard on android.
Since this will be for a future phone, obviously gingerbread, mise well make that a 1.5GHz processor, actual 720p recording, higher res screen to match the iPhone4. Super AMOLED screen would be nice. Fix bluetooth HTC.. Sense messes with BT devices such as the Wiimote.

What is already perfect
battery life (i get about 50hrs each charge)
kickstand
dual flash
sense speed

probably more but im tired...

[jroc74 Posted Jul 24th 2010 2:45AM]

@BigJayDogg3

I like everything u mentioned. Except give it Super Amoled without the Pentile Matrix.

[FluShot Posted Jul 24th 2010 3:01AM]

@Ryuuzaki

For an out of box experience, HTC needs to incorporate the on-demand function of setCPU (downclocks the processor when not in use, huge battery saver) and remove the FPS cap.

The main reason I rooted my phone was to remove the cap after seeing how smooth the HTC Aria was. Now my Evo runs at 55 FPS with hdmi working, difference is night and.day.SetCPU is just icing on the cake. Everything else is stock (yes, I like Sense UI).

P.s. no experience rooting a phone ever (this is my first smartphone) and it was pretty easy to do. Those guys at xda have this stuff figured out pretty good.

Sent from my Evo

[claplante Posted Jul 24th 2010 3:05AM]

Amen on the battery life.

[Jigielnik Posted Jul 24th 2010 3:07AM]

@davebu3

you get 50 hours??? do you underclock?

[Toshiba Posted Jul 24th 2010 3:07AM]

@hammydbest You may have been down ranked....But nice comment. Notice Apple didn't use the HTC EVO as a example.