HTC EVO V 4G Prepaid Android Phone (Virgin Mobile)

So I was a little nervous at first after reading about all of the problems this phone has had. I have had a HTC One V for awhile and have enjoyed it, but when I saw the price drop on the EVO I figured I'd give it a try, and I could always switch back to the One V if it didn't work out. The One V has been a great phone. Suffice to say, I will NOT be switching back.For starters, switching as always for me (I've been with VM for awhile, 5 or 6 phones) required that I call VM to get it done, but no big deal, and the switch was done and everything was working in about a half hour. As soon as I activated it and started playing around with it, I quickly noticed just how much faster and more responsive it is than the One V - it is definitely and immediately noticeable. The two cores make a huge difference. Where I live the 4G is spotty, but when it works it is fantastic; the 3G is not bad at all. I downloaded the HTC software update and the PRL and profile updates and have not had any of the connectivity (call or messaging) issues that have been reported with this phone. I believe that they've got all of those kinks worked out. Like I said, 4G is spotty, but other than that smooth sailing.I was worried about the GPS because it is listed only as AGPS and HTC's site says it needs cell service to operate, but I used it for about a day in areas where I know there was no service and it kept tracking me. The maps wouldn't update, but my position was kept current even without service; I downloaded Mapdroyd offline maps, so that won't be a problem again.The screen is great. One of the reasons I got the One V originally was because I didn't want any more big phones, but this one is really not all that much bigger than the One V with a significantly larger - and better - screen. It is very responsive, crisp, has better viewing angles, and is generally just easier to type on, watch movies, or play games with. I will miss the ICS-designed capacitive buttons of the One V and I don't like the search button at all (keep accidentally hitting it, probably my only real gripe about the phone), but it's not THAT big a deal. A minor annoyance, not a dealbreaker, and something I'll just get used to (again, since I used to use Gingerbread-designed phones...).The camera is OK, nothing to write home about but not bad either. The 3D does work, but seems more a gimmick to me. I'll never use it, but it's there if it's important to anyone.The battery life is really not bad at all. I ran a stock battery for the first couple of days, and I was getting through the day with battery left over with moderate usage. Of course Android phones need to be charged every day, something I think alot of people who complain about battery life do not understand... Adjust screen brightness, display time-out, watch for runaway apps, etc. But relative to other Android phones this one is not bad at all. I got the 1900mah Anker batteries and did definitely notice a difference; I had to struggle to kill the battery (purposefully running it down for several cycles to do calibration is always a good idea)... I got home yesterday with over 50% battery with moderate usage. Not bad at all. Of course if you're doing heavy gaming or something that will kill any Android's battery very quickly, but this one is relatively good.I always get a case for my phones because I have slippery fingers. I usually get Otterboxes or Tridents, but didn't want to make this one too big, so I got the Acase one for it and could not be happier. It is a PERFECT fit and seems like it will give adequate protection.It has been pretty much problem-free so far, and I am pleasantly surprised about that considering all of the reported problems. Happy enough to order another one for the wife for Valentine's Day... :)UPDATE 1: After another week with the phone taking it all over Texas, I have a few comments to add.- The Anker battery is awesome. I get home from work usually with 70-80% with light to moderate use, about 50-60% when using GPS- I use GPS alot in my job, I am an investigator and am driving quite a bit to unknown places and rural areas. The GPS is generally GTG, you just need to have preloaded maps or have Google Maps with the target area loaded before you leave a service area for it to work. Mapdroyd works great.- I have lost service in some rural areas. I think the antennae was slightly better with the One V, but it's not significantly worse, just some remote areas that I got it with the One V the EVO won't pick up. It's still pretty good service, and coverage is 80% or so even in the rural areas, clost to 100% in the urban areas.- 4G is certainly spotty. Inside my house I can sometimes get a connection, sometimes not. When I get a connection it's always double 3G speeds. I go out on my balcony and I am getting 7mb down every time. At the local park it's spotty, at the city square it's 6mb down... you get the picture. When it works it's awesome, it's just spotty and I don't rely on it. It's a bonus when it works.Still very happy. My wife's EVO got here and it works great, too.

This is a lot of smart phone, and works very responsive, all features work well, wifi connects easy, virgin mobile service seems to work well in my area, so many useful features like visual voice mail, e-mail, call blocking for them few nuisance calls, pre-installed GPS / google map apps make the phone a great GPS. Easy to use Camera and camcorder with a shutter button, is very clear and has many photo functions, including 3D . 3g internet data works well anywhere in service area, note: 4g wimax internet is comming to my rural area with in a year, so haven't tried that yet but should be great . Data usage seems minimal for e-mail, internet, and maps / GPS, so 2.5 gb of data will likely last all month at the faster speed rate, for basic phone functions, plus the service comes with unlimited data after that usage at a slower speed, if you burn up fast data downloading / watching video or tv. The Hot spot function works to connect other devices if you activate it for $15, well worth it if you need that. Has useful apps on android and easy to install more if desired. Can be hooked up to a TV in a variety of ways to view photos, video or internet, Bluetooth works well. I recommend this type case and skin cover that work in combo with each other for better camera protection and yet great fit and look, all for low cost.2 of DECORO DHCHTCEVO3DBK Rubberized Ribbed Texture Shell and Holster with Fixed Ratching Belt Clip for HTC Evo 3D/Evo V 4G - 1 Pack - Carrying Case - RetaAndeForCity 3 in 1 Accessory Bundle Color Soft TPU Rubber S Shape Skin Cases for HTC EVO 3D (Frost Black, Frost Clear White, Frost Dark Purple)

We'd been scraping by on our three year old Samsung smartphone and so when the necessity of a new phone presented itself we weren't sure what to buy. The Evo is sleek, light, has good battery life if you don't play Angry Birds all day (note to self), holds a charge in stand by quite well. Using the browser is really fast, the phone has no lag in responding to input at all, touch screen is very responsive and the keyboard is big enough for my husband to use comfortably. We love it! We would suggest a speaker dock and case as accessories. The 3D camera is really cool, front facing camera works well and the regular camera with flash is very sufficient for us and our on the go type pics of our kids. Call quality is fine and phone is very easy to navigate. We would buy another one!-- About a week in I would add the following: When you "sync" Facebook or any other account to your phone every single contact will sync. If you have 500 friends on Facebook you will see them all. I have not been able to figure out a way to only sync specific contacts like I was able to do with the Samsung, so have the sync turned completely off. Also, the Samsung used to get input from my cheek when I was using the phone, which is really annoying, this phone does not do that.