Sprint has early success with Evo 4G demand

Sprint launched the HTC Evo 4G today to surprisingly strong lineups. Reports from various parts of the US show that many Sprint stores had queues before their early 8AM openings. Only flagship stores like those in New York City were likely to have large numbers, but even smaller locations had over a dozen in line, based on early accounts. Radio Shack stores were the least likely to have queues.

The demand is a partial repeat of last year's Palm Pre launch but is likely stronger both due to the size of the lines themselves as well as Sprint's launch plans. As Sprint opened up pre-orders for the Evo 4G well in advance and was already overwhelmed by demand at the time, any retail lines may hide the total numbers.

HTC's phone is considered Sprint's first real chance at competing with the iPhone on not just sheer media attention but also technical features. The Evo 4G has the distinction of being the first 4G phone in the US and is also the most advanced Android phone with a 4.3-inch screen, an 8-megapixel camera with 720p recording and a front camera that can do greater-than-VGA two-way video chat. It nonetheless has an uncertain long-term future as Apple is due to unveil the next iPhone on Monday and, according to rumors, could have a CDMA version of the iPhone in stores by the fall.

(images via JoshDutcher, DRedMage, kwaunnva, Major_Movs and Young12186)

By Electronista Staff