HTC rep hints Evo 4G may escape Sprint

HTC could have a GSM-ready version of the Evo 4G in store for carriers beyond the US based on a chat with the phone designer's PR manager Eric Lin. He noted that there has been interest in the Evo 4G abroad since its Sprint debut and that European carriers would like something "like that." He wouldn't confirm plans, but teased Pocket-lint that there was nothing to unveil "just yet."

The British website speculates that it may actually be a GSM version of the Droid Incredible, but this isn't as likely. It has features virtually identical to those of the Desire, which is already on sale through much of Europe. Outside of the US, the only HTC phone with a 4.3-inch display is the HD2, whose use of the soon-to-be-dropped Windows Mobile could render it obsolete shortly.

Any Evo 4G conversion would have to drop WiMAX, since Intel's attempt at 4G is rarely used outside of the US and Korea. It might not switch to LTE for 4G, though, as phone chipsets for LTE are both rare and very power-hungry. The Ace could thus run on HSPA or possibly HSPA+.

By Electronista Staff