The HTC EVO 4G and the iPhone 4, both released in June 2010, are among the most powerful and feature-rich smart phones in the U.S. The HTC Incredible is in the same league.
Certain reviewers have criticized the EVO but the phone also has a loyal fan following, mostly from Android lovers.
Comparison chart
 | HTC EVO 4G | iPhone 4 |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Bluetooth | Supported Profiles: HSP 1.1, HFP 1.5, OPP, FTP, PBA, A2DP 1.2, AVRC version 2.1+EDR | Supported Profiles: HSP, HFP 1.5, PBA, A2DP version 2.1 + EDR |
| Vibrate mode | Yes | Yes |
| Speakerphone | Yes | Yes |
| Networks | CDMA 850 / 1900 WiMAX 2500 | GSM 850 / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 WCDMA 850 / WCDMA 1900 / WCDMA 2100 |
| Picture ID | Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 4.3" diagonal | 3.5" diagonal |
| Video Capture | Resolution: 720p HD | 720p (HD), 30 fps |
| Browser | HTC Android browser (WebKit-based) Flash Lite 4, multi-touch | Safari supports landscape mode, multi-touch zoom and pan, and multiple windows. |
| Stereo Speakers | No | No |
| Alarm | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Colors | 65,536 (16-bit) | 16.7 million (24-bit) |
| Screen Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels | 960 x 640 pixels |
| To-Do List | No | Yes |
| Auto-complete suggestions for text | Technology: XT9 plus Swype | Yes |
| Voice recorder | Yes | Yes |
| Instant Messaging | Networks Supported: Google Talk | Various via 3rd Party Applications |
| Voice dialing | Speaker-independent (automatic) | Speaker-independent (automatic) |
| FM Radio | Yes | No |
| MMS | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Video | Yes | Protocol: H.264 / MPEG-4 (MOV, MP4, M4V, 3GPP) via Safari web browser / plus dedicated YouTube client |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes | Yes |
| Estimated Battery Life (Talk time) | 6 hours max. (360 minutes) | 7 hours (3G), 14 hours (2G) |
| Ringer ID | Yes | Yes |
| Supports enlarging text | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 4.8" x 2.6" x 0.5" (122 x 66 x 12.7 mm) | 4.5" x 2.31" x 0.37" (11.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm) |
| Data Tethering | supports up to 8 devices simultaneously | Yes, details still unknown |
| Digital TTY/TDD | Yes | Yes |
| Ruggedized | No | No |
| Text Messaging (SMS) | View Style: Threaded | 2-Way: Yes threaded (Also Group messaging Iphone 4 Users) |
| USB | Yes | Version: 2.0 supports charging |
| SyncML | No | No |
| Wireless Carrier | Sprint | AT&T, Verizon |
| Flashlight | No | Yes |
| Headset Jack (2.5 mm) | No | No |
| Live TV | No | No |
| Languages supported | English, Spanish | English, French, German, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Ukranian, Arabic and more |
| Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Infrared | No | No |
| Java support | No | No |
| BREW | No | No |
| Camera | Resolution: 8+ megapixel auto-focus, LED flash, geo-tagging, brightness control, face detection, spot metering | Resolution: 5 megapixel (back-facing), LED flash, geotagging, tap to focus, also a VGA front-facing camera |
| Games | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi support | Version(s): 802.11 b,g | Version(s): 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz only) |
| Memory card slot | microSD (TransFlash) 8 GB card included / supports up to 32 GB | No |
| Screen Type | LCD (Color TFT/TFD) | LCD (Color TFT/TFD) |
| Weight | 6 oz (170 g) | 4.8 oz (137 g) |
| Polyphonic Ringtones | Yes | No |
| Music Player | Yes | Supported Formats: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible 2-4, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV |
| E-mail client | Yes | Protocols Supported: POP, IMAP, Exchange built-in attachment viewer (Microsoft Office, PDF) |
| Picture messaging | No | Yes |
| PictBridge | No | No |
| Side buttons | volume on right | volume keys, ringer switch on left / sleep key on top |
| Calculator | Yes | Yes |
| CPU | 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 QSD8650 | Apple A4 (1 GHz) |
| Push-To-Talk | No | No |
| Ringer Profiles | No | No |
| Hard Drive | No | No |
| Touch Screen | Type: Capacitive | Primary input method: Finger capacitive, multi-touch |
| Operating System | Android up to version 2.3 with updates | iOS 4.1 |
| GPS | A-GPS supports LBS | A-GPS; photo, video geo-tagging |
| Built-in memory | 440 MB (internal memory available to user for storage) | 32 GB (internal memory available to user for storage) or 16 GB |
| Headphone Jack (3.5mm) | Yes | Yes |
| External Display | No | No |
| Physical design | Bar Internal Antenna | Bar (steel rim is the antenna) |
Battery Life
Battery life is where the iPhone 4 beats the EVO 4G hands down. Many users of the EVO have reported a battery life of only 4 hours with moderate use of the phone. Power consumption even when on standby is less than ideal. In contrast, battery life for the iPhone 4 is 6 hours (Internet use on 3G) and 300 hours when on standby.
Camera
Both phones have two cameras, one in the front and one on the back, and the back cameras for both phones can record 720p HD videos. The EVO's back camera is 8 megapixels whereas the iPhone 4 has a 5 megapixel camera on the back.
Apple has released an iMovie app for $4.99 that lets you edit videos recorded on the phone without having to transfer the videos onto a computer.
The photo-taking app on Android (EVO) is sluggish compared to the iPhone. The photo browsing utility is also not as slick as the iPhone 4.
Video Calling
Both phones support video calling. The iPhone 4 has a pre-installed app called FaceTime that allows users to video chat. This feature is only available over Wi-Fi.
The EVO also allows video calling to any other phone that has the same user-selected software installed, such as Fring or Qik. The EVO also allows video calling over 3G and 4G, as well as Wi-Fi. In the opinion of David Pogue at the New York Times, this feature of the EVO is not user-friendly.
4G speed
Where Sprint's 4G network is available, download speeds for Internet use are better than AT&T's 3G network. AT&T's network has also received flak for being slow and oversubscribed, but the company is investing in a revamp.
The use of 4G, however, drains the EVO's batteries even faster. There are also complaints that 4G coverage is not available everywhere, and that the phone takes a long time to find and connect to a 4G signal. These drawback temper the 4G advantage.
Screen
The iPhone 4 and the HTC EVO 4G are both touch screen smart phones. The EVO's screen, and therefore the phone itself, is much larger (4.3 inches diagonal) than the iPhone (3.5 inches).
Resolution
The EVO has a screen resolution of 480 x 800 pixels whereas the iPhone has a resolution of 640 x 960 pixel resolution. The iPhone 4 also has what Apple calls the "retina display". The iPhone 4 screen has 326 pixels per inch, which is more pixels than the human retina can see (when the device is held 10 to 12 inches from your face).
Features
The EVO has an extremely fast processor, so using the phone feels snappy. The EVO has a smooth layout, and a convenient 5 home screens. The phone also offers speech-to-text software so users don't have to type, a nice feature that the iPhone does not have.
Flash Support
With Flash-lite support, the EVO also plays some Flash videos (not including Hulu.com), which the iPhone cannot.
Kickstand
Another useful feature of the EVO 4G is a kickstand. Given its large screen size and heavier body, it can be hard for users to hold the phone for longer durations, especially when watching movies or HD videos, or reading books. The iPhone does not have a kickstand.
Apps
The iPhone app store has over 300,000 apps. The Android market, which the EVO uses, has over 100,000 apps.
Tethering and Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot
The EVO 4G converts to a mobile, internet-connected Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 8 devices. This feature, however, costs an additional $30 per month. The iPhone 4 will also allow tethering to connect the phone to a computer for browsing. However, it cannot function as a wireless hotspot.
Data Plans and Pricing
The EVO 4G costs $200 after a $100 mail-in rebate and with a 2-year Sprint contract. The iPhone 4 16 GB model has the same price with a 2-year AT&T contract but without the rebate. The 32 GB model costs $300.
AT&T offers two data plans for the iPhone and it is mandatory for iPhone users to choose one of these plans. The $15 per month data plan is for 200 MB data use. The $25 per month plan is for 2GB data use. This data plan is in addition to the basic calling plan, the cheapest being a $40 plan with 450 minutes that roll over.
Sprint offers a "Simply Everything" plan for $99 for unlimited data and calling usage but charges an additional $10 per month fee for EVO users. Other Sprint plans for the EVO include unlimited data and 450 calling minutes for $70 per month, and unlimited data and 900 calling minutes for $90 per month (all of them charge the separate $10 fee). In addition, there is a $30 per month fee if you want to use your phone as a mobile hotspot.
Head to head comparison video
Reviews
HTC EVO 4G Review
iPhone 4 Review
Spoof Videos
There were a couple of very funny videos (presented below; language NSFW) comparing the iPhone 4 and the HTC Evo 4G. The first video extolled the virtues of the EVO and made fun of diehard Apple fanboys.
The second video was a rebuttal and mocked the EVO (also NSFW).
References
About the Author
iPhone 3GS 
iPhone 4 
HTC Incredible 
iPhone 3GS 
iPad
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