HTC EVO 3D review: First look

You've been selling the EVO 4G Android superphone for more than a year. You began selling it even before 4G networks were available to users in most big cities. And now, many other smartphones are catching-up – and even surpassing the EVO 4G in some respects. What do you do for an encore?

You add a 1.2 GHz, dual core processor, a three-dimensional, glasses-free 4.3-inch touchscreen, make the battery a little beefier to handle the extra load and upgrade the outer shell a tiny bit and you get yourself the upcoming EVO 3D.

Obviously, the very, very big deal here is the advent of the 3D screen. This week at CTIA in Orlando, Sprint and HTC unveiled the EVO 3D (as well as their upcoming EVO View 4G tablet) in a grand press conference/invitation-only event.

Journalists became participants by having to put on – then take off – then put on – then take off polarized 3D glasses during the introduction. After some very brief explanations, the area behind the stage opened to reveal many 3D handsets and experts to explain just how great they are.

So you know, these were beta devices. That means the software worked but was nowhere near the way it will work when the EVO 3D will go on sale in a few months.

3D is said to add some extra enjoyment to photos, videos and gaming. It should have minimal (if any) effect on messaging, GPS or voice calling. We think it's an interesting special effect but with somewhat limited appeal on a smartphone's small screen (compared to a flat-screen TV monitor, for instance.).

So, it should be no surprise that we found the 3D effects to be subtle at best. We were able to recognize  the illusion of depth that the EVO 3D was able to create but weren't all that impressed by the improvement it makes.

We were impressed by the improved speed of the dual-core processor and the fact that the EVO's big screen was still able to deliver a great picture even with the addition of 3D capabilities. And we applaud the idea of a larger battery (1730 vs. 1500 mAh).

What we weren't introduced to was the price. We'll have to wait until we get closer to an announced release date for the handset. But, expect this phone to retail for at least $200 (maybe even $250) with the obligatory 2-year service agreement with 4G data surcharge.