irev210

You mean, if you find out you really want a removable battery That's going to be the biggest difference between the two handsets

That makes sense. In another post you mentioned may 18th as a day for some 4G cores to come online... http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/844-athens-ga-lte/page__view__findpost__p__14995 The 18th seems too much not to be a coincidence. Is the 18th "launch LTE" day?

Very good point. They really want to keep voluntary churn down as low as possible. Right now, they really need to keep churn down as low as possible. They had some issues with involuntary churn (people who can't pay their bills) as a result of lowering their credit standards (with radio shack) in the middle of last year. I don't think the new EVO will be the halo device the original EVO was (completely different competitive landscape nowadays) but it still should be a fantastic handset for Sprint. EVO, GS3, new Apollo Windows Phone, next new iPhone... one thing sprint does not lack nowadays is an extremely competitive handset line-up.

No kidding. The logistics of launching a new device must be a nightmare. Very impressive that they were able to push up the launch date by a month. March 15th the Sprint Galaxy Nexus cleared the FCC Sprint seemed to be targeting a April 15th launch and couldn't pull it off - ended up launching April 22nd. April 12th the EVO 4G LTE cleared the FCC Sprint launches on May 18th! Faster than the Galaxy Nexus which wasn't even an all new phone like the EVO is. Obviously, this new EVO phone is very important for Sprint.

Well, sprint has officially confirmed the 18th launch date. Not sure why they were so unsure of the launch date.

The 4 billion pricetag is probably pretty accurate. T-Mobile already has ethernet to something like over 80% of their towers. Sprint's 38k towers are getting new backhaul, new basestations, new RRU's, new antennas. The T-Mobile deal just covers LTE @ 37,000 sites. I am guessing that the remaining sites that do not have upgraded backhaul will get it.

T-Mobile just announced that they just contracted with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens to upgrade all 37,000 sites with LTE Rel 10. The contracts cover LTE network installation at 37,000 cell sites as part of a two-year, $4 billion network modernization plan designed by T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE), which has said it will fund the work with cash flow from Bellevue, Washington-based T-Mobile. The contracts end in 2013. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-08/nokia-siemens-ericsson-win-t-mobile-lte-u-s-contract.html

It's included - just not mentioned. When Sprint was demoing the HD Voice feature to journalists, they made it a point to also demo the noise canceling feature on the EVO 4G LTE.

Another heads up: http://insidesprintnow.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/confirmed-htc-evo-4g-lte-launches-51812/

Ok, glad to hear. Supposedly, the FD02 update that Sprint pushed out a few days ago was supposed to squash the provisioning issue, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Galaxy Nexus Software Update - IMM76D.L700FD02 Enhancements/Fixes: - Device not connecting to data services after activation - Device not displaying correct network time after activation - Google Wallet Update In any case, I am glad that they are completely separate issues.

Have you seen any reports on the Galaxy Nexus having a similar issue with provisioning? Starting to wonder if both phones are suffering from the same issue.

Makes me a bit nervous. I am having issues with two different galaxy nexus on two different sprint accounts with random data disconnects. Even after the most recent update, I've had to reprovision my phone twice today. Hopefully they will get the OTA out asap.

Just preordered my EVO 4G LTE. Sort of interesting we see the pre-order "expires" on may 17th. About this device: Offer expires May 17, 2012 or while supplies last. Requires 0 month contract and new activation. Up to $350 early termination fee/line applies (no ETF for Agreements cancelled in compliance with Sprint's Return Policy). Subject to credit approval. A new phone activation fee of up to $36 per line may apply. Sprint reserves the right to cancel/extend offers without notice. Offers may not be available in all markets. Other conditions may apply. Read service agreement for details. The Nationwide Sprint & Nextel National Networks reach over 277 & 278 million people, respectively. You may return your undamaged device within 14 days of activation to your original place of purchase (with your receipt) and request that we deactivate services. We'll refund your activation fee (if service is canceled within 3 days of activation) and waive your early termination fee (as long as the device is returned). You are responsible for all charges based on actual usage (partial monthly service charges, Sprint surcharges, taxes and fees). A $35 restocking fee will be charged (at time of exchange) to exchange a device for a different model or color (except in Hawaii). The $35 restocking fee will also be charged when you return an upgraded device. Visit Sprint.com/returns for details (return policy for existing customers may vary). For any devices or accessories purchased through a Buy one, get one offers (BOGO) offer, all devices or accessories purchased must be returned/exchanged to receive a refund or comparable exchange. In addition, if a Buy One, Get One Free device is exchanged, it is subject to the $35 restocking fee terms.

The reason why they do it is to try to "differentiate" between the various OEMs. No OEM wants their software to look EXACTLY like another OEM. It's gimmicky, but it's android politics more than anything. Look at how much Samsung is trying to sell the software on the GS3. Gimmicky? Yes. A HUGE marketing push? Absolutely. I think you are missing the mark on fragmentation. Fragmentation is the result of using different chipsets - not really the software. Why do you think Microsoft set very strict requirements on OEMs ONLY being able to use Qualcomm? Notice that each pure-google device has been launched with a different SoC partner? First, Qualcomm, second Samsung, third Nvidia, fourth, TI. Over the years, Google and its OEMs have built a really large software base to work with different OEMs that are out there. If you think stating the obvious that the GNEX uses outdated hardware is bashing... I don't know what to tell you. The radios used in the GNEX are essentially the same radios that are used in the Samsung Droid Charge which is over a year old. The dual-core SoC is good, but again, it's last gen. There is nothing wrong with last gen, but to try and argue that it is not... well that's just silly! The title of the thread is Nexus or Evo LTE? Update advantage? With Sprint and Verizon - nobody knows exactly how long between updates. It's safe to assume that there will be a few months of lag between the pure google phone and the EVO 4G LTE. Using the Nexus S 4G as an example... there will likely be around a two month lag. Galaxy Nexus Advantages: Removable battery SAMOLED display (could be a con if you don't like pentile) Easy to unlock/root (if you are interested in that function) stock android (if you like stock android) Faster updates Good sound quality (using earphones) Galaxy Nexus Disadvantages: Old hardware which is slower (yes, get over it, it's outdated). Higher power consumption/lower battery life So-so camera. EVO 4G LTE Advantages: latest and greatest 28nm qualcomm snapdragon Excellent camera "Infinity" LCD display Good battery life as a result of new 28nm SoC Kickstand/dedicated camera button EVO 4G LTE Disadvantages: Locked bootloader Software updates lag google phone Sense software (if you don't like sense) Battery is non-removable For the record - I am currently using a Galaxy Nexus. Software is always going to be subjective (bashing is to be expected). Hardware, that's easily quantifiable - easily objective (the numbers speak for themselves).

I think a lot of people get worked up about stock ICS vs. sense or touchwiz. The overlay animations weren't very smooth and nobody really liked them. Nowadays, you get a different unlock screen, a different home screen, camera interface, some other small differences, and a different app drawer screen (along with some different widgets). It's not exactly a HUGE difference and nowadays they actually scroll smoothly. When people talk about "last year's model" they really should be saying "last gen". Having a TI OMAP SoC, a Samsung LTE baseband, and a VIA CDMA baseband is a horrible way to do things. We are also talking about a huge jump in process improvement, going from 45nm (or even 65nm - GPS is 65nm, not sure about the VIA CDMA baseband), down to 28nm on a single package is going to reduce power significantly. Don't get me wrong, the Gnex is a really nice phone... but the EVO will probably be much better.

Couldn't agree more. AT&T's long-term capacity plan was T-Mobile's AWS. Now that that's gone... their next show is Dish's S-band. While it will never happen, nothing would make me happier than to see AT&T roam on clearwire.

You mean the Samsung Galaxy S III Epic 4G LTE Touch 2?

Thanks for clarifying. This is correct. I'll get some iPhone numbers next week so people have a little more reference material

Yes, there are unique things about each contract. For example, Apple gets to decide where iPhone displays go in Sprint stores. When I walk into a AT&T store, the iPhone is typically in the middle of the store (windows phone is first). When I walk into a Verizon store, it's 4G LTE Android devices. When I walk into a Sprint store, it's the iPhone. http://www.bgr.com/2011/10/10/sprints-iphone-4s-launch-details-revealed/ I remember when the iPhone was about to launch my local Corporate sprint store closed early the day before to "build" the iphone display right by the door. I thought it was funny. After seeing Verizon toss Apple to the back of the store... they were not going to make the same mistake twice.

I don't think that's correct either. I've read multiple reports on this. I'll get the numbers on Monday. I think we should take off our speculation hats until I get the numbers.

Thx. Still feel bad for the management team. AL and Ericsson seem to be flying. I can't wait to see the July schedule. If they can actually ramp up in July like they say they will, I'll be floored.

Poor samsung. I bet it is long days for the guy managing the samsung deployment in Chicago. Have you heard any updates on Chicago? Seems like they are still facing major headwinds...?

I agree - if I was a betting person, the reason why moto is so locked is at the direct request of Verizon.

Quick notes: 20% of all new activations = iPhone 51% of all new iPhones in our service area were sold in Shentel-controlled channels. 6.8% of the postpaid base have an iphone 40% own iphone 4, 60% iphone 4s total network vision spend in 2012 = 60 million "Work has progressed nicely over the past few months. we still plan to complete 274 of our 510 sites this year. The upgrades of our wireless switch will be completed in the next few weeks. We've plans to install our first Network Vision base station later this month. We have approximately 100 sites scheduled to be completed by the end of July or early August. We still expect to launch initial 4G LTE service in the third quarter although we will be starting to sell LTE phones as soon as they are available." Question about biggest factors about network vision- Answer: Probably are three. One is, we've got to be able to get fiber or microwave to every one of the sites. We are very optimistic that we are going to be able to do that, but we are relying on third parties for some of those sites. So, those could put us at risk. Second is, we've had some very good success in talking with the various tower owners and working through the negotiations on those, obviously if those negotiations continue to go well, that could have an impact. And third is the coordination with Alcatel-Lucent, obviously they are doing a huge project with Sprint at the same time. At this point, we do feel like we are getting the proper amount of attention, but that's something we continue to monitor. Nothing else worth mentioning

Verizon's relationship with Verizon Wireless is WAY closer than Sprint and Clearwire... and look at those two. You can still say Duopoly with VZW and AT&T. Leave the VZ for another day. The fact that VZ doesn't own 100% of VZW is one of the few mis-steps Verizon has ever made. Clearwire is Sprint's off-balance sheet Muppet. It's comical.