HTC EVO V 4G Prepaid Android Phone (Virgin Mobile)

So I was a little nervous at first after reading about all of the problems this phone has had. I have had a HTC One V for awhile and have enjoyed it, but when I saw the price drop on the EVO I figured I'd give it a try, and I could always switch back to the One V if it didn't work out. The One V has been a great phone. Suffice to say, I will NOT be switching back.For starters, switching as always for me (I've been with VM for awhile, 5 or 6 phones) required that I call VM to get it done, but no big deal, and the switch was done and everything was working in about a half hour. As soon as I activated it and started playing around with it, I quickly noticed just how much faster and more responsive it is than the One V - it is definitely and immediately noticeable. The two cores make a huge difference. Where I live the 4G is spotty, but when it works it is fantastic; the 3G is not bad at all. I downloaded the HTC software update and the PRL and profile updates and have not had any of the connectivity (call or messaging) issues that have been reported with this phone. I believe that they've got all of those kinks worked out. Like I said, 4G is spotty, but other than that smooth sailing.I was worried about the GPS because it is listed only as AGPS and HTC's site says it needs cell service to operate, but I used it for about a day in areas where I know there was no service and it kept tracking me. The maps wouldn't update, but my position was kept current even without service; I downloaded Mapdroyd offline maps, so that won't be a problem again.The screen is great. One of the reasons I got the One V originally was because I didn't want any more big phones, but this one is really not all that much bigger than the One V with a significantly larger - and better - screen. It is very responsive, crisp, has better viewing angles, and is generally just easier to type on, watch movies, or play games with. I will miss the ICS-designed capacitive buttons of the One V and I don't like the search button at all (keep accidentally hitting it, probably my only real gripe about the phone), but it's not THAT big a deal. A minor annoyance, not a dealbreaker, and something I'll just get used to (again, since I used to use Gingerbread-designed phones...).The camera is OK, nothing to write home about but not bad either. The 3D does work, but seems more a gimmick to me. I'll never use it, but it's there if it's important to anyone.The battery life is really not bad at all. I ran a stock battery for the first couple of days, and I was getting through the day with battery left over with moderate usage. Of course Android phones need to be charged every day, something I think alot of people who complain about battery life do not understand... Adjust screen brightness, display time-out, watch for runaway apps, etc. But relative to other Android phones this one is not bad at all. I got the 1900mah Anker batteries and did definitely notice a difference; I had to struggle to kill the battery (purposefully running it down for several cycles to do calibration is always a good idea)... I got home yesterday with over 50% battery with moderate usage. Not bad at all. Of course if you're doing heavy gaming or something that will kill any Android's battery very quickly, but this one is relatively good.I always get a case for my phones because I have slippery fingers. I usually get Otterboxes or Tridents, but didn't want to make this one too big, so I got the Acase one for it and could not be happier. It is a PERFECT fit and seems like it will give adequate protection.It has been pretty much problem-free so far, and I am pleasantly surprised about that considering all of the reported problems. Happy enough to order another one for the wife for Valentine's Day... :)UPDATE 1: After another week with the phone taking it all over Texas, I have a few comments to add.- The Anker battery is awesome. I get home from work usually with 70-80% with light to moderate use, about 50-60% when using GPS- I use GPS alot in my job, I am an investigator and am driving quite a bit to unknown places and rural areas. The GPS is generally GTG, you just need to have preloaded maps or have Google Maps with the target area loaded before you leave a service area for it to work. Mapdroyd works great.- I have lost service in some rural areas. I think the antennae was slightly better with the One V, but it's not significantly worse, just some remote areas that I got it with the One V the EVO won't pick up. It's still pretty good service, and coverage is 80% or so even in the rural areas, clost to 100% in the urban areas.- 4G is certainly spotty. Inside my house I can sometimes get a connection, sometimes not. When I get a connection it's always double 3G speeds. I go out on my balcony and I am getting 7mb down every time. At the local park it's spotty, at the city square it's 6mb down... you get the picture. When it works it's awesome, it's just spotty and I don't rely on it. It's a bonus when it works.Still very happy. My wife's EVO got here and it works great, too.

I've always been one that's been behind the curve when it comes to tech gadgets and this is especially true for phones. I've been a Virgin Mobile customer for about 6 years now and I've never had a problem with their services. I like their selection of phones but until a year and a half ago I didn't even bother looking at their smart phone selection. I decided it was time for an upgrade and decided on this phone. I am so happy with this phone. I was also thinking about getting VM's Iphone, but after doing a little research I realized that everything that I needed was in this phone and for half the price of the Iphone.I consider myself an "Average Joe" and this phone has plenty of features for guys like me. I'm happy just being able to text and play games just to waste time but add to that a number of other apps that help you navigate, find the cheapest gas in town, customize your own radio station, etc. and you've got it made. TIP: Do a Google search for the top free Android phone apps and you'll come across a number of articles that will recommend all of the cool and necessary apps you'll ever need. Add to this the fact that you can listen to music, utilize social networks on the go, mobile WiFi for your laptop, Bluetooth capability, and you realize that this phone has plenty of power to boot. I enjoy the fact that I'm not tied down to long-term contracts and that's where Virgin Mobile shines.You do have to pay an extra $15/month for WiFi and the "unlimited data" is not really unlimited, 4G coverage will fluctuate depending on where you live, but all of that fades into the back when you have a phone with plenty of features at a great price. Make sure you get the Laza Extended Battery, believe me, it pays for itself 10 times over! The only downside is that they don't make an OtterBox case for the extended battery. Before I got the extended battery I had the OtterBox Defender Series Hybrid Case and that thing was like a suit of armor for my phone. Hopefully OtterBox will come out with a special Lazo Extended Battery case soon. I also got a ZAGG Invisible Shield for the face. I had a ZAGG IS for my last phone and it did an awesome job of protecting that phones screen. Oh, and don't forget a 32 MicroSD card upgrade for all the pics you'll be taking. Techies and those that want top-of-the-line phones won't even bother, but for the "Average Joe" like me, I couldn't be happier.