HTC Shift CDMA review
I’m going to keep this pretty short just because the unit is like, uh, almost identical to the GSM one we tore apart and reviewed a little while back. The HTC Shift is coming stateside, as you all know by now. It’s going to be available starting today, and is a Sprint unit. So besides the CDMA chip in place of the GSM one, what exactly is different? For starters, since it’s a US unit, you’ll get a US keyboard instead of the atrocious UK keyboard (sorry, fellas, but it really is bad). You also get better build-quality, at least in our view. The HTC software on the device seems to be pretty solid compared to our other Shift, and it makes a world of difference. For a little back story, I took the original GSM Shift with me on my vacation (because Sprint’s coverage isn’t the best) and the HTC Communications Manager failed on me big time. Crashed at start up, no chance of using the 3G modem that’s built in, and definitely no SnapVue. It rendered the whole device useless and this is a frequent problem with the GSM model for me. Additionally, the slider mechanism sort of broke despite my attempts to "baby" the unit. On the flip side now, the Sprint Shift we’ve been putting through the paces is a rock-solid trooper. No software crashes, amazing build-quality, and just a better overall feel to it. Something a little strange, though, is that the leather case that comes with the GSM model, is actually "built-in" to the CDMA unit. You can take it off by removing the T6 screws that hold it in place, but you’re left with the screw posts and it’s a little awkward. Having the case is nice, don’t get me wrong, it’s just weird and a little uncalled for if you ask me. Sprint’s Ev-DO service works well when you have full coverage, but personally there’s no comparing it to the 1700kbps + speeds I got with AT&T’s HSDPA. It will be interesting to see how this unit is priced on a carrier here in the US as the $1,500+ price tag is a lot to swallow for this first generation product that’s slightly underpowered and has some kinks to work out. Well, now you’ve got a choice, people. CDMA or GSM? If they fix the software issues and build quality with the GSM units, I don’t think there should be a question which to choose from. That is, of course, if you’re not a Sprint subscriber. But then again, who is?
Click on over to our HTC Shift CDMA Sprint gallery, and get your shift on!
On Mar 25, 2008 @ 12:36 pm, Jim Said:
Holy ATT fanboy. Sprint’s coverage is right on par with ATT no question. Furthermore, ATT has HSDPA hardly anywhere, while Sprint has EV-DO in many places. EV-DO Rev. A is just as fast as the 1.8mbps HSDPA ATT has rolled out, hardly anywhere however. This post is garbage.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 12:56 pm, The Boy Genius Said:
Uh, have you even looked at the coverage maps? Sprint’s coverage is on par with AT&T? Pls stop.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 1:23 pm, Jim Said:
Sprint coverage maps are pessimistic. I think everyone who has ever had Sprint knows that. ATT says it is much better than it is. My house ATT says I have full bars, however, there is not coverage, idoors or out. Sprint says signal should be weak at my house, usually have full bars though. ATT maps, are not nearly accurate. In fact, coverage maps in general are a bad way to gauge it.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 1:23 pm, Captain Mercaptan Said:
Holy awesomeness, thanks for the review. I thought the word on the street was that the Shifts (and Eees) selling from Sprint would be Wimax but any bit of Rev A UMPC goodness can always be appreciated. Is there any confirmation that this is actually going to be sold through Sprint, or is it just an unsubsidized-through-HTC deal?
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 1:37 pm, Captain Mercaptan Said:
And sorry but I’d have to agree with Jim - almost all of the time (from what I’ve seen, all of the time) my friends’ Blackjack I/IIs and 8925s never get any action from HSDPA. ~200-300 from UMTS is a far cry from 1700, but the BGR is in……. San Francisco? (shot in the dark)
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 1:53 pm, tim v. Said:
I also dont see why there is all the bias towards HSDPA. Even in atlanta where we are blanketed in coverage I get higher speeds with my evdo data card and my mogul then my buddy with a blackjack 2. I consistantly get 1500-2000kbps.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 2:01 pm, Juke Box Hero Said:
+1 for not understanding the bias against Sprint. My AT&T BB8820’s data coverage sucks compared to my Sprint Touch’s EVDO coverage. If I can’t get good coverage on AT&T with EDGE, I can probably forget about HSDPA.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 2:22 pm, The Sgt. Said:
My BB 8830 always has EVDO coverage, where my best friends Tilt can’t stay connected to EDGE anywhere! Just goes to show you that EVERY city is diff!
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 2:35 pm, e Said:
Count another on “WTF with the Sprint Hating?” If nothing else, they sure do advanced services (mobile broadband, data plans, data coverage, etc…) better than anyone!
Dude, did you wake up one morning to a Sprint employee pooping in your cornflakes? What gives???
We can all appreciate brand affinity but you’re being a little ridiculous…
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 3:02 pm, Paul Kusiak Said:
oh wow the one person here is a idiot. hsdpa is build to only come on during a transfer so of course u see the 3g/umts symbol most of the time.
now heres some info for a powerhouse of a device. my athena of course with a moded rom of my own(check the athena project) actually loaded BG’s iphone 1.2.0 gallery faster than my laptop using my wireless router(of course its a mess bc of the modding stuff i have on it and stuff).
the part that makes a difference is that a tower is across the street so im on full bars of hsdpa getting over 1mbps most of the time.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 3:17 pm, kanebb Said:
Living In the MD DC area and traveling to newyork frequently my sprint evdo coverage is way better the my friends AT&T service and don’t even get me started on the even worst T-Mobile service that so bad they soulf have paid me for putting up with it
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 4:39 pm, Ryan Said:
Please, Sprint is beyond AT&T miles. Every time I made a call with AT&T with 1 bar it would drop and awful quality. I can have 0-1 Bars and the quality is phenomenal.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 5:19 pm, Paul Kusiak Said:
wow lots of anti att fanboys. me and BG are happily enjoying att with 0 problems.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 5:43 pm, B.G. Said:
Wow I sense plenty of anti-Sprint pro-ATT sentiment in that post. As I work for AT&T and previously worked for Sprint I can honestly say I have not seen any difference in coverage with both carriers and I have service from both carriers. Sprint as it stands now has the better data network because EVDO is more widespread than HSDPA and this is something that even we AT&T employees know. EDGE however is better than 1x by far. I used the Blackjack and constantly got speeds of 1.7 MB+ and with a Sprint REV. A aircard I’m between 1.4-2.0 MB. Now there is a huge push for increase in 3g coverage this year for AT&T so they wont be far behind in speed for much longer.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 8:09 pm, Bryan Said:
I CT att coverage is terrible, dropped calls blocked calls and no HDSPA except on the interstate highways, sprint evdo coverage is everywhere I go although by coverage maps att looks better,but from my own experience I know that isn’t true
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 8:41 pm, Matt S Said:
can you get a verizon evdo card in this thing? that would make me jump at it, no matter the cost.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 9:53 pm, Paul Kusiak Said:
i am in now way a pro att fenatic. me and BG just talked about this. what im seeing is all sprint fanboys bashing att. it aint bad in mine and BG area. i have full bars in my house and now have it about 75% of the time.
att just works best for me. sprint works best for u. no reason to start a war because of this.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 9:54 pm, Paul Kusiak Said:
oh and i ment hsdap i have 75% of the time. now lets get back to talking about the shift.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 9:57 pm, Paul Kusiak Said:
i cant believe no one noticed that the snapvue has the start menu showing.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 10:00 pm, JJLO Said:
It just proves… use the carrier that works best for you in your location(s).
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 10:11 pm, Martin Said:
It’s okay Paul, these kids just think that their experiences are indicative of EVERYONE’S experiences. Little do they know that the world has more people in it than just themselves.
I know HSPA is faster, you know HSPA, BG (who I’d probably make the authority on the subject), knows HSPA is faster so just let the CDMA idiots have their fun.
BTW, since everyone is putting their own assholes, I mean opinions in there. Let me just add my $0.02.
When I used to have an 8525 (yes the one BEFORE the TILT), I’d tether all the time and get GREAT 1+ mbps/384 speeds.
Coverage is subjective on area, but where I live, (Atlanta) Sprint’s coverage can’t touch ATT’s.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 10:30 pm, B.G. Said:
“Sprint’s Ev-DO service works well when you have full coverage, but personally there’s no comparing it to the 1700kbps + speeds I got with AT&T’s HSDPA” Im sorry but this proves the bias in his post. Of course it works well if you have coverage, the same can be applied to AT&T’s HSDPA. BTW HSPA is faster than EVDO but AT&T’s currently only at a maximum of 1.8 mbps, even with the 3.6 chipset.
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On Mar 25, 2008 @ 10:43 pm, Paul Kusiak Said:
actually i wouldnt be so sure about the 1.8 I think we all remember the announcment that att is expanding hsdpa and is supposedly launching hsupa alongside hsdpa. also correct me if im wrong but they are also now adding 3.6 and upgrading old 1.8 to 3.6 Ill have to test one day if i can get over 1.8 on my polaris as my area has recently been upgraded to hsdpa.
it doesnt matter really if u can get 2.0 or 1.8 Most phones out there the rendering can’t keep up. I think only powerhouses like athena and shift only might see the difference.
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On Mar 26, 2008 @ 12:07 am, Jim Said:
You know I always thought Boy Genius knew what he was talking about. Interesting thing though, he doesn’t. I really do not see how anyone could say GSM is better than CDMA. CDMA is the superior technology, anyone not obsessed with their SIM knows that. That is all GSM has, SIM cards. if CDMA actually used the R-UIM card that it is capable of using, then they would have nothing. I have T-Mobile, I am a FORMER Sprint sub. I have used ATT. I had Verizon, did Alltel for a while, and had a regional called South Central where I live now. I am not biased, if anything, I am biased to GSM, because I like using any unlocked phone I want. I know this shit inside and out, the bottom line, GSM is outdated, and everyone knows it. Now, W-CDMA, is CDMA. So you guys saying HSPA is better than CDMA, shut up, cuz it IS CDMA. Not Qualcomm CDMA, but CDMA. So now that we are all clear, let us put an end to this. I am so sick of all the GSM vs. CDMA arguments, and I deeply regret my comment that started all this.
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On Mar 26, 2008 @ 1:57 am, Martin Said:
Wow Jim, it’s a good thing you actually posted some facts and not just some opinions. Otherwise you woulda just sounded like every other idiot on the internet.
But you didn’t do that, you laid out clear reasons why your argument made sense. Comments like “CDMA is the superior technology” and “…shut up, cuz it IS CDMA.” just puts all those internet retards to rest doesn’t it?
I wish there were more people like you around these parts (the internet).
….I’m not even gonna bother with the sarcasm tag….
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