EVO 4G Shift (Sprint): Initial Review

First, I need to take a step back from my first impressions of this phone from looking at the dummy unit at RadioShack. This phone is definitely in the running as one of the best phones available in a slider design today.

I picked up an EVO 4G Shift from Sprint on release day (1/9/11). This phone is similar to the many other slider phones from Sprint (Epic 4G, Samsung Intercept, Samsung Transform, Samsung Moment-discontinued).

In comparing the EVO Shift to my current Samsung Moment, there are some notable improvements: 1) it works, 2) much more stylish, 3) HTC Sense interface & Android 2.2, 4) it isn't Samsung. Overall the EVO Shift is a good phone, but I am unsure if it is good enough for me to upgrade off my Samsung Moment now or to wait for a little while for the EVO II (or whatever comes out this summer) or to just get an EVO (poor battery and jumpy HD recording IMO).

Pros:
Fast 800 GHz 45nm processor

Quadrant rating of 1498 (overall better than EVO on 2.2)
Good battery life

Good external speaker quality
Very good 720p video recording
Good 3.6" 259 ppi screen (better than 217 ppi on EVO)
Stylish, sturdy design

Cons:
Keyboard is difficult to slide out, especially with the available Sprint 2-piece case installed

Easy to accidentally adjust ringer volume when trying to slide out keyboard

Heavy, 5.9 oz (EVO is only .1 oz heavier)

No front-facing camera

3.6" screen is border-line small

In summary, this phone is has its pros and cons, but is probably the best slider phone option available from Sprint today (as I do not trust Samsung's quality).