Sprint Announces First 4G Phone

The rumors have turned out to be true, Sprint has announced their first 4G phone (the first 4G phone in the United States, too) at CTIA just yesterday. Codenamed the Supersonic, the phone is a powerhouse that is running Android 2.1, uses both the 3G and 4G networks of Sprint, has a 1 GHz "Snapdragon" processor, and a huge 4.3" screen. The more advanced features of the phone include the ability to use it as a hotspot for up to eight Wifi devices (much like the Pre and Pixi), HDMI output, an eight megapixel forward facing camera and a 1.3 megapixel camera facing the user of the phone (most likely for video calls). During the presentation at CTIA, multiple Sprint and HTC executives demoed the various features of the device, ranging from streaming HD video from the phone to a TV, using the hotspot feature, playing high definition Youtube videos, and comparing the screen to that of the Droid. If this phone performs even a fraction of what they have been showing at CTIA, it looks like it will be a great competitor to every other smartphone and Android phone currently on the market. One of the major draws of the phone is the speed, not only in the phone itself but of the data. Considering other networks are just going to be getting their 4G going this year, it is a major thing for Sprint to already have a phone supporting the fast service on their network. The Sprint/Clear WiMax network already covers over thirty cities in the United States, with more cities to be getting the service this year. The 4G speeds on the device seem to be as fast as ever, and Sprint has said the battery life will be "comparable". No release date or pricing have been announced for this phone yet, but hopefully we will see this phone sooner rather than later, as it just might be Sprint's phone to get them back in the wireless game. (Sprint)(Engadget)(Sprint)