As expected, Sprint has launched the Epic 4G. The Samsung Galaxy S variant is equipped with Android 2.1, WiMax support and a sliding hardware QWERTY keyboard along with being identical to the reference design in terms of hardware configuration, with a 4.0 inch wide capacitive Super AMOLED display, 1GHz ARM Cortex based Hummingbird processor, 5.0 megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash, 720p video capture and Bluetooth with stereo audio support.
Additions to the device include a six axis accelerometer, DLNA media streaming with Samsung Media Hub support and front-facing video camera for video calls. To address concerns with GPS functionality after issues plagued the US GSM variants, Samsung has also ensured that the Epic 4G’s GPS functionality is fully operational. The device is now available for $249.99 after $100 instant discount and $150 mail-in rebate, while retail pricing is set at $499.99. Select Sprint locations will also open at 8AM local time to accommodate pre-sales and purchases of the device.
I’m a little surprised that Sprint would charge $250 for this phone in addition to the $10 premium phone tax they charge. But I guess a lot of people consider that to be a better deal than the other carriers. Personally, I’ll take my Vibrant and HSPA+ any day over Sprint and 4G.
Amazon has the phone for only 199.99. Plus no mail in rebate. Its always better to buy outside of the sprint store until they get smart and stop doing the mail in rebates.
Its cool about the vibrant being hspa+ compatible but its capped at 7.2mbps since it is not a true hspa+ phone. It will be good to see how fast a phone on full fledged hspa+ will do. Also once wimax reaches higher speeds.
@JJ
I don’t know if you have seen this review:
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/08/30/sprint-samsung-epic-4g-review/comment-page-1/#comment-1007682
Thank You