HTC Evo V 4G (Virgin Mobile)

NEW ORLEANS--Offering 4G access and hardware essentially identical to last year's Sprint HTC Evo 3D, the HTC Evo V 4G looks even better up close than it does on paper.

With the same specs as the Sprint Evo 3D, the Evo V 4G will run a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor. What's new, though, is that this handset will feature Google's latest and greatest version of Android, version 4.0, aka Ice Cream Sandwich. You also get a dual-lens 3D imaging system plus a 4.3-inch Super LCD screen (qHD resolution) that can display three-dimensional images and video.

An interesting side effect of Sprint moving to LTE in favor of WiMax is the carrier will push its older 4G tech to its post-paid sibling Virgin Mobile. That means the Evo V 4G will surf on Sprint's legacy WiMax network.

Picking up the rebranded device, I can say the HTC Evo V 4G is every inch the same phone as the previous Evo 3D. The Evo 3D weighed a hefty 6 ounces and Evo V 4G feels just as beefy. Still, that lends a solidity to the handset. Also on the phone is a switch that flips the handset between 2D and 3D modes. The screen, however, doesn't look as impressive as the AMOLED display on HTC's One S or HTC One X. That said, the Evo V 4G is one of the most compelling phones to hit Virgin Mobile in a long while.