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HTC Evo 3D: 3D pictures and recording, 4.3-inch screen, 5-megapixel cameras, 1.2GHz dual-core, out in August

The Evo has landed – HTC’s Evo 3D, has been officially announced for the UK and European markets.

The Android smartphone, replete with a 5-megapixel 3D camera, was announced for the US earlier this year at the CTIA trade show. Now a European version of the dual-core smartphone is winging its way to these shores, due to arrive in August.

Spec-wise it’s pretty similar to the HTC Sensation; the Evo 3D has 4.3-inch qHD resolution touchscreen, a 1.3-megapixel front camera, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of storage and runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Obvious differences include the cameras; you don’t get the same level of power here compared to the Sensation’s 8-megapixel camera. But the Evo 3D’s selling point is the ability to capture 2D as well as 3D images and video – something which only LG’s Optimus 3D and Optimus Pad can do.

The Evo 3D’s camera also has a maximum aperture of f/2.2, allowing for greater performance in dimly-lit environs.

This is a little greater than the top aperture of the cameras found in Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Arc and Xperia Neo phones, which chalk up at f/2.4 – when we reviewed these phones we were impressed with how they performed taking pictures in dingy pubs late at night. So we expect the Evo 3D to provide a similar, if not better, performance in this department.

The HTC Evo 3G’s exterior is reportedly intended to simulate the feel of a point and shoot digital camera. As you can see above, there’s a lever which switches the camera mode from 2D to 3D mode, next to the shutter key. When you’re taking 2D pictures and video, it’s the top-most lens which does the shooting – or the one on the right in the picture above.

Watch your 3D videos on your 3D TV – Avatar meets Dogme 95

Besides taking nocturnal 3D snaps of your friends, you’ll also be able to record high-definition (720p) 3D videos at 30fps.

As well as watching your 3D creations on the 4.3-inch screen, you can hook your Evo 3D up to a 3D TV set and enjoy on a bigger display. The Evo 3D’s microUSB port features an MHL connection that can stream video to HDMI connections.

So with the appropriate cable, you’ll be able to watch 3D videos on a bigger screen – only problem is you might not be able to charge your phone while you’re doing this.

As well as being able to screen your own 3D movies, we’ve also been told that 3D films will be available to rent and buy from the HTC Watch service in the near future.

Sadly, due to DRM limitations, this doesn’t mean you’ll be able to buy/rent and download a 3D movie on the Evo 3D and watch it on your 3D telly.

Anything else?

Other announced features of the Evo 3D are, as you might expect, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3G/HSPA, DLNA and Bluetooth 3.0.

You’ll also be able to bulk out that 1GB of storage with microSD cards, giving you ample 3D video storage space.

Another, perhaps crucial difference between this and the Sensation is that you get 1GB of RAM instead of 768MB. This means that the Evo 3D has a bit more memory to dedicate to running apps and processes simultaneously.

Great, amazing, when can I get one?

No exact release date has been given yet, but HTC’s Philip Blair (above) announced today that the Evo 3D will be available in August.

Nothing has been mentioned as of yet regarding which networks will be selling it. We think that Vodafone will be interesting in picking the Evo 3D up, based on a couple of hunches and the fact that it previously nabbed the Sensation on a limited exclusivity basis.

Of course, we’re keeping ‘em peeled for further info from HTC and from all of the networks – stay tuned for updates.

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