Sprint Nextel had a great first day of sales of its highly visible, Android-based HTC EVO 4G smartphone — but not quite as good as originally announced. On Tuesday, the carrier acknowledged that it made a mistake in stating that the sales of the first 3G/4G phone in the U.S. had been three times the Samsung Instinct and Palm Pre’s combined sales over three days.
As it turned out, Sprint said, “we inadvertently erred in the comparison.” Nevertheless, the sales were nothing to sneeze at. On its June 4 launch day, the carrier said the EVO 4G moved the “largest quantity of a single phone sold in one day ever for Sprint.” The previous record holders were both the Instinct and the Pre.
150,000 Units in First Weekend
The numbers haven’t yet been released, but some analysts are estimating about 150,000 units were sold over the first weekend.
The actual comparative stats are that the launch-day sales for the EVO 4G were six times that of the Instinct’s launch day, and twice the Pre’s. Regardless of the initial miscommunication, the company indicated it is quite happy with the response. “HTC EVO 4G has more than lived up to our expectations that it would be one of the most anticipated technology products of the year,” said Sprint Senior Vice President Kevin Packingham.
The company had reported thousands of customers lined up for hours, a la the iPhone’s launch day, when the EVO 4G went on sale last Friday. Sales were so high that temporary shortages were reported at some of Sprint’s 22,000 sales locations, which included its retail stores; retailers like Radio Shack, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart; and indirect dealers.
Many reviews have praised the new device, although there is also heated discussion online about the relative virtues of the EVO 4G compared…