Sprint has introduced smartphones that will allow customers to access the Sprint Spark (enhanced LTE) technology, which is designed to achieve high speeds by combining three bands of 4G wireless spectrum available to Sprint’s network. These tri-band devices are the HTC One max, LG G2, Samsung Galaxy Mega and Samsung Galaxy S 4 mini.
The devices support active hand-off mode between 800MHz, 1.9GHz and 2.5GHz providing data session continuity as the devices move between spectrum bands. Samsung Galaxy Mega and Samsung Galaxy S 4 mini will be available starting from 8 November, and are expected to become tri-band enabled with a software update shortly after launch. LG G2 will also be available on 8 November and is expected to become tri-band enabled with a software update in early 2014. HTC One max is coming soon.
Sprint plans to deploy Sprint Spark in approximately 100 of America’s largest cities over the next three years, with initial availability in five markets today. These markets include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tampa and Miami.
The HTC One max features 5.9-inch full HD1080p display, UltraPixel camera, large 3300mAh embedded battery and quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor featuring a 1.7GHz CPU. HTC One max is also equipped with features such as HTC BlinkFeed, HTC BoomSound and HTC Zoe. Coming soon, HTC One max will be available for USD 249.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement or USD 25.00 per month with Sprint One Up (excluding taxes).
LG G2 features a 5.2-inch, Full HD 1080p IPS display. LG G2 also features a 13-megapixel camera with OIS. The LG G2 device will be available beginning 8 November for USD 199.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement or SD 22.92 per month with Sprint One Up.
Samsung Galaxy Mega will be available for USD 199.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement or USD 19.59 per month with Sprint One Up. Customers will be able to acquire the Samsung Galaxy S 4 mini for USD 99.99 after a USD 50 mail-in rebate via reward card, with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement or USD 16.67 per month with Sprint One Up.
These first tri-band smartphones will be available in all Sprint sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Sprint Business Sales, Telesales and Web Sales. Customers purchasing any of these smartphones can access the new Unlimited, My Way and My All-in rate plans featuring unlimited talk, text and data while on the Sprint network for USD 80 per month.
Customers can also access the Sprint One Up program that allows customers to upgrade their device more frequently. With Sprint One Up, participating smartphone customers get unlimited talk, text and data for an introductory rate of USD 65 per month, a USD 15 per month savings off their Unlimited, My Way standard rate plan and Sprint’s guarantee of unlimited talk, text and data for the life of the line of service. Sprint One Up is also available for smartphones on the My All-in plan.
