HTC to bring Evo 3D Android smartphone to UK in July

HTC has announced that it will start shipping its first 3D smartphone in the UK this July, which offers the ability to view 3D images and video without the need for glasses.

HTC will ship the Evo 3D with Android Gingerbread 2.3 and the latest version of its Sense interface. This will include an active lock screen, 3D menus and 3D weather animations. The Evo also boasts a 4.3in LCD screen with 540x960 resolution.

Key hardware features include a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 1GB of internal storage.

The five-megapixel dual-rear cameras will have an LED flash allowing users to take 2D or 3D pictures and video. Business users will be able to carry out video calling using the 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

With a weight of 170g, the Evo 3D will be one of the heavier smartphones on the market. HTC is yet to confirm pricing, but the 3D handset is likely to cost more than the recently released HTC Sensation, which is available for £500.

The Evo 3D is set to go head to head with the LG Optimus 3D, a dual-core device that also has a 4.3in 3D screen, first unveiled at Mobile World Congress in February.

The Optimus 3D will ship this quarter and appears to trump the Evo 3D in terms of specifications, with a 1GHz dual-core chip, 8GB of internal memory, 4GB of DDR2 RAM and a 5-megapixel dual-lens camera.

At present, it is unlikely that 3D devices will be essential for business users, as they are suited to media consumption. The price is also likely to put off many people with the exception of early adopters.