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HTC Evo 4G LTE to miss May 18th launch due to US Customs investigation (update: statement from Sprint)

HTC Evo 4G LTE to miss May 18th launch due to US Customs investigation (update: statement from Sprint)

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News broke last night that shipments of HTC's One X for AT&T and Evo 4G LTE for Sprint were indefinitely delayed at US Customs as the agency investigates the devices for potentially infringing Apple's patents. Unfortunately for those Sprint customers looking forward to getting the Evo 4G LTE this Friday, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that HTC has said this delay will keep Sprint's latest device from hitting store shelves on time.

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HTC Evo 4G LTE hero (1024px)
HTC Evo 4G LTE hero (1024px)

News broke last night that shipments of HTC's One X for AT&T and Evo 4G LTE for Sprint were indefinitely delayed at US Customs as the agency investigates the devices for potentially infringing Apple's patents. Unfortunately for those Sprint customers looking forward to getting the Evo 4G LTE this Friday, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that HTC has said this delay will keep Sprint's latest device from hitting store shelves on time. For its part, Sprint has removed launch dates from the Evo 4G LTE pages on its website, and is no longer accepting online pre-orders (due to the pre-order inventory being sold out). The site now directs potential purchasers to "check back soon for the national launch). Unfortunately, Sprint customers who are looking forward to the best Android phone the carrier has to offer will have to be patient, as there's no telling exactly when this situation will be sorted out. We've reached out to Sprint to get its take on the situation and will let you know if we hear anything.

Update: Sprint has posted an official statement in its forums, saying that it can't provide specific timing for availability right now. The company's also providing directions on how users can cancel their pre-orders, if they so desire. The full statement is below.

The U.S. availability of the HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed. HTC is working to resolve this issue and appreciates your patience as they work to get products into Sprint channels. We can’t provide specific timing for product availability at this time and we appreciate your patience as HTC works to get products on store shelves as soon as possible.

Delivery of products for pre-order are on hold and Sprint will provide a ship date as soon as possible. Sprint will maintain the promise for the preorder customers that they will be among the first to receive their HTC EVO 4G LTE units.

While we'd rather you didn't cancel your pre-order, there are instructions provided in the backorder email on how to do so. If you would like to select an alternate product or cancel your backordered item, please call 866-789-8292 between 8:00 a.m. EST to 11:00 p.m. EST Monday to Friday or 9:00 a.m. EST to 9:00 p.m. EST on Saturdays and Sundays.Please note that cancellation requests may not always process successfully due to the speed of warehouse processing.If you cancelled your backordered item but still received a shipment, please refuse the shipment or call us to process a return within 14 days of receipt.