After a thousand leaks, HTC have finally gone official with their latest handset, the HTC Sensation, at an exclusive event in London. So does it live up to the hype, or is it a disappointment? Is this the next big hit, or the next big flop? Ultimately, is the HTC Sensation any good? Let’s take a closer look at what this Android super-phone has to offer.
Most technically minded people glancing across the specifications sheet for the HTC Sensation will immediately be drawn to the processor. The Sensation marks HTC’s first foray into the realms of dual-core smartphones, and they’ve come in right at the top with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm monster. This is a match for the 1.2 GHz Exynos processor due to be shipped with Samsung’s Galaxy S II, and is unsurpassed by any phone we know of. Backing up that lightning fast processor is a generous 768 MBs of RAM, so this handset will be able tackle the most complex and resource hungry applications on the market with ease.
Those with more of an eye for aesthetics than specifications will be drawn to the 4.3” Super LCD screen, providing rich, vivid colours and sharp HD images. The screen is beautifully framed by contoured glass along all edges, a feature unique to the HTC Sensation that gives it a smooth, almost liquid look. Backlit capacitive buttons sit beneath the screen and blend perfectly into the design.
The HTC Sensation doesn’t skimp on the supplementary features, either. It’s packing an impressive 8-megapixel camera that’s capable of capturing both HD still images and 1080p video at 30 frames per second. The operating system is cutting edge; Android 2.3 Gingerbread overlaid with the latest edition of HTC’s much-acclaimed Sense UI. The new Sense UI boasts many improvements over previous versions, including improved home screens, the ability to launch apps while the phone is locked and a much refined weather app featuring gorgeous full screen animations.
Overall, it’s fair to say that the HTC Sensation is a very impressive little handset. Of course, that’s not quite enough to guarantee it’ll be the big hit of the year. The Galaxy S II is just around the corner and is boasting comparable specs and an equally striking design, and Apple have yet to reveal what they’ve got planned for the iPhone 5. Still, HTC have pulled out all the stops with the Sensation and it’s sure to find its fair share of fans. Will it dominate the smartphone market? Time will tell.
The HTC Sensation is coming soon to Best Mobile Contracts with Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and O2 network offerings for the UK.