HTC Sensation review: Front-page stuff

10 June 2011
HTC burst right onto the dual-core scene with a phone that's set to be an Android sensation. They've gone all out with the design of that one - from screen, through camera to the powerful chipset. No cutting corners, no compromise on features. Update, 02.08.2011: Video summary of the review added...

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  • S
  • Stig
  • S0a
  • 20 Jun 2011

My slight beef with the Sensation is lack of HDMI output. My TVs don't have DLNA, nor do most people's TVs, but they do mostly have HDMI. The ability to play back video easily is great, so this would be a major reason not to get the Sensation. I've also heard too many reports about an unexpected lag within the Sensation to make it my next phone sadly. Otherwise I'd prefer to get the Sensation (with HTC's good reputation), but for me it's going to be the SGII, esp with the better battery life. Close call though, depends on what you want the phone for

    • D
    • AnonD-11369
    • 39m
    • 19 Jun 2011

    I don't know which Sensation did they use for testing, but mine has SD card next to battery and i can easlly remove it. And Sensation just rocks !! This new Sense 3.0 is just perfect for normal user, Locations work perfect, HTCsense.com is also great! Thumbs up HTC. Samsung is just too plastic for me, i will not pay 500€ for plastic phone if i can have solid phone with sense 3.0 which makes using of phone just diffrent from others.

      • v
      • vish
      • iwp
      • 18 Jun 2011

      does this have HSPA+??? (outside US)
      I so dont wanna buy SGS 2 but I have no other choice because of this and the qHD screen..I heard some games cannot b played in fullscreen due to that :(..
      I really love sense as well! :(
      maybe I will go with the SGS 2 for now and get the next HTC flagship next year :)

        • D
        • AnonD-9986
        • 0u8
        • 17 Jun 2011

        Nobody hold the phone like that. I have a HTC Desire, if I hold it tight like you hold the Sensation are loosing all the bars from the signal..... and dont have any "death grip".... and is Phone of the Year (2010). The real "death grip" is on the iPhone 4, not this. Get Real !

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • 390
          • 16 Jun 2011

          in case you didn't notice it has unibody,although with a bit bigger back covers...anyway aluminum wraps the phone all around

            • M
            • Madmatt
            • uBM
            • 16 Jun 2011

            Tom-Helge, 11 Jun 2011Anyone who thinks HTC Sensation takes better video in 1080p... moreI wouldn't go that far - sure Sense pisses all over TouchWiz (pun intended) but thats not the only reason I wouldn't pick the SII over this - pretty much all HTC phones are also much better looking and much higher build quality than their equivalent Samsung phone. Samsung have come a long way with the SII and are now at least using quality plastic, and you are right, its camera is awesome - much better than anything HTC has - but HTC still have the premium feel that Samsung phones lack - and honestly, if I want to take a picture or HD video thats anything more than a snapshot or to capture a moment, I pick up my DSLR and do it properly.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • L4D
              • 16 Jun 2011

              "The FullHD videos have less detail than the 720p footage recorded with the iPhone 4, let alone matching the Galaxy S II sharpness."

              Using your own Video compare tool you can clearly see that the Sensation video is SHARPER than Galaxy S II video.

                • E
                • EdB
                • qWe
                • 15 Jun 2011

                My overall impression, after reading the review, was much better than the editor's overall impression. Whilst the death grip issue is an issue, it's simple to work around. I'm afraid the UI, instant capture, hibernation, browser experience, build quality, stereo recording & screen size make quite an impression. The hidden memory card is great for protection from being stolen. When was the last time you removed your memory card? We have USB & wireless transfer. Who cares where the card is? The focus on it not being a unibody is silly. Were you just searching for something to criticize? We all know the Galaxy S2 is the grande dame, but this is the second best phone available right now (G2X's speed isn't everything w/bleeding & rebooting). In the grand scheme it's an incredible device.

                  • z
                  • z
                  • YbM
                  • 15 Jun 2011

                  how come no battery compare with Galaxy S2?

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • svH
                    • 14 Jun 2011

                    why all of you not talk about deth grip on wi-fi hn the sansation is that case clerly in the phone??

                      • C
                      • Cambodia SGS
                      • IT4
                      • 14 Jun 2011

                      Hi
                      Do any1 know Sensation can play HD game???
                      I just download 1 HD game but i can't play it..

                      Thanks

                        • D
                        • AnonD-123
                        • NGf
                        • 14 Jun 2011

                        simple user, 13 Jun 2011not a nokia fan, but you forgot to mention "new" ... moreAre you talking about Bubbles or something else? I know Bubbles came out a few months ago. It was this year.

                          • M
                          • Matta
                          • gy2
                          • 13 Jun 2011

                          I have original Desire and time has come to change. Been waiting for this review to finally decide between Sensation and SG2.
                          Although I really really want qHD screen, I want even more "non-washed out colours" screen and screen with good sunlight readability, besides other things...

                            • C
                            • Cambodia SGS
                            • IT4
                            • 13 Jun 2011

                            Hey, but i can remove the SD card without removing the battery..
                            It's side by side with the battery not under..

                            I've been using Sensation for 2 weeks now..

                              • C
                              • Cro0707
                              • Ss{
                              • 13 Jun 2011

                              No word about battery or camera instant capture feature...

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • MNS
                                • 13 Jun 2011

                                I really don't know anything anymore :)
                                I like solid build quality over lightweight (fragile) plastic, new SENSE 3.0, higher pixel density...but on the other side I also like super AMOLED screen, more RAM, and a bit better cam & performance.
                                So, what to do now? To buy one of these or to wait, say until Xmas, and buy (perhaps a quad core) Nexus 3?! Hmmmm....

                                  • s
                                  • simple user
                                  • Sve
                                  • 13 Jun 2011

                                  simple user, 13 Jun 2011not a nokia fan, but you forgot to mention "new" ... moresince links are scrambled - google "nokia bubbles"

                                    • s
                                    • simple user
                                    • Sve
                                    • 13 Jun 2011

                                    not a nokia fan, but you forgot to mention "new" HTC lock screen is copy of a nokia application that is 1 year old at least. ;-)

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • L4x
                                      • 12 Jun 2011

                                      marek_broda, 12 Jun 2011Why memory card socket under battery cover is treated as di... moreBecause there are people how do remove it often and that should be mentioned, if that's no problem of you, ignore it. But the disadvantage have to be mentioned for people who care about it. That's exactly what make GSMArena reviews great.

                                        • m
                                        • marek_broda
                                        • m9I
                                        • 12 Jun 2011

                                        Why memory card socket under battery cover is treated as disadvantage???

                                        At least is not visible from outside and HOW many times a week you remove your memory card???