HTC Sensation XE Comprehensive Specs Pricing and Review

Network and Connectivity

The HTC Sensation XE supports GSM and HSPA technology, offering reliable connectivity with 2G bands including GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 and 3G bands with HSDPA 900 and 2100. It supports HSPA speeds up to 14.4 Mbps for download and 5.76 Mbps for upload, providing a fairly fast mobile data experience for its time.

Launch and Availability

Announced in September 2011 and released in October of the same year, the HTC Sensation XE quickly became a highlight in the smartphone market due to its advanced features and Beats Audio integration. Unfortunately, as with many devices from that era, it has since been discontinued.

Body and Design

The device measures 126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3 mm and weighs 151 grams, making it comfortable to hold. It features a solid build with a sleek design, available in black and white color options, providing a choice for users who prefer either a classic look or a more modern aesthetic.

Display

The HTC Sensation XE comes with a 4.3-inch S-LCD display offering a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of approximately 256 PPI. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, the screen is resistant to scratches and damage while providing vivid and sharp images, making it suitable for consuming media content.

Platform and Performance

Powered by Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) and upgradable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) with HTC's Sense UI, the phone offers an engaging user interface. It runs on a Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon S3 chipset with a dual-core 1.5 GHz Scorpion CPU and Adreno 220 GPU, providing smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.

Memory and Storage

The HTC Sensation XE provides 4GB of internal storage, with 1GB available to the user. It also includes a dedicated microSDHC slot allowing for expandable storage, which is essential for users who require more space for apps and media. With 768MB of RAM, the device can handle multitasking, although it faces limitations with more demanding applications.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera features an 8 MP sensor with autofocus and dual-LED flash, capable of capturing high-quality 1080p video at 30fps with stereo sound recording. This allows users to take vibrant photos and videos, though the VGA front-facing camera is relatively basic, primarily intended for video calls.

Audio and Sound

Equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the handset enhances audio experiences with its Beats Audio integration, ensuring superior sound quality. This feature was particularly appealing to music enthusiasts looking for better sound output from their mobile devices.

Communications and Sensors

For communications, the HTC Sensation XE offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA and hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS with A-GPS support for navigation. The phone features a stereo FM radio with RDS, and a microUSB 2.0 port with MHL TV-out for display connectivity. Sensor-wise, it includes an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass for various functionalities and apps.

Battery Life

The removable Li-Ion 1730 mAh battery provides a standby time of up to 310 hours on 2G networks and up to 540 hours on 3G. Talk time is rated up to 9 hours and 16 minutes on 2G, and up to 7 hours and 20 minutes on 3G, which was competitive at the time, offering decent uptime for users on the go.

Additional Features and Pricing

Available for around 140 EUR at launch, the device stood out with its balance of features and pricing. Other miscellaneous features include a SAR EU rating of 0.36 W/kg (head). Tests showed a nominal contrast ratio of 752:1 and satisfactory audio quality metrics, with noise at -91.7 dB and crosstalk at -90.7 dB.

Conclusion

In summary, the HTC Sensation XE was a formidable device when it launched, appealing primarily to users seeking a multimedia-rich experience thanks to its Beats Audio integration and solid specifications. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a noteworthy example of HTC's innovation during the early 2010s.