HTC Sensation XE
Are-tooled Sensation complete with Beats Audio power
It might seem odd that HTC has
re-booted the Sensation so soon after its launch, but since purchasing a
significant stake in the Dr Dre-fronted Beats Audio, it’s decided to relaunch
its top smartphone with some improved sonic clout.Beats Audio may sound like nothing more than a Dr Dre-backed tag, but it does genuinely enhance sound, revving up your tired mP3 collection by offering richer bass and more defined vocal clarity using clever processing algorithms to clean up the sound.
The Sensation XE doesn’t look that
different from the original model, with the same 4.3-inch Super LCD screen
encased in an aluminium body. Subtle flashes of red and a new logo are the only
clue to the enhanced auditory experience under the bonnet, and the bundled
Beats earbuds in the box are the only difference from the original packaging.
However, it’s beneath the hood that most of the improvements have occurred, and
they certainly make a difference.
The first update is the CPU, with a
dual core 1.5GHz option from Qualcomm providing more grunt that results in a
smooth motion under the finger.
Sense has long been seen as one of the
best Android overlays on the market, and with 3.0 the experience is even
richer. The Sensation XE runs Sense 3.0, which brings spinning 3D animations,
advanced widgets and simple power management from anywhere on the home screen.
Wired for sound
The qHD screen combined with Beats
power provides a terrific media experience - both music and video perform
extremely well on the 4.3-inch display. However, it’s the Beats Audio profile
(activated when you plug in compatible headphones) that really makes the media
shine: sound is dramatically increased in depth and clarity due to the in-built
audio processing. On top of that, HTC has treated users to a decent 8MP camera
and a movie download service called Watch that rivals the likes of Apple and
Samsung for cost and breadth of content available.
The battery has been improved to a
1730mAh option to deal with the extra grunt the processor offers - but it’s
still the power pack that provides one of the only negative elements of the
Sensation XE. In a variety of usage scenarios - from minimal use on standby to
heavy web browsing, media consuming and GPS tracking - the best amount of time
between charges we managed was around 36 hours. If you keep the screen
constantly turned on, you’ll sadly be looking at something like six hours of
usage at best - not what we hoped for in a high-end smartphone.
That said, don’t let that battery put
you off a cracking handset that will keep a smile on your face each time you
discover a new feature.
If you’re someone that likes to listen
to shedloads of music, watch video on the commute or browse web pages rendered
with pin-sharp clarity, the HTC Sensation XE certainly won’t disappoint.
You will need to keep an eye on the
battery meter at times to make sure you don’t end up cut adrift with no
communication on a night out, but it’s a small hiccup on an otherwise decent
smartphone. 
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