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Announced around the second week of September, the HTC Sensation XE has arrived in the Philippines. It’s the big brother of the original HTC Sensation but comes with Beats Audio plus a few more upgrades.
The Sensation XE has that same big, solid body as the first one with a large 4.3″ screen and that signature HTC design.
There are a few subtle changes added to the Sensation XE. A red accent is found on the speaker grilles, the navigational touch panel, the camera ring and the large Beats Audio logo at the back. The Beats Audio logo will also show up on boot-up, just before the swish animation from HTC.
The other biggest upgrade tot he Sensation XE is the 1.5GHz dual-core processor, a 25% bump from the previous 1.2GHz on the older Sensation. Our Quadrant Standard core puts it at 2249, around 10% higher than the 2033 score of the original Sensation. Battery capacity is also increased to 1730 mAh which should help extend daily use of the handset.
Contrary to earlier reports though, the Sense UI is still at 3.0 instead of the Sense 3.5 we were expecting.
Of course, the Beats Audio is what most people are excited about the Sensation XE. The package comes with a Beats AUdio headphones, 4 extras ear buds, and a small Beats pouch. The earphones are just great — long rubber cord, in-line remote controls and very comfortable on the ears.
Paired with the HTC Sensation XE, the sound quality is impressive and miles better in terms of bass, clarity and range. Whenever you play music, a Beats Audio logo would appear in the notification bar that shows Beats is enabled. You can actually disable this and notice the difference in sound quality. This only works when you plugged in the Beats earphone though so the audio speakers of the Sensation XE is still the same.
I am also told that the handset was supposed to come with a 16GB microSD card but the one that HTC Philippines is distributing only includes an 8GB card.
HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio specs:
4.3 inches @ 540 x 960 pixels
1.5 GHz dual-core processor
Adreno 220 GPU
Qualcomm MSM 8260 Snapdragon
Gorilla glass display
1GB storage, 768 MB RAM
up to 32GB via microSD, 8GB included
HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, WiFi hotspot
Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP
8MP autofocus camera, dual-LED flash
1080p @ 30fps video, stereo sound recording
GPS with A-GPS support
Li-Ion 1730 mAh
HTC Sense 3.0 UI
Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread
HTC Philippines will be launching the Sensation XE some time next week so we don’t have a suggested retail price yet. However, it’s been available in several stores already (including Top Electronics) for just Php26,600USD 453INR 38,426EUR 432CNY 3,301 (for cash purchases, see here).
You can read our review of the HTC Sensation here.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
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jerikz says:
hhm may wifi issue din b ito katulad ng original n sensation sir yuga??
Cipher says:
Fortunately, the infamous “death grip” – when you hold the unit in the top portion of the phone and the wifi signals’ dead – is only for old Sensation. Sensation XE, XL and AMaze dont have it anymore. I personally tested it myself on XE, no problems nor lags at all, and definitely no death-grip. The same way as the upgraded Iphone4S resolved its predecessor’s (iphone4)issue with its antenna
sherwood says:
How about Battery life ng mga HTC smartphones?
Cipher says:
reviewers (GSMArena, Engadget, Gizmodo, etc) claim that Sensation XE’ battery life is 9-12 hours. Mine’s last a lil’ longer at 14 hrs with total abuse (full auto-sync, wifi, mobile internet, downloads, you-tube, FB, mp3 and music video-playing, ebook reading, games, etc).
With conservative use, my juice lasts up to 26 hrs. Conservative means photo-ops, texting, calling, internet, FB, playing around with my phone, with conscious use of brightness, mobile connectivity, deactivation of GPS and autosync, plus utilization of apps and battery manager)
Ric says:
Does HTC have an issue with putting in an onboard storage? I really don’t get why they insist in omitting this feature even on their high end models.
mars says:
hi mr. yuga, the link you provided above “h_ttp://topelectronics.multiply.com”, the one selling this sensation XE for 26600php.. is it a legitimate one? i mean, do they really sell original htc products and are they authorized dealers of htc? I would like to know before making any transaction with them.
Val says:
OT: Ang ganda ng Aspire S3 sa background, akala ko MBA :)
Suplado says:
when this was first released, i was hoping that they’d at least have a typical earphone. nandidiri kasi ako sa earbuds.
Blend says:
iBeats? Haha.
Jonah says:
Where can we check it out in Cebu?
edeaux says:
There’s stock at MemoXpress SM. 29k+ for cash and 32k+ for CC.
nike says:
is Evo 3d gonna be released here in the Philippines?
toff says:
A phone shop in Mega Mall sells it. It’s near Globe telecom shop on 4th floor Cyberzone.
michael says:
excuse me po sir! ask ko lng po mas ok po ba to sa samsung galaxy s2 ? overall or in your opinion nlng po
Cipher says:
contrary to kamote’s expectations (that i’m overselling Sensation XE), I believe Samsung Galaxy S2 is a better choice if you want an “overall” edge. Specs-wise, I personally believe SGII reigns supreme even against Nexus, Droid Bionic, and iPhone 4s. Again, specs-wise. So that includes GSII’s superb battery-life, memory, screen, customization, camera quality and internet browsing experience.
If you’re someone who considers built (toughness, weight, solid feel & grip) user-experience, UI, audio quality ON TOP on those factors mentioned above, toy can try Sensation XE.
Iphone 4S is just waaaay behind Samsung & HTC’s league right now IMHO.
Suggestions though, try to use the three units at the same time and compare the speed, camera quality, audio quality, built, customization, apps, and UI head-to-head, you will clearly see the differences, and with that you can decide better.
Like they sez in many other techforums, techblogs can show the pictures, videos, becnhmarks, and specs sheets all they want, but the hands-on and ACTUAL experience is the real deal.
Hope it helps
lol says:
@Cipher
Bullshit. Sgs2 does not beat iphone 4s I have them both. Even with flash turned off on the sgs2, iphone 4s still beats it even at 800 mhz per clock vs 1.2. You might start and say it’s due to safari optimization, and that ice cream sandwich will fill the gap. And my answer would be, perhaps, however, given samsung’s track record, that update “might” come and if it does, I can guarantee you, it’s not gonna be anytime soon. Going back to hardware, the sgs2 resolution sucks compared to iphone 4s, and if screen real estate is your concern while web browsing, the reader option is readily available, making web pages even easier to read, far far easier than the sgs2. And lastly, something that is undeniable, the iphone 4s has the MOST powerful smartphone gpu in the world, not an opinion but a fact which beats the archaic designed 2008 mali 400mp4. I’m no apple fanboy, but man, stop the bullshit.
Cipher says:
@lol – Indeed, iPhone 4S has (1)crispier text, images and videos, (2)more internal storage @ 64GB, (3)better Bluetooth and sound quality, (4)higher resolution (4) and “probably” -pls correct me if i’m wrong” – more apps (@350k apps vs 270k android apps). I cant agree more on that and thats a fact. However you missed these points:
SGSII has (1) brighter and more vivid screen even @ daylight, (2)almost 3x faster @ HSDPA 42,2 mbps vs iphone $s’ HSDPA (14,4 mbps) (even at actual use), (3) more standby time (i know you will contest this)and talktime (4) bigger screen, (5)faster processor @ 1.2MHz vs 800Mhz, (5) lighter, (6) thinner, (7)tougher (8)more customization (yeah Jailbreak all you want), (9) more bucks for your bang (10) expandable with SD card and (11) less restrictions
And by the way, iphone4s has more fragile built than its predecessors, and its main feature “Siri” is still in beta. Apple has more apps because its older but sooner or later its inevitable than Android-supporting apps will overtake Apple’s. iPhone 4s is very expensive. Too many restrictions. iCLoud is nothin’ new (so as Siri) And IMHO, not worth every dollar for a “fragile, beta” phone.
COme to think of it, SGS2 who is waaay older than iphone4s and yet more superior in many aspects. How much more if Ice Cream Sandwich come this Dec-Jan? Yeah, the update is pretty sure esp that Samsung itself co-created the Ice-cream-powered-Google phone Galaxy Nexus. How much more if SGSIII arrive?
No offense, but i think Apple already stop innovating as soon as Tim Cook took over long before Steve Jobs succumb to cancer. I do hope i’m so darn wrong esp when iphone 5 is released (and I’m an apple user too)
And before I forgot, your curses and delusions betray your claim that you’re no fanboy or iSheep…
Name: says:
@cipher
1. the international sgs2 does not have hspa 42 mbps but only 21 mbps.
2. More durable, certainly due to the fall test a samy fanyboi did, DUN, its made of plastic versus glass and metal, obviously.
3. Bigger screen means better? If I need a bigger screen I have an ipad. Bigger by .77??? a huge difference? lol
4. Thinner at its thinnest point, yes, but not at it’s thickest point, the bottom. Sgs2’s bottom is thicker than the iphone
5. Lighter? duh, again, plastic much? cheap cheap material. Don’t want to even touch that topic.
6. Again, faster clock speeed yes, but is still beaten in benchmarks LOL@you and heres a link go look at it http://maypalo.com/2011/10/11/iphone-4s-vs-every-android-device-benchmark-test-result/
7. Iphone 4s a beta phone? lol again.
8. Siri is on beta, that is correct, and I never even mentioned siri, I only use it while driving and that’s that, i do not care much for it.
9. The sgs2 will not get ics right away given, ics is built around omap which sgs2 is not using, it’s using exynos, and looking back nexus s was also built by samsung right? but how come the galaxy s1 got updated months months after a nexus s phone got it’s update??? And this is considering both were using almost the same internals, same processor and gpu.
if you must have an android phone, wait for the nexus prime, guaranteed to get an update fast and it’s ota update is sweet with no ugly touchwiz
Cipher says:
@lol – first, the term “beta phone” is an obvious sarcastic remarks, especially since people are expecting for an iphone 5 with new design and a hell lot of new features, not just an hardware-upgraded iphone 4 with its “main” feature (Siri)working only at US (til now) @ beta. Bigger means better? not all the time but it applies to many, esp to men who have huge thumbs and fingers. And yeah, better browsing experience, better video experience if the screen is a lil bigger. Sure iphone 4s is classy, great UI, superb brand equity, great camera, speed, apps and with solid grip and weight. However you failed to address the real deal here, what is the overall assessment to the unit if you factor in all aspects like durability, brand equity, resale value, price, customization, restrictions, battery life, user-experience, expansion via sd card, weight and dimensions, future-proof, audio-video experience, etc. To sum it all, the best bang out of your (limited) bucks. Its like sure everyone wants an Alienware laptop, but that thing is sooo huge and pricey, so many will buy HP, Dell, Macbook instead. You cannot cherry-pick one, two, three or few advantages and you will totally neglect the other aspects. Thats poor analysis Mr. LOL. Not everyone crave for 3.5 inch screen. Not everyone CAN afford a smartphone with apple logo.Not everyone can live without SD card. the list will go on and on. If we will all negate price issue and expansion slot and the hell with other factors, i might suggest iphone 4s. But this is reality, we should look in every single angle. My vote still goes for S2, big enough bangs for not so big enough bucks.
Though i will agree that Galaxy Nexus trumps iP4S and SGS2, GNexus has some (IMHO) areas for improvement, like its mere 1.2GHz dual-core processor, no sd card expansion (i will accept it if its a 64GB unit), a mere 5megapixel camera (i will no longer debate on the megapixel versus quality coz i know the drill),and with 1750mAh battery. Many others have 1.5Ghz dual-core, 8 to 12 Megapixel cam, sd card expansions up to 32, far better battery etc etc. But of course, its created “not to be perfect” as part of business strat. wishful thinking though. Yeah, nexus prime is the most advance smartphone…for now.
But for the price and hype, and the fact that other Androids will soon sport the same ice cream sandwich, I’d rather park my bucks for future incarnation of this wonderful device (probably less than 6 months)to at least address the sd card issue, up the dualcore to 1.5GHz and higher, and probably 8-12MB camera. =)
just my two cents
lol says:
Sorry sir but your 2 cents are all opinions and not facts, they are all your opinion. You want facts? learn to read benchmarks. We are not discussing bang for the buck here because if we were, I would have a totally different argument here. Remember your precious sgs2 (ours, since I own 2 myself) will depreciate really fast given how fast android phones evolve, in a years time that android your holding will be completely archaic and not even fully supported by the manufacturer anymore at that point. An iphone is created once a year only, making its resale value far more substantial, lets not even get to the economics of things because for starters mobile phones are an expense altogether and never an investment to begin with. Moving along, what makes you think some people care how much an object cost, well, I dont and I bet some people dont as well, so your argument is silly, you want good bang for the buck, get a decent notebook and a nokia phone end of story. Once you learn how to read benchmarks then lets talk, if not come over or I can go where you are and lets compare speeds to show you that an iphone is faster. Bigger is nto better for me, it’s a mobile phone remember? that’s what tablets are for, ZZzzz Again, harware wise except its 3g radio of 14.4 mbps everything in an iphone is better, again, I am not talking about price. You can’t afford one, don’t buy one, it’s not the end of the world, but stop throwing shit around. You want me to prove my point, lets meet and run some benchmarks, it’s the onyl way to settle this, becuase you are all opinions, I do nto care about your opinion, and I bet some people don’t as well, everyone is entitled to their opinion, what matters are facts. 091785*****, call for a meet up, tired of typing and reading your short fairytales
kamote says:
you two should get a life instead of debating whats the faster this and a faster that….just my two cents
Name: says:
I totally agree with you man, this is silly and a total waste of time, /amen
Cipher says:
totally agree. BS debate. And to think its a Sensation XE thread and not a SGS2 vs iPhone4s topic. enough of sugarcoated trollin’ and flammin’. My (our) bad. and its Yuletide season anyway.
On side note: HTC Rezound unveiled earlier. So much of “weekly” HTC models, but anyway, who’s complaining with 1.5GHz dual core with 1GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage / 16GB on microSD card and HUGE pixel density @ 720. Cool. Btw, it has Ice Cream Sandwich already. Darn, smartphone models are spawning like mushrooms!
kamote says:
iphone 4s < galaxy s2 < sensation xe.
nuff said.