The HTC Sensation XE built well on the success of the original Sensation, but since the launch of Ice Cream Sandwich toting handsets at MWC 2012 it is in need of an update to keep up with the pack. HTC has done just that providing the Sensation XE with Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich, coupled with its own Sense 3.6 overlay update. A new Sensation XE should now run Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box. If you own a HTC Sensation XE currently running Android Gingerbread, the Ice Cream Sandwich update will be available in the near future.

HTC Sensation XE Spesification

• General: GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 900/2100 MHz, HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps
• Form factor: Touchscreen bar phone
• Dimensions: 126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3 mm, 151 g
• Display: 4.3" 16M-color qHD (540 x 960 pixels) 
• S-LCD capacitive touchscreen; Gorilla glass
• Platform: Dual-core 1.5 GHz Scorpion processor, Adreno 220 GPU, Qualcomm MSM 8260 Snapdragon chipset
• RAM: 768MB
• OS: Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread)
• Memory: 1 GB storage, microSD card slot (16GB in the box)
• Camera: 8 megapixel auto-focus camera with face detection, touch focus and image stabilization; Full HD (1080p) video recording at 30fps, dual LED flash, VGA front facing camera
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0+HS, standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS, 3.5mm audio jack, FM radio, TV-out (MHL)
• Misc: Sense 3.5 UI, DivX/XviD codec support, Beats audio enhancements and headphones in the package, 1730mAh battery, built-in accelerometer, multi-touch input, proximity sensor, gyroscope sensor, ultra-fast boot times
• Beats Audio is the result of HTC and Beats by Dr. Dre teaming up and will come in the form of special sound processing on the inside and a special Beats headset in the box.

Main Advantages of HTC Sensation XE

• Sensation XE has a better software (constantly updated and Best UI-Sense), Solid build and more user friendly actually.
• Nothing much cause they did such a fantastic job in web browsing and battery performance (considered alright for smartphone) - Just remember, The Samsung Galaxy S II back-cover is so close to battery and so thin that makes Samsung Galaxy S II so much HOTTER. You can bake pancake in no time!
• XE comes with beats earphone which is a TOTAL plus.
• The Sensation XE being a music-oriented phone comes with a 16GB microSD card right out of the box - plenty of room for a respectable music collection.
• But enough about the headset. Now head over to the next page for our hands-on impressions of the HTC Sensation XE itself.

Main disadvantages of HTC Sensation XE

• Death grip issues for both GSM and Wi-Fi radios
• Less than impressed with the screen's outdoor performance
• Unimpressive camera results
• No dedicated camera key
• microSD is under the battery cover (you'll lose all wireless signal when open the cover)

Final Verdict

Is it worth the extra asking price? Always a legitimate question, this one is even more pertinent given HTC's usually steep pricing. To be fair though, the Monster headset alone pretty much offsets the premium. If you are not interested in music and if you are not a music lover, this phone will not matter much in real life use. Not even a Bit.