It’s powerful. It’s fast. It’s responsive. It has 4G-ish internet powers. It feels more solid than Google’s Nexus. The HTC Sensation 4G is probably T-Mobile’s best Android phone. But there’s one pesky thing preventing it from Android superiority: HTC Sense.
Network: T-Mobile
Screen: 4.3-inch, 960×540 Gorilla Glass display
Weight: 156g
Processor: 1.2GHz, Dual-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8260
Storage: 4GB internal – up to 32GB expandable
OS: Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) + HTC Sense 3.0
Cameras: Rear 8MP, Front 0.3MP
Price: $US200 with two-year contract
Pluses
It’s like the Nexus One, evolved. Metal and Gorilla Glass, with leathery back panel that looks as nice as it feels. It has a 4.3-inch, qHD (960×540) screen, but because it has a larger aspect ratio, it doesn’t feel like a hulking monolith (Evo or Droid X). The keyboard’s accurate, spacious and one of the best – if not the best – I’ve used on Android. The 8MP, 1080p-recording camera is quicker and better than Google’s flagship Nexus S. And it’s all very fast. Oh, and it has an LED notifier, so you’ll know if you have missed call/text/email without having to pick up your phone.
Minuses
HTC’s custom Sense software is fine, but outside of a dedicated menu for personalising the look of the skin, and some contact linking options, it’s not better than stock Android. The design is busy, dated and superfluous. And Android phones running skins don’t get the latest and greatest Android updates until months later. Sure, it has Gingerbread now, but Ice Cream Sandwich isn’t that far off. If you don’t care about timely Android updates (which, um?), then you’ve got nothing to worry about.