HTC announced a 4.3-inch, dual-core 1.2GHz Android phone — initially heading for T-Mobile and Vodafone before going global. The HTC Sensation features a unique, contoured display, 768MB RAM, a full range of wireless features, a new HTC Watch video service, and an updated version of the HTC Sense featuring a “active lockscreen.”

The HTC Sensation, which had been previously tipped under its "Pyramid" code name, appears to be the first confirmed appearance of an Android phone with the Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 system-on-chip (SoC), featuring dual 1.2GHz Snapdragon cores. The processor, which is also found on HP's upcoming, WebOS-based TouchPad tablet, supports 1080p video encode/decode, Open GL ES 2.0 graphics, and HSPA+ networks, says Qualcomm.

It will be interesting to see how the HTC Sensation compares with phones such as the Droid Bionic, which run on Nvidia's dual-core, 1GHz Tegra 2. It should certainly run faster than HTC's Thunderbolt on Verizon, which uses a single-core 1GHz Snapdragon, although in operation Verizon's faster 4G LTE network could more than compensate.

T-Mobile calls its version of the Sensation a 4G phone, suggesting support for its HSPA+ service, but it does not list bandwidth claims. Vodafone says the Sensation works on its HSPA/WCDMA networks with up to 14.4Mbps downloads. Most of the specs here are borrowed from a Vodafone press release reproduced by Gizmodo, since HTC and T-Mobile releases introduced the phone with fewer details.

HTC Sensation offered by T-Mobile
(Click to enlarge)

The Sensation is equipped with 768MB RAM, says HTC. Flash memory allotments are not described, although these will no doubt be tipped by Vodafone and T-Mobile as the phone gets closer to their respective second quarter and summer launch dates. The Android release offered by the HTC Sensation is not mentioned by HTC, T-Mobile, or Vodafone, but according to Gizmodo, the phone runs Android 2.3.

The 4.3-inch qHD (960 x 540 pixel) display offers a contoured, Gorilla glass screen that "feels more natural as a finger is glided across it" and makes the display more durable, claims HTC. The 5.22-ounce phone offers a thin profile with 4.96 x 2.57 x 0.44-inch dimensions, the company adds.

The HTC Sensation's eight-megapixel camera shoots HD video in 1080p resolution and stereo sound, at up to 30 frames a second, says HTC. A front-facing VGA camera and a new video trimmer tool are also said to be available.

HTC Sensation

Wireless support includes 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS, says HTC. Other features include an audio jack and a full set of sensors (see spec list below). There's also a microUSB port with mobile HD (MHL) video link support for USB or HDMI connections, says the company.

New Sense for the Sensation

The latest HTC Sense — HTC never uses version numbers for its Android UI layer — adds a customizable active lockscreen that offers "a real-time window to the most important content, such as social updates, photos, weather, or stock updates that are viewed by simply turning on the display." According to HTC, the lockscreen also acts as a customizable gateway that lets users quickly jump to frequently used features like making a phone call, sending an email, or taking a picture.

According to Gizmodo, the feature is similar to that of the INQ Mobile Cloud phones, and works by sliding a photo, email, status update, or stock stat widget down to the launch key, so that it launches as one unlocks the phone.

The new HTC Sense also features "sharper graphics, vibrant animations, and new widgets, says HTC. In addition, it is said to offer "a more cinematic and immersive weather experience featuring audible weather effects."

The Sensation is said to be the first Android phone to offer the new HTC Watch application and web service. HTC Watch supplies a library of movies and TV shows, available for renting or buying, with the latter feature supporting access by up to five different HTC devices. Progressive downloads allow users to begin viewing videos as the files are still downloading, HTC adds..

Features and specifications listed for the HTC Sensation by Vodafone include:

• Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 (dual 1.2GHz cores)
• Memory — 768MB RAM; flash memory not stated
• Display — 4.3-inch (960 x 540) touch SLCD screen with Gorilla glass
• Wireless:
  • HSPA+ (T-Mobile)
  • HSPA/WCDMA 900/AWS/2100MHz (Vodafone) with up to 14.4Mbps downloads and 5.76Mbps uploads
  • 802.11b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 3.0 with FTP/OPP, A2DP
  • GPS (internal antenna)
• Camera — rear-facing 8-megapixel auto focus with dual LED flash, 1080p HD video recording; front-facing VGA camera
• I/O:
  • micro-USB port with mobile HD (MHL) video link for USB or HDMI connection
  • 3.5mm stereo audio jack
• Sensors — gyro; G-Sensor; digital compass; proximity; ambient light
• Other features — DLNA; HTC Watch; HTC Sense
• Battery — 1520mAh with up to 400 minutes for WCDMA and up to 495 minutes for GSM (Vodafone)
• Dimensions — 4.96 x 2.57 x 0.44 inches (126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3mm)
• Weight — 5.22 oz. (148 g) with battery

T-Mobile's HTC Sensation promotional video on YouTube
Source: T-Mobile
(Click to play)

Availability

The HTC Sensation will be broadly available through Vodafone across major European markets, and will also reach in Asian markets, starting in the second quarter, says the carrier. T-Mobile's version will appear sometime this summer.

More information may be found at this T-Mobile HTC Sensation announcement, this HTC announcement, and this Vodafone announcement reproduced from Gizmodo. The phone should eventually appear on HTC's product page.

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