The HTC Sensation arrived in the summer of 2011 as HTC’s premium 4.3-inch handset offering: a 960x540 Super LCD panel paired with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 (MSM8260) and Adreno 220 graphics. It targets buyers who wanted a higher-resolution LCD and a metal/glass finish rather than the Super AMOLED route. At 5 by 2.6 by 0.4 inches and 5.2 ounces it’s a substantial phone that emphasizes build quality and a crisp display.
This review synthesizes contemporaneous coverage and benchmarks from publicly available sources: the Geekbench Browser device listing for the HTC Sensation (MSM8260 / Z710e), GSMArena’s review notes on synthetic benchmarks and device specs, PCMag’s full review of the T‑Mobile Sensation 4G covering design and telephony, and PhoneArena’s hands‑on comments about responsiveness and graphics.
High-level verdict: the Sensation is notable for its tactile metal/glass construction and a sharp 960x540 4.3-inch display, and it delivers a responsive UI in day-to-day tasks. However, the phone’s Adreno 220 GPU has to push ~35% more pixels than some rivals and the platform’s Scorpion CPU cores plus 768MB of RAM leave it exposed in CPU‑ and GPU‑heavy benchmarks and in heavy multitasking; call reception and top-volume audio were also cited as merely average in tests.
How fast is the Sensation in real-world use?
Under the hood the Sensation uses a 1.2GHz dual‑core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 (MSM8260) with Adreno 220 graphics and 768MB of RAM. PhoneArena’s testing noted a generally responsive experience for app launches, homescreen navigation and kinetic scrolling, which matches the expectations for a dual‑core Snapdragon of its generation.
Synthetic benchmark commentary in GSMArena highlighted that the Scorpion CPU cores are an older architecture and may lag on CPU‑bound tasks; some benchmarks (BenchmarkPi) emphasize the dated single‑threaded architecture, and GSMArena warned that the limited 768MB of RAM 'might show' in tests that demand memory headroom.
Does the 960x540 Super LCD trade visuals for performance?
The Sensation’s 4.3-inch Super LCD has a 960 x 540 resolution (around 256 ppi as noted in contemporary coverage), which improves text clarity and overall sharpness versus lower‑resolution rivals. GSMArena specifically calls out the higher pixel count as a strength for readability.
That higher pixel count also creates a workload challenge: GSMArena quantified the disadvantage as roughly a 35% higher pixel load versus competing phones with lower resolution, and the Adreno 220 GPU and Scorpion cores can be strained in 3D‑heavy scenes. PhoneArena did praise the handset for producing 'astonishingly nice looking 3D visuals' in some cases, but the device is at a disadvantage against phones with more modern GPU/CPU combinations.
Is the Sensation well made and comfortable to hold?
PCMag’s review describes the Sensation as a 'class act' in materials and fit: a mix of metal, glass and plastic that feels solid and rounded despite its size. The handset measures approximately 5 x 2.6 x 0.4 inches and weighs about 5.2 ounces, which gives it a substantive, premium feel in hand.
The 4.3-inch footprint is large for the era but the rounded edges and compact bezel design make it feel smaller than the dimensions imply. The physical construction is one of the Sensation’s clearest strengths compared with many contemporaries.
How does it perform as a phone?
PCMag’s tests reported merely average reception results for voice calls. The review also noted a tendency toward harshness at maximum earpiece volume and some wobble or scratchiness in transmissions, so audio performance at high volume is a real user‑facing issue.
Those telephony observations are important if primary use is voice calls — the Sensation passes as a phone but does not stand out in reception or high‑volume clarity compared with peers.
Which software and benchmark behaviors matter?
GSMArena’s review indicates the Sensation shipped with Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread and HTC’s Sense UI of the time; PhoneArena and PCMag both reported a smooth navigational experience in regular use. However, GSMArena and benchmark testing showed mixed results: some benchmarks failed to run in full screen or crashed on multiple phones, and certain CPU tests (BenchmarkPi) highlighted limitations of the older Scorpion cores.
The Geekbench Browser entry for the HTC Sensation (Z710e) in the public database lists the device and processor but includes many user‑submitted entries with 0 or N/A values, so single‑point synthetic scores are not reliably available from that source for apples‑to‑apples comparison.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ 4.3-inch Super LCD with 960 x 540 resolution (~256 ppi) for sharper text and images
- ✅ Solid metal/glass/plastic construction and rounded design (5 x 2.6 x 0.4 inches, 5.2 ounces)
- ✅ 1.2GHz dual‑core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 (MSM8260) with Adreno 220 delivers responsive everyday UI
- ✅ PhoneArena and PCMag reported good responsiveness for app launches and homescreen navigation
- ✅ Contemporary reviews praise 3D visuals quality in many scenes despite GPU limitations
- ❌ Only 768MB of RAM, which reviewers noted 'might show' in memory‑heavy multitasking and benchmarks
- ❌ Scorpion CPU cores (Snapdragon S3) are an older architecture and lag in CPU‑bound tests
- ❌ Adreno 220 must drive ~35% more pixels than some rivals at 960x540, disadvantaging GPU performance vs Galaxy S II
- ❌ Average call reception and reported harshness / occasional scratchiness at top earpiece volume
- ❌ Some synthetic benchmarks crashed or failed to run in full screen on multiple review units
How It Compares to the Competition
- Samsung Galaxy S II — Faster GPU/CPU balance for gaming and benchmarks; the Sensation offers a sharper LCD and heavier build but is at a graphics disadvantage.
- Motorola Droid X2 — Similar size and weight class—the Sensation focuses more on a premium metal/glass finish while the Droid X2 competes on raw performance in some tasks.
- T-Mobile G2x (LG Optimus 2X) — Another dual‑core alternative of the era; the Sensation has a higher 960x540 display and stronger materials but comparable everyday responsiveness.
Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It
Buy it if: Buy the Sensation if you want a well‑built 4.3-inch phone with a 960x540 Super LCD, a responsive dual‑core Snapdragon S3 experience for everyday apps, and a premium metal/glass feel. It’s a good pick for users who prioritize display sharpness and build quality over bleeding‑edge benchmark performance.
Skip it if: Skip the Sensation if you need top-tier GPU or CPU performance, heavy multitasking headroom (more than 768MB RAM), or the strongest call reception and earpiece volume fidelity—buyers chasing the best graphics or multi‑threaded CPU scores would be better served by contemporaries with newer CPU/GPU designs.
Search Purchase Options
Use these links to search for HTC Sensation on trusted marketplaces. The links open in new tabs; if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
* Affiliate links: you pay the same price either way.