One of the best gadgets I’ve had the pleasure of testing out this year has been the HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio on Three. It’s a mouthful to say and a bit awkward to hold - but the phone is undeniably slick. I’d even go so far to say it’s one of the best phones out there for music geeks , as you simply cannot go wrong with Beats.
The Phone
Music and Beats aside, as a phone, the HTC Sensation XL is basically everything it should be. There are no obvious downfalls and not really any surprises, either. Powered by Gingerbread and with a 1.5GHz processor, this phone is quick, responsive, and really a joy to use. From texting, tweeting and browsing the web, to just making phone calls (remember those?), this mobile covers all the usual bases. (It’s Mirror app is an added bonus, too.)
With a 4.7” screen and measuring in at only 9.9mm thick this phone is wide and thin, making it gorgeous to look at but as it doesn’t easily fit into a lady-sized hand, it’s hard to hold. If you’re for a mobile you can hold in one hand and type with your thumb, this isn’t it. It’s by no means a small phone, and there’s even a note on the screen when you first unboxing it, urging you to take it out of your pocket before sitting down so you don’t bend or break it. (Clearly, a message for the boys.)
Despite seriously living up to the XL part of its name, its size comes as a bonus when taking photos as it takes wide-screen shots and you can clearly see everything your capturing. Plust, its 8 megapixel camera and LED flash are fair pretty well in low light, so you can take clear enough shots and tweet them without feeling ashamed. You can also switch from using the main camera to the front-facing camera for classic vanity shots - although the quality of the front-facing camera isn’t nearly as swish as its main one. You can also record HD videos, which is an added bonus for any over-sharers out there.
Beats Audio
While the HTC Sensation XL has to compete with other wide, thin phones like the Samsung Galaxy S II, what the other phones can’t compete with is the Sensation’s Beats Audio. The Sensation XL with Beats Audio comes with special UrBeats in-ear headphones. The phone recognizes when these special headphones are plugged in, and then your Beats Audio is activated. The headphones are comfortable, and have on-cable control of your music, allowing you to pause, and switch tracks without having to pull your phone out of your handbag to change tracks - something which always drives me nuts. However, the on-cable controls actually end up weighing the headphones down, so a pulling sensation happens - especially if you’re wearing a scarf. Plus, rather curiously, “pause”, “next” and “back” are the only options on the controls, while volume has to physically be changed on the phone, almost rendering the convieience of on-cable controls useless.
There is no denying the quality of Beats headphones, however, as the sound quality is superb. The leakage is minimal if not almost inaudible so you don’t have to worry about your fellow commuters judging you for your embarrassing playlists. Even better, the sound quality is so good it blocks out all other noises. While not 100% noise-cancelling, I’ve nearly missed train connections and announcements not because the music is so loud, but because it’s immersive - which are two completely different things. Whether its the screeching of the Bakerloo Line or the hustle of Oxford Street, if you’re listening to music on the HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio -that’s all your listening to.
The only hiccup I’ve found with the Beats Audio is that the Beats Audio emblem only pops up with native/downloaded music on the phone and not music played via streaming services like Spotify. However, while I’m no Dr Dre, I cannot tell there’s a difference and this seems to be a display issue rather than an audio one.
I’ve literally sat there playing Adele’s “Don’t You Remember” from Spotify, and then the version of the track that came pre-downloaded on the phone, and I really cannot tell the difference. My instinct is that it sounds better with the big red B lighting up on the phone to let me know Beats Audio has been activated, but I think that may just be a psychological thing, not a technical one. Regardless, I’ve been told that this is something that will be sorted out on the phone in the future, and I the audio is immense, either way.
Over all, this phone is brilliant for music lovers and those who don’t mind their phone not fitting in one hand. It’s sleek, gorgeous, and the perfect companion for all of your music and smartphone needs.
The HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio is avaialble from Three.