Codename Pyramid Manufacturer HTC Corporation | Brand HTC Predecessor HTC Desire HD | |
 | ||
Compatible networks GSM/GPRS/EDGE
850 900 1800 1900 MHz
UMTS/HSPA
850 1900 2100 or 900 1700 2100 MHz
HSDPA 14.4 Mbps
HSUPA 5.76 Mbps First released May 19, 2011; 5 years ago (2011-05-19) (Vodafone) | ||
The HTC Sensation is a smartphone designed and manufactured by HTC Corporation that runs the Android 2.3 Gingerbread software stock. Officially announced by HTC on April 12, 2011, the HTC Sensation was launched by Vodafone in key European markets including the United Kingdom on May 19, 2011 and by T-Mobile in the United States on June 12, 2011 (marketed as the HTC Sensation 4G). It was HTC's fifth flagship Android phone and the first HTC phone to support the HTC Sense 3.0 user interface. At the time of its release, the Sensation XE was the world's fastest Android phone.
Contents
Software
The device shipped with Android 2.3.3 and includes HTC Sense 3.0 UI.
The device is a part of a new generation of HTC phones that have a signed bootloader. As a consequence, the phones were originally not rootable, thus denying users administrative rights to their phones. The HTC Sensation was initially released with a locked bootloader. Since announcing on July 10, 2011, all HTC Sensation and Sensation 4G have had its bootloader unlocked due to the overwhelming customer feedback since the device's initial release.
On July 29, 2011, a tool named Revolutionary was released by AlphaRevX and unrevoked which can enable S-off, and subsequently, allow permanent root.
Since August 2011, HTC officially allows unlocking HTC Sensation bootloaders at the HTCdev.com website.
Update
In the beginning of March 2012, HTC started updating their devices to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. A combination of special procedure and new tool makes it possible to obtain S-off after the new ICS bootloader installed.
HTC decided to fork their Sense user interface, leaving Sensation owners with Sense 3.6 (when they update to ICS), as opposed to getting Sense 4.0 (the version shipping with units that come with stock ICS).
The phone is upgradeable to Android 6.0 with custom ROMs.
HTC Sensation XE
On September 14, 2011, HTC released the Extended Edition (XE) of the HTC Sensation in Europe under the name HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio. The Sensation XE provides the following performance improvements: Dual core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz (up from 1.2 GHz on the stock Sensation), a 1500mAh and 1730mAh battery, and Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) OS with HTC Sense 3.0. The Sensation XE features Beats Audio support, and can be easily recognized from its red speaker, buttons, and rear camera, and the Beats logo. Included inside the box is also urbeats earphones, a renamed and redesigned iBeats headphone.
HTC Sensation XL
On October 6, 2011, HTC released Sensation XL running with HTC Sense 3.5 UI with Beats Audio (XL stands for extra large with reference to its larger 4.7-inch screen).