HTC Sensation smartphone

Photo: El Carlos via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

HTC

HTC Sensation

May 2011 6/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC Sensation was a flagship Android smartphone released in May 2011, notable for its 4.3-inch qHD display and a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It ran Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC's Sense 3.0 UI, offering a premium multimedia experience with an 8MP camera capable of 1080p video recording.
Display4.3" qHD S-LCD with Gorilla Glass
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon S3 dual-core 1.2 GHz
Main Camera8 MP with dual-LED flash, 1080p video
Battery1520 mAh removable Li-Ion
Starting from $29

💰 HTC Sensation Price

The HTC Sensation lowest price is $29, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeS-LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size4.3 inches
Resolution540 x 960 pixels (qHD), ~256 ppi density
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass

Platform

OSAndroid 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich); Sense UI 3.0
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon S3
CPUDual-core 1.2 GHz
GPUAdreno 220

Memory

Internal1GB storage, 768MB RAM
Card slotmicroSDHC, up to 32GB (8GB card often included)

Main Camera

Single8 MP, autofocus, dual-LED flash
FeaturesGeo-tagging, touch focus, face detection
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

SingleVGA
VideoNo specific resolution mentioned

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion
Capacity1520 mAh

Body

Dimensions126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3 mm (4.96 x 2.57 x 0.44 in)
Weight148 g (5.22 oz)
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum unibody design
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth3.0, A2DP
GPSYes, with A-GPS
RadioStereo FM radio with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (MHL for HDMI out)

Launch

AnnouncedApril 2011
ReleasedMay 2011 (Europe), June 2011 (US as Sensation 4G)

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Premium build quality with aluminum unibody
  • Sharp qHD display for its time
  • Capable 8MP camera with 1080p video recording
  • Dual-core processor offered good performance for its era
  • HTC Sense UI provided a rich user experience

Cons

  • Relatively small 1520 mAh battery for a dual-core phone
  • Limited internal storage (1GB)
  • VGA front camera is very basic
  • Older Android version (though upgradable to 4.0)
  • No longer receives software updates, posing security risks and app compatibility issues.
★ Our Verdict

The HTC Sensation was a strong performer with a premium design and good display for its release era, but its specifications are now severely outdated, and it lacks modern software support.

The HTC Sensation is a vintage smartphone from 2011, and as such, it is not recommended for daily use in 2026. Its operating system (Android 2.3, upgradable to 4.0) is extremely old, meaning most modern apps will not function, and it poses significant security vulnerabilities. The hardware, including the processor, RAM, and camera, is far below current standards, making it slow and impractical for contemporary tasks. This device is primarily suitable for collectors, enthusiasts interested in mobile phone history, or for very basic, offline functions if absolutely necessary. Do not expect it to perform like a modern smartphone or to connect reliably to current network services.

Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC Sensation smartphone
  • 1520 mAh battery
  • Charger
  • USB cable
  • Stereo headset
  • User manual
  • 8GB microSD card (often included)

Typically came with a standard one-year manufacturer's warranty at the time of purchase.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the HTC Sensation released?

The HTC Sensation was officially announced in April 2011 and released in May 2011, with a US release (as Sensation 4G) in June 2011.

What operating system did the HTC Sensation run?

It originally launched with Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) and was upgradable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), featuring HTC's Sense UI 3.0.

Does the HTC Sensation support 4G connectivity?

The original HTC Sensation supported 3G (HSPA). A variant, the HTC Sensation 4G, was released for T-Mobile, which supported HSPA+ (often marketed as 4G at the time).

What was the main camera resolution of the HTC Sensation?

The HTC Sensation featured an 8-megapixel main camera with autofocus and a dual-LED flash, capable of recording 1080p video at 30 frames per second.

Is the HTC Sensation still usable today?

While it might power on, the HTC Sensation is not recommended for daily use today due to its severely outdated operating system, lack of security updates, and inability to run most modern applications. It's primarily a collector's item.

What kind of display did the HTC Sensation have?

It featured a 4.3-inch S-LCD capacitive touchscreen with a qHD resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.