[July 01, 2011] This 4G phone is sure to be a 'Sensation' with T-Mobile Tweet Jun 29, 2011 (The Miami Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Product: T-Mobile's HTC Sensation 4G -- Features: The Sensation comes loaded with Android 2.3 operating system and the HTC Sense 3.0 interface. The touch screen measures 4.3 inches with a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels. The rear-facing 8 megapixel camera includes perks like auto focus, touch focus, face detection, flash and takes high-definition video in 1080p. There's also a lesser-quality front-facing camera, designed for video chatting apps. It runs on a 1.2 GHz duel-core processor and comes with a removable 8 GB memory card (only 1 GB of memory is built-in). It also uses T-Mobile's faster 4G data network connection, where available. -- Price: $199.99, after rebate and two-year contract -- Ups: This is the largest 4G Android screen, but it doesn't feel large or awkward because of how well it is designed. The thin profile, curved edges and smooth finish makes it easy to hold. The updated HTC interface has the home screens in a connected circuit, so you can flick through to come full circle between screens, and there are plenty of settings shortcuts available in the notification pull down-menu, such as turning Wi-Fi off or links to recently used apps. Although it doesn't serve any purpose besides being showy, the weather widget on the main screen has cute animations. For example, if the forecast calls for storms, you'll hear thunder. (If that's annoying to you, those sounds can be turned off.) But a more important plus is the strong battery life, despite the Sensation's fast processor and links to a 4G network -- the usual perpetrators of quick battery drain. -- Downs: Internal storage memory is average but can be upgraded to 32 GB. Although I could tell downloads were faster than with an average 3G connection, the T-Mobile 4G network didn't come close to the speeds I got during tests with Verizon's 4G network. Bottom line: The large, high-quality screen and HD 1080p camera, not to mention having one of the fastest processors in the market, makes this a media-connoisseur's delight. And there's plenty of content to cure boredom with the HTC Watch service for renting and buying movies and shows, a service similar to the Samsung Media Hub. Overall, this is a seriously smooth performing Android phone. Within T-Mobile's lineup, the Sensation sure to be a top choice this summer. To see more of The Miami Herald or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.herald.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Miami Herald Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]