Dual-core dilemma: HTC Sensation vs Samsung Galaxy S II

If you’re not living in the U.S. of A. and are looking to grab yourself a high-end Android smartphone with large screen and dual-core processor, you’re choice basically comes to selecting between the HTC Sensation and Samsung Galaxy S II. Sure there are also the LG Optimus 2X and Optimus 3D but I haven’t included those two for a reason – the first comes with a smaller (4-inch) screen and the latter has 3D display and I intend to compare 3D smartphones in some other (future) post. This time around I’ll focus on the two devices that are on top of everyone’s mind and are readily available through a number of carriers across Europe and Asia (and elsewhere).

First of all, you should know you won’t lose if you select any of the two. Both the Sensation and Galaxy S II are super powerful and it almost comes to selecting the design, though there are some smaller differences as well. I won’t talk about the design here — cause that’s a matter of personal taste — but will point to the mentioned differences. You can check them from a table below.

	HTC Sensation	Samsung Galaxy S II
Connectivity	GSM 850/900/1800/1900 HSPA 900/2100 HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot	GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz HSPA 850/900/1900/2100 HSDPA 21 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct
Screen	4.3-inch qHD (540×960) S-LCD Gorilla glass display	4.3-inch WVGA (480×800) Super AMOLED Gorilla glass display
Cameras	8-megapixel, auto-focus, dual-LED flash VGA (0.3 MP) front-facing camera	8-megapixel, auto-focus, LED flash 2-megapixel front-facing camera
Memory	768 MB RAM 1 GB storage microSD slot	1 GB RAM 16GB/32GB storage microSD slot
CPU	1.2 GHz dual-core	1.2 GHz dual-core
Battery	Li-Ion 1520 mAh	Li-Ion 1650 mAh
Size	126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3 mm 148 grams	125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm 116 grams

As you can see, we’re talking about subtle differences. Sensation’s screen may have a higher resolution, but Sammy’s Super AMOLED screen is more easily readable in sunlight. As I said it at the beginning of this post – selecting any of the two will get you an awesome device. Which one will you pick?

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.

http://twitter.com/StuMobile Stuart Hodges

have to say the samsung, bigger battery, and hopefully their skin won’t be as much an obstacle to future timely android updates. Find the components like cams, mics etc on HTC’s not of the highest quality

But i’m not grabbing either, i’m waiting for the nexus 3
http://twitter.com/snidely1459 Snidely

Not much of a competition here. It looks like the Samsung beats the HTC in every category. The worldwide 3G coverage is important too.
http://twitter.com/snidely1459 Snidely

Not much of a competition here. It looks like the Samsung beats the HTC in every category. The worldwide 3G coverage is important too.
Gustavo Chacón

The screen Technology of Samsung Galaxy S2 is Super AMOLED Plus instead Super AMOLED.
Gustavo Chacón

The screen Technology of Samsung Galaxy S2 is Super AMOLED Plus instead Super AMOLED.
http://www.facebook.com/james.levac James Levac

Ya I wouldn’t exactly use the term ‘subtle’ when comparing the differences between these phones. On the samsung, the network coverage is better, the screen is better, the front facing camera is better, it has more ram, it has more internal storage, the battery is better, it’s thinner, and it weighs less. I fail to see even one item that the HTC is superior in.
Dusan Belic

qHD screen perhaps?
Noel

Both devices pass the high end test, with a few minor differences just like the chart shows. Both devices are very good and from what i have seen u can’t go wrong with either..the GS2 is rumoured to have a spec bump of 1.4Ghz dual core when it hits the US. But the new Nexus will definately be what i will be rocking when it finally shows up..unless one of the rumoured ICS devices said to be coming out around the same time is an absolute knock out. For now my N1 with Gingerbread still serves me very well. Even with all the new tech i am sure will come w/the new Nexus…pls pls just make sure it comes with lots of internal memory 16/32/64 Gb, micro SD 32/64 Gb and ofcz a bigger more powerful battery hopefully 1800-2000mAh. Two main issues i have with my beloved N1.
Anonymous

Sensation 4G can keep it’s qHD display. I’d pick Super AMOLED Plus and the Galaxy S 2 any day.
Stefan Skotte

The screen on sensation looks as a TN panel would 3 years ago, milky and with bad viewing angles. Also the design and weight isn’t on par with the SGS2.
Stefan Skotte

Running with 1.5ghz on the SGS2 now, stable and can’t really notice a difference in battery usage.

Yes, I might be biased (see first post), but the SGS2 is very nice quality, and better microphone and GPS.
Richardyarrell

I picked the EVO 3D clearly the best out of the two