Launch of two excellent music phones for the festive period: HTC Sensation XL and Sensation XE

With Christmas fast approaching, we are seeing many new mobile devices launch in time for the traditional surge in sales. This year, many models seem to focus on music playback, with HTC launching two new devices that are excellent in this area. We take a quick look at the Sensation XL and Sensation XE phones, and also see which phone accessories will tempt music lovers over the festive period.

Music playback is an area that is often overlooked and many manufacturers do not pay much attention to this aspect of their models. Sony Ericsson was the latest brand to produce a range of models that boasted excellent music facilities with its impressive Walkman range. HTC has now spotted a gap in the market and has launched two excellent new phones. The HTC Sensation XL and Sensation XE incorporate Beats Audio technology to produce great sound quality that you wouldn’t normally expect from a mobile device. Both new devices come with high-quality Beats Audio headphones that deliver natural depth of sound not normally possible with driver units this small. The sound produced by these headphones is perfect for many modern music genres, from Dance to Hip Hop, and because of this, both phones will appeal to a younger audience looking to get the most functionality out of their mobile device. The large screens offered by these two phones also mean that watching music videos on your mobile is an excellent experience. The Sensation XL offers the largest 4.7-inch screen, but even the Sensation XE’s smaller 4.3-inch screen impresses immensely. When watching videos on either phone, you can also enjoy SRS Surround, which creates a simulated surround sound effect from the built-in speakers or headphones.

There are a variety of smartphone accessories available, including the HTC Sensation XL, that are designed to further enhance your audio experience from your mobile device. Various manufacturers are releasing perfect headsets to use with your phone. One of the biggest names is Bose and their new Quiet Comfort 3 headphones are perhaps the best example of noise-canceling headphones we’ve come across. The headset completely eliminates background noise, leaving you alone with your music in very high quality. These are perfect for people who use public transport frequently as they really cut out all the noise around you. If you prefer an on-ear headphone style, then Audio Technica’s new CK400i set is really hard to beat for value. Sound quality is excellent, with deep bass and clear vocals, and at around £30 a pair, they’re perfect for filling the stockings. Both earphones will work with all modern smartphones, although you could argue that the new Sensation XL and XE benefit less than most, as they come with a great quality set. However, for phones like the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2, these are great options.

The new HTC Sensation XL and Sensation XE offer the great smartphone features we’ve come to expect along with music playback options that outperform any competitive phone. If you have another brand of smartphone and want to enhance your music experience, headphones like the ones we’ve mentioned are a perfect solution.