The HTC Sensation XL goes on sale today, no surprises there. DiGi is offering the device with its DG Smart Plan package for as low as RM1,399, no surprises there either. What is a surprise is the device’s pricing. At RM2,099, the HTC Sensation is spec-for-spec, too expensive.

For RM2,099 outright, you get 4.7-inch 800×480 pixel Android Gingerbread device with a single-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm processor with 768MB RAM. Of course there’s 16GB of internal storage, an 8MP rear camera with 720p HD video recording and a 1.3MP front camera as well.

But to price the HTC Sensation XL above the Motorola RAZR at RM1,999 and the Samsung Galaxy S II at RM1,899 and even the Samsung Galaxy Note at RM2,299 — all of which have faster processors, more RAM and shoot 1080p videos — will greatly affect the appeal of the device. HTC is banking on the Beats Audio technology for the premium pricing but how much emphasis do you place on sound quality over overall performance?

Update: We forgot to mention the HTC Sensation XE. At RM1,999 outright the Sensation XE brings a 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 768MB RAM, 1,730mAh battery and a 4.3-inch Super LCD Gorilla Glass display pushing 540×960 pixel resolution. You also get an 8MP rear camera that shoots 1080p videos, and you get the Beats audio feature as well. So what is the point of this lower specced yet more expensive Sensation XL then?

Also, how much better is the sound quality of the Sensation XL compared to the cheaper but more powerful dual-core devices? We’re no audiophiles but we’re guessing not by much. If given the choice we’d go for the more powerful dual-core devices that with the 720p HD displays and additional RAM. Better yet, we’d wait a little longer to find out how much the Galaxy Nexus is going to cost and maybe just get that.

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