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Why Sensation will Fail

Yeah - I had the same reaction, pretty much. They're awfully proud of it to insist not to part with it unless you pay a kidnapper's fee. One would think that they'd make up in volume what they'd lose in individual sales and increase profits if they were to lower that entry barrier.

But technically it does make a good point - not all the UI ideas have been done, and imo, there could be more ways to really improve that we just haven't seen yet.
 
Shocky said:
Please don't just say Sense is better because that's a load of crap.
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Which is exactly why I didn't say it, Shocky. It may have escaped your attention, but I didn't mention Sense once. The fact that both my (HTC) handsets are running vanilla AOSP builds hints where my UI preferences lie. ;)

I'm not arguing that the Sensation is either better or worse than its competition, simply that HTC do the best job of "packaging" their products. The fact is that the Sensation, or any other handsets bar perhaps the Nexus line, are not targeted at we geeks. HTC make their money from ordinary run-of-the-mill users who want a handset that does everything they need, in an easy-to-use manner, with a bit of style and a feeling of quality to justify the price. Imo that's why the Sensation won't fail.
 
daivik said:
Of course these are just my personal opinions, and I am not HTC hardcore fany boy, so I'll simply choose the most powerful phone, at least on paper and hence I'm going for the GSII.
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Every time I have come to update over last 3-4 years HTC has never had a product available that's really stood out, in terms of features and specs Samsung just always has them covered and something extra to sweeten the deal.

I'll never understand why people are obsessed with the different skins/ui being used, that's all they are, it's still Android under the bonnet at the end of the day so it really doesn’t matter to me, I'd get used to whatever is comes with the phone, I'd even get used to Sense over time so It's not a factor to me at all when considering Android phones.

HTC need to leapfrog Samsung and come out with something special imo, but since they always use qualcomm that probably won't happen, at best they lagging behind slightly but just close enough to be "competitive".

A little bit like comparing AMD to Intel. :D

Slug said:
Which is exactly why I didn't say it, Shocky. It may have escaped your attention, but I didn't mention Sense once. The fact that both my (HTC) handsets are running vanilla AOSP builds hints where my UI preferences lie. ;)

I'm not arguing that the Sensation is either better or worse than its competition, simply that HTC do the best job of "packaging" their products. The fact is that the Sensation, or any other handsets bar perhaps the Nexus line, are not targeted at we geeks. HTC make their money from ordinary run-of-the-mill users who want a handset that does everything they need, in an easy-to-use manner, with a bit of style and a feeling of quality to justify the price. Imo that's why the Sensation won't fail.
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I know, I just wanted you to expand a little. :)

It's faster than all the Tegra 2 phones so it won't fail, it's a good product and with the HTC brand they would have to seriously mess somethnig up for this to fail.

Also reviewers in general don't give the Galaxy S II the attention it deserves, in a few of the popular tech mags they already have previews of the Sensation yet nothing on the Galaxy S II even though it's been released.
 
-Don't get me wrong OP, but when the first time I stomped my eyes into the thread title, the first thought that came into my mind was "Is that a troll?". :D

And HTC Sensation is too powerful for it's own good, hopefully it's able to "call" efficiently.
 
Firstly, a reminder that this is a discussion forum, and any member is free to contribute their opinion. Please read entire posts in order to understand context, rather than focusing on a few key words. ;)

Shocky said:
Every time I have come to update over last 3-4 years HTC has never had a product available that's really stood out
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I agree HTC no longer innovate as they once did. Perhaps they decided it was more profitable to let others research the market then match their offerings and hope that the HTC brand tipped the scales in their favour?

I'll never understand why people are obsessed with the different skins/ui being used
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That's the joy of Android.... choice. Personally I don't dislike Sense, but I prefer the flexibility and functionality I get from vanilla 2.3.4 plus ADW Ex and third-party apps/widgets.

HTC need to leapfrog Samsung and come out with something special imo, but since they always use qualcomm that probably won't happen
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I agree, but not for the same reason. To the average Joe User, which is HTC's target market, the CPU in their smartphone is of little importance. Look at the ads - how many even mention anything other than "dual-core"? Imo the "special" factor needs to be in the functionality, as that's what sells to the punter in the street.

I know, I just wanted you to expand a little. :)
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I fell into your cunning trap... curses! :D

Also reviewers in general don't give the Galaxy S II the attention it deserves
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It's received good reviews here in the UK, and the units are shifting off the shelves. I haven't had a live one in my hands yet but it's certainly on my shortlist.
 
Slug said:
It's received good reviews here in the UK, and the units are shifting off the shelves. I haven't had a live one in my hands yet but it's certainly on my shortlist.
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Online it's received good reviews, but you pickup the latest Stuff, T3 mag or watch the Gadget Show and there will be little to no mension of the Galaxy S II, this is where the average joe will get their information and as a result most don't even know the Galaxy S II even exists.

Yet the Sensation isnt released and it's on the front page, this is what Samsung have to contend with, it's amazing they sell as many as they do.
 
I love the Gadget Show, but their phone reviews leave a lot to be desired (scuse the pun) and I've yet to see a review where the iPhone doesn't scrape the win.

Anyway; there are 3 million pre-orders for the SGSII so Samsung are sitting pretty with that handset. The only problem I see for HTC at the moment is that perhaps they have too many handsets in their catalogue, all with different specs. That makes it difficult for any one of them to be the clear lead handset.

I still have the Desire, a colleague has the Incredible S, someone else I know has the Desire S, whereas with Apple it's the iPhone and with Samsung it's the Galaxy.

Perhaps HTC need to slow it down a bit? They've gone from having the Legend, Hero and Desire last year to nearly a dozen phones on the shelf and more to be released this year!

Choice is one thing, but too much choice could potentially make someone think "I can't decide on an HTC, so I'll get the Galaxy S 2, as I know that's Samsung's top phone"
 
partridge said:
I love the Gadget Show, but their phone reviews leave a lot to be desired (scuse the pun) and I've yet to see a review where the iPhone doesn't scrape the win.

Anyway; there are 3 million pre-orders for the SGSII so Samsung are sitting pretty with that handset. The only problem I see for HTC at the moment is that perhaps they have too many handsets in their catalogue, all with different specs. That makes it difficult for any one of them to be the clear lead handset.

I still have the Desire, a colleague has the Incredible S, someone else I know has the Desire S, whereas with Apple it's the iPhone and with Samsung it's the Galaxy.

Perhaps HTC need to slow it down a bit? They've gone from having the Legend, Hero and Desire last year to nearly a dozen phones on the shelf and more to be released this year!

Choice is one thing, but too much choice could potentially make someone think "I can't decide on an HTC, so I'll get the Galaxy S 2, as I know that's Samsung's top phone"
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+1
 
You make a very good point.

Samsung has decided to essentially focus their efforts into a single platform for their top phone, the SGS last year, the SGS2 this year.

HTC has always taken the multiple handset approach, never really leaving a platform alone as it varies it.

Except for the odd four SGS variants we saw in the US last year, a top-line Sammy is just that.

HTC's goal for 2011, announced end of last year to their _suppliers_, was to triple their smartphone sales for this year. First quarter results suggest they're on target for that goal.

Do I think the Sensation will sell or outsell the SGS2? I seriously doubt that - and I doubt that was the goal. HTC is after all a smaller company - Samsung sold something like 11 million SGS models in just about a quarter of last year. HTC would dance in the streets to sell that many of a single model in a year.

If raw sales of a single model is the only metric here, then only Samsung has a chance because they're specific to that philosophy of production.

But, if the issue is cast in relative way, then the Sensation is highly unlikely to be any sort of fail. If it contributes to HTC's overall goal and its Sensation targets for ROI, then it's a success. I expect several million of these to sell worldwide and increase marketshare for HTC - hardly a failing position if true.
 
I like what HTC are doing.

They have realised that they have to build their own brand, rather than expecting people to understand what google/android/sense/touchwizz is.
I think they would like to see people saying "I have a HTC" - rather than an "Android phone" or a "WP7 phone". This is exactly what Nokia had - people bought a Nokia, not a symbian device. They did pretty well with that I seem to remember.

I like the look of the sensation, although there is no substitute for handling one in the flesh (which, of course, I haven't). I have played with the sammy - it's a lovely concept, but a little soulless. Raw power? Yes. Style? Quality feel? Not so much.

If you upgrade to this from the Desire (as an ordinary person who doesn't know what Android is - or, as I like to call them, 75% of the market) then you are greeted with a similar experience but with more polish and features. Surely that's what you want?
 
trick202 said:
I like what HTC are doing.

They have realised that they have to build their own brand, rather than expecting people to understand what google/android/sense/touchwizz is.
I think they would like to see people saying "I have a HTC" - rather than an "Android phone" or a "WP7 phone". This is exactly what Nokia had - people bought a Nokia, not a symbian device. They did pretty well with that I seem to remember.

I like the look of the sensation, although there is no substitute for handling one in the flesh (which, of course, I haven't). I have played with the sammy - it's a lovely concept, but a little soulless. Raw power? Yes. Style? Quality feel? Not so much.

If you upgrade to this from the Desire (as an ordinary person who doesn't know what Android is - or, as I like to call them, 75% of the market) then you are greeted with a similar experience but with more polish and features. Surely that's what you want?
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True, but there is always going to be a different opinion on that, however I do agree in the "polished" feel of the Sensation.

But one thing I do have issue is, is with HTC strategy. Providing they do not do what Nokia did and rely on the "brand" that much, they'll be good. If they go and "do a Nokia" and release a flagship phone with a 450Mhz processor when, they advertised features and released it to compete with others, that were MUCH faster - then it'll just be so bad. Although saying that, it's kind of impossible because Symbia was absolutely crushed by the rising of Anroid, and well I doubt there is going to be any real competitor to Android in the near future. (bar iOS but that's a whole different issue)

And the video was just, the latest mini-demo at some gadget show. Nothing interesting, but when he was scrolling homescreens, they had a little bit of lag... and it's being on retail in 3 days, so i would guess it's a pretty final build.
 
Not saying I agree with this, but analysts (yeah, I know) are saying that WP7 will overtake Android in 3-5 years.
 
trick202 said:
Not saying I agree with this, but analysts (yeah, I know) are saying that WP7 will overtake Android in 3-5 years.
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SORRY!! WHAT!!!! M-A-D-N-E-S-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WP7 is a pile crap!!!

Don't really know that much about them, if i'm being honest. I just don't like them and that is emphasised by their partnership with Nokia (whose goal is to basically "take down Android" or "be better than Android" or something to that effect.

Also Nokia angers me in the way they repeatedly release unbelievably rubbish phones - that are supposedly "flagship" or of that quality - when they just are not - AND YET they still but millions upon millions into Research and Development and still have a constant flow of income....Damn they early "mobile-tech" supremacy!!

And I think that the advertising slogan of "the only phone with xbox live and windows live messenger (or Microsoft office)" is one of the worst ones ever...It really doesn't sell the device to me in ANY way! or even entice me to consider it as a phone!
 
OK, we have a number of threads on WP7 vs. Android - a little off-topic is ok (we're not control freaks after all) but too much more and I'll have to move posts over there.

Rule of thumb based on site stats: multiply the number viewed on a thread by 10 and that's how many lurkers are wondering what's up with the assertion that the Sensation will fail.

Cheers, thanks a lot. ;)
 
chocobosandwich said:
Lol looks like the OP wants to start a flamewar. Doesn't fanboyism get tiring?


No this device is not going to do any type of flailing. It won't sell as well nor have the same sort of appeals as another phone, but it isn't gonna follow the trajectory of the Atrix, which seems to be flailing a bit. There's a loyal fanbase after all.

However, the buzz really isn't there. Check the post count of any Android site, xda, androidcentral, especially this forum. The numbers don't lie. The same old threads with days separating each post. The specs on the Sensation, and the look, have been done before. Even if the Sensation does a bang up job combining them all, it can't call itself "first!" on any of them and the bleeding edge is usually the headline grabber. There isn't much mystery involved, and thus not much speculation.

HTC is only exacerbating the situation by not feeding any crumbs or giving any revelations or proper promotion, especially during the SGS2's launch. Where are the prototypes? The previews? The leaked youtube footage? The forum members who "magically" happen to have the Sensation early? Tweets from Mt. Everest? Extreme unboxings? I found new articles and videos every day for the SGS2, well before it was released. I also do the same search for the Sensation, because I like having choices. There isn't much there and HTC isn't promoting it right.
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No i do not wish to start and fanboy hate flameware b/w the camps. But very interesting to see the amount of response on here. I am sure other places would have the same crowd.

I do think that HTC has a good following and i think that the sensation is going to be an incredible phone, but like you said where are the breadcrumb adverts, the promos. HTC does have a good campain if you look for it, but i expect a phone with this hardware to be smack in my face everyday untill it comes out. I mean the campaign for the Galaxy 2 is very active!
trick202 said:
I like what HTC are doing.

They have realised that they have to build their own brand, rather than expecting people to understand what google/android/sense/touchwizz is.
I think they would like to see people saying "I have a HTC" - rather than an "Android phone" or a "WP7 phone". This is exactly what Nokia had - people bought a Nokia, not a symbian device. They did pretty well with that I seem to remember.

I like the look of the sensation, although there is no substitute for handling one in the flesh (which, of course, I haven't). I have played with the sammy - it's a lovely concept, but a little soulless. Raw power? Yes. Style? Quality feel? Not so much.

If you upgrade to this from the Desire (as an ordinary person who doesn't know what Android is - or, as I like to call them, 75% of the market) then you are greeted with a similar experience but with more polish and features. Surely that's what you want?
Click to expand...

I think that HTC has built its own brand just like apple products and the prius.
 
HTC's big break was the Desire, that was (is?) their biggest selling handset and put them on the map. I worry a little that they've already got carried away with that success and that's why they think it's a good idea to saturate the market with WP7 and Android handsets while other makers concentrate on a much smaller number of devices.

Anyway, I don't think the Sensation will fail, if I was updating today I'd almost certainly pick it up. I like HTC, I like Sense so they are my first upgrade option.


Analysts. The clue is in the first four letters. That said, I'd love a job where I get paid big money to basically guess the future!
 
partridge said:
HTC's big break was the Desire, that was (is?) their biggest selling handset and put them on the map. I worry a little that they've already got carried away with that success and that's why they think it's a good idea to saturate the market with WP7 and Android handsets while other makers concentrate on a much smaller number of devices.

Anyway, I don't think the Sensation will fail, if I was updating today I'd almost certainly pick it up. I like HTC, I like Sense so they are my first upgrade option.


Analysts. The clue is in the first four letters. That said, I'd love a job where I get paid big money to basically guess the future!
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DESIRE WOOOO! Was it not ONLY recently just knocked off the "top 100 top gadgets?" on t3.com by the Arc. You ask me, one phone (generally) maintaining top spot for a year....that' damn good shizz!

Of course I'm excluding the Nexus One and S here - but they're not as popular in the UK...not sure why though.
 
Exactly, so you have to wonder why HTC are now releasing new phones every couple of months when they could have offered one top of the range handset to take on the competition.

The Sensation has just hit the shelves as the new flagship handset, but wait!! According to various tech sites the HTC Holiday has it beat by matching the Sensation specs and apparently has a 4.5 inch screen.

Stoooooop HTC! Give us time to breathe and decide on a handset before you leak details of the next one :mad:
 
partridge said:
Exactly, so you have to wonder why HTC are now releasing new phones every couple of months when they could have offered one top of the range handset to take on the competition.

The Sensation has just hit the shelves as the new flagship handet, but wait!! According to various tech sites the HTC Holiday has it beat by matching the Sensation specs and apparently has a 4.5 inch screen.

Stoooooop HTC! Give us time to breathe and decide on a handset before you leak details of the next one :mad:
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OH DEAR GOD. Who in God's name came up with that name!!!! HTC Holiday...That just evokes eternal rage from me. I'd feel like a prat saying "ohh I've got a htc holiday."
Now i've got over that! Really? Another one? When you pay that much for a phone, you'd expect it to be the best you can get for a little while, at least, before your phone is triumphed over by a new one. :/

Clever tactic though, money wise. They have become greedy. Each phone has little innovation and so less money on R&D but more phones coming out, meaning more people will buy them meaning that revenue will top the costs of innovation - increasingly becoming similar to Apple...

And reading articles, it appears the Holiday (sick face) is trying to beat the GSII - 4.5" screen and 1GB of RAM.......so for 0.2" extra the phone is going to need 232MB more RAM?? I know it's all very speculative, but it with the way they're heading, this doesn't seemed too far fetched at all.
 
I wouldn't bet against a 5 inch screen next year, so long as whoever makes it can devise a tiny frame so the screen is practically edge to edge.
 
Well...doesn't seem like the Sensation will fail because of its specs. As discussed, the features just seem to be the total package and, if that package functions as promised, then wow!

But...could it fail because of the network it's being released on??? (Sorry, it had to be asked). Also, I agree with the "give us a breather, htc" between announcements on the next best. I mean they must know the challenges involved with getting permissions to purchase those next best from real world wives!! :)
 
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