HTC launches a Beats handset, the Sensation XL

TAIWANESE PHONE MAKER HTC is launching a second Beats handset with a 4.7in screen called the Sensation XL.

The screen is one of the biggest we've seen on a smartphone, hence the 'XL' tag, and could be seen as a competitor to Samsung's tablet / smartphone hybrid the Galaxy Note, which has a 5.3in screen. Handsets such as the Galaxy S II, ZTE Skate and other HTC handsets have 4.3in screens.

The Sensation XL follows the launch of the Sensation XE to form a line-up of HTC smartphones integrated with Beats Audio.

The Sensation XL runs the HTC Sense 3.5 overlay and has a Qualcomm 8255 1.2Ghz processor. The handset is 9.9mm thick and includes lightweight Urbeats headphones, created exclusively for HTC to integrate with the Beats audio profile on the device.

HTC's Sensation XL integrates HTC Watch and has an 8MP camera featuring a f/2.2, 28mm wide-angle lens with BSI sensor.

It will be available across EMEA and Asia Pacific from early November. In EMEA, HTC will also be offering a limited edition bundle that includes special edition Beats Solo headphones.

For a closer look at the Sensation XL, watch our video demo. µ