The Samsung Galaxy W and HTC Sensation XL were both contenders in the early Android era, offering distinct features and experiences. But which one holds up better today? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which phone might be right for you (or a retro enthusiast!).
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC Sensation XL edges out the Galaxy W thanks to its slightly better display contrast, faster CPU clock speed, and significantly longer advertised charging times. While both share a similar chipset, the Sensation XL's overall package presents a more compelling experience, especially considering its available RAM options.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2011, October. Released 2011, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 115.5 x 59.8 x 11.5 mm (4.55 x 2.35 x 0.45 in) | 132.5 x 70.7 x 9.9 mm (5.22 x 2.78 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 114.7 g (4.02 oz) | 162.5 g (5.75 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~252 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~199 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 39.0 cm2 (~56.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 62.9 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | S-LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | 1.5 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Sense UI 3.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 2GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 768MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | VGA | 1.3 MP |
| Video | - | |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | Beats headset |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min (advertised) |
| Stand-by | Up to 570 h (2G) / Up to 420 h (3G) | Up to 360 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 8 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 11 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 50 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1600 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | White |
| Models | GT-I8150 | RMX2155 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) | 0.32 W/kg (head) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | $ 389.00 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | - | $ 144.98 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -87.8dB / Crosstalk -87.3dB |
Noise -85.2dB / Crosstalk -75.1dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 40h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 853:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1085:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 70dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 292828(v8)
GeekBench: 1681 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy W I8150
- Compact size
- Affordable (potentially)
- Decent Android experience for its time
- Limited RAM
- Shorter battery life
- Less powerful than Sensation XL
- Outdated hardware
HTC Sensation XL
- Larger display
- Faster CPU
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging
- More RAM options (up to 8GB)
- Potentially more expensive (depending on condition)
- Older hardware
- May lack modern software updates
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a nominal contrast ratio of around 1000:1 (Sensation XL slightly better at 1085:1). The Sensation XL likely has a slightly more vibrant display due to its larger size (4.7 inches vs Galaxy W's 4.0 inches). Resolution is likely similar, around 480x800 pixels, meaning pixel density isn't a major differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, suggesting standard cameras for their time. Detailed camera specifications (megapixels, aperture) are missing, making a direct comparison difficult. Image quality would likely be comparable, with both producing acceptable results in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The HTC Sensation XL boasts a slightly faster CPU clock speed (1.5 GHz vs 1.4 GHz) on the same Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset. This translates to marginally better performance in demanding apps and games. The Sensation XL's RAM advantage (up to 8GB vs Galaxy W's likely 512MB-1GB) is a significant factor, allowing for smoother multitasking and more apps running in the background.
Battery Life
The HTC Sensation XL has a clear advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 40 hours. The Galaxy W's battery life was likely shorter, typical for its smaller size and potentially less efficient hardware. The Sensation XL's advertised charging speeds (30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min) are also a significant benefit.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy W I8150 is a good choice for those seeking a compact and affordable Android experience, particularly if you find one at a very low price. The HTC Sensation XL is better suited for users prioritizing a larger display, faster performance, and longer battery life, especially if you can find a model with sufficient RAM.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
For retro enthusiasts or those needing a basic Android phone, they might be. However, modern smartphones offer vastly superior performance, features, and security.
❓ Which phone has better multitasking capabilities?
The HTC Sensation XL, with its higher RAM options (up to 8GB), will handle multitasking significantly better than the Galaxy W.
