HTC Sensation 4G set for June 15 launch

Looks aren't everything, especially in the smartphone world, where a sleek exterior often disguises a seriously flawed set of hardware. That said, the HTC Sensation 4G, the new smartphone powered by T-Mobile, is a dang good-looking machine – witness the 4.3-inch HD display, the aluminum unibody construction, and the race-car curves.

The Sensation was officially unveiled by T-Mobile today; it is expected to go on sale June 15. The price is pretty standard: $199, with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate. In a press release, T-Mobile reps touted the speed on the HTC handset, which is enhanced by a dual-core processor and the 4G capability. (Back in December, T-Mobile announced it was ginning up its data network, in an effort to keep pace with Verizon and AT&T.)

So what else is under the hood of the HTC Sensation? Well, among the big selling points here are the various multimedia functionalities, including the Sense interface, a front-facing VGA camera and a rear-facing 8-megapixel lens. In addition, the Sensation 4G will be kitted out with HTC Watch, an app which allows users to flick through a library of movies and television shows.

You know, like iTunes, except with "progressive download technology." To translate: You can start watching videos before they're done downloading – kinda like streaming, but you get to keep the file afterward.

"I held the HTC Sensation 4G a couple weeks ago and it is a great piece of hardware that is just missing a kickstand," writes ZD Net's Matthew Miller. (The HTC Evo did have a kickstand, it is worth noting.) "The Sense 3.0 ability to drag an icon and jump right into the application, just like I can with my new HTC Flyer, is something that was really needed to make the lock screen even more functional."