The Betrayal — that is, the HTC Sensation XE.

Correct me if I’m wrong.

But wasn’t it only two or three months ago when HTC launched the Sensation to-market?

And now they already have a replacement model, which is expected to arrive by the end of the month (that is, September).

Called the Sensation XE, it’ll get a faster processor (from a dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon to a 1.5 GHz), a larger-capacity battery (1,730 mAh), optional 16 GB microSDHC sales package (for greater media storage), and built-in Beats audio support (for supposedly-better-sounding audio — your milage may vary).

Such a move is unusual for HTC. Given the number of significant hardware-based changes, one can only come to a single conclusion: the original Sensation lacks the muscle to compete with what’s about to come (hint: one’s by a fruit company; another is by a world-renowned copy-cat).

But what pains me the most is seeing people who’ve gone and committed themselves to the original product, especially those tying themselves into 12- to 24-month contracts — and, only now, realising how their original purchase has already been superseded.

“Betrayal” is the only word that comes to mind.

In my opinion, this is a very bad move by HTC, especially on a PR front.

There needn’t be two Sensations (of the same product “generation”) — and now the end-users are paying for those mis-steps by a corporation that, seemingly, is lacking proper vision.