HTC Sensation available to pre-order exclusively on Vodafone

Dual-core handset goes on sale 19 May

Vodafone has put the HTC Sensation dual-core Android smartphone up for pre-order ahead of its exclusive launch on 19 May.

Customers will be able to get the device free on two-year contracts starting at £35 per month. This tariff includes 900 minutes, unlimited texts and 750MB of data allowance when ordered online at Vodafone.

The HTC Sensation is the first dual-core smartphone from the manufacturer and will take its place as the flagship device as HTC looks to challenge the LG Optimus 2x and Motorola Atrix.

Key features include a 4.3in Super LCD screen with a resolution of 540x960. The display has a 16:9 ratio, giving it a more slender look than the Desire HD, which has the same sized screen.

A Qualcomm MSM 8260 1.2GHz dual-core processor together with 768MB of RAM will power the handset. There will be 1GB of internal storage included, and HTC plans on shipping the device with an 8GB micro-SD card.

Rounding off the hardware is an 8-megapixel camera on the rear that features autofocus and a dual LED flash. The device is capable of recording in 1080p and comes with a basic video editing tool and an ‘instant capture' photo feature.

The Sensation will come pre-loaded with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, together with the latest HTC Sense 3.0 user interface.

May promises to be a busy month for the Taiwanese manufacturer, as the firm's first tablet, the HTC Flyer, is due to start shipping on 9 May.