Taiwanese handset maker HTC on Wednesday took wraps off its first Beats Audio technology-based smartphone, called the HTC Sensation XE.

The HTC Sensation XE will come with Beats earbuds, which can be connected to get the handset automatically switched to the Beats by Dr Dre profile, delivering audio tracks tuned particularly for the headphones, to provide improved quality of sound at no additional cost.

The new handset runs the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, viz. Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and comes equipped with a powerful 1.5GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3-inch qHD screen, 4GB of internal memory and an 8-megapixel camera, an 8GB or 16GB microSD card.

Its 1730mAh battery promises larger battery life as HTC is trying to remedy the reputation it has for shorter battery life of its smartphones.

European, Middle East, African and Asia Pacific markets will get the HTC Sensation XE in late September. But, nothing was mentioned about the US launch of the device.

UK retailers Clove and Phones4U have already announced their HTC Sensation XE deals. Clove will start selling the phone from 7th of October, while Clove will release the phone on 1st of October.

At £492, the HTC Sensation XE will cost less than the Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone.