But for the purest engine experience, displacement has no replacement. All other methods are simply attempts to artificially recreate the benefits of displacement.
Go in store have have a play for yourself, I'd most likely get the XE as I like HTC's Sense interface and the Beats earphones would be a bonus!
'tis not all about the specs, both phone are fast as hell, the HTC has a better interface that you use all the time, it looks more polished and refined and it comes with an expensive pair of earphones
Thought about the Galaxy Nexus? Awesome phone. Feels good and is a unmolested version of Android.