Released in 2019, the Sharp Aquos R3 and Samsung Galaxy S10+ represented the pinnacle of Android flagship design. While both devices featured the Snapdragon 855 (in some regions for the S10+), key differences in chipset implementation, display technology, and charging capabilities create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which phone offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around capability and ecosystem integration, the Samsung Galaxy S10+ remains the stronger choice. Its superior display contrast, reverse wireless charging, and broader software support outweigh the Aquos R3’s potentially faster charging and streamlined experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global, USA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat15 1024/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2019, February 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2019, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), ceramic back, ceramic frame |
| Dimensions | 156 x 74 x 8.9 mm (6.14 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) | 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm (6.20 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 175 g / 198 g (ceramic) (6.17 oz) |
| | IPX5/IP6X/IPX8 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~554 ppi density) | 1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~522 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 94.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 103.8 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IGZO IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision | Dynamic AMOLED, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M4 & 2x2.31 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA/LATAMOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) - USA/China |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Exynos 9820 (8 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/China |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAMAdreno 640 - USA/China |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
20 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide), AF, OIS | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, AF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, Super Steady video |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps (no EIS), 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 10 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm, depth sensor |
| Features | - | Dual video call, Auto-HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (USA & Canada only) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD
Wireless | 15W wired, PD2.0
15W wireless (Qi/PMA)
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 3200 mAh | Li-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Classic Black | Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow, Flamingo Pink, Ceramic Black, Ceramic White, Cardinal Red, Smoke Blue |
| Models | - | SM-G975F, SM-G975U, SM-G975W, SM-G975U1, SM-G9750, SM-G975N, SM-G975X |
| Price | About 750 EUR | $ 199.00 / C$ 879.99 / £ 999.00 / € 299.00 / ₹ 39,940 |
| SAR | - | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -94.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 91h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.514 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.7 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 333736 (v7), 399901 (v8)
GeekBench: 10387 (v4.4), 2190 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sharp Aquos R3
- Potentially faster charging with Power Delivery (PD)
- Clean Android experience (likely)
- Snapdragon 855 for consistent performance
- Limited availability and software support
- Camera specifications largely unknown
- Display details are missing
Samsung Galaxy S10+
- Vibrant, high-contrast display
- Reverse wireless charging for accessories
- Extensive Samsung ecosystem and software support
- Exynos 9820 variant may exhibit thermal throttling
- 2MP macro camera is largely impractical
- Slower charging speeds compared to potential Aquos R3
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal 4.514 in sunlight), indicating a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks and more vivid colors compared to the Aquos R3, whose display specifications are not provided. While both likely utilize AMOLED technology, Samsung’s panel benefits from its established expertise in display calibration and color science. The S10+'s higher contrast is particularly noticeable in HDR content and outdoor visibility. The Aquos R3's display details are missing, making a direct comparison difficult, but it's reasonable to assume it doesn't match the S10+'s contrast.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications for the Aquos R3 are unavailable, hindering a precise comparison. The Galaxy S10+ offers a versatile camera system, but its reliance on a 2MP macro lens is questionable in terms of practical utility. The S10+'s primary sensor and image processing algorithms prioritize vibrant colors and detail, while Sharp historically focuses on accurate color reproduction. Without knowing the sensor size and aperture of the Aquos R3’s main camera, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance relative to the S10+. The S10+'s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a key advantage for stable video recording and sharper photos in challenging conditions.
Performance
Both the Aquos R3 and the USA/China variant of the Galaxy S10+ utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm). However, the Exynos 9820 (8nm) found in EMEA/LATAM S10+ models presents a potential performance disparity. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 855 generally offers better power efficiency and thermal headroom than the 8nm Exynos 9820. The Aquos R3, consistently equipped with the Snapdragon 855, may exhibit less thermal throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. Both CPUs feature octa-core architectures, but the Exynos utilizes Samsung’s Mongoose M4 cores alongside Cortex-A75 and A55, while the Snapdragon employs Kryo 485 cores. Real-world performance differences will be subtle for most users, but the Snapdragon-equipped devices have a slight edge in sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S10+ boasts an endurance rating of 91 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Aquos R3’s battery capacity is unknown, it supports both wired Power Delivery (PD) and wireless charging, potentially offering faster charging speeds than the S10+'s 15W wired and 15W wireless charging. The S10+ also includes 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge accessories like earbuds. The Aquos R3’s PD support could translate to significantly quicker 0-100% charge times with a compatible charger, offsetting any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sharp Aquos R3 if you prioritize a clean Android experience, potentially faster charging speeds with Power Delivery (PD), and are comfortable with a less mainstream brand. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10+ if you value a vibrant, high-contrast display, the convenience of reverse wireless charging, and the extensive features and support offered by the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9820 in the Galaxy S10+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9820 is known to be more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 855, particularly during extended gaming. While not a deal-breaker, users may experience frame rate drops or reduced performance after 30-45 minutes of intensive gameplay. The Aquos R3, consistently equipped with the Snapdragon 855, is likely to maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy S10+ actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras often lack the detail and clarity needed for truly impressive close-up shots. The low resolution results in soft images with limited dynamic range. The primary camera on the S10+ can often produce better results with digital zoom than the dedicated macro lens.
❓ Does the Aquos R3 support high frame rate gaming, like 90fps in PUBG?
The Snapdragon 855 is capable of handling high frame rates in many games, including PUBG. However, achieving 90fps depends on the game's optimization and the device's thermal management. While the Aquos R3's Snapdragon 855 is capable, the lack of detailed thermal testing makes it difficult to guarantee consistent 90fps performance.
❓ What type of USB-C charging does the Aquos R3 support, and how fast is it?
The Aquos R3 supports USB Power Delivery (PD), allowing for faster charging speeds with a compatible PD charger. While the exact wattage isn't specified, PD can deliver significantly more power than standard USB charging, potentially reducing 0-100% charge times compared to the Galaxy S10+'s 15W wired charging.
