Sharp Aquos R5G vs Asus ROG Phone 3: A Detailed Comparison for Power Users

The Sharp Aquos R5G and Asus ROG Phone 3 represent distinct approaches to the Snapdragon 865 platform. The R5G aimed for a compact flagship experience, while the ROG Phone 3 doubled down on gaming features and battery life. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained gaming and long battery life, the Asus ROG Phone 3 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865+ chipset, coupled with a larger battery and optimized cooling, provides a more consistent high-performance experience. However, the Aquos R5G offers a more manageable form factor.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos R5G Asus ROG Phone 3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - A version
4G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A version
5G bands1, 3, 28, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A version
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G 4.4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, February. Released 2020, February2020, July 22. Released 2020, July 23
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions162 x 75 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.95 x 0.35 in)171 x 78 x 9.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
 IPX5/IP6X/IPX8 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1440 x 3168 pixels (~544 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 99.5 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIGZO IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby VisionAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 650 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.10 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.0-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.7, 52mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 48 MP, f/2.9, 19mm (ultrawide), 0.8µm TOF 3D (depth)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 1080p@30fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm24 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Ion 3730 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlare Black, Aurora WhiteBlack Glare
ModelsSH-51A, SHG01, SH-R50ASUS_I003D, ZS661KS, I003DD, I003D
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 650 EUR
SAR-0.74 W/kg (head)     1.50 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 120h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 621932 (v8) GeekBench: 13306 (v4.4), 3386 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos R5G

  • Potentially more compact form factor for easier one-handed use.
  • Snapdragon 865 offers flagship-level performance.
  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.

  • Charging speed is unknown and likely slower than the ROG Phone 3.
  • Limited information on display quality and camera capabilities.

Asus ROG Phone 3

  • Snapdragon 865+ provides a performance edge, especially in gaming.
  • Faster 30W charging with PD3.0 and QC4.
  • Larger battery and superior thermal management for sustained performance.

  • Larger size and weight may be less comfortable for some users.
  • Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all.

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+) chipset, but the ROG Phone 3 boasts a significantly brighter display at 719 nits compared to an unlisted value for the Aquos R5G. While both likely employ high refresh rate panels (a common feature for 865 devices), the ROG Phone 3’s larger screen size and higher brightness make it more suitable for outdoor visibility. The ROG Phone 3’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a superior OLED panel, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, while the Aquos R5G’s panel type is not specified.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the ROG Phone 3’s gaming focus suggests image processing may be tuned for vibrant colors and dynamic range, while the Aquos R5G might prioritize more natural color reproduction. The absence of specific details necessitates caution when evaluating camera performance based solely on these devices.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 3 edges out the Sharp Aquos R5G with its Snapdragon 865 5G+ chipset, featuring a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed of 3.10 GHz versus the R5G’s 2.84 GHz. While both share the same core configuration (1x Cortex-A77 @ 2.84/3.10 GHz, 3x Cortex-A77 @ 2.42 GHz, 4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.80 GHz), the ‘Plus’ variant in the ROG Phone 3 offers incremental improvements in GPU performance and thermal management. This translates to potentially higher sustained frame rates during demanding games. Both devices utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the ROG Phone 3’s larger size allows for more aggressive cooling solutions, mitigating thermal throttling during prolonged use.

Battery Life

Both the Sharp Aquos R5G and Asus ROG Phone 3 achieve an endurance rating of 120 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the ROG Phone 3’s 30W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support provides significantly faster charging speeds compared to the R5G’s unspecified charging capabilities. The ROG Phone 3 also includes 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the R5G. This faster charging and reverse charging capability give the ROG Phone 3 a practical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sharp Aquos R5G if you need a powerful, yet relatively compact flagship phone with 5G connectivity and a focus on everyday usability. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 3 if you prioritize immersive gaming, extended battery life, and are willing to accept a larger, more specialized device. The ROG Phone 3 is built for marathon gaming sessions, while the R5G is a more versatile all-rounder.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865+ in the ROG Phone 3 offer a noticeable performance difference in real-world gaming compared to the standard Snapdragon 865 in the Aquos R5G?
Yes, the Snapdragon 865+ features a slightly higher clock speed and improved thermal management. This translates to more consistent frame rates and less throttling during extended gaming sessions, particularly in demanding titles. While the difference isn't massive, it's noticeable for hardcore gamers.
❓ How does the ROG Phone 3's cooling system impact long-term performance compared to the Aquos R5G?
The ROG Phone 3 incorporates a more robust cooling system, likely including a vapor chamber and/or heat pipes, allowing it to maintain peak performance for longer periods without significant throttling. The Aquos R5G, being more compact, likely has a less sophisticated cooling solution, potentially leading to performance drops during sustained heavy use.
❓ Is the 120-hour endurance rating on both phones accurate for typical daily use?
The 120-hour endurance rating is based on a standardized test profile. Real-world battery life will vary depending on usage patterns, screen brightness, and network conditions. However, it suggests both phones offer excellent battery life, capable of lasting a full day or more for most users.