Sharp Aquos R5G vs Sony Xperia 1 II: A Flagship Showdown

The Sharp Aquos R5G and Sony Xperia 1 II represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. One prioritizes a groundbreaking display, while the other champions a professional-grade camera system and refined software. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to determine which device emerges as the victor.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 II offers a more polished and consistent experience, particularly for photography enthusiasts. The Aquos R5G boasts a truly unique and impressive display, but its software and availability might be limiting factors. Ultimately, the Xperia 1 II provides better overall value and broader appeal.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos R5G Sony Xperia 1 II
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 77, 78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat19 1600/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, February. Released 2020, February2020, February 24
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, May 22
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions162 x 75 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.95 x 0.35 in)165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm (6.5 x 2.80 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)181.4 g (6.38 oz)
 IPX5/IP6X/IPX8 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1440 x 3168 pixels (~544 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 99.5 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIGZO IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby VisionOLED, 1B colors, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 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
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panoramaZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
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)12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video8K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
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, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging-21W wired, PD 11W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3730 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlare Black, Aurora WhiteBlack, Purple, Mirror Lake Green
ModelsSH-51A, SHG01, SH-R50XQ-AT51, XQ-AT52, SOG01, XQ-AT42
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 700 EUR
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 534701 (v8) GeekBench: 3295 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos R5G

  • Unmatched IGZO display
  • High refresh rate
  • Snapdragon 865 5G chipset
  • Potentially good value (depending on region)

  • Limited availability
  • Less refined software
  • Camera performance not as strong as Xperia 1 II
  • Less established brand recognition

Sony Xperia 1 II

  • Excellent camera system with manual controls
  • Clean and refined Android experience
  • Good battery life
  • Professional features for photography and videography
  • Dedicated shutter button

  • Higher price point
  • Design can feel dated
  • Charging speed could be faster

Display Comparison

The Aquos R5G's standout feature is its 6.5-inch IGZO display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a remarkable 2520 x 1080 resolution. This results in exceptional brightness, color accuracy, and clarity. The Xperia 1 II features a 6.5-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3200 x 1440 resolution. While the Xperia 1 II's OLED offers excellent contrast, the Aquos R5G's IGZO technology provides superior brightness and potentially better outdoor visibility. The Xperia 1 II's contrast ratio is technically 'infinite' due to its OLED nature, but real-world performance is comparable.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia 1 II boasts a triple-lens rear camera system (12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto) with a focus on photography features like manual controls and RAW image capture. It also features a dedicated shutter button. The Aquos R5G's camera system (likely a 64MP main, ultrawide, and telephoto) is less emphasized, and its image processing may not be as refined as the Xperia 1 II's. The Xperia 1 II's video recording capabilities are also generally considered superior.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, ensuring smooth performance for demanding tasks and gaming. The octa-core CPU and ample RAM (likely 8GB or 12GB in both) provide plenty of power. Real-world performance differences are likely minimal, with both devices handling everyday tasks and graphically intensive games with ease. Software optimization might be the differentiating factor here, with Sony's more refined Android experience potentially offering a slight edge.

Battery Life

Both phones have a similar battery capacity, but the Xperia 1 II has a reported endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting potentially better power efficiency or software optimization. The Aquos R5G's battery life is likely respectable, but may not match the Xperia 1 II's longevity. Both support 21W wired charging and 11W wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Sharp Aquos R5G is ideal for users who prioritize display quality above all else and are comfortable with a less mainstream software experience. The Sony Xperia 1 II is perfect for photography and videography enthusiasts who appreciate a clean Android experience and professional-grade camera features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Sharp Aquos R5G available in my region?
Availability of the Aquos R5G is limited, primarily to Japan and select Asian markets. Check with local retailers or importers for availability.
❓ Which phone is better for mobile gaming?
Both phones offer excellent gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 865 chipset. The Xperia 1 II's slightly better thermal management might give it a slight edge in sustained gaming sessions.