Sharp Aquos R5G vs Sony Xperia 5 II: A Flagship Showdown

The Sharp Aquos R5G and Sony Xperia 5 II represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. One prioritizes a groundbreaking display, while the other focuses on a refined camera system and enduring battery life. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to determine which device emerges as the victor.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Sony Xperia 5 II offers a more balanced package with its exceptional battery life, reliable camera, and compact design. While the Aquos R5G boasts a stunning display, its higher price and less refined software make the Xperia 5 II the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos R5G Sony Xperia 5 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, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, February. Released 2020, February2020, September 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, October 12
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)158 x 68 x 8 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)163 g (5.75 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)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 99.5 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIGZO IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby VisionOLED, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
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 RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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
Video8K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p, 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, QZSS
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, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Ion 3730 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlare Black, Aurora WhiteBlack, Grey, Blue, Pink
ModelsSH-51A, SHG01, SH-R50SO-52A, XQ-AS52, XQ-AS62, XQ-AS72, A002SO, SOG02
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 650 EUR
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM-$ 695.00
RENEWED-£ 239.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 532655 (v8) GeekBench: 3301 (v5.1) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos R5G

  • Unmatched IGZO display
  • Fast 120Hz refresh rate
  • Powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset

  • Higher price
  • Less refined software
  • Battery life could be better
  • Camera not as strong as Xperia 5 II

Sony Xperia 5 II

  • Excellent camera system
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Compact and ergonomic design
  • Polished software experience

  • Display not as bright as Aquos R5G
  • Charging speed could be faster
  • Design can feel a bit dated

Display Comparison

The Sharp Aquos R5G's standout feature is its 6.5-inch IGZO display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a remarkable 2520 x 1080 resolution. It's known for its brightness and color accuracy. The Xperia 5 II has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 2520 x 1080 resolution. While excellent, it doesn't quite reach the Aquos R5G's peak brightness. The Xperia 5 II's contrast ratio is technically 'infinite' due to the OLED technology.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia 5 II excels in camera performance, offering a versatile triple-lens setup with excellent image quality and video recording capabilities. It's known for its accurate colors and reliable autofocus. The Aquos R5G's camera is capable, but doesn't quite match the Xperia 5 II's consistency and features. The Xperia 5 II also offers more manual controls for photography enthusiasts.

Performance

Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset and octa-core CPU, ensuring smooth performance for demanding tasks and gaming. Real-world performance differences will likely be minimal, though software optimization could play a role. The Xperia 5 II's software feels more polished and responsive.

Battery Life

The Xperia 5 II boasts an impressive endurance rating of 102 hours, significantly outperforming the Aquos R5G (estimated around 70-80 hours based on similar Snapdragon 865 devices). The Xperia 5 II also supports 21W fast charging, while the Aquos R5G's charging speed is less well-documented.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sharp Aquos R5G? Users prioritizing a truly exceptional display above all else, and willing to pay a premium for it. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 5 II? Users seeking a well-rounded flagship with a fantastic camera, long battery life, and a more compact form factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Sharp Aquos R5G worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize display quality above all else, the Aquos R5G's IGZO panel is a significant upgrade. However, the Xperia 5 II offers a more well-rounded experience for a lower price.
❓ Which phone is better for photography?
The Sony Xperia 5 II is the clear winner for photography, thanks to its versatile camera system, excellent image quality, and more advanced features.