Sharp Aquos V vs Huawei P20 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Two 2018 Flagships

The Sharp Aquos V and Huawei P20 Pro represent a fascinating snapshot of the 2018 flagship landscape. While both devices initially commanded premium prices, their current market positions offer compelling value propositions. This comparison dissects their core components – from chipsets and cameras to battery performance – to determine which phone holds up better today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user in 2024, the Huawei P20 Pro emerges as the slightly stronger choice. Its superior camera system and comparable battery life, coupled with a more refined software experience (despite potential limitations), outweigh the Aquos V’s marginally different processor.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos V Huawei P20 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 38, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat9 450/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, November. Released 2019, November2018, March 27. Released 2018, April 06
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions157 x 76 x 9 mm (6.18 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)155 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm (6.10 x 2.91 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)180 g (6.35 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2240 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~408 ppi density)
Size5.9 inches, 89.8 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 93.9 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)Kirin 970 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 540Mali-G72 MP12
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF, OIS 13 MP B/W-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 20 MP B/W, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/2.7"
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRLeica optics
Single8 MP, f/2.024 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-22.5W wired, 58% in 30 min
TypeLi-Ion 3090 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Gold
ModelsSH-C02CLT-L29C, CLT-L29, CLT-L09C, CLT-L09, CLT-AL00, CLT-AL01, CLT-TL01, CLT-AL00L, CLT-L04, HW-01K, CLT-L0J
PriceAbout 210 EURAbout 410 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -92.1dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 89h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.087 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 71dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 91dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 209884 (v7) GeekBench: 6679 (v4.4) GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos V

  • Clean Android experience (potentially)
  • Snapdragon 835 offers solid performance
  • Potentially lower price point

  • Kirin 970 has AI processing advantage
  • Camera likely inferior to P20 Pro
  • Charging speed likely slower

Huawei P20 Pro

  • Superior camera system with AI enhancements
  • Faster 22.5W charging
  • More refined software experience

  • Potential Google service limitations
  • May require workarounds for app compatibility
  • Software updates may be limited

Display Comparison

Both the Sharp Aquos V and Huawei P20 Pro boast displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) and a 4.087 sunlight contrast ratio, suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the context data lacks specifics on panel technology (OLED vs LCD), resolution, or refresh rate. Given the P20 Pro’s flagship status, it likely features an OLED panel offering superior color accuracy and black levels compared to a potential LCD on the Aquos V. Bezels are also a key consideration, and without specific measurements, it’s difficult to definitively state which device offers a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Huawei P20 Pro’s camera system was a standout feature at its launch, and remains a strong point. While the context data doesn’t detail sensor sizes or specific lens configurations, the P20 Pro is renowned for its triple-lens setup, including a 40MP main sensor with a wide aperture. This allows for exceptional low-light performance and detail capture. The Aquos V’s camera specifications are unknown, but it’s unlikely to match the P20 Pro’s capabilities, particularly in image processing and dynamic range. The P20 Pro’s AI scene recognition, powered by the Kirin 970’s NPU, further enhances image quality by optimizing settings for different shooting scenarios.

Performance

The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 in the Aquos V versus Huawei’s Kirin 970 in the P20 Pro. Both are 10nm processors, but the Kirin 970 incorporates a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks, a feature absent in the Snapdragon 835. While the CPU core counts are similar (Octa-core), the Kirin 970’s Cortex-A73 cores operate at a slightly higher clock speed (2.4 GHz vs 2.35 GHz). This, combined with the NPU, gives the P20 Pro an edge in AI-accelerated tasks like scene recognition in the camera. The Aquos V’s Kryo cores, while efficient, lack the specialized hardware of the Kirin 970. Thermal management is also a factor; the Snapdragon 835 was known for some throttling under sustained load, a potential issue the Kirin 970 may mitigate with its more advanced cooling solutions.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an impressive endurance rating of 89 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. However, the P20 Pro boasts 22.5W wired charging, capable of reaching 58% charge in just 30 minutes. The Aquos V’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely slower. This faster charging capability provides a significant convenience advantage for the P20 Pro, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. While both phones offer excellent endurance, the P20 Pro’s charging speed is a clear win.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sharp Aquos V if you prioritize a clean Android experience and are comfortable with potentially limited software updates. It’s a solid option for users seeking a functional, no-frills flagship experience. Buy the Huawei P20 Pro if you value camera quality, fast charging, and a more polished user interface, understanding that access to Google services may require workarounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 970 in the P20 Pro still hold up for gaming in 2024?
While not the latest and greatest, the Kirin 970 is still capable of running most mobile games at medium to high settings. However, demanding titles may require reduced graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. The dedicated NPU can also assist with game optimization.
❓ What are the potential drawbacks of using a Huawei P20 Pro in 2024 regarding Google services?
Due to US sanctions, the Huawei P20 Pro does not ship with Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means no pre-installed Google Play Store, Gmail, or YouTube. Users can work around this by sideloading apps and using alternative app stores, but it requires technical knowledge and may not be seamless.
❓ Is the lack of specific RAM information a concern when comparing these two phones?
Yes, RAM capacity and type (LPDDR4 vs LPDDR4X) are important for multitasking and overall performance. Without this information, it's difficult to assess how well each phone handles running multiple apps simultaneously. However, both were flagship devices and likely feature adequate RAM for typical usage.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 835's thermal performance impact long-term usability on the Aquos V?
The Snapdragon 835 was known to throttle under sustained heavy load, such as prolonged gaming or video recording. This means performance may decrease over time as the chip heats up. While not a deal-breaker, it's a factor to consider if you plan on using the Aquos V for demanding tasks.