Sharp Aquos V vs Sony Xperia XZ1: A Detailed Comparison of 2017 Flagships

Released in 2017, both the Sharp Aquos V and Sony Xperia XZ1 represent a peak in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 era. While both devices share the same core chipset, they diverge in execution, targeting slightly different user priorities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best experience today, considering their original market positioning and remaining strengths.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user seeking a capable and reliable device, the Sony Xperia XZ1 edges out the Sharp Aquos V. Its superior display contrast and Quick Charge 3.0 support, combined with a historically strong brand reputation for software support, provide a more polished overall experience, despite the minimal CPU clock speed difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos V Sony Xperia XZ1
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - F8341, F8342
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 38, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - G8341
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat9 450/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - G8343
Launch
Announced2019, November. Released 2019, November2017, August 31. Released 2017, September 19
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions157 x 76 x 9 mm (6.18 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)148 x 73.4 x 7.4 mm (5.83 x 2.89 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)155 g (5.47 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size5.9 inches, 89.8 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 540Adreno 540
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB 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, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single-19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.013 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3"
Video1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
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, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging-18W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3090 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Warm Silver, Venus Pink, Moonlit Blue
ModelsSH-C02G8341, G8342, F8341, F8342, G8343, SOV36, SO-01K
PriceAbout 210 EURAbout 260 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 82h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1406 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 65dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 69dB
Performance- GeekBench: 6541 (v4.4), 1527 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos V

  • Potentially lower price point offering excellent value.
  • Snapdragon 835 provides flagship-level performance.
  • Likely a more compact form factor.

  • Limited information on camera capabilities.
  • Lack of Quick Charge support may result in slower charging.
  • Potentially limited software update support.

Sony Xperia XZ1

  • Superior display contrast for better viewing experience.
  • Quick Charge 3.0 support for faster charging.
  • Sony’s BRAVIA display technology for enhanced color accuracy.

  • Slightly higher price compared to the Aquos V.
  • CPU clock speed difference is minimal.
  • May have a larger footprint than the Aquos V.

Display Comparison

Both the Sharp Aquos V and Sony Xperia XZ1 feature displays with a nominal contrast ratio of 1406, improving to 3765 in sunlight. This suggests similar panel technology focused on outdoor visibility. However, the provided data doesn't specify panel type (IPS, OLED) or resolution. Given Sony’s history, the XZ1 likely benefits from Sony’s BRAVIA display technologies for color accuracy and image processing, a feature not explicitly present in the Aquos V’s specifications. The lack of refresh rate data suggests both operate at a standard 60Hz.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. Sony historically excels in camera technology, and the XZ1 likely benefits from Sony’s image signal processing expertise. The Aquos V, while capable, likely prioritizes affordability over cutting-edge camera features. The absence of any mention of secondary cameras suggests neither phone heavily emphasized features like wide-angle or macro photography.

Performance

At the heart of both devices lies the Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) chipset. The Xperia XZ1 boasts a slightly higher CPU clock speed – 2.45 GHz versus the Aquos V’s 2.35 GHz on its four performance cores. While this 100MHz difference is measurable in benchmarks, the real-world impact for most users will be minimal. Both phones utilize an octa-core configuration with the same 1.9 GHz clock speed for efficiency cores. Thermal management will be crucial; the 10nm process helps, but sustained workloads could lead to throttling on both devices. RAM specifications are missing, but both likely shipped with 4GB or 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, sufficient for smooth multitasking in 2017.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia XZ1 has an endurance rating of 82 hours, indicating solid battery life. Crucially, it supports 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0 (QC3) technology. The Aquos V’s battery capacity and charging capabilities are not specified. Given the shared chipset and similar display characteristics, the Aquos V’s battery life is likely comparable, but the lack of QC3 support means slower charging times. The 82-hour endurance rating for the XZ1 suggests a battery capacity around 2700-3000 mAh, providing a full day of moderate use.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sharp Aquos V if you prioritize value and are comfortable with potentially limited software updates. It offers flagship-level performance at a potentially lower price point. Buy the Sony Xperia XZ1 if you value a more refined user experience, a better display for media consumption, and the assurance of faster charging and potentially longer software support from a well-established brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 835 in either phone struggle with modern apps and games?
While the Snapdragon 835 was a flagship processor in 2017, modern apps and games are more demanding. Both phones will likely handle most tasks adequately, but expect some slowdowns or reduced graphical settings in newer, resource-intensive titles. Optimizing settings and managing background apps will be crucial.
❓ How important is Quick Charge 3.0 support on the Xperia XZ1?
Quick Charge 3.0 significantly reduces charging times. The Xperia XZ1’s 18W charging capability will get you from 0-100% much faster than a standard charger, offering a considerable convenience advantage over the Aquos V, which lacks QC support details.
❓ What is the likely software update situation for both phones in 2024?
Both phones are unlikely to receive official software updates. Sony generally provides longer software support than smaller brands like Sharp. However, both devices are beyond their end-of-life support windows. Users may consider custom ROMs if they desire newer Android versions, but this comes with risks.