Sharp has a reputation for unique displays and understated design. We're pitting two Aquos phones against each other: the older Aquos Xx, powered by a Snapdragon 810, and the more recent Aquos R5G with its Snapdragon 865 5G. Let's see how these phones stack up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Aquos R5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 offers significantly improved performance, 5G connectivity, and a more modern camera system. While the Xx might appeal to budget-conscious users seeking a unique display, the R5G delivers a vastly superior overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE 900 / 1700 / 2100 / 2500 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 28, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, May. Released 2015, July | 2020, February. Released 2020, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146 x 79 x 8.7 mm (5.75 x 3.11 x 0.34 in) | 162 x 75 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | IPX5/IP6X/IPX8 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 1440 x 3168 pixels (~544 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~77.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 99.5 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-PureLED | IGZO IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 12 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) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, 480p@210fps | 8K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.1 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Direct Wave Receiver
| 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 450 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 22 h 30 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3730 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red | Glare Black, Aurora White |
| Models | 304SH, 404SH | SH-51A, SHG01, SH-R50 |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 700 EUR |
Sharp Aquos Xx
- Unique IGZO Display
- Compact Size
- Potentially Lower Price (if available)
- Outdated Processor
- Limited Availability
- Lower Camera Quality
- No 5G
Sharp Aquos R5G
- Flagship Snapdragon 865 Performance
- 5G Connectivity
- Superior Camera System
- Likely Better Battery Life
- Modern Design
- Higher Price
- Potentially Larger Size
Display Comparison
The Aquos Xx featured Sharp's IGZO display technology, known for its excellent color accuracy and brightness. The R5G continued this tradition, likely with improvements in resolution and refresh rate (speculative, as exact details are limited). The R5G likely has a higher resolution and potentially a smoother refresh rate, offering a more visually immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
The R5G's camera system is expected to be considerably better. The Snapdragon 865 includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) and likely features a higher resolution sensor and improved image stabilization. The Xx's camera was adequate but lacks the capabilities of a modern flagship.
Performance
This is where the R5G truly shines. The Snapdragon 865 is a massive upgrade over the Snapdragon 810. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the R5G. The Xx's 810 chipset, while decent in its time, struggles with modern demands.
Battery Life
While specific battery capacities are not readily available for the Xx, the R5G likely has a larger battery and benefits from the Snapdragon 865's improved power efficiency. Expect longer battery life on the R5G, even with its more powerful processor.
Buying Guide
The Sharp Aquos Xx is for those seeking a budget-friendly phone with a distinctive display and don't prioritize performance or 5G. The Sharp Aquos R5G is for users who want a premium Android experience with flagship performance, a top-tier camera, and 5G capabilities, willing to pay a higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 still usable?
The Snapdragon 810 is functional for basic tasks, but it struggles with demanding apps and games. It's showing its age.
❓ Does the Aquos R5G support 5G?
Yes, the '5G' in the name indicates it's designed for 5G connectivity.
❓ Where can I buy these phones?
The Aquos Xx is increasingly difficult to find new. The Aquos R5G may be available through importers or used marketplaces.
