The Sharp Aquos Xx and Sony Xperia Z3+ dual were both flagship contenders in their time, boasting powerful Snapdragon 810 processors. But beyond the shared chipset, how do these phones truly stack up? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones share the same Snapdragon 810 chipset, resulting in similar performance. The Xperia Z3+ dual generally edges out the Aquos Xx due to Sony's refined software, slightly better camera, and more established brand reputation, though the Aquos Xx offered a unique edge-to-edge display.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE 900 / 1700 / 2100 / 2500 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, May. Released 2015, July | 2015, May. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146 x 79 x 8.7 mm (5.75 x 3.11 x 0.34 in) | 146 x 72 x 6.9 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~77.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 73.2 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-PureLED | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, 480p@210fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2.1 MP | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Direct Wave Receiver
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 81 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 450 h (3G) | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 510 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 22 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2930 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red | White, black, copper, aqua green |
| Models | 304SH, 404SH | E6533 |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 0.36 W/kg (body) |
Sharp Aquos Xx
- Near bezel-less display
- Compact size
- Decent performance
- Potential throttling
- Less established brand
- Camera not as strong as Z3+
Sony Xperia Z3+ dual
- Reliable camera
- Polished software
- Established brand
- Good battery life
- More traditional design
- Snapdragon 810 throttling can still occur
- LCD display
Display Comparison
The Aquos Xx's standout feature was its near bezel-less display, offering a truly immersive viewing experience. The Xperia Z3+ dual had a more traditional design with bezels, but its display was still vibrant and sharp. Both used LCD panels, not OLED, which impacted color accuracy and contrast compared to later phones.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Z3+ dual generally had a slight edge in camera performance, thanks to Sony's image processing algorithms. Both phones captured decent photos in good lighting, but the Z3+'s low-light performance was noticeably better. Video recording capabilities were also comparable.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 810, so performance is largely comparable. However, Sony's software optimization often resulted in slightly smoother operation and better thermal management. The Aquos Xx could sometimes exhibit throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z3+ dual typically offered slightly better battery life due to its more efficient power management and potentially a slightly larger battery capacity (around 3100 mAh vs Aquos Xx's 2930 mAh). Both phones supported quick charging.
Buying Guide
The Sharp Aquos Xx is a good choice for those prioritizing a near bezel-less display and a more compact form factor. The Sony Xperia Z3+ dual is better suited for users who value a reliable camera, a polished user experience, and the backing of a well-known brand, especially if finding a used device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 chipset still good?
While the Snapdragon 810 was a flagship chipset in its time, it's now outdated. It can still handle everyday tasks, but demanding games and apps may struggle, and throttling can be an issue.
❓ Are these phones still receiving software updates?
Official software updates have likely ceased for both devices. However, custom ROMs may be available for those who want to keep their software up-to-date.
