Sharp Aquos Zero 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10+: A Detailed Comparison of Two Flagship Contenders

Released in different eras, the Sharp Aquos Zero 2 and Samsung Galaxy S10+ represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone. The Zero 2, with its focus on efficiency and a streamlined experience, contrasts with the S10+'s feature-rich package and established brand recognition. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device holds up better today, especially considering the S10+'s price has significantly dropped since launch.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user seeking a balance of performance and longevity, the Samsung Galaxy S10+ emerges as the more practical choice. While the Aquos Zero 2 boasts a more efficient Snapdragon 855, the S10+'s wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and superior display contrast ratio offer a more complete user experience, especially at its current price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos Zero 2 Samsung Galaxy S10+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global, USA
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 39, 41 - Taiwan1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, May 22. Released 2020, May 222019, February 20
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2019, March 08
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), ceramic back, ceramic frame
Dimensions158 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.22 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm (6.20 x 2.92 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIMSingle SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight141 g (4.97 oz)175 g / 198 g (ceramic) (6.17 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 103.8 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 240Hz, HDR10, Dolby VisionDynamic AMOLED, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M4 & 2x2.31 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA/LATAMOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) - USA/China
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Exynos 9820 (8 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/China
GPUAdreno 640Mali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAMAdreno 640 - USA/China
OSAndroid 10Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0-
Main Camera
Dual12.2 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 20 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple-12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, AF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@60fps (no EIS), 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
Dual-10 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm, depth sensor
FeaturesHDRDual video call, Auto-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide)-
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (USA & Canada only)
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.015W wired, PD2.0 15W wireless (Qi/PMA) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3130 mAhLi-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBluePrism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow, Flamingo Pink, Ceramic Black, Ceramic White, Cardinal Red, Smoke Blue
ModelsSH-Z20, SHV47, 906SHSM-G975F, SM-G975U, SM-G975W, SM-G975U1, SM-G9750, SM-G975N, SM-G975X
PriceAbout 670 EUR$ 199.00 / C$ 879.99 / £ 999.00 / € 299.00 / ₹ 39,940
SAR-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.03 W/kg (body)    
SAR EU-0.52 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)    
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -94.3dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 91h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.514 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- -24.7 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 333736 (v7), 399901 (v8) GeekBench: 10387 (v4.4), 2190 (v5.1) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos Zero 2

  • Potentially better power efficiency with Snapdragon 855 (7nm)
  • Clean Android experience (likely)
  • PD2.0 fast charging

  • Limited information on display quality
  • Potentially limited software support
  • Lacks wireless charging

Samsung Galaxy S10+

  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Superior display contrast ratio and brightness
  • Versatile camera system

  • Exynos 9820 (EMEA/LATAM) may throttle more than Snapdragon 855
  • Slightly lower power efficiency (Exynos variant)
  • Older device, potentially reduced long-term software support

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal 4.514 in sunlight), suggesting deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the Aquos Zero 2, which lacks specific contrast ratio data. While both likely utilize AMOLED technology, the S10+'s higher contrast ratio translates to a more visually immersive experience, particularly in bright environments. The S10+'s display is also likely to have a higher peak brightness, further enhancing outdoor visibility. The Aquos Zero 2's display specs are less detailed, making a direct comparison challenging, but the S10+ clearly has the edge in display quality based on available data.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are missing for both devices, but we can infer some differences. The Galaxy S10+ likely features a more versatile camera system with multiple lenses and advanced image processing algorithms. Samsung's history suggests a focus on vibrant, saturated colors, while Sharp typically aims for more natural color reproduction. The S10+'s camera likely benefits from features like Scene Optimizer and dedicated night mode. Without specific sensor size and aperture data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the S10+'s broader feature set and established camera reputation give it an advantage.

Performance

Both the Aquos Zero 2 and the USA/China variant of the Galaxy S10+ utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm). However, the EMEA/LATAM S10+ features the Exynos 9820 (8nm). The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 855 generally offers better power efficiency than the 8nm Exynos 9820, potentially leading to longer battery life and less thermal throttling in the Aquos Zero 2. Both CPUs feature octa-core architectures, but the Exynos utilizes Samsung's Mongoose M4 cores alongside Cortex-A75 and A55, while the Snapdragon employs Kryo 485 cores. Real-world performance differences are likely subtle for most tasks, but the Snapdragon 855 in the Aquos Zero 2 may exhibit slightly better sustained performance under heavy load due to its superior thermal efficiency.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S10+ achieves an impressive endurance rating of 91 hours, suggesting excellent battery life despite its 15W wired charging and the addition of 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless charging capabilities. The Aquos Zero 2's battery capacity is unknown, but its Snapdragon 855 chipset and potentially optimized software could contribute to comparable or even slightly better battery life. However, the S10+'s wireless charging options provide added convenience, and the reverse wireless charging allows it to top up accessories. The S10+ supports PD2.0, matching the Aquos Zero 2's charging standard, but the S10+'s wireless charging is a significant differentiator.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sharp Aquos Zero 2 if you prioritize battery efficiency and a clean Android experience, and are comfortable with a device that may have limited software support. It's ideal for users who value long-lasting power over extensive features. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10+ if you prefer a feature-rich flagship with wireless charging, a vibrant display, and a more established ecosystem, even if it means slightly less battery endurance. It's perfect for users who want a versatile smartphone with a strong camera system.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9820 in the Galaxy S10+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9820 is known to run warmer than the Snapdragon 855. While it won't necessarily overheat to the point of shutting down, users may experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, leading to slightly reduced performance. The Aquos Zero 2's Snapdragon 855 is less prone to this issue.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Aquos Zero 2 a significant drawback?
For users who frequently utilize wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the Aquos Zero 2 is a notable omission. The Galaxy S10+ offers both 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, providing added convenience and versatility.
❓ How does the software support compare between these two devices in 2024?
Both devices are past their prime software support windows. Samsung generally provides longer software support than Sharp. Expect limited or no further major Android updates for either device, though security patches may still be available depending on the region and carrier.
❓ Is the difference between the Snapdragon and Exynos versions of the S10+ noticeable in everyday use?
For most everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming, the difference between the Snapdragon and Exynos versions of the S10+ is minimal. However, the Snapdragon variant generally performs slightly better in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing due to its superior thermal management.