Japanese electronics manufacturer, Sharp, has unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the Aquos R8 and Aquos R8 Pro, featuring cutting-edge hardware and innovative features that will cater to the needs of mobile enthusiasts.
Sharp Aquos R8 and R8 Pro Overview
The Sharp Aquos R8 and R8 Pro are smartphones that pack many specs and features that should appeal to a range of users. The phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, coupled with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. This means that users will experience smooth performance, even when running graphic-intensive applications.
The Sharp Aquos R8 and R8 Pro come equipped with a 240Hz adaptive refresh rate display, which is perfect for gamers who require high-speed graphics processing. The phones also support Dolby Vision, which will provide stunning visuals and vibrant colours. They are both certified with a military-grade MIL-STD-810G durability rating and have IPX8, IPX5, and IP6X ratings, ensuring that the devices can withstand harsh environments, including water immersion, dust, and sweat.
The Aquos R8 and R8 Pro come with Leica-branded dual rear cameras, significant upgrades in the optics department. The R8 has a 50.3-megapixel Hector sensor with support for Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) backed by Leica, while the R8 Pro has a 47.2-megapixel primary 1-inch Summicron sensor co-engineered with Leica with EIS and a 1.9-megapixel secondary sensor. The front camera for both models is also impressive, featuring a powerful 8-megapixel snapper with the R8 and a 12.6-megapixel snapper on the R8 Pro, providing excellent quality selfies and video calls.
While price details have not yet been released in the market, both the Sharp Aquos R8 and R8 Pro are set to go on sale via Japanese carriers Docomo and Softbank starting in July this year. The Aquos R8 will be available in Blue and Cream shades while the Aquos R8 Pro is offered in Black colour.
Sharp Aquos R8 Specifications
The Sharp Aquos R8 runs on Android 13 and features a 6.39-inch full-HD+ (1,080 x 2,340 pixels) IGZO OLED display with up to 240Hz refresh rate and support for Dolby Vision. It is powered by an octa-core 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, coupled with Adreno 740 GPU and 8GB LPDDR5X RAM.
The phone carries 256GB UFS 4.0 storage, that can be expanded up to 1TB with microSD. Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, a 3.5mm audio jack, Beidu, Glonass, and a USB Type-C port. For authentication, there is an in-display fingerprint sensor. The phone includes stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. It weighs around 170 grams and is backed by a 4,570mAh battery with fast charging support, ensuring long-lasting usage.
Sharp Aquos R8 Pro Specifications
The Sharp Aquos R8 Pro also runs on Android 13 and features a 6.6-inch WUXGA+ Pro IGZO (1,260 x 2,730 pixels) OLED display with up to 240Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support. It has an octa-core 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, with Adreno 740 GPU and 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It gets up to 256GB of UFS 4.0 inbuilt storage, which can be expanded via microSD card up to 1TB.
Connectivity options are identical to its non-Pro variant. The Sharp Aquos R8 Pro features an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for authentication as well. It also gets the MIL-STD-810G durability and IPX8, IPX5 and IP6X ratings. The Sharp Aquos R8 Pro carries a 5,000mAh battery with fast charging support. It also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, ensuring a fantastic listening experience for music lovers.
Conclusion
The Sharp Aquos R8 and R8 Pro are equipped with some of the latest features in the smartphone market, making them an excellent choice for users who require high-end devices. With this level of support, Sharp could easily dominate the premium smartphone market if done right.
