Sharp Aquos R9 Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Sharp Aquos R9:
Network and Technology
- Network Support: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
- Launch: Announced on July 18, 2024, with release in September 2024.
- Status: Available.
Body and Design
- Dimensions: 156 x 75 x 8.9 mm (6.14 x 2.95 x 0.35 in)
- Weight: 195 g (6.88 oz)
- Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
- SIM: Nano-SIM + eSIM
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP68 rating (water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes).
- Military Standard: MIL-STD-810G compliant.
Display
- Type: PRO IGZO LTPO OLED, 240Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1500 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak brightness).
- Size: 6.5 inches, with a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 88.6%.
- Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi).
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Platform
- Operating System: Android 14, with up to 3 major Android updates.
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm).
- CPU: Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520).
- GPU: Adreno 732.
Memory
- Internal Storage: 256GB, 12GB RAM
- Card Slot: microSDXC for expandable storage.
- Storage Type: UFS 4.0 for faster data access.
Main Camera
- Dual Camera Setup:
- 50.3 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.55", dual pixel PDAF, OIS.
- 50.3 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", PDAF.
- Features: Leica lens, LED flash, HDR, panorama.
- Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, with gyro-EIS for stabilization.
Selfie Camera
- Single: 50.3 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/2.88", AF.
- Video: Yes, capable of high-quality video recording.
Sound
- Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers for enhanced audio.
- 3.5mm Jack: No.
- Audio Features: Snapdragon Sound for improved audio quality.
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7.
- Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE.
- Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS.
- NFC: Yes.
- Radio: No.
- USB: USB Type-C.
Features and Sensors
- Fingerprint: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Other Sensors: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass.
Battery
- Type: 5000 mAh.
- Charging: Wired charging (exact charging speed not specified).
Miscellaneous
- Colors: Snow White, Forest Green.
- Models: SH-M28SG.
- Price: Around 550 EUR.
Design and Finish :
The Sharp Aquos R9 features a sleek, modern design with an emphasis on minimalism and premium quality. The phone has a glass back and an aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel. The back is curved for easy holding, and the front of the device features an edge-to-edge display that maximizes the screen real estate.
It's relatively thin and light for a flagship device, making it comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The 6.2-inch screen size balances an immersive viewing experience while still being pocketable. The design is clean, with only subtle branding and no intrusive logos, resulting in a sleek, high-quality aesthetic. The Aquos R9 is also IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand being submerged in water to a certain depth, making it suitable for use in more challenging environments.
Display: A true highlight :
One of the standout features of the Sharp Aquos R9 is its display. Sharp has long been known for its display technology, and the Aquos R9 continues that tradition with a 6.2-inch IGZO OLED display. IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide) technology offers improved energy efficiency, color accuracy, and brightness compared to traditional OLED displays.
The Aquos R9's display has a QHD+ resolution of 3040 x 1440 pixels, which gives it a crisp pixel density of approximately 560 PPI (pixels per inch). This means the screen is incredibly sharp, displaying detailed content like 4K video, high-resolution images, and text with amazing clarity. Plus, the OLED panel offers deep blacks and vibrant colors, so everything from media playback to gaming looks beautiful.
The display also supports HDR10+, which improves contrast and color accuracy when watching HDR-enabled content. It's clear that Sharp has invested heavily in the Aquos R9's screen, and it delivers a visual experience that rivals many of the top flagships on the market. Whether you're watching media, playing games, or simply browsing, the screen provides an excellent viewing experience.
Performance and Software :
The Sharp Aquos R9 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, one of the newest and most powerful chipsets on the market. This chipset is built on a 4nm process, providing lightning-fast performance, enabling the device to handle demanding apps, multitasking, and even the most demanding mobile games. Equipped with 12GB of RAM, the Aquos R9 delivers a smooth and fluid experience with almost no stuttering when switching between apps or performing resource-intensive tasks.
In terms of storage, the phone has 256GB of internal storage, which should be enough for most users. Unfortunately, there is no microSD card slot for expandable storage, so users will have to manage their files and data accordingly. The phone runs Android 13 with Sharp's custom user interface. The interface is very light but includes some unique features, such as customization options and Sharp-specific tools. The UI is clean and there's very little bloatware to slow down the device, which is very nice for a flagship phone. The software experience is smooth with no noticeable lags, and since Sharp is focused on maintaining its high-end devices, updates should be relatively frequent.
Camera: Another dimension of photography :
The Sharp Aquos R9's camera system is one of its main selling points. On the back, there's a large sensor 64MP main camera that combines a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a 5MP depth sensor for more versatility in photography. The main camera uses advanced image processing to produce high-quality images with excellent detail, accurate color, and impressive dynamic range. In good lighting conditions, photos are sharp, clear, and vibrant.
The 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera has a wide field of view, making it ideal for capturing landscapes, group photos, and large scenes. While the wide-angle lens isn't as sharp as the main camera, it still provides high-quality images with minimal distortion. The 5MP depth sensor helps create portraits with natural background blur (bokeh), improving the overall beauty of your portrait photos. While it's not as advanced as the sensors found in flagship models like the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, it adds depth to your photography experience.
When it comes to low-light performance, the Aquos R9 impresses with its ability to capture clear images with minimal noise. Sharp's software optimizes nighttime photography, and the phone also comes with a night mode that brings out crisp details even in dark environments.
On the front, the Aquos R9 features a 16MP selfie camera that's capable of taking detailed and vibrant photos. It also comes with AI enhancements that optimize lighting and skin tones, making it ideal for selfies and video calls.
The video recording capabilities of the Sharp Aquos R9 are also impressive, allowing it to record 8K video at 30 frames per second. This is a remarkable feature for a smartphone, allowing users to capture high-resolution footage that rivals professional cameras. Additionally, the phone supports 4K video recording at 60 frames per second, allowing users to capture smooth, detailed videos in high resolution.
Battery Life :
The Sharp Aquos R9 is equipped with a 4,000mAh battery that balances battery life and performance. The combination of the power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and the power-saving IGZO OLED display means that the phone can easily last a full day with moderate usage, even with a high-resolution screen.
In terms of charging, the Aquos R9 supports 30W fast charging, which means you can charge the phone to a respectable level within an hour. However, the phone does not have wireless charging capabilities, which may be a disadvantage for some users who prefer this feature. However, this is not a major drawback considering the phone's excellent battery life and fast charging capabilities.
Connectivity and Additional Features :
The Sharp Aquos R9 offers a wide range of connectivity options, including 5G support, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC, ensuring fast and reliable connections for web browsing, gaming, and file transfers. The device also features a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, and a stereo speaker system for enhanced audio output.
Security features include an in-display fingerprint scanner for quick and secure unlocking, as well as facial recognition, allowing users to protect their phones in multiple ways.
Conclusion :
Sharp's Aquos R9 is an impressive flagship smartphone that combines cutting-edge display technology, powerful performance, and a versatile camera system in a sleek design. The stunning IGZO OLED display with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 makes it stand out in the competitive flagship market. The camera system isn't as advanced as some of its competitors, but it does offer good image quality, especially in good lighting conditions, and the ability to record 8K video is a feature that's not common on many smartphones.
