Sharp Aquos S3 is an Android One phone with a tough exterior and a soft chipset
Sharp has introduced a new Android One phone – the Sharp Aquos S3. Despite the name, this is an entry-level device rather than a follow-up to the Aquos S3 (which was more of a mid-ranger).
This is a fairly compact device with a dust and waterproof body. It even underwent some MIL-STD style shock testing by dropping it from 26 directions onto plywood from a height of 1.2m.
The screen is a 5” IGZO panel (1080p resolution) and has traditionally-sized bezels (a polite way of saying “big”). This is a Snapdragon 430 device after all, so don’t expect too much. You do get Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box, running on 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (+ a microSD slot).
The Sharp Aquos S3 comes with a 13MP main camera on the back and a 5MP selfie cam on the front. The company is promising vivid images thanks to the S-Pure LED backlighting of the display.
Anyway, this will be sold in Japan only for now at a price of JPY 32,400 ($300/€240). A bit pricey for no fingerprint reader and a 2,700mAh battery. There’s no mention if the USB-C port supports fast charging.
PS. the "Aquos S3" we've been hearing about will probably be called something else.
