SHARP recently unveiled two new smartphones as part of its vast product line-up, but it seems the electronics giant isn’t done with phones just yet for this year. Indeed, the company is introducing a new duo into its AQUOS phone series—the SHARP AQUOS R9 and AQUOS wish4.
So what is actually different between the four models? Well, while the AQUOS R8s pro is geared towards gamers, the new AQUOS R9 leans on photography. Meanwhile, the AQUOS wish 4 is the most affordable phone in the range, providing style alongside value.
Those are just the macro headlines for both phones, but there is more to talk about, so let’s dive a little bit deeper into what each has to offer.
SHARP AQUOS R9
SHARP AQUOS R9 comes as part of the company’s premium range, and If there is one aspect that differentiates it from the AQUOS R8s pro, it is most certainly the look. Admittedly, the latter’s design is rather basic, with only one colour option available (black) and an overt camera cutout smack dab in the middle. However, the AQUOS R9 does showcase a more pleasing exterior.
Made in collaboration with Miyake Design, a brand renowned for its minimalist and aesthetically pleasing creations, the AQUOS R9 features a more subtle rear camera design. Instead of one big cutout in the middle, the phone uses a more traditional placement at the top left side, with a distinctive curved circle cutout around the cameras.
It also comes in two colour options. There is no black this time, but you can get your dark aesthetic fix through the green variant, which emulates the look of jungle leaves. Meanwhile, the white colourway offers a more classy alternative for those who prefer a brighter look for their phones.
The new design does not take away from its durability; the AQUOS R9 is also a tough cookie. In addition to IPX8 waterproof resistance (immersed in water at a depth of 1.5m for 30 minutes), it can also survive a drop from 1.22m onto plywood and is resistant to high and low temperatures ranging from -33°C to 63°C. Curiously though, it doesn’t appear to be dustproof, which is strange considering the list of things it can withstand.
As for the insides, the AQUOS R9 comes equipped with a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip, with 12GBs of RAM alongside it. This isn’t the latest, most powerful processor available, but performance may be aided by the inclusion of an advanced vapour chamber cooling system, which SHARP says is a first for AQUOS smartphones. The system helps circulate liquid and vapour internally to efficiently dissipate heat during high loads.
In terms of software functionality offered by the phone, there’s Generative AI to look forward to. Users will be able to summarise voice messages, giving a detailed brief without needing to listen in to lengthy recordings.
Its 6.5-inch display also features the same Pro IGZO OLED technology as the AQUOS R8s pro. It comes with FHD+ resolution, a peak brightness of 1,500 nits, and a variable refresh rate of up to 240Hz. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support are also available to enhance the video-watching experience, with Atmos, in particular, taking advantage of the AQUOS R9’s stereo speakers—said to be the largest box of stereo speakers in the Aquos series.
When we say that the AQUOS R9 is about photography, we really mean it. The rear camera system has a duo 50-megapixel setup for the primary and wide cameras, but SHARP also shares the camera love all over by equipping the front camera with a 50-megapixel sensor. That means photography performance isn’t compromised whether you are taking regular photos or selfies.
There are also a couple of photography features you can use. Similar to Samsung’s Flip series, you can take photos by simply raising your palm towards the camera, making it easier to take wide group shots with the phone. For foodies, there is also an AI shadow removal tool for food to emphasise how delicious it looks visually.
AQUOS wish4
Moving on to the SHARP AQUOS wish4, it falls under the company’s budget-friendly line, but that doesn’t mean you are getting a basic-looking phone. Miyake Design has also worked on its design, featuring a more soft and rounded look across the edges of the phone alongside the minimalist aesthetic.
The phone also uses more pastel-inspired colours for its variations. The highlight is the blue colourway, which showcases an appealing baby blue shade for the exterior. The second colour option, even though it is called white, has a tint more reminiscent of rose gold. The last colourway is traditional black.
And despite its budget-centric focus, SHARP has taken durability very seriously for the AQUOS wish4. Like the AQUOS R9, the phone is waterproof and can handle extreme temperatures on the low and high end. However, it additionally comes with dustproof protection and can withstand drops onto concrete.
It is the internals that allow SHARP to keep the AQUOS wish4 affordable. The phone uses a more humble MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip with 6GB of RAM, while the 6.6-inch screen is an LCD with a 720p resolution. The display does offer a relatively fast 90Hz refresh rate, though apps may not support it.
But luckily for us, the company did not skimp too much on the rear camera. It may not have the same triple 50-megapixel combo as the AQUOS R9, but it does include one of the 50-megapixel sensors for the primary camera. The second camera at the back has a 2-megapixel depth sensor, while the front camera uses an 8-megapixel sensor.
The AQUOS wish4 also comes with useful features if you plan to give the phone to little ones or older relatives. There’s Junior Mode, which supports Google Family Links and makes it safe for children to navigate, and Simple Mode, which enhances accessibility with larger display text.
Lastly, the AQUOS wish4 has a huge 5,000-mAh battery inside. SHARP is perhaps a little too optimistic in declaring a week-long battery life (with approximately one hour of use per day). Still, it is a generous capacity, especially for a budget-focused smartphone.
Availability
Both phones will debut in Singapore on 29 July 2024. The AQUOS R9 will cost S$1,099, while the AQUOS wish4 will cost S$269.
Users can order either of these models from the SHARP CocoroLife estore, or the company’s flagship online stores on platforms such as Shopee and Lazada. Selected outlets such as Best Denki, Challenger, Courts, Gain City, and dealer stores island-wide will also carry the AQUOS R9 and AQUOS wish4.
Visuals courtesy of SHARP Singapore.
