Sharp Aquos Crystal: Pros and Cons
Sharp announced the launch of the Aquos Crystal smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch TFT display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 SoC, and 1.5 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box, and a Li-Ion 2040 mAh, non-removable battery. The 5 inch phone comes with a TFT display (720 x 1280 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.
Table of Contents
- Sharp Aquos Crystal specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Sharp Aquos Crystal smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
Sharp Aquos Crystal specifications
Brand | Sharp |
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Name | Aquos Crystal |
Model | 306SH |
Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 4.97 oz |
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Dimensions | 5.16 x 2.64 x 0.39 inch |
Colors | black, white |
SIM type | Nano SIM |
The weight of Sharp Aquos Crystal is about 4.97 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) |
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SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 |
CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
GPU | Adreno 305 |
The Sharp Aquos Crystal comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | TFT |
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Screen size | 5 inch |
Resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
The 5 inch phone comes with TFT display. A thin-film transistor (TFT) features a thin-film transistor for each individual pixel. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 1.5 GB |
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Internal storage | 8 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
1.5 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Aquos Crystal has only 8 GB. You can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus |
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Flash | LED |
Selfie camera | 1.2 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Aquos Crystal does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP, LE |
GPS | A-GPS |
NFC | no |
FM radio | no |
USB | microUSB 2.0, USB host |
Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The Sharp Aquos Crystal supports 4G/LTE networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Aquos Crystal smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-Ion 2040 mAh, non-removable |
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The Li-Ion 2040 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of Aquos Crystal isn't removable without voiding the warranty.
Features, sensors, specials
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, proximity |
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Specials | Harman Kardon speakers |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth).
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Sharp phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- microSD slot
Cons
- TFT display
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.