Sharp

Sharp S3: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.0 (Oreo)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937
Adreno 505
3 GB / 32 GB
5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Sharp announced the launch of the S3 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IGZO display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The S3 series was launched with Android OS v8.0 (Oreo) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5 inch phone comes with a high resolution IGZO display (1080 x 1920 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Sharp S3 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.

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Sharp S3 specifications

BrandSharp
NameS3
ModelS3
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.04 oz
Dimensions5.67 x 2.8 x 0.33 inch
Colorsblack, green, pink, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Sharp S3 is about 5.04 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 versionAndroid OS v8.0 (Oreo)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 505

The Sharp S3 comes with Android OS v8.0 (Oreo) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIGZO
Screen size5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5 inch phone comes with a Sharp IGZO display. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The S3 has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of S3 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The S3 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The S3 comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2700 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 2700 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of S3 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsFast charging, AndroidOne

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The S3 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device.

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

  • IGZO display
  • microSD slot

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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