Sharp Aquos S2 The Ultimate Guide to Specs Prices Pros and Cons

Overview of Sharp Aquos S2

The Sharp Aquos S2, released in August 2017, marks a significant entry in the mid-range segment by Sharp. With its launch, Sharp aimed to capture the attention of consumers through its distinctive design and robust specifications. The phone was notable not only for its edge-to-edge display but also for incorporating an impressive dual-camera setup at a time when this feature was primarily associated with flagship devices.

Design and Build

The design of the Sharp Aquos S2 stands out with its elegant glass front and back, complemented by an aluminum frame that offers rigidity as well as style. The device measures 141.8 x 72 x 7.9 mm and weighs only 140 grams, making it lightweight and easy to handle. The use of Corning Gorilla Glass provides the front panel with a degree of resilience against scratches and minor impacts.

Display

A major highlight of the Aquos S2 is its 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2040 pixels. The screen delivers a high pixel density of approximately 420 ppi, ensuring vibrant and sharp imagery. An edge-to-edge design ensures that users enjoy an immersive viewing experience with an impressive screen-to-body ratio of approximately 79%.

Performance and Software

The performance of the Sharp Aquos S2 is driven by two chipset configurations. The base variant comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. The higher-end model features a Snapdragon 660 processor with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. Both configurations support expandable storage via a microSDXC card, sharing the SIM slot.

This robust hardware setup ensures smooth multitasking and a generally responsive user experience. The Aquos S2 runs on Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), which was standard for the time, offering users access to a wide range of apps and features while maintaining solid performance.

Camera Features

The dual-camera system is one of the standout features of the Aquos S2, comprising a 12 MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and an additional 8 MP sensor. This setup allows for enhanced clarity and detail in images, even in low light conditions, thanks to the dual pixel phase detection autofocus technology. The camera app includes features like Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, and HDR mode, along with video recording capabilities at 1080p and 30fps. The front-facing camera is an 8 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, suitable for selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

The Sharp Aquos S2 is powered by a 3020 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, supporting 10W wired charging. While the capacity appears modest, efficient power management combined with the processor's prowess ensures a full day's usage under typical conditions. The power-efficient Snapdragon chipsets further contribute to preserving battery life during media consumption and multitasking.

Connectivity and Other Features

Connectivity options on the Aquos S2 include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, and support for GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for accurate positioning services. Notably, NFC is present, which is often omitted in phones at this price point. Unfortunately, the device lacks FM radio capability.

The device features a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, supporting OTG for connecting external peripherals. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack might require users to adapt to wireless audio solutions or use an adapter.

Security and Additional Features

A front-mounted fingerprint sensor provides secure and convenient access to the device, while additional sensors like accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass enhance the device's functionality. The device was released in multiple color variants, including White, Black, Blue, and Green, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences.

Conclusion

The Sharp Aquos S2 offers an appealing package for those seeking high-end features in a mid-range budget. While its design and camera capabilities were noteworthy, it stood out for its robust processing power and elegant design. Despite some missing features like FM radio and headphone jack, the overall experience remains comprehensive and competitive in the market. As of its release, the Aquos S2 was priced around 450 EUR, which reflects its combination of performance and innovation in design.