The Complete Guide to Sharp Z2 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to Sharp Z2

The Sharp Z2 is a smartphone that was announced in October 2016 and subsequently released in the same month. Although it is now discontinued, the device was a noteworthy entry in the smartphone market during its time, offering a balance of specifications at a competitive price. Its intriguing design, hardware capabilities, and feature set aimed to appeal to a wide range of users looking for reliability and performance.

Design and Build Quality

The Sharp Z2 was manufactured with a sleek form factor, sporting dimensions of 153 x 76 x 8.4 mm and weighing in at 160 grams. This thickness and weight offered users a comfortable feel in hand, while its construction favored durability. It featured a metal body and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, enhancing both security and style. The design was complemented with two color options: Silver and Gold.

Display

The device showcased a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, which provided vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The screen resolution was set at 1080 x 1920 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 401 ppi, which contributed to crisp and clear visuals. Sharp protected the display with an unspecified version of Corning Gorilla Glass, offering resistance against minor scratches and impacts.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the Sharp Z2 was the Mediatek MT6797 Helio X20 chipset built on 20 nm technology. The processor configuration included a Deca-core CPU: 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A72, 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53, and 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, aiming at delivering efficient performance across various tasks. The Mali-T880 MP4 GPU handled graphics processing, making it adequate for most multimedia and gaming needs.

Memory and Storage

The smartphone came with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, a typical configuration for mid-range devices during its release period. Users also had the option to expand storage through a microSDXC card, shared with a SIM slot using the hybrid dual-SIM setup, allowing for flexibility in managing personal data and applications.

Camera Capabilities

The Sharp Z2 was equipped with a 16MP primary camera featuring phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and an LED flash. Camera functionalities included panorama and HDR modes, and it was capable of recording video at 1080p at 30fps. On the front, an 8MP camera served selfie enthusiasts, although it lacked advanced features like wide-angle or portrait modes, common in more recent devices.

Battery Life

Powering the device was a Li-Ion 3000 mAh non-removable battery. During its time, the battery capacity provided a balanced endurance, catering to daily activities without the need for frequent recharging. Battery life was influenced by various factors like usage patterns and network conditions, but generally, it could easily last a full day with moderate use.

Connectivity Options

The Sharp Z2 supported a wide range of connectivity options, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring broader reach and faster internet speeds. Additional features included Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS with GLONASS for accurate location services, and an FM radio for local radio broadcasts. Notably absent were NFC capabilities, which limited contactless payment options, and increased reliance on alternative methods.

Additional Features

Included in the set of features was an infrared port, useful for controlling various home appliances. The fingerprint sensor, mounted on the rear of the phone, offered added security and quick unlock capabilities. Various sensors like accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass provided support for multiple applications, enhancing the overall user experience.

Software

Running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the Sharp Z2 offered an intuitive and user-friendly interface. While it was well-received at its launch, the software lacked updates to newer Android versions, which eventually placed it behind in terms of features and security updates compared to newer smartphones.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sharp Z2 was a commendable device during its release, offering a balanced combination of robust design, competent hardware, and essential features at a competitive price point. Despite being discontinued, it paved the way for improvements in future models from Sharp. However, its limitations in software updates and certain connectivity features were notable aspects that would give potential users pause in today's smartphone market. Nevertheless, the Sharp Z2 stands as an example of mid-range technological advancement during its time.