Android

Monsters from Asia: the IP57-certified Sharp Aquos Xx 302Sh, or the most compact full-fledged flagship in the world

posted by Chris P.

Apr 07, 2014, 6:27 AM

Monsters from Asia: the IP57-certified Sharp Aquos Xx 302Sh, or the most compact full-fledged flagship in the world

A little over two weeks ago, we took our time to introduce you to yet another amazing smartphone assembled in the distant East -- the Sharp Aquos Mini SHL24 -- as part of our effort to highlight great tech manufactured in Asia. But instead of turning our gaze to another worthy manufacturer, we thought another of Sharp's smartphones deserved a special mention.

Say hello to the 5.2-inch Sharp Aquos Xx 302Sh -- an equal to the Mini SHL24 in terms of both what it brings to the table, and its similarly unfortunate naming, but also the world's most compact full-fledged flagship money can buy today. That's right, the 302Sh touts a whopping 80.5% screen-to-body ratio, a figure we've come to agree with in our independent measurements. The actual dimensions of the phone read 132 x 70 x 9.9 mm, or 5.19 x 2.75 x 0.38 inches (so smaller than your Galaxy S4) -- quite an impressive feat, considering the phone is also IP57-certified (water- and dust-resistant).

Best of all, Sharp's flagship innards do not disappoint in the slightest, too. Packing a powerful quad-core Snapdragon 800 and 2GB of RAM, this may not

f/2.5 aperture (left) vs f/1.9 aperture (right)

Pan focus example

be the most potent phone on the market, but it's definitely right up there. Speaking of memory, the phone comes with 32GB of native storage, and an option for expansion through a microSD card. Moreover, that 5.2-inch glass comes with a resolution of 1080x1920, and the panel itself is of Sharp's very own IGZO make. The battery, at 2600 mAh, is also no wimp.

Last, but certainly not least, the Aquos Xx 302Sh sports a 16.3-megapixel rear shooter with a super-wide, f/1.9 aperture, which Sharp touts allows for more light to be captured, resulting in brighter low-light shots. Moreover, Sharp also brags that auto focus time is as low as 0.5 seconds, and the camera unit can also take snaps with pan focus, meaning that pretty much everything beyond about 1 meter will be in focus. The 12-megapixel selfie cam at the front is also downright insane.

Unfortunately, this is where we take a moment to note that 302Sh remains a Japanese Softbank's exclusive, and is unavailable outside the island country. What's more, the phone isn't exactly cheap at about $670. That said, is there any real reason we should expect a price lower than that, all things considered?

Sharp Aquos Xx 302Sh

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42 Comments

40. djbuan

Posts: 5; Member since: Jun 29, 2012

I dont think the front cam is 12mp, I believe its only 1.2 MP.

posted on Jul 04, 2014, 5:02 PM 0

41. Sealblaighter

Posts: 443; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

No, you don't know what Japanese people can do. :D

posted on Jul 07, 2014, 8:36 AM 0

38. Finest

Posts: 90; Member since: Aug 16, 2013

Japan Man! At last the the war for compact and mini phones has ended.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 10:33 PM 0

36. jinxtabator

Posts: 20; Member since: May 19, 2013

Japan you continue to break my tech heart with your perpetual teasing :'(

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 3:00 PM 0

35. mmmanuuu

Posts: 403; Member since: Nov 05, 2013

Shut the fu6k up and take my fu6king money !

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 12:46 PM 0

34. Leonis

Posts: 338; Member since: Jan 08, 2014

This is the future tech of the western world. In about 2+ years will we be able to buy a phone that has 80% screen and is that small with ip 57!!!

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 11:56 AM 0

30. networkdood

Posts: 6330; Member since: Mar 31, 2010

misleading article...calling a 5.2 inch screen phone, a monster...see Coolpad 9976a if you want to see a monster...

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 9:35 AM 0

29. networkdood

Posts: 6330; Member since: Mar 31, 2010

screen still too small

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 9:34 AM 0

25. fireblade

Posts: 717; Member since: Dec 27, 2013

Japan is still alive!

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 8:20 AM 0

24. ryq24

Posts: 876; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

Sharp seems to make better looking phone than sony but ilike sony is not that good in terms of marketing that's why they are losing to samsung and lg!

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 8:15 AM 0

23. spiderpig2894

Posts: 597; Member since: Jan 10, 2012

Don't be deceived by the images! The bottom bezel is clearly thick! It would be better if the top and bottom bezels are balanced.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 8:12 AM 0

28. kaikuheadhunterz

Posts: 1157; Member since: Jul 18, 2013

I agree. I'd much rather have thick equal bezels than these

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 8:36 AM 0

18. gnppw

Posts: 95; Member since: Jan 28, 2014

Could those bezels withstand impact? .___.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 7:39 AM 1

17. Miracles

Posts: 560; Member since: Aug 31, 2013

Used Sharp Sh-01D ....it sucked at battery life and overheated. Never buying from them again.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 7:35 AM 0

22. Chris.P

Posts: 567; Member since: Jun 27, 2013

That's like a 3 year old smartphone. Should probably wipe the slate clean? :)

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 7:44 AM 1

26. Miracles

Posts: 560; Member since: Aug 31, 2013

I suppose so...they have made improvements. IGZO panel for that screen. That no bezel seems attractive.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 8:26 AM 0

16. mercorp

Posts: 1045; Member since: Jan 28, 2012

If sharp dared to import these internationally,I'm sure they will strike gold.. As long as there is marketing budget,which I don't think they have.But Sony is the second-best brand to get japan's best tech..