Sprint lands a Sharp AQUOS Crystal exclusive: 5" edgeless display, Harman Kardon audio
posted by Daniel P.
/ Aug 19, 2014, 8:46 AM
Boost gets the white AQUOS Crystal
Black Crystal model stays with Virgin, while Sprint gets both colors
Best of all, the first tangible product of the Sprint-SoftBank collaboration comes with the great pricing of zero on a two-year contract, and $149.00 on prepaid with Boost or Virgin. The Sharp Aquos Crystal will be available for release in the USA on August 29, with pre-orders starting today. If you don't want to have it for free on Sprint, or for $150 with Boost or Virgin's services, the MSRP is just $239.99, a pretty great price for such an ergonomic handset indeed.
Furthermore, together with the Crystal, Sprint will inherit a great service from Softbank, called App Pass. It is essentially an app renting option, which will add $4.99 to your mobile monthly bill, but you will be able to install a curated selection of premium apps for free, so it might save you a bunch of money in the end, depending on how much you spend on apps. Some of the examples include OfficeSuite 7 Pro, Camera Zoom FX, Minuum Keyboard, CamScanner and Color & Draw for Kids, as well as games from powerhouses like Gameloft.
Sharp Aquos Crystal
source: Sprint
Related phones
- Display 5.0" 720 x 1280 pixels
- Camera 8 MP / 1.2 MP front
- Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, Quad-core, 1200 MHz
- Memory
- Storage 8 GB + microSDXC
- Battery 2040 mAh
27 Comments
1. itsdeepak4u2000
Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012
Awesome... Bezel less...
Need to rest only one arm. :)
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 8:50 AM 3
2. Amir1 unregistered
this is a good example for a phone that puts style over usability/ergonomics. there are thing better looking at then holding, but wait, a phone is not a picture at an exhibition... this phone fails, but i like their courage.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 8:50 AM 1
9. Sealblaighter
Posts: 417; Member since: Jan 26, 2014
Sharp it's a very GOOD Japanese company. You may think they fail because they are not entered in the global markets(yet).
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 9:15 AM 3
22. jaytai0106
Posts: 1888; Member since: Mar 30, 2011
Believe or not, a lot of best Japanese products are kept in Japan. They don't want to share it with anybody else. Just take a trip to Japan and you'll be surprised.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 3:13 PM 1
27. Sealblaighter
Posts: 417; Member since: Jan 26, 2014
You can buy any Japanese smart phone from Ntt Docomo, and by next year from KDDi and Softbank too! Go and check kyoex.com.
posted on Aug 20, 2014, 10:53 AM 1
5. abhishekvashishth
Posts: 20; Member since: Aug 19, 2014
Imagine when you answering calls.
Oh okay. They're so genious(sharp) just rotate your phone from top to bottom & answer calls. Oh wow!
Is it a great idea? I think it's a fail.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 8:55 AM 2
10. Sealblaighter
Posts: 417; Member since: Jan 26, 2014
Maybe it doesn't have front speakers, as a Kyocera smart phone had. Yes, yes, I know you look at me as I am a fool, but Kyocera actually made a smart phone which does not have a speaker. Do not ask me what kind of advanced technology they used, but they did it! :D
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 9:18 AM 2
15. o0Exia0o
Posts: 903; Member since: Feb 01, 2013
Your not lying. I remember the phone, the Kyocera Hydro Elite. Here it is:
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Kyocera-Hydro-Elite_id7905
No speakers on it at all.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 10:09 AM 0
20. Sealblaighter
Posts: 417; Member since: Jan 26, 2014
There is a Japan only Kyocera too. I love Japanese mobile phones! :) Anyway, I have good news:By next year, Softbank and KDDI carriers will unlock their mobile phones too just as Ntt Docomo did in 2011! Wow!
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 12:57 PM 0
18. Sharky
Posts: 259; Member since: Jun 24, 2008
Yeah they actually mention it in the video. It uses the same bone induction technology (they just have a different name for it). Looking like an awesome phone for the price. If it has GSM/WCDMA I might just get one.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 11:14 AM 0
8. xperiaDROID
Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013
I'm jealous, is there anyway to get this outside US and Japan?
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 9:05 AM 2
11. Sealblaighter
Posts: 417; Member since: Jan 26, 2014
Hello. I think I can help you. Maybe you can not buy this Japanese device, but I know a good site from where you can order any Japanese smart phone from Ntt Docomo(the biggect carrier from Japan). Visit kyoex.com. :)
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 9:20 AM 0
12. xperiaDROID
Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013
Hi. The site is a paradise for Japanese smartphones, which is nice. But the problem is that it's from Ntt Docomo so I don't know it works outside Japan or not and it's running on Ntt Docomo's UI.
Thanks for suggesting me this site anyways.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 9:33 AM 0
19. ArtSim98
Posts: 3535; Member since: Dec 21, 2012
They are all unlocked. They wouldn't sell them other ways. An they are all set to English before selling. Also I believe you can change between stock android looks and Sharp's own FEEL UX. I haven't heard of them having Ntt Docomo UI.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 12:17 PM 0
13. pwnarena
Posts: 1129; Member since: Feb 15, 2013
if the relatively poor sharp can bring their device to a major US carrier, why can't sony do the same?
anyway, i think that device would look better with slightly curved edges.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 9:42 AM 0
17. Sharky
Posts: 259; Member since: Jun 24, 2008
Mainly because of Softbank's relationship with Sprint. If not for that you probably wouldn't be seeing a Sharp phone in the US. But who knows, maybe eventually Softbank will send Sprint some Sony phones as well.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 10:36 AM 0
14. neptune.joel
Posts: 26; Member since: Jan 12, 2011
awesome, just need to eliminate the bottom :D
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 10:05 AM 0
21. yep_its_ed unregistered
So the earpiece and FFC are on the bottom bezel? It'll be awkward to have to turn the phone upside down to make calls and use the camera.
posted on Aug 19, 2014, 2:59 PM 0
24. osanilevich
Posts: 287; Member since: Sep 29, 2009
that's a killer deal when you consider what you're getting for the price. Strongly contesting the Moto X, OnePlus One and anything made by Xiaomi for the best deal in mobile
