Sharp unveils Aquos R8s Pro and Sense8 smartphones: Sleeper hits in the making?

Sharp will unveil the AQUOS R8s Pro and the AQUOS Sense8 on June 3. Although Sharp may not be a household name for phones, it has been making them since the 2000s, and the new phones bring something new to the table.

AQUOS R8s Pro: the sleeper gamer and camera

For those who don’t like to advertise that they game on the phone a lot, the discreet-looking AQUOS R8s Pro is perfect for the job. And what gaming other gaming phone has a top-tier camera to match?

• Advanced Heat Release System: The AQUOS R8s Pro features a specially designed heat release system that SHARP says can sustain high performance during extended gaming sessions.
• Dolby Vision and Atmos: Thanks to Dolby Vision and Atmos certifications, users are assured of superior viewing and listening experiences, high-definition video streaming, and high-fidelity audio.
• Battery and Performance: The R8s Pro sports a robust 5,000mAh battery for intense gaming. This battery is what you need when you’re supporting a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. In most cases, 256GB feels too small for a modern phone, but the expanded storage options help.
• Camera Capabilities: The 47MP main camera (1-inch sensor) features a 7-lens camera array to minimise glare and distortion for crisp images and all-pixel PDAF and RAW HDR support. It’s amazing they didn’t bother highlighting that it uses a Leitz Summicron lens — i.e. Leica. It’s a true sleeper.
• Additional Features: The case supports magnetically attached lens filters (like Xiaomi does for its Leica-themed phones), AI detection autofocus for pets, and a 6.6-inch Pro IGZO OLED display with WUXGA+ resolution. It also supports physical SIM, eSIM, and Micro SDXC up to 1TB. No stone is left unturned here.

AQUOS Sense8: really light and really tough

The AQUOS Sense8 addresses everyday comforts — together with the Sony Xperia 10 V, it is the lightest 5G smartphone in the world with at least a 5,000 mAh battery, weighing only 159 grams. But the Sense8 goes one further, as it was designed to withstand rough handling and demanding environmental conditions. 

• Durability: Top of the list is the fact it meets 16 MIL-STD-810G standards, which include tests for shock resistance, waterproofing, humidity, rapid temperature changes, vibration, and more. Light and tough is a pretty nice combination to have.
• Camera and Display: The 50MP rear camera is equipped with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), electronic stabilisation, and all-pixel PDAF for sharp and steady photos. The 6.1-inch IGZO OLED display delivers vibrant visuals.
• Battery Life: The two-day battery life is perfect for heavy users who really maximise the use of their phones by doomscrolling themselves through the day.
• Other features: The midrange Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor is perfect for balancing battery life and performance. The Sense8 offers 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, expandable via Micro SDXC up to 1TB. It also supports dual SIM (physical SIM and eSIM).

Availability

The AQUOS R8s Pro and the AQUOS Sense8 are priced at $1,299 and $638, respectively (pre-order $1,099 and $518).

They will be available from June 3, 2024, through the Sharp CocoroLife e-store and selected outlets of Best Denki, Challenger, Courts, and dealer stores island-wide.

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This article was first published in Potions.sg.