Bezelless Smartphone Aquos

[spinedoc77]

My hot button with smartphones is screen to body ratio. It is something really that turns me off when it isn't up to snuff. I don't care about how great the specs are on a device, the ratio needs to be acceptable.

HTC's ratios for the most part are abysmal, we will see how the M9 stacks up. Ergonomics are something important to some folks.

Of course I have made exceptions, mainly the Iphone 6+. And since Apple's iphone6 devices are in lots of folks' possession, I guess it isn't the priority.

I've always wondered what the fascination with HTC's phones were, I've found the bezels were awful with a kind of double bezel, the black bezel portion and then the silver metallic frame would create a 2nd bezel. The software buttons sure didn't help either. At least Apple knows how to fool your eye into thinking the bezels aren't there by creating a black seamless look, I've only seen the Nexus 6 come close to it.

Back to the Sharp, does anyone know why there isn't a GSM model?!?!?!!?

 

[Oohara]

I've always wondered what the fascination with HTC's phones were, I've found the bezels were awful with a kind of double bezel, the black bezel portion and then the silver metallic frame would create a 2nd bezel. The software buttons sure didn't help either. At least Apple knows how to fool your eye into thinking the bezels aren't there by creating a black seamless look, I've only seen the Nexus 6 come close to it.

I'm totally with you here. Never been stoked about the newer HTC's tbh.

Back to the Sharp, does anyone know why there isn't a GSM model?!?!?!!?

Because satan

 

[AppleRobert]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-mobile-sharp-aquos-crystal-4g-no-contract-cell-phone-white/7278039.p?id=1219262037407&skuId=7278039

On sale at Best Buy. Of course this variant may dissuade folks though.

 

[sracer]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-mobile-sharp-aquos-crystal-4g-no-contract-cell-phone-white/7278039.p?id=1219262037407&skuId=7278039

On sale at Best Buy. Of course this variant may dissuade folks though.

Wow! Thanks (I think ) for posting that. If I didn't already have a stack of Android and iOS phones that I use as portable media players, I'd pick up a 2nd one.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

Absolutely gorgeous design. I like it!

 

[Savor]

I just got one a few hours ago. The Best Buy sale for the Boost version was too hard to pass up for $100.

This will likely just be used as a pmp when I go back to the the Philippines in a few months. But so far, I like it. Gets 10-14 mbps download speed in my room which is on par with the Xiaomi. The range is better than HTC One M7, Nokia Lumia 635, and Apple iPhone 5. Sound is actually decent. I downloaded the new Sharp software right away. I haven't checked the battery life yet but I am hoping as good as my M7 would be fine. It only hit 17k on Antutu and looks to lag on heavier games. But for $99 to watch videos, look cool, music, fast downloading, it is worth it so far. Perhaps the bugs and glitches will start to appear later but I already like it much better than the Lumia 635 which is shockingly priced around same price for Boost. Android KitKat 4.4.2 and 1.5 GB RAM helps alot along with a cooler design and HD screen.

 

[Centaurr]

anyone notice the new galaxy 6 looks alot like the Aquos Crystal, they copied it big time

 

[jamezr]

anyone notice the new galaxy 6 looks alot like the Aquos Crystal, they copied it big time

I mean how did i not notice it sooner!! You're right they look exactly the same...... /S

Bezelless Smartphone Aquos

Galaxy S6

 

[Centaurr]

thats not the galaxy 6, its this one with the borderless theme

 

[jamezr]

thats not the galaxy 6, its this one with the borderless theme

Sure just Google Galaxy S6 and you will find all kinds of renders. I m sure you can find one that will fit your "Samsung copied" needs. Truth is it will look nothing like the Sharp. So on Monday when they're lease the S6 will you come back and say you were wrong?

 

[jamezr]

thats not the galaxy 6, its this one with the borderless theme

They do not look the same to me...

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I am all for maximising space on the front of a smartphone to allow a bigger screen but I think this device takes it a little too far. A screen right to the very edge looks ugly and increases the chances of the screen being accidentally touched when gripped. I don't like screens that are bent around the edge of the device either so hopefully this is another fad that will quickly disappear. Just my opinion though and its still good to see experimentation even if some of it is rather bizarre.

 

[sracer]

I am all for maximising space on the front of a smartphone to allow a bigger screen but I think this device takes it a little too far. A screen right to the very edge looks ugly and increases the chances of the screen being accidentally touched when gripped.

Those of us who own one have not experienced this.

As for aesthetics, yeah tastes are very personal. You think it's ugly, I think it looks amazing.

 

[spinedoc77]

Those of us who own one have not experienced this.

As for aesthetics, yeah tastes are very personal. You think it's ugly, I think it looks amazing.

Amazing isn't even the word, it makes EVERY single other smartphone look like crap IMO. This is what phone makers should be working on, why can't they also work on minimizing touch errors and things like that? The utility of having a large screen in a smaller footprint is huge IMO and should be targeted by every phone maker.

 

[sonicrobby]

Bezelless design is amazing! If it really is 150$ off contract, I may just have to try it out.

 

[spinedoc77]

Bezelless design is amazing! If it really is 150$ off contract, I may just have to try it out.

$99 off contract at best buy, link is a few posts up.

 

[Savor]

I am actually posting using the Aquos and there is a slight lag while typing on SwiftKey. Not as noticeable as my girls' Kata F1s for the same price but it is there. As a browser using CM Browser, it is quick. Sites open only a split second slower than the Mi 3 and download speed is on par. What I don't like is the edge to edge can get accidentally touched. I have to hold it a certain way. The thickness at 10mm helps out a little. No bezels looks great but lacks ergonomics.

Like the reviewer Marquis Brownlee said, it reminds me a tad of the Microsoft Zune HD but with near stock Android 4.4.2. Too bad no custom ROMs. I was too busy yesterday updating my Xiaomi to MIUI 6. I was hesitant for a week but it is actually quite stable from my experience even if some have probs. The graphical glitches and weird battery drain on standby went away. The battery life on the Aquos is abt on par with the M7 when I first got it. 5-6 hr SOT. But it doesn't overheat or sudden drain below 20%. In fact, it did quite well playing videos well over 15 min on its last 1%. I like the slow burners at the end. Haven't checked out the cam all that much since I was too busy playing around MIUI 6 yesterday, but hey, no purple nonsense like from my M7 which makes it better already. I also really like swiping across to wake up the Aquos with the cool effects on the sides.

So far, 8/10. Nokia Lumia 635 is abt 7/10. The latter has great sound and battery but crashes too much while browsing or streaming videos. Both have the Snapdragon 400 but I am more familiar with Android which I still find more robust and the Aquos doesn't hang as often thanks to the 1.5 GB RAM and KitKat near stock. Still haven't got used to onscreen buttons as all my prev Android or WP had capacitive. Both are really good deals for the price I got them for (635 for $50/Aquos for $100). I am no longer regret selling my beloved M7 last week with its dying battery, bad cam, and weak Wi-Fi range as its replacements can make up some of the losses like the good display and design from Sharp and loud sound and longer battery life from the Nokia.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Those of us who own one have not experienced this.

As for aesthetics, yeah tastes are very personal. You think it's ugly, I think it looks amazing.

It was purely an assumption as I have never used one. I have used a Galaxy edge though and found that an awkward device to hold.

Indeed aesthetics are personal and I am glad you like it.

 

[coleblk]

Looks like a great little phone. So tempted to pick one of these up, but I don't use CDMA technology so it would be only used like a media player, and I already have a lot of Android "media players" as my iPhone 5s is still my daily driver.

 

[Centaurr]

Looks like a great little phone. So tempted to pick one of these up, but I don't use CDMA technology so it would be only used like a media player, and I already have a lot of Android "media players" as my iPhone 5s is still my daily driver.

little phone? its much bigger than the iphone 5s

 

[coleblk]

little phone? its much bigger than the iphone 5s

Most anything these days is...haha. Bad usage of the word, I meant it's a nice mid-ranger and decent specs. I have experience handling the HTC M8s, iPhone 6's, and Notes of the world so I have a pretty good idea about it size wise. Sharp has always intrigued me, kind of an underdog company! (At least in the smartphone world). With my luck, as soon as I pick up one of these, they'll release a GSM version. Any rumors on if that'll ever happen?

 

[Savor]

Not much of shutterbug but camera on the Aquos is abt a grade C- at best. I walked my dog yesterday in broad daylight and the pix came out rather darker than they should be. Very bright and clear day. My M7 took much better pix in broad daykight. In fairness, the Aquos rear cam is equal to my Nokia N82 after its firmware updates. Aquos' cam is equal to 7-8 year old flagships without the Xenon flash. Selfie cam is abt the same but I do miss the further and wider angle of M7 for no need of a selfie stick. Haven't used it as a phone or checked on the Harmon Kardon audio so far.

The good news is battery life is about same as HTC One, abt 5-5.5 hr SOT. And percentage doesn't drop fast under 20% and hardly overheats at all. An SD400 clocked at 1.4 GHz is sufficient enough as ones clocked over 2 GHz overheats more than it should. It does hiccup from time to time and some stutter playing Sonic Dash. Wi-Fi range and strength/speed are also very good.

My issues with it is holding the device and blocking the sensor on the bottom a few times a day. I gave it the Glaslark icons/theme using Nova Prime with one of the M7's original default wallpapers and it looks really good along with swiping it to wakeup with the flow light show beaming for a split second on the sides of the screen. Very cool effects. It isn't quite better than my old M7 overall but it is a worthy replacement. Its issues aren't quite as bothersome like my previous fashionista phone. Maybe its awkward ergonomics will later on as I am still going through a honeymoon phase with it. I haven't touched my Nokia Lumia 635 since I got it although I've been busy tinkering my now rooted Xiaomi Mi 3 with 4.4.4. AOSP by Ivan. Three's a crowd.

Definitely a much better deal than Moto G (2013). Other than cam and sound, Sharp looks better, bigger screen but as compact, LTE, more RAM, and microsd card. Having the latter is a huge benefit seeing 64 GB memory cards at Amazon go for under $35 these days. It doesn't take alot to please me. I was either getting this BRAND NEW vs a $200 second hand Sprint/Harmon Kardon gold edition of the HTC One M8 on Craigslist. I think I made a decent choice for the half price while still getting Harmon Kardon. And the Aquos looks much more unique than the now tired recycled designs of the HTC Ones. Removable back cover is also very nice which can't be said with the One's 1 or 2 out of 10 iFixit ratings. As long as Wi-Fi range is strong and fast, batt is over 5 hrs SOT using Wi-Fi or watching videos, and cam doesn't give me color tinted photos, I can keep it for awhile. Definitely a nice addition to my gadget family.

 

[Centaurr]

finally bought it. its awesome... hey does anyone know how to take off the google search bar on top on the crystal?

 

[sracer]

finally bought it. its awesome... hey does anyone know how to take off the google search bar on top on the crystal?

Congrats. The only safe way that I know of is to run an alternative launcher. I generally run Nova Launcher Prime on my Android devices, but the Crystal's UI is virtually near stock so I have decided to live with the search bar.

 

[Centaurr]

Congrats. The only safe way that I know of is to run an alternative launcher. I generally run Nova Launcher Prime on my Android devices, but the Crystal's UI is virtually near stock so I have decided to live with the search bar.

ohh ok, got it. i loaded the Dodol Launcher and now its gone. this phone is amazing and the design is top notch. the only down side is that the on-call audio is alittle low but other than that its superb, all i do is press the phone alittle more on my ear then i could hear better.