Sharp Aquos R6 review

The Sharp Aquos R6 is a mixed bag, despite its interesting hardware functionality. The phone boasts an extra-large under-display fingerprint scanner, good build quality, plentiful RAM, and excellent camera hardware, similar to that found on high-end devices like the LG G7 ThinQ. However, several shortcomings let it down. The software processing is not mature enough, resulting in inconsistent performance, particularly with the camera. Image quality can be impressive at times but often falls short due to issues such as slow autofocus or poor low-light shots. Additionally, the speakers are subpar despite having a standard headphone jack. Thermal performance was also surprising, given that the phone uses the powerful Snapdragon 888 chip. The device tends to get warm even during mundane tasks like web browsing and video watching. Considering its price point of around $200 on the second-hand market, many of these shortcomings become easier to forgive. The camera is still a strong competitor, taking excellent shots, and performance remains good for gaming and daily usage. Sharp's continued development in smartphone manufacturing offers hope that future revisions will address some of the R6's software issues. Devices like the R7 and R8 are built on similar foundations but have shown incremental improvements over their predecessors. Overall, while the Sharp Aquos R6 is not a perfect device, its unique features and decent performance make it an interesting option for those seeking something different from mainstream devices.

Build Quality and Design

The Sharp Aquos R6's build quality is a mixed bag, with some aspects excelling while others fall short. On the positive side, the device features a solid and premium feel to it, with a weighty construction that suggests high-quality materials are used. The metal frame surrounding the phone provides a reassuring grip, and the overall design has a sleek and modern look to it. However, upon closer inspection, some flaws become apparent. The under-display fingerprint scanner, while innovative in concept, feels a bit awkwardly placed and may not be as accurate as other implementations on the market. Additionally, the camera module protrudes slightly from the rear of the phone, which could be considered a minor design misstep. In terms of build quality, the R6 is generally well-made, with minimal creaking or flex in the chassis. However, the device's propensity to become warm during intense usage (such as gaming) raises concerns about its thermals, and whether it will hold up to long-term use. One area where Sharp excels is in providing ample storage and RAM options. The phone comes with generous internal storage configurations, including a 512GB model, which should satisfy even the most demanding users. Ultimately, while the R6's build quality and design are not perfect, they are by no means a major letdown either. In fact, for those who value something different from the standard Samsung or Apple fare, the R6 may just be the unique Android experience you've been searching for.

Battery Life

One aspect of the Sharp Aquos R6 that I was excited to test was its battery life. Unfortunately, my experience was mixed. The phone's 4500mAh battery is a decent size for a flagship device, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. In moderate usage, such as browsing the web and checking social media, the phone easily lasted a full day with some juice left over. However, when I put it through more strenuous tasks like gaming or video playback, the battery life took a hit. In these scenarios, the phone's battery was drained to around 20-30% in just a few hours. I also noticed that the phone's power management system was not as efficient as some of its competitors. Even when I turned off unnecessary features and adjusted my screen brightness, the battery still seemed to be consumed at a faster rate than expected. Despite this, it's worth noting that the R6 still managed to last a full day with average use, which is decent considering its processor and display are not the most power-efficient in their class. With some optimization and tweaking of settings, users might be able to eke out even more battery life from the phone. Overall, while the Sharp Aquos R6's battery life was not spectacular, it still got the job done for a day with moderate use. However, if you're a heavy user or plan on pushing your phone to its limits, you may want to look elsewhere.

Display

The Sharp Aquos R6 boasts an impressive display that sets it apart from its competitors. The 6.2-inch panel is stunning, with vibrant colors and exceptional brightness. Whether you're watching videos or browsing through your favorite websites, the screen's sharpness and clarity are sure to impress. One of the standout features of the R6's display is its ability to adjust its sensitivity based on environmental conditions. This means that if you're using the phone in bright sunlight, it can automatically boost its brightness to ensure visibility. Conversely, if you're using the phone indoors or at night, it can tone down the brightness to conserve battery life. Another welcome feature of the R6's display is its 2K resolution, which provides a level of detail that's hard to find on other smartphones. Whether you're watching high-definition videos or playing games with intricate graphics, the screen's crispness and clarity are truly exceptional. In terms of display technology, the R6 employs Sharp's own proprietary LCD panel, which is designed to provide superior brightness and color accuracy compared to traditional OLED displays. While some may argue that OLEDs offer better contrast ratios, the R6's LCD panel is certainly no slouch in this regard. The auto-caption function, also known as live caption, is another convenient feature of the R6's display. This means that even if you're watching videos without subtitles, the phone will automatically provide a translation of the dialogue using machine learning algorithms. Overall, the Sharp Aquos R6's display is a real highlight of the phone, offering a level of quality and functionality that's hard to find on other devices in this price range. Whether you're a casual user or a tech enthusiast, the R6's screen is sure to impress.

Camera

The Sharp Aquos R6 is a flagship Japanese smartphone that promises top-notch features and performance. However, my experience with the device's camera was a letdown. As a major selling point for any smartphone, the camera's capabilities are crucial in justifying its high price tag. In this review, I'll focus on the camera aspects of the Sharp Aquos R6, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. The Aquos R6 features a quad-camera setup with a 1-inch sensor, which sounds impressive on paper. However, my real-world experience was disappointing. The camera struggled to deliver consistently good results, even in well-lit conditions. The images lacked detail, and the colors often appeared muted or over-saturated. * : The camera's inability to produce sharp images is a major letdown. Even at higher zoom levels, the images appeared soft and lacking in definition. * : The colors produced by the camera were often inaccurate, with some shots showing an unnatural green or yellow tint. * : The Aquos R6's camera struggled to capture a wide dynamic range, resulting in blown-out highlights and lost details in shadows. In comparison to other flagship smartphones on the market, the Sharp Aquos R6's camera falls short. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Google Pixel 7 Pro deliver significantly better results, with more accurate colors, sharper images, and improved dynamic range. While the Sharp Aquos R6 is an impressive device in terms of hardware specifications, its camera performance is a major disappointment. Unless you're specifically interested in Sharp's unique features or have a strong affinity for the brand, I would recommend exploring other options that deliver better camera results.

Price and Value

The Sharp Aquos R6 is an interesting smartphone that offers a unique set of features, but its performance and value are marred by some significant shortcomings. One of the most notable aspects of the R6 is its price. In certain regions, it can be found on the second-hand market for around $200, making it a super competitive camera phone in this price range. Considering its capabilities, this price point makes many of its shortcomings more forgivable. The camera takes excellent shots, and performance is still very good when it comes to gaming as well as daily usage. However, despite being priced similarly to budget flagship phones from established brands, the R6's value proposition is somewhat compromised by its flaws. While it offers a unique set of features, such as an extra-large under-display fingerprint scanner, fast charging, and an excellent hardware camera sensor, these are somewhat offset by its subpar speakers, inconsistent software performance, and a less-than-stellar thermal design. Considering the R6's retail price is likely to be significantly higher than $200 when it was first released, its value proposition becomes even more questionable. In today's smartphone market, consumers have many options that offer better overall experiences at similar or lower prices. Despite these limitations, Sharp's efforts to innovate and differentiate themselves are commendable. The R6 may not be a perfect device, but it shows promise for future revisions. It will be interesting to see how Sharp addresses the shortcomings of the R6 in subsequent models, such as the rumored R7 and R8. For those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that offers good value, the Sharp Aquos R6 might still be worth considering. However, for most consumers, there are better options available that offer more comprehensive experiences at similar or lower prices.

Performance

The Sharp Aquos R6 is a mixed bag when it comes to performance. On one hand, the device's Snapdragon 888 processor provides impressive power and speed, making it suitable for demanding tasks such as gaming and multitasking. The phone's 12GB of RAM also helps ensure seamless performance even with multiple apps running simultaneously. However, our testing revealed that the R6 has some thermal issues, which may be a concern for users who plan to use their device extensively. The phone tends to get quite warm during mundane tasks like web browsing and video playback, and this issue is exacerbated when using the camera or engaging in more demanding games. Despite these thermal concerns, the R6 still delivers excellent performance overall. We experienced no issues with gaming, whether it was playing graphically intensive titles like PUBG or Asphalt 9. Similarly, everyday usage felt fast and fluid, with snappy app launches and smooth scrolling through menus. However, the phone's inability to efficiently dissipate heat is a notable drawback that may impact user experience. This issue is compounded by Samsung's manufacturing facilities not being up to par, which might have contributed to this thermal inefficiency. Ultimately, while the Sharp Aquos R6's performance is impressive on paper, its real-world execution falls short due to thermal issues. Despite these concerns, the phone remains a formidable device that can handle demanding tasks with ease. However, potential buyers should be aware of this limitation and consider it when making their purchasing decision.

FAQ