Sharp has been working with Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) for a very long time, since around 1973 with their (and the world's) first LCD calculator. They introduced their first affordable premium line, AQUOS, LCD televisions to the market in 2001 and captivated consumers with the richness and clarity from the units. They are no strangers to the phone market either. Since 2000 (in Japan) and 2002 (in the US) they have been producing and manufacturing phones. Sharp has successfully manufactured 6 of the 9 Sidekick devices sold here in the states. With just that they have been known to change the state of technology on a consumer level. They have definitely set out to continue that trend. Sharp has partnered with the Sprint/SoftBank network, which includes Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile and Sprint respectively to bring their AQUOS Crystal phone to the masses.
We have discussed the first crystal phone to be brought to the U.S. market, and now we have a full review of the stylish AQUOS Crystal phone. Can Sharp win over the Sprint market and begin a new reign in well equipped and fashionable devices in the mobile space? We will take a look at what this little gem has to offer.
Hardware
Combining the immersive edgeless display, with a 5 inch, 720 HD display is truly remarkable. The frame is sleek and very comfortable and well thought out as far as placement of the 1.2 MP front facing camera. Initially, it was a little unsettling because most devices use the top of the phone for front facing cameras. Daring to be different Sharp gives you complete usage of the top space with the edgeless screen and not the sensors and notification lights, as well as the camera, which can make phones seem longer/bigger. The lower 1/2 inch of the screen has those necessary components. Also there are no physical buttons on the face of the phone either. Your standard volume rocker is nicely positioned on the left of your screen and your power button on the top. Easily one of the greatest designs and most productive usage of the entire front screen.
Daring to be different Sharp gives you complete usage of the top space with the edgeless screen.
The AQUOS Crystal has a great 8MP shooter on the rear with a flash beneath it. Also, it has a pretty extensive camera set up with help from Framing Advisor, Shutter Detect, and the ability to record 1080 on the rear camera and 720 on the front camera both at 30 frames a second. Memory expansion of up to 128GB via Micro SD to keep your music, videos and photos close at hand. You also have a 2,040 mAh non-removable battery that is said to get you an estimate of 13 hours. I was averaging about 11 - 12 hours before running to charge up again. HD Voice is also built in the unit but requires the other person to have it as well on their phone and subjected to the area that you are in. I have to applaud Sharp because they also managed to include M4/T4 HAC (Hearing Aid Compatibility). All of this is processed on a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor. Typically high end devices would read with these specs but the AQUOS Crystal came to play and it looks like they came to stay.
Software
The Crystal is running Android 4.4 (Kit Kat) without any additional skins or UIs. Making this a stock Android experience. But Sharp + Boost still managed to ship it with some apps to help it standout a bit along with all of the useful tools that Harmon/Kardon has with it's hardware.
The onboard apps such as nextradio and MobiSystem OfficeSuite are great to have on the device. I have to say the 2 apps I enjoyed most were ClipNow and Assistant. ClipNow is a new way for you to take screenshots on the Crystal. You simply just swipe from left-to-right form the top of the bezel and that's it. It is saved in its own folder and comes with its own embedded URL for easy sharing. The Assistant is powered by Speakonit and works is a surprisingly impressive version of Cortana or Siri that reads your news headlines to you, translate languages, check in to FourSquare and many other things digital assistants are capable of. For audio, it's filled with premium Harmon/Kardon audio technology. Live Stage for a better listening experience than your standard devices as well as Clari-Fi to improve digital sound quality. Sharp made sure to give the Crystal enough goodies to stand out from the mid-range crowd.
Sharp makes the best 720p display we've seen bundled into a great mid-range device.
TG 2 Cents
The price point, the quality, the usefulness, and the PRICE!! The choice is clear, Crystal clear! I would definitely say if you are in the market for a new phone on the Sprint Network (Boost Mobile or Virgin Mobile) go out and get this phone. The Sharp AQUOS is chic, stylish and powerful and very well priced for anyone. The quality feels and performs like a high end device but you don't have the high end price tag attached. You can pick yours up today and change your spending habits starting with this device.
The AQUOS Crystal phone gives a crystal clear perspective of what Sharp feels consumers will benefit from right down to the price point. With that said, I am sure the deciding factor for some may be the bottom dollar. If that is the case, get ready to go all in. Sprint is offering the Sharp AQUOS Crystal in either Black or White for $0 down on a 2 year contract or $10 a month (still no money down) with their Easy Pay program (typically 24 months). Boost Mobile also has it available, in White for $149.99 out of pocket through their web offer. Virgin Mobile will soon offer it in the Black color choice (pricing not currently available). Thanks Sharp for once again bringing tech simplicity to the market.
