Sharp has announced its latest flagship Android smartphone, the Aquos 104SH. The 104SH is an extremely thin (8.7mm/0.34in.) handset and features a 4.5in., 720 x 1020 HD touchscreen. It will use the same Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 processor as the Google Nexus Prime, a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU that has been optimized for the next release of Android, version 3.2 “Ice Cream Sandwich.” The main camera is a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor that can shoot full HD video at 30 FPS. The auxiliary camera has a 3 megapixel CMOS sensor. It will ship with a 2GB MicroSDHC memory card.
The Aquos 104SH will have Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi 802.11n, and HSPA+ broadband capable of achieving 21Mps upstream/5.7Mps downstream data transfer rate. The Aquos 104SH is also dustproof and meets the IPX5/IPX7 standard for waterproofing to 10 feet. The prototype shown at the unveiling did not have HDMI-out.
The Japanese domestic model will use WCDMA on 1.5/2.1GHz. A dual band global version will use 900/1800MHz WCDMA and 1900MHz GSM. The domestic version will ship with earthquake notification and disaster evacuation information capabilities.
Sharp may also use the 104SH to showcase a custom UI, similar to the HTC Sense overlay.
Two sibling handsets will debut before the 104SH, the Aquos 102SH and Aquos 103SH. The 102SH is a near-copy of the 104SH, with the same 4.5in. LCD touchscreen and 12 megapixel camera, but will run Android 2.3. It is also slightly thicker at 9.7mm (0.38in.). The 103SH is a step down, with a 4.0in. 960 x 540 LCD touchscreen and a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 CPU. Both phones have the same dustproof and waterproof qualities as the 104SH and operate on the same frequencies: 1.5/2.1GHZ WCDMA for the Japanese market, and dual-band WCDMA/GSM 800/1800/1900GHz overseas.
Sharp will first introduce the phones through Japanese carrier Softbank. The Aquos 104SH will launch in the Japanese market in Spring 2012 and be available in three color combinations, blue, black and Orange/Blue. The 102SH will be available in Innocent Purple, black and white, starting in December 2011. The 103SH will come in Sprout Green, pink, white and blue-black, and launch in January 2012. The company has not released details on price, or when the phone will be available in other markets.
Aquos 102SH
Aquos 103SH
Aquos 104SH
