Sharp is preparing to release its flagship smartphone, the AQUOS R9 Pro, beginning in Japan in early December 2024, with subsequent launches planned for Taiwan, Indonesia, and Singapore. The R9 Pro highlights photography, performance, and smart features to appeal to mobile photographers and power users. Ahead of making the device available on store shelves, the brand has revealed the majority of the AQUOS R9 Pro’s details through a press release.
1. Photography with Leica Collaboration
The AQUOS R9 Pro prioritizes photography, equipped with a triple-camera system developed with Leica. Each camera—standard, wide-angle, and telephoto—features high-definition 50.3 MP sensors. The standard camera includes a large 1/0.98-inch sensor, making it suitable for low-light shots and improving night photography.
The wide-angle lens offers a 122° field of view, ideal for landscape and macro shots, while the telephoto lens provides 2.8x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom, allowing clear capture of distant subjects. Dolby Vision support enhances video clarity and vividness. Additionally, a large, side-mounted shutter key allows for quick camera access and focus locking without needing the screen.
2. Built for High Performance
The AQUOS R9 Pro is designed to manage intensive tasks efficiently. It runs on the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip from Qualcomm, paired with 12 GB of RAM. With 512 GB of internal storage, the AQUOS R9 Pro provides ample space for apps, games, and high-resolution media.
A vapor chamber heat dissipation system prevents overheating, with cooling distributed around the camera ring, ensuring stable performance during gaming or extended video recording. The phone also includes stereo speakers, with the top speaker enclosed in a metal box to enhance sound quality and acoustic pressure for a fuller audio experience.
3. Smooth and Clear Display
The AQUOS R9 Pro’s 6.7-inch Pro-IGZO OLED display delivers Quad HD+ resolution. With a variable refresh rate of up to 240 Hz, the display offers smooth scrolling and animations, suitable for gaming and browsing. Outdoor visibility has been improved, with Sharp promising up to 1.5 times more brightness than previous models, making the display easier to see in bright conditions.
4. AI for Streamlined Communication
One of the R9 Pro’s standout features is Sharp’s Phone Assistant, powered by generative AI. This feature converts voicemails into text summaries, giving users a quick overview of message highlights. During calls, the AI can extract key points and save them as notes, making it easier to track information without manual note-taking.
5. Designed for Durability and Convenience
With a 5000mAh battery and Android 14 pre-installed, the AQUOS R9 Pro is built to last through the day. It includes IPX5/IPX8 water resistance and IP6X dust resistance for enhanced durability. The phone supports dual SIM (nano SIM + eSIM) and offers facial recognition and a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for secure access, even with a mask.
For photography enthusiasts, the R9 Pro offers optional camera accessories, such as a case with a shoulder strap for carrying it like a traditional camera. Users can also attach commercially available lens filters to the camera, providing additional creative options.
6. Pricing and Availability
The AQUOS R9 Pro will initially launch in Japan, priced at approximately JPY 190,000 (around $1,235 USD), in partnership with DoCoMo. Sharp has not yet provided specific release dates or pricing for other markets, though the phone will soon be available in Taiwan, Indonesia, and Singapore.
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