Hand itchy want to get Japanese phone to replace my Sharp SH-01G.
As much as I like my SH-01G, it is getting a little slow compared to the newer smart phones out there currently. The lack of speed is especially prominent in comparison to AQUOS P1 (which I have used for a week).
Sharp SH-01g still good... new ones like crap
Have to agree with you that SH-01G is still brilliant, and the battery life is still insanely good after close to 20months of usage.
I currently owe a 502SH & a SH-02H and I have to say both suffers in battery retention compared to our revered SH-01G. Speed is on par with the phones out in the market right now here are the caveats.
1) Battery Life
Battery life is an issue. You'd expect AQUOS phone with IGZO screens to perform admirably in terms of screen on time but this is a letdown in my opinion, considering the fact you'd expect the newer models to outperform.
1% of battery usage on my SH-02H(6.0.1) lasts an average of 4-5 while SH-01G(4.4.4) in comparison lasts 5-6. There are many times it'd only last 3mins of SOT for 1% of usage, especially during heavy usage. This can be attributed to CPU/heat generation, which I'd cover next.
Battery during screen off is also weaker than SH-01G, draining 4-8% in 8hours compared to 2-4% for SH-01G.
(I can't comment much on 502SH with 90% battery health as SOT for 1% usage varies remarkably, from 2mins/1% to 7mins/1%. I could say, at least for my case, 502SH proves to be a finicky phone with an unconcerted battery gauge. )
It should be noted that Android 6.0.1 is NOT recommended for either of these AQUOS phones and should stay with 5.1.1 whenever possible.
2) Heat & CPU.
Reviews on Snapdragon 808 phones such as LG G4 might assuage you on the excessive heat generation but this, unfortunately, cannot be applied to 502SH/SH-02H. Both get hot under normal usage and this issue is excessively glaring when using it for a much more intensive purpose, such as Facebook browsing or loading multiple webpages/links. Heck, even using LINE for more than 5 minutes resulted in a warm 35degrees < heat on the battery while my SH-01G would have never felt warm in comparison.
To keep it short, 808 on AQUOS is disastrous, draining battery quickly under heavy load and it gets warm really easily.
3) OS.
I have to make this clear. My 502SH is 5.1.1 while SH-02H is 6.0.1. Andriod Lollipop still retains much of the function, such as screen shrinking, favourite bar, quick shortcut apps and the things you had come to be familiar with(4.4.4). Andriod 6.0.1 removes SHARP's proprietary recent app and uses Marshmallow design instead. Screen shrink/favourite app/mini-app will not be placed at the bottom of recent app screen with 'clear all' uncomfortably placed at the bottom right-hand corner, which resulted in many unintentional clear all app presses.
Japanese reviewers praised the better memory management as well as speedier OS but highlighted the poorer battery life in comparison to before their 6.0.1 update.
The most dire change is the axing of the 3 horizontal line which is located between Home and 'alt-tab' button.
4) Camera
Meh. Both are marginally better than SH-01G. SH-01G takes a sharper picture with less software editing while 502SH/SH-02H has less noise, but you can thank software processing for that. SH Camera layout is much more user-friendly but the button for video recording is uncomfortably placed just right beside 'take picture' button. Bad placement.
SH-01G will have more detail in night shots but will lose out in overall brightness. 502SH/SH-02H does a good job capturing light and lighting up dark spots but at the cost of very soft pictures will poor details.
5) Screen
Much improved. Visible from sides now but Vielview will not work as good, especially when viewing from the size. Strangely, it works perfectly well, or even better than SH-01G when viewed from the bottom side angle.
120Hz is a total eye-candy and it's a splendid privilege when you have an excessive battery to waste. Animations are buttery smooth but your phone will become a hand warmer in no time.
6) Overall comments/thoughts
AQUOS phones are starting to lose their uniqueness, the EDGEST display. If you are a fan of SHARP phones, you'd realise their recent models such as AQUOS Xx3 has lost the very thing it sets it apart from others. 2016 DoCoMo Winter models are a total let down with subpar hardware and software. Your only hope would be to pray that AQUOS Corner R makes it into Japanese Market by 2017 Q2.
I am now unable to have the confidence to use my SH-02H for 2 days straight without topping it up by night time. Battery life was once the exclusive attractive point, followed by EDGEST. But now? Adios good old AQUOS.
Misc
AQUOS P1 will never be as good as AQUOS Xx3/SH-04H. It lacks all the distinctive JP functions, especially VielView. Back of the phone is plastic instead of glass but the 2.5D glass front is lovely to use, and I have to praise SHARP for coating it with a anti-grease/dust coat.
P1 is speedy thanks to it's 820 but suffers from terrible battery life under heavy usage as well (maybe this is an outlier as my P1 came from an unreliable source). Camera is pretty okay and I am unable to find the advantages of the bump in megapixels compared to 01G/502SH/02H.
Side LED is lovely and will glow softly when your screen is gonna time out.
Side mounted fingerprint sensor is pleasure to use and it feels very natural.
