Sharp’s new iPhone 5c copy is called the Android One S3, runs stock Android

By Christian de Looper February 1, 2018

sharp android one s3 news

The Android One program is slowly but surely growing, and the latest one is sure to appeal to those looking for a decent midrange phone that offers a stock Android experience. The device comes from Sharp, and is called the Android One S3.

Perhaps the most notable thing about the phone is its design, and, as per GSMArena, it’s got a pretty familiar look. Many will remember the iPhone 5c, a so-called “budget” iPhone that came in a range of different colors, and didn’t last all that long. The Android One S3 comes in four different colors, including green, black, white, and pink.

Recommended Videos

Under the hood, the phone features some pretty decent specs. The phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, coupled with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage — though you can get more storage through the MicroSD card slot. The display is a 5-inch display with a 1,080p resolution.

Around the back of the phone, you’ll find a 13-megapixel camera, along with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, and under the hood you’ll find a 2,700mAh battery to power the whole thing.

There are some features missing though. You won’t get a fingerprint sensor, which is a little strange for a midrange phone these days. It does, however, offer MIL-SPEC water and dust resistance, so that’s perhaps why it costs a little extra than equivalent phones. And, of course, it offers Android One, which is a stock version of Android that only comes with Google apps pre-installed and should get timely updates.

So when and where can you get your hands on the phone? Unfortunately, it’s only available in Japan, where it costs 32,400 yen, or around $300. If you live in Japan, you can get it through the Y!mobile carrier.

For that price there are some other pretty great options, and some of them are even part of the Android One program. For example, we rated the HTC U11 Life as one of the best midrange phones out there, and while it doesn’t offer MIL-SPEC water resistance, it does at least boast an IP67 rating, which should be enough for most uses. Other phones, like the Lenovo Moto G5S Plus, are far better budget options, offering better processing power and more storage than the Sharp Android One S3. Still, the interesting design and stock Android software may be enough to push people into buying it.

Topics

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…

Mobile

iPhone 13 and Z Flip 3 keep Apple and Samsung sales strong in U.S. and Europe

Galaxy Z Flip 3 closed with Cover Screen active.

The smartphone markets in the U.S. and Europe are still suffering from a chip shortage, according to a report from Counterpoint Research, with overall sales being slightly lower in Europe and slightly higher in the U.S. than they were last year. In Europe, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple led the European smartphone market in Q3 (July, August, and September). Even though Samsung saw a decline from the immediately preceding quarter, the newly launched Galaxy Z Flip 3 helped its fortunes. The U.S. market remains dominated by Apple and Samsung, with Motorola continuing slow and steady growth.

Zooming out to look at the bigger picture, aside from Apple, the usual suspects who make the best Android phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo) lead the pack in the European market. This was likely with phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and OnePlus 9, along with lower-priced A-Series models, while there are some surprise entrants from the likes of Vivo and Realme. Huawei continues to decline, with the lack of Google services and the limited launch of the P50 continuing to take their toll, while former sub-brand Honor is on the rise. The company just launched the Honor 50 and Honor 50 Pro as its first phones with Google services in years, and it'll be interesting to see how these affect future sales.

Mobile

OnePlus 9 vs. iPhone 12: Is the new flagship killer worth the money?

oneplus 9 pro review

The OnePlus 9 is one of the most powerful smartphones you can buy right now. Decked out with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and 8GB of RAM, it will do pretty much everything you tell it to do. It also looks great, with its crystalline 6.55-inch AMOLED display boasting a very fluid 120Hz refresh rate. However, as strong a contender as it is, it isn't short of competition among flagships, and the iPhone 12 is probably the most popular -- and best -- of its would-be rivals. The latter sports a new flat-edged design, 5G support, and the brawny A14 Bionic processor, among many other features.

Much like the OnePlus 9, the iPhone 12 is a highly capable device. Which one is better though? We find out by comparing the two phones head-to-head, in which we examine their specs, performance, designs, displays, cameras, and software. This should help you decide which is the phone for you.
Specs

Mobile

Life with the Pixel 5, OnePlus 8T, and Galaxy S20 FE: Which is worth your $700?

pixel 5 oneplus 8t galaxy s20 fe shootout buying guide and cameras

Not that long ago, your choice of smartphones to buy for about $700 was modest, and not especially exciting. Throughout 2020, the range at this price has expanded, to the point where it’s hard to make a decision because there are so many tempting options. At the top of any list should be the $699 Google Pixel 5, the $699 Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, and the $749 OnePlus 8T.

You can decide based on specifications alone, of course, and compare this feature and all that, but I’ve been swapping between all three for the last few weeks, and I’m going to tell you which one I’ve settled on at the end of it all. It’s not a decision based on specs -- it’s about the nuances of living with each one, the designs, the things that work, and the things that don’t.
Daily use
Let’s talk about the Galaxy S20 FE. It’s the only one here with a plastic rear panel — or to use Samsung’s word, “glasstic,” because it’s supposed to feel like glass. It’s acceptable on its own, but against the OnePlus 8T and the Pixel 5, it’s not good enough. It doesn’t come close to the cool-to-the-touch, deliciously high quality matte finish of the OnePlus 8T, which you’d swear belonged to a phone that costs much more than it does.