Sharp to Introduce AQUOS sense8 Smartphone

AQUOS sense8 (from left: Cobalt black, light copper, pale green)

Sharp Corporation will be introducing the new AQUOS sense8, a mid-range model smartphone. Starting with release in Japan beginning this autumn, sales will subsequently be launched in Taiwan and Indonesia*2. The long battery life offered by the AQUOS sense series has been further improved, and the camera and display have also been upgraded to provide higher image quality.

This model is the first in the AQUOS sense series to be equipped with optical image stabilizer on a large 1/1.55-inch image sensor camera. Even when shooting one-handedly, blur is reduced, enabling crisp, clear pictures. A new ProPix5 image quality engine, which incorporates the high image quality technology of the AQUOS R8 pro flagship model, supports HDR shooting that captures and combines multiple images of uncompressed RAW data. It reduces blacked-out shadows in scenes with a wide contrast range between bright and dark areas, and beautifully renders even the finest textures with rich tonal gradation.

The display uses Sharp’s proprietary 90 Hz variable refresh rate IGZO OLED. It combines high energy-saving performance with smooth display equivalent to up to a 180 Hz*3 refresh rate. The CPU is equipped with the latest Snapdragon® 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform to achieve smoother and even more comfortable operation.

The combination of a high-capacity 5,000 mAh battery and power-saving IGZO OLED display allows the AQUOS sense8 to be used for two days at 10 hours of use a day on a full charge. In addition to being among the lightest in the world at approximately 159 grams*4, it is also waterproof and shock resistant*5 and conforms to the MIL-STD-810H standard (shock and drop resistance meets MIL-STD-810G).


Product name	Brand name	Release date (Japan)
Smartphone	AQUOS sense8	Autumn 2023

■ Outstanding Features

1. The large 1/1.55-inch image sensor camera is equipped with optical image stabilization. A new ProPix5 image quality engine supports HDR shooting, which takes multiple shots of RAW data and combines them into a single image.

2. Equipped with 90 Hz variable refresh rate IGZO OLED display and the latest Snapdragon® 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform processor. Achieves smooth display equivalent to up to 180 Hz refresh rate for smooth, comfortable operation.

3. Equipped with a high-capacity 5,000 mAh battery and power-saving IGZO OLED display, AQUOS sense8 can be used for two days with 10 hours of use per day. In addition to being among the lightest in the world, it is also waterproof and shock resistant.

*1 Estimated value based on Sharp’s own standards, assuming a total of 10 hours of usage per day: four hours of video viewing, three hours of music streaming, two hours of social networking service viewing, and one hour of gaming. Actual battery life will vary depending on the usage environment.

*2 This news release contains information intended for the Japanese domestic market. Release dates and device specifications will vary depending on the country and region where the product is sold.

*3 In apps with smooth high-speed display and game settings registered in the gaming menu turned on, the display is updated 90 times per second while a black screen is inserted between frames. When these settings are turned off, the display state changes three times as fast (the display state changes 60 times per second) to achieve 180 times per second.

*4 For 5G-compatible smartphones with a standard battery capacity of 5,000 mAh. As of October 3, 2023, based on Sharp findings.

*5 In conformance with standards based on MIL-STD-810G/MIL-STD-810H established by the U.S. Department of Defense:
• Waterproofing (immersion): Test of immersion in water approximately 1.5 m deep for 30 minutes
• Waterproofing (raindrops): Test in which water droplets are dripped from a height of 1 m for 15 minutes
• Shock resistance (dropping): Product is dropped from a height of 1.22 m onto plywood material in 26 directions to test shock resistance of all faces, edges, and corners
• High-temperature storage (static): High temperature storage test resting undisturbed at 63°C for 72 hours
• Low-temperature storage: Continuous low-temperature storage test for 72 hours with temperature changing from –33°C to –25°C
• Low-pressure operation: Continuous two-hour operation test at low atmospheric pressure (57.2 kPa; equivalent to an altitude of approximately 4,572 m)
Performance of this product has been confirmed in a test environment and does not constitute a guarantee that all functions will work in all situations during actual use. Sharp also guarantees no damage or malfunctions against all impacts.

■ Main Features

Although it is a mid-range model, the AQUOS sense8 is equipped with a large 1/1.55-inch image sensor that collects a large amount of light. Optical image stabilization reduces blur even when holding the camera with one hand. It also supports all-pixel phase difference detection AF (auto focus), allowing the user to quickly focus on their subject. It also supports HDR shooting, which takes multiple images of uncompressed RAW data simultaneously and combines them into a single image. Even for daylight photos, it minimizes overexposure in bright areas, achieving rich tonal rendering and dynamic range that rival those of the flagship model.

The display uses Sharp’s proprietary IGZO OLED, which automatically controls the refresh rate between 1 and 180 Hz. The display is compatible with Rich Color Technology Mobile that enables the user to set image quality to match the scene, such as Outdoor View, which makes the screen easier to see even under bright sunlight. It also reduces blue light emission by approximately 50% compared to the previous model*6.

The processor features the Snapdragon® 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform, which improves CPU performance by approximately 36% and GPU performance by approximately 33% compared to the previous model*6. In combination with the IGZO OLED display, which supports up to a 180 Hz refresh rate, users can now enjoy watching videos and playing games more comfortably.

*6 Compared to the AQUOS sense7 model introduced in 2022.

Even if a user forgets to charge it the day before, the AQUOS sense8 has a long battery life that allows users to enjoy videos, games, music, etc., for a full 10 hours per day. If used for one hour per day after fully charging, it can be used for one week*7. In addition to its light weight of approximately 159 grams and compact size of approximately 71 mm in width, it complies with MIL-STD-810H established as a procurement standard by the U.S. Department of Defense (shock and drop resistance conforms to MIL-STD-810G). It is waterproof, compatible with high and low temperature environments, and is resistant to shock such as unexpected drops, so users can use it with confidence in their daily life.

*7 Estimated time based on Sharp’s own standards, assuming approximately one hour of use per day and approximately 23 hours of standby time, primarily for sending and receiving calls and messages (based on Sharp findings). These times may be shortened depending on actual usage conditions, such as playing games or watching videos.

■ Main Specifications (for Japan)


Product name	Smartphone
Brand name	AQUOS sense8
Operating system	AndroidTM 13
Size/weight	Approx. 71W x 153H x 8.4D mm/Approx. 159 g
CPU	Snapdragon® 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform 2.2 GHz＋1.8 GHz
Built-in memory	RAM 6 GB/ROM 128 GB
Display	Approx. 6.1-inch full HD+ (2,432 x 1,080 pixels) IGZO OLED display; 1 to 180 Hz variable refresh rate
Rear-facing cameras	Standard camera	Effective pixel count: Approx. 50.3 million; CMOS F1.9 lens [wide angle 84°; focal length: 23 mm*8 equivalent] Optical image stabilization
	Wide-angle camera	Effective pixel count: Approx. 8 million; CMOS F2.4 lens [super wide angle 120°; focal length: 15 mm*8 equivalent]
Front-facing camera	Effective pixel count: Approx. 8 million; CMOS F2.0 lens [wide angle 78°; focal length: 26 mm*8 equivalent]
Wi-Fi®	IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth®	Ver. 5.1
Battery capacity	5,000 mAh (standard capacity of built-in battery)*9
Waterproof/dustproof/shockproof	IPX5/IPX8/IP6X/MIL-STD-810G
Biometric authentication	Facial recognition (mask compatible), fingerprint authentication
Other functions	Osaifu-Keitai®, NFC, 3.5-mm-dia earphone jack, microSD card compatible

*8 35 mm conversion.

*9 Actual usable battery capacity may vary.

• Specifications and design are under development and may be subject to change at the time of release.

• AQUOS, the AQUOS logo, the AQUOS sense logo, and ProPix are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation.

• Osaifu-Keitai is a registered trademark of NTT Docomo, Inc.

• Google, Android, and related logos and marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

• Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

• Other product names and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Information on this product is also available on the following website:

https://jp.sharp/k-tai/ (in Japanese)