We heard Huawei’s partnership with Leica is ending. But that’s not the end of Leica on smartphone. Besides having its own smartphone, Leica has revealed that it has partnered with Sharp.
Yes. Sharp smartphone is very much alive… in Japan. The collaboration between Sharp and Leica starts with the Sharp Aquos R6 “co-engineered with Leica”.
Like the Leitz Phone 1, the Sharp Aquos R6 is rocking a 1-inch 20.20 MP image sensor, paired to a f1.9 7-element lens.
Further spec-sheet details include Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform, 12 GB RAM, 256 ROM – expandable up to a terabyte via microSDXC card, a 6.6-inch WUXGA (2,730 x 1,260 pixels) Pro IGZO OLED display, IPX5/IPX8/IP6X rated, and a 5,000 mAh battery. Wait a minute… isn’t that the same specs as the Leitz Phone 1?
Without going into deep into the details, the Sharp Aquos R6 does indeed appear to be the Leitz Phone 1 but with a slightly different design. And not surprisingly, this phone will also be available via SoftBank.
And it is not cheap either. While at 133,920 yen (about US$1,220) it is significantly cheaper than Leica’s, it is still pricey, flagship or not. Then again, it is a slightly cheaper version for those who are not willing to shell out 54,000 yen more for the Leica-branded phone.
Images: Sharp [JP].
