Created: 11 May 2016 · Last edited: 18 September 2026

Alongside the 5.3" flagship Aquos (launched by all three major carriers in Japan), Sharp also released a smaller version of the new iPhone-knock-off design. On au, this appeared as a new series dubbed the Aquos U. It was followed, a month later, by a new series for Y!Mobile titled Android One.

The 5" iPhone replica Aquos U SHV35/Android One 507SH utilises a lower (HD) resolution IGZO display aided by the advanced S-PureLED backlight. This low-mid-range phone is advertised to last more than 3 full days of normal use on a single charge, thanks to the energy-saving display technology and its 3,010 mAh battery.

The display features a 2.5D design and has chemically tempered Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4.

The SHV35/507SH is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor (MSM8952), which has 4 x 1.5 GHz cores and 4 x 1.2 GHz cores – fine-tuned by Sharp to suppress heat generation and power consumption – along with the Adreno 405 GPU for high graphics processing capabilities and 3D gaming. There's 2 GB RAM and 16 GB ROM, which can be expanded using microSDXC cards (max. 200 GB).

The rear camera uses the previous-generation 13.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, only enhanced with the new software found on the Summer 2016 collection flagships. It is not, however, the GR-certified sensor, although it is supposed to fare pretty well in low-light conditions. It is also furnished with the Capture Later feature, which allows recording a short video clip (7.5 frames/sec in 4K2K resolution) that can later be decomposed into frames and the desired best shot captured as a photo. The camera has no image stabilisation/shake reduction functions.

The front camera has a 5-MP wide-angle (85-degree) sensor. It also has the Skin Correction feature, where the software will automatically recognise a human face, detect the pores, and "fix" them by smoothing the skin. The inner camera also has the Hand Mirror mode, where it will work at 60 fps to act as an actual mirror.

The new Aquos U/Android One comes with an improved UI featuring the so-called Twist Magic function, which allows you to twist the phone (rotate it about 90 degrees and back while holding it) to switch between working applications. An auto-scroll feature has been added, too: you can start automatic scrolling of content by pressing your finger onto a dedicated icon. Also available is the Clip Now feature, previously only found on the Aquos Crystal models – slide your finger left to right along the top edge of the display to take a screenshot. Further extras include turning off the display when you put the phone in your pocket, and a small display window for use with a book-type case.

Another new feature is Relax Auto: the display will reduce blue light to fight eye fatigue. The phone's AI engine will learn your sleeping habits and adjust the backlight and screen refresh rate accordingly to help you fall asleep more easily.

The phone is waterproof and dust-proof – capless.

The design is very similar to that of its bigger brother: a metal strip goes around the entire side of the phone, and the rear is made of a flat, matte-textured panel designed to prevent fingerprints.

One shortcoming is that the phone does not have an LED indicator, unlike all previous Sharp models. This means that you'll need to light up the display to check if you have any missed calls, texts, or emails.

Being mid-range (at best), the Aquos U/Android One comes with just the b/g/n protocols for Wi-Fi. Bluetooth is version 4.2. No infrared. No digital TV either (One Seg or Full Seg). It does, however, have Mobile Wallet/NFC and Quick Charge.

Initially released with Android 6.0, the phone got two OS upgrades (details below).