Created: 15 May 2011 · Last edited: 5 September 2026
The AQUOS Phone SH-12C is the headliner for the DoCoMo Summer 2011 collection.
It's another smartphone Sharp rolled out with a glasses-free 3D display, but the first to feature twin cameras capable of capturing 3D photos and HD 720p 3D videos.
The SH-12C's 4.2-inch display can switch between conventional 2D and stereoscopic 3D viewing, and Sharp provided dedicated 3D content and applications to make use of it. The phone's dual 8-megapixel cameras could also be used to take stereoscopic 3D photographs and videos, while the 3D camera mode allowed the two lenses to capture the slightly different perspectives needed to create the depth effect.
It was an impressive bit of technology for 2011, although the 3D effect was very dependent on holding the phone at the right viewing angle. Move too far to either side and the carefully separated images could become blurred or produce an uncomfortable double-image effect. Nevertheless, Sharp had managed to squeeze glasses-free stereoscopic 3D into a phone that was otherwise a perfectly conventional Android smartphone.
The SH-12C is equipped with a Qualcomm MSM8255 CPU at 1.4 GHz, has 512 MB of RAM and 2 GB of built-in memory. It boasts a stunning 4.2-inch AQUOS multi-touch display with 960 × 540 pixel native screen resolution (qHD), and an 8 megapixel CMOS-matrix dual main camera that can shoot 3D and 720p HD video at 30 fps.
The SH-12C has WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, infrared connectivity, GPS navigation, and a host of sensors: G-sensors, digital compass, proximity sensor, light sensor. There's also a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Specifications
- Display: 4.2 inches, 960 × 540 px — New Mobile ASV LCD
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 (MSM8255T) — 1.4 GHz
- Rear camera:
- 2 x 8 MP CMOS, AF
- 720p @ 30 fps, 3D
- Front-facing camera:
- 0.32 MP
- unknown
- Battery: 1240 mAh (removable)
- Operating system: Android
- OS version at launch: 2.3
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AQUOS Phone
SH-12C
- Waterproofing: None
- Dustproofing: None
- Operating memory (RAM): 512 MB
- Built-in storage memory: 2 GB
- External storage: microSDHC, 32 GB
The SH-12C also features traditional Japanese goodies such as One Seg TV, E-Wallet (Felica), BeeTV, SP-mode.
All phones of the AQUOS PHONE series will be capable of using the new 14 Mbps network starting in July 2011.
This DoCoMo keitai works on W-CDMA (900/2100MHz) and GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz) networks and is one of the devices for which the largest Japanese carrier offers SIM unlocking for use on other networks (meaning people living outside Japan are able to get a fully-functional keitai at last).
The SH-12C may appear slightly "heavy" for the person who is used to the very light plastic toys common in Europe and the US with its 135 grams, but for all it's loaded with, that's just fine methinks. Sizes are 127 × 64 × 11.9 mm, and it comes in either black or white colour.
AQUOS Phone
SH80F
- Waterproofing: None
- Dustproofing: None
- Operating memory (RAM): 512 MB
- Built-in storage memory: 2 GB
- External storage: microSDHC, 32 GB
In October 2011, the SH-12C became the first Sharp smartphone to become officially available outside Japan. The 3D Aquos Phone started selling in France, Germany, and England under the SH80F moniker by carrier Orange.
Since Europe did not have a digital terrestrial television broadcasting service designed for smartphones back in 2011 (and indeed never had), the One Seg TV module and antenna have been removed on the SH80F. And so has the Felica Mobile Wallet capability — mobile payments in Europe in 2011?!. The DoCoMo logo on the front top has been replaced by the brand name, Sharp.
The SH80F is only offered in navy blue.
Specifications of the SH80F here: http://www.sharp-phone.com/en/products/sh80f/spec.html