Sharp Malaysia launches its smartphone – SH530U

When I participated in the Sharp 100th Anniversary’s campaign earlier, I did a little research on the brand and found out that Sharp manufactures; among other things, phones! It was only a few months back that I asked myself – “Hmm… interesting. How come no Sharp phones in Malaysia?“.

And voila, just this week, I was invited to the launch of the 1st Sharp smartphone in Malaysia!

Sharp SH530U - sharp phone in malaysia-001

Of course at this stage I won’t be able to advise you to buy this Sharp phone or otherwise. I do however have the price – it’s selling at RM1288 and is already available at Harvey Norman, among other IT/electronic stores.

Sharp SH530U - sharp phone in malaysia

A quick play with it revealed a “dull” screen – meaning it wasn’t as sharp as well a SHARP phone should be. I admit I could be biased, after all I’m rather spoilt after having used almost all the smartphones on the market.

Sharp SH530U - sharp phone in malaysia-002

It’s large 5″ screen is an attractive point. Another is the DUAL SIM compatibility. That is so perfect for travelers like me, since I always carry 2 smartphones with me whenever I’m out of the country, one for my existing Malaysian number and another for the local number with data.

sharp phone launch

Dual sim – Oh yeah! :DD

Sharp SH530U - sharp phone in malaysia-005

Hmm.. what else? Well, the 5MP camera (front) and (0.3 back) is snappy enough. I was told it could take up to 16 shots  at one go ( I didn’t test that out) but it’s not able to shoot video and pictures simultaneously (something I love in the HTC One X and SIII).  But of course, this is RM1288, so I have to remember to judge it for its value.

Sharp SH530U - sharp phone in malaysia-006

Sharp SH530U - sharp phone in malaysia-007

5 inches is big, and the current trend seems to favour bigger screen vs smaller ones. I for one, is seriously considering buying one on media price. All because of the dual sim of course.

Sharp SH530U - sharp phone in malaysia-004

Here’s a quick look at the more “relevant” specs:
Android 4.0 (up-gradable to Jelly Bean? Well the reply we got from the Sharp rep was at this point, they can’t guarantee but “maybe”).

SHARP SH530U: Specifications

Size/Weight 146.5 x 81 x 9.9mm / 168.8g
Screen 5” WVGA 480×800 TFT touch screen
CPU             Cortex Dual Core A9 1GHz
Operating System    Android 4.0
Camera 5.0 Megapixel Camera (Rear) with Auto Focus

VGA Camera (Front)

Network (Dual SIM) SIM1

GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
WCDMA 900/2100 MHz

HSPA DL/UL Speed: 7.2Mbps/5.76Mbps

 

SIM2

GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

GPRS Class 12

 

External Link GPS, WLAN 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0
Audio Format AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MP3, MIDI, PCM/WAVE
Video Format H263, H264, MP4, VP8
Image Format JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Battery 1950 mAh
Interface micro USB connector, 3.5mm stereo audio jack
Talk Time Up to 9 hours**  
Standby Time Up to 560 hours*

*Talk Time & Standby Time may vary due to actual network and usage conditions.

This Post Has 45 Comments

  1. cleffairy

    Hmmm…the only thing that attracts me about this phone ia a dual sim. Other than that…with that price…mebbe one of the Samsung family will be better? Aiyo…must test out first baru beli…

      1. rebeccasaw

        Oops…RM999 no more…that’s was just during the launch.

    1. SHOHY

      SH530U, from Sharp, VERY BAD! I Bought one on 9th Sept, two days later the phone dead in BLACK! Very amazing! And the SIM card can’t remove or insert when the phone power on, otherwise will be DEAD or reboot! VERY VERY amazing! How come this Japanese phone can be that situation!
      After many days very hard negotiation with Sharp company, almost the very bad service which I got, finally, they have to agreed to accept my returning requst on 18th Sept. Even though I am from China, but indeed this is a very very bad cell phone! I believe you will be disapointed when you have it! Believe me.

      1. rebeccasaw

        OMGGG!! I’m so sorry to hear that!!
        I know you’re from China, but you bought it IN CHINA? Or Msia?
        I’m glad you finally got it sorted out, so sad to hear of your experience!

      2. mariana

        hahaha … China people hate to use japanese product. i am not china chinese,hahaha so i have no problem with it unless the useless locked application. my chinesse boss bought me one, i think it still ok, except the chinese mobile operator locked the application, so i feel annoy in using it. cannot open google play even i have download one. it is not the problem of manufacturer, but it is problem from china operation system they lock the phone so we just can use china application. it make me feel sick. really want to find a real /unlock one, or any body can help me to tell me how to unlock it rubbish application.

      3. mariana

        next time if you find same problem try to plug your phone with cable data then press on/off & sound +/- together

        quotes :
        SH530U, from Sharp, VERY BAD! I Bought one on 9th Sept, two days later the phone dead in BLACK!

  2. karthik

    Now, its selling price was RM 1,199.00 , so better to buy SHARP at this time, Just try to use SHARP,… If anybody there? Please Share your reviews about this new technology SHARP Dual Sim Mobiles..

    Thank you!!

  3. Kevin Tan

    Let’s see if I can find a review unit for this.

    1. rebeccasaw

      Ah ok.. and how do u intend to find a review unit? 😛

  4. Leonard

    Woah! A smartphone from Sharp! Interesting..

    1. rebeccasaw

      Very interesting indeed! Sharp just celebrated its 100th anniversary so watch out for more innovations and new products from them! 🙂

  5. Sean

    The price is attractive indeed! I need to replace by phone cos all the buttons are falling out and/or not working properly already, but I’m waiting for a particular phone that will hopefully be released in Malaysia within the next two months, heheh 😀

    1. rebeccasaw

      Hahah i know i know you’re hooked on that “fruit”! 😛

  6. Kash

    It might become obsolete with all the new models coming out from other brands(yesterday was Iphone 5),but internal storage is good at 20GB. But Sharp and NEC phones were thee phones during the old GSM era!

    1. rebeccasaw

      Hahahah old GSM era!
      Bt it’s a smartphone – android 4.0 – so ok la! Now it’ pretty up-to-date already right?

      1. Kash

        Yes, it’s up to date, but they could have put more into it,like better screen res, HD and even 4G. Puzzles me why they didn’t.

  7. ulric

    Pass…I stick to d upcoming Xperia XT! :p

  8. Lawrence

    This makes a good secondary phone when travelling overseas with its large screen size and dual SIM features, though I am disappointed with the screen resolution.

    How to get it at RM999? 😉

    1. rebeccasaw

      Buy from me 😛
      Yes, I’m thinking of it as secondary phone too!

      1. famy

        haha can buy from u meh …999…I wan cerry red

      2. rebeccasaw

        Hhaha email me and I see if got stock

  9. kl

    why sharp not release with higher res…. anyway 999 for dual sim phone + ics is a good start. but only for media price not RSP….

  10. Nevets

    Triple 9 can get u a better device, if you know what I mean. 😛

    1. rebeccasaw

      heehhe care to name the exact device? big screen and dual sim yea?

  11. raj

    the thing about SHARP is that, i like SHARP, but just not this model. For an android, dual sim, 5inch screen, rm999-1288 seems pretty under-priced to me. nevermind about the price, but they’re no physical buttons at the front? 🙁 and i have a feeling the battery for this is going to juiced out very fast.
    Might want to consider this
    http://www.kyoex.com/docomo-sharp-sh-02d-aquos-slider-phone/
    its 8mp, physical numerical pad:), and its waterproof, a lil pricey, about rm 16++
    but i believe the sharp’s the japanese use lasts longer 🙂

    1. rebeccasaw

      Slider??? Noooo! LOL.
      Yea, no buttons. Hm.. guess I’ll wait then.. though i could really with a dual sim phone…

  12. Kien

    Dual SIM interests me. But is both SIM dual active too?

  13. kals juan

    rm 999?? got new stock?

  14. Bernard W C Goh

    Can anyone recommend where to buy in jb? Otherwise anyone reading this can sell me one SH530U CHERRY RED WOULD BE LOVELY

    1. rebeccasaw

      Hey, so there’s no stock to be found in JB?

  15. BeeGee

    Special offer RM999, first come first serve, limited stock!

      1. phong

        Does it has flash LED?

  16. Zul

    I want to buy white leather case Sharp SH530U. Can u help me..

  17. Zul

    I want to buy white leather case Sharp SH530U. Can u help me..

  18. GOW

    hi , i need to find a case in malaysia , anyone can tell me where can find it. tq very much.

  19. higashi

    hi,
    i have one
    but the problem is battery
    where can i got replacement battery for it?

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