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Sharp introduces first clamshell Android smartphone; plans to launch globally
Sharp has introduced the world's first clamshell Android phone to the Japanese market, where clamshell phones are still very popular. The Aquos Phone Hybrid 007SH features Android 2.3 Gingerbread and a 16 megapixel camera, all encased in a waterproof shell.
The main screen is 3.4 inches in size, and offers 854 x 480 pixels of resolution. There is a 0.7-inch OLED sub-display visible when the phone is closed that will show the time and notifications among other bits of information. The 16 megapixel camera is also capable of recording 720p HD (1280 x 720) pixel video.
As is common with many Japanese phones, the 007SH has a built-in digital TV tuner as well. It also has a digital wallet function, an infrared port, and a micro-HDMI port. All of these goodies are found in a not-so-svelte 113mm x 51.8mm x 19.3mm (4.45in x 2.04in x 0.76in) casing, and the phone weighs 140g (4.94 oz).
Sharp will be offering this phone through the Japanese carrier Softbank next month. While the company press release says that the phone is going to ship "worldwide," only the Chinese market is mentioned directly. This leaves us wondering if Sharp merely meant that the device will be available outside of its domestic Japanese market, and not truly worldwide.
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