Verge review 104SH

[martindesu]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/4/296...e-104sh-review

Does Docomo have a similar handset to this one; or no ICS handsets on Docomo yet?

[cheeseus]

I didn't know the 104SH isn't 3D capable.

The review doesn't mention whether the camera is one of the 12 MP CMOS sensors with the built-in optical image stablizer, and neither does Sharp's own site, so I reckon it doesn't because the Docomo SH-01D page does mention the optical image stablizer.

One thing that I found on the Sharp site and isn't mentioned in the review is the ability to plug in a USB keyboard in the 104SH. I hope the SH-01D supports this as well!

[yamanote]

Such a shame it's hypersim only...

[cheeseus]

Such a shame it's hypersim only...

Which is why I got the SH-01D actually, plus the 3D, plus the optical image stabilizer

[yamanote]

Which is why I got the SH-01D actually, plus the 3D, plus the optical image stabilizer

I have to say the 104SH looks better even if it is missing several features

[cheeseus]

I have to say the 104SH looks better even if it is missing several features

I agree! It does look better but to me these are important features, and let's not forget about the most essential one - UNLOCKED!!!

[martindesu]

Avoiding using a hypersim where possible, really makes a lot of sense.

I suppose it'll be a while until ICS meets Docomo? How does rooting go on these devices?

I quite like capacitive buttons at the bottom of screens I think... not sure... jury still out.

[tokyo_dom]

No infra-red!? And the review says it is becoming irrelevant?! Only when you are talking to hapless iphone users, who more often than not have to manually type each other's contact details in.

Bump schmump. That worked for the first 2 weeks but now its as reliable as trying to get contact details from a toaster.

[martindesu]

I have to say the 104SH looks better even if it is missing several features

Why's that? The SH-01D has some interesting features... hardware buttons on the bottom might well be more responsive too.

No infra-red!? And the review says it is becoming irrelevant?! Only when you are talking to hapless iphone users, who more often than not have to manually type each other's contact details in.

Bump schmump. That worked for the first 2 weeks but now its as reliable as trying to get contact details from a toaster.

Completely right. It really is a hilarious step backwards for "smart phones". It's all very well being able to play angry birds on the train, but when it comes to interacting with another human, even my Nokia from 1999 had infrared (which I used as a modem for my thinkpad - natsukashii ne!)

[cheeseus]

Completely right. It really is a hilarious step backwards for "smart phones". It's all very well being able to play angry birds on the train, but when it comes to interacting with another human, even my Nokia from 1999 had infrared (which I used as a modem for my thinkpad - natsukashii ne!)

Infrared is great! The type of we've got on japanese phones, it's fast! As fast as blutooth - and when you exclude the part where you need to pair the two phones by exchanging codes, the whole scranning business and the re-scan in order to do the actual transfer - you will have completed the transfer usign Infrared!

[tokyo_dom]

Except that no Japanese person realises the fact that Infrared works very reliably up to around 30cm or more!

Once you initiate the infra-red contact transfer they start rubbing their phone against yours like a virgin trying sex for the first time... (trying to align the infrared ports). I always have to say "chilll! move back a few cm and leave some space! that way you dont need to worry WHERE the port is, just the general direction!"

That adds precious seconds to what could be a 2 second exchange. And i always feel like i need to give my phone a shower afterwards.

[cheeseus]

except that no japanese person realises the fact that infrared works very reliably up to around 30cm or more!

Once you initiate the infra-red contact transfer they start rubbing their phone against yours like a virgin trying sex for the first time... (trying to align the infrared ports). I always have to say "chilll! Move back a few cm and leave some space! That way you dont need to worry where the port is, just the general direction!"

that adds precious seconds to what could be a 2 second exchange. And i always feel like i need to give my phone a shower afterwards.

rofl! Rofl! Rofl!

[martindesu]

The reviewer says something about "managing apps background data to make the battery last longer". Does anyone have any such suggestions for me?

I hope Docomo make some nice ICS mods. I think that the Softbank skin looks nice.

[cheeseus]

The reviewer says something about "managing apps background data to make the battery last longer". Does anyone have any such suggestions for me?

I hope Docomo make some nice ICS mods. I think that the Softbank skin looks nice.

Perhaps you're talking about the Background Data: ON setting, which you'll find in the first of three profiles under Energy... It is a separate setting on the 005SH. If Background data sync is on, the 3G icon and the signal icon will be green, when off - white. I keep mine ON because I need to receive my Gmail emails instantly - if set to OFF, the phone will check for new messages once every 15 minutes I think.

Yes, the SH-01D is a great phone!

[345triangle]

Hey guys, I wrote this review. Thanks for reading and reposting it! I'll try and answer anything I didn't manage to cover as best I can here.

I didn't know the 104SH isn't 3D capable.

The review doesn't mention whether the camera is one of the 12 MP CMOS sensors with the built-in optical image stablizer, and neither does Sharp's own site, so I reckon it doesn't because the Docomo SH-01D page does mention the optical image stablizer.

Yeah, I couldn't find much info on the sensor either. I found that it does have the same "手ぶれ補正" feature found in the SH-01D, though I wasn't super impressed — it works pretty well in normal situations, but you get a sort of rolling shutter effect if you move the phone about much. The good news is that the phone's high ISO performance is pretty decent anyway.

One thing that I found on the Sharp site and isn't mentioned in the review is the ability to plug in a USB keyboard in the 104SH. I hope the SH-01D supports this as well!

I did not know this! Not the sort of feature I would be inclined to use, but I suppose it's nice to know it's there.

No infra-red!? And the review says it is becoming irrelevant?! Only when you are talking to hapless iphone users, who more often than not have to manually type each other's contact details in.

Bump schmump. That worked for the first 2 weeks but now its as reliable as trying to get contact details from a toaster.

Ha. Irrelevant might be a little harsh, but I'll say this — I missed the feature a lot more three years ago (when I first started using an iPhone) than I do now. With pretty much any smartphone it's normally easier just to text across a contact, and even purikura booths have mostly kept up with the times! I'm sure it wouldn't cost much to include it, but I wouldn't want it to compromise the phone's design for something that I'd almost never use.

I suppose it'll be a while until ICS meets Docomo?

I went to au's summer collection event today and every single new phone there had ICS. Docomo's been slow out of the gate but I can't imagine they'll be launching Gingerbread phones this summer. Well, I can imagine it, but it would be pretty crazy of them.

I quite like capacitive buttons at the bottom of screens I think... not sure... jury still out.

I agree, and the arrangement on the 104SH makes sense. You get better use out of the screen and better app compatibility.

Overall I really liked this phone and plan to use it for a while. I don't think there's a better Japanese Android device around right now — a great combination of software and hardware.