Leica's "Twins": Sharp AQUOS R9 pro Released, "Preemptively" Appears Ahead of Xiaomi 15 Series Launch

Leica's "Twins": Sharp AQUOS R9 pro Released, "Preemptively" Appears Ahead of Xiaomi 15 Series LaunchWhen it comes to Leica imaging in smartphones, Xiaomi is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind. However, beyond Xiaomi, Leica has another partner in the mobile world, and they have recently released a new product featuring Leica imaging

Leica's "Twins": Sharp AQUOS R9 pro Released, "Preemptively" Appears Ahead of Xiaomi 15 Series Launch

When it comes to Leica imaging in smartphones, Xiaomi is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind. However, beyond Xiaomi, Leica has another partner in the mobile world, and they have recently released a new product featuring Leica imaging. Right before the official launch of the Xiaomi 15 series, Sharp unveiled its new AQUOS R9 pro, making waves in the recent smartphone market.

On October 29th, Sharp held its Autumn/Winter AQUOS product launch conference, officially unveiling the AQUOS R9 pro. As a flagship smartphone powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, AQUOS R9 pro boasts a powerful hardware configuration: a combination of 12GB RAM + 512GB ROM, coupled with a superconductive thermal plate cooling system, ensuring a smooth user experience.

• The AQUOS R9 pro features a 6.7-inch Pro IGZO OLED screen with a resolution of 32101440P and a variable refresh rate ranging from 1-240Hz, along with an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. A 5000 mAh battery paired with Bluetooth 5.4, IP68 rating, etc., offers excellent performance in terms of battery life, connectivity, and protection.

However, the true highlight of the AQUOS R9 pro lies in its imaging capabilities. It comes equipped with a Leica-tuned triple-camera "Vario-Summicron" system, featuring a main sensor exceeding 1 inch, reaching 1/0.98 inch, with a 50.3 million pixel resolution. The ultra-wide-angle lens boasts a 122-degree field of view, combining with a macro lens for easy capture of diverse scenes. The telephoto lens supports 2.8x optical zoom and up to 20x hybrid zoom, satisfying various shooting needs.

The Sharp AQUOS R9 pro weighs 229 grams and measures 9.3mm in thickness, offering a comfortable grip. While this is not the first time Leica has collaborated with Sharp to launch a smartphone equipped with Leica imaging, due to Sharp's relatively weak performance in overseas markets, many may not have much familiarity with their previous products.

The launch of the Sharp AQUOS R9 pro right before the Xiaomi 15 series release is undoubtedly an interesting phenomenon. Although both smartphones differ in their positioning and target markets, it is undeniable that they will have a significant impact on the smartphone market.

Especially for Xiaomi, the exceptional performance of its latest smartphone product, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, in the Japanese market will inevitably pose a challenge for Sharp in the Japanese market. As a result, the upcoming launch of Xiaomi 15 Ultra is likely to be a focal point of competition between these two smartphones.

Overall, as a flagship phone featuring Leica imaging, the Sharp AQUOS R9 pro is bound to capture the attention of many consumers with its powerful hardware configuration, outstanding imaging system, and unique design concept. The unveiling of the Xiaomi 15 series will undoubtedly be another intense battleground for the smartphone market. How this "Leica Twin" rivalry will reshape the smartphone landscape remains to be seen.