It's US$163 if apply the $5 off $35 coupon (for new members). If the triangular screen corners bother you:
This app is perfect for rounding the corners. It's custom made for the Aquos S2, and makes the screen look so much better.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tools.buck…
A shameless edit of the previous deal but now with a slightly better price and white color option.
This is a mid range, dual SIM handset with better than midrange features such as 87.5% screen/body ratio (5.5 inch display in a body that would previously had a 5 inch display), power efficient Snapdragon SD630, NFC, Nice bright IGZO display, F1.75 camera and very good battery life. 140g and the small size make it easy to use one handed.
As a bonus you get Android Nougat 7.1.1 (and can update to Android 8.0 Oreo (third tab)) microSD support, Band 5 and Band 28 LTE support!
Downsides are that it has "the notch", Smile UX is not the best launcher, the 630 models have a plastic back, it is shipped with Chinese firmware, you need to install Taiwan firmware for Google Services, which seems straightforward and is explained on the Joybuy page.
Other models available
Snapdragon 660 6GB+128GB Black glass/Black alloy US$238/AU$315
Snapdragon 630 6GB+64GB US$196/AU$258 AQUOS S3 mini, no cutouts, no NFC, better selfie camReviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZopH4KrMqQo
https://www.mistertechs.com/2018/02/sharp-aquos-s2-review-en…Detailed review video (in Russian, in youtube, turn on auto caption, then click on the settings gear and select auto-translate to English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LApguNp_WYU
There is a review of the camera from 25:07Great close up images showing detail of the 6/128 glass and 4/64 plastic backs, as well as the anodised (for non-white models) alluminium frame
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zeekmag/with/36539406016/Whirlpool thread
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2664378xda developers thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/sharp-aquos…additional info in Russian
Check out the (huge) 4pda forum thread where the Aquos S2 4/64 appears to be very popular.
https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=838807
Protective case? Phone ships with one. Here's some alternatives
Shockproof cases:
* US$5.00 grippy matte black case
* US$1.60 clear case
* US$2.20 grey translucent case
* US$4.40 grippy case - several colors
Or as from whirlpool**
I ordered this cheap case (grey) which is suprisingly a perfect tight fit, accurate cutouts for buttons, mic holes etc, as well as having a frosted surface (fingerprint resistant) on the back, smooth (more grippy) around the sides. The downsides – there is a very faint moulding seam where the frosted joins the smooth surface around the perimter, the frosting seems to get smoothed/polished over time, maybe another colour would have been a better match with the blue. IMO it is lighter and much better in the hand than the included hard case, and around $2.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/For-Sharp-Aquos-S2-Case-Prot…
Q: When if ever is the black model likely to go on sale?
-Black only appeared briefly in the 4GB/64GB but was being sold in the pricier SD660 6GB/128GB model. Both are sold out.
-White had discounted stock released during this sale and is sold out. It doesn't use anodized paint so will wear the best.
-Blue was discounted during previous sales and is the only color with remaining stock.
Suggest install a black grippy case and all you'll see is the blue outline around the camera & ports.
@bonjovi: Thanks. The stars worked for me. Just using #s did not.