It's US$150 if apply the $5 off $35 welcome bonus (top right corner of opening page). Joybuy accepts Paypal making it a risk-free purchase. 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 repost of the previous deal but now with a slightly better price as part of a 18.6 sale.
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 630 6GB+64GB US$190/AU$255 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) aluminium frame
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zeekmag/with/36539406016/Sharp Aquos S2 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 -> turn on CC and auto-translate Russian->English
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:
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://imgur.com/a/lPASSwm
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 and white are sold out. Blue is the only color with remaining stock.
Can get black or white for US$190 from geekbuying. Instead of paying more suggest install a black grippy case and all you'll see is the blue outline around the camera & ports.
Q: Can the battery be replaced? Yes, follow this youtube vid to fit one of these:
AU$16 SHARP Aquos S2 HE332 Battery Brand New
US$25 SHARP Aquos S2 HE332 Battery Brand New
For me, this phone is worth a wait.. :)