The Sharp Aquos Crystal is very close to being an Android nerd's dream device. It has virtually no bezel (except on the bottom) and comes with a stock version of Android 4.4.2. It looks unlike anything else on the market in the US today, and many Sprint customers will no doubt be happy to pick one up from the carrier starting today at $239.99 off-contract. People who prefer to walk out without putting any money down can get the phone for $10 a month.

People looking to pick up the Aquos Crystal through one of the carrier's MVNOs can get a better deal. Boost Mobile sells the phone in white for $149.99. Sprint Prepaid offers the phone in black through Best Buy, and Radio Shack will start carrying it on Oct. 21. Virgin Mobile is also expected to carry the phone in black for the same price at some point.

If the price hasn't given it away by now, the Aquos Crystal isn't a powerhouse. It's packing a Snapdragon 400 processor on par with the likes of this year's Moto G. It has only 8GB of internal storage (supplemented by a microSD card slot), 1.5GB of RAM, and a 2,040mAh battery. But in the looks department, the 5-inch 720p screen should hold up well. There's an 8MP camera on the back and a 1.2MP shooter on the front. And since there's no room for a physical earpiece above the display, the phone uses what Sharp is calling a Direct Wave Receiver that effectively turns the screen into one using vibrations.

The Aquos Crystal may not be a powerhouse, but it's nice to see a budget phone introducing elements that can make flagships jealous. If you can deal with having to rely on Sprint's network, this is one way to save money with style.

9.99 Sharp Aquos Crystal on Sprint

9.99 Sharp Aquos Crystal on Boost Mobile

Sharp AQUOS Crystal now available

The wait is over for customers who can’t wait to get their hands on Sharp AQUOS Crystal featuring a stunning edge-to-edge display.

Let’s break down the availability details for you:

Boost Mobile – AQUOS Crystal is available for $149.99 (excludes taxes) in white at www.boostmobile.com/aquoscrystal, Boost Mobile branded retail stores and Best Buy beginning today, Oct. 10.

Sprint – With Sprint Easy Pay, well-qualified buyers can purchase the black AQUOS Crystal in all Sprint retail channels including www.sprint.com/sharp and Telesales (1800-SPRINT1) beginning Friday, Oct. 17, with $0 down (plus tax) and 24 monthly payments of $10 (service plan is required).

Sprint Prepaid - Sharp AQUOS Crystal will be available in black through Sprint Prepaid for $149.99 (excludes taxes) in Best Buy stores on Oct. 10 and in Radio Shack locations on Oct. 21.

This great-looking device breaks the mold of traditional smartphone design with its frameless 5-inch edge-to-edge vibrant display and stunning picture quality. Key features include:

  • Harman Kardon LiveStage™ provides a more lifelike headphone listening experience by adding dimension to the sound
  • Clari-Fi™ technology improves digital sound quality by restoring all types of compressed digital music
  • Clip Now, which takes screenshots with one swipe and saves them with an embedded URL for easy sharing
  • 8MP rear-facing and 1.2MP front-facing cameras
  • Crystal clear HD Voice
  • 2,040mAh battery
  • 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB (RAM) and 8GB (ROM)