Cross-type AF points are not automatically sharper or inherently more accurate in every shot. Their main advantage is that they can detect contrast in both horizontal and vertical directions, while a single-orientation AF point works best only when the subject has detail at the right angle.

In practice, that means cross-type points are more versatile and more likely to achieve focus reliably across a wider range of scenes. For example, if a subject has only vertical lines, a single AF point that needs horizontal contrast may struggle, while a cross-type point can still work.

Whether focus is faster or more accurate depends on the camera, lens, AF design, and the scene. In situations where a normal AF point already has the kind of contrast it needs, you may see little or no difference versus a cross-type point. So the key benefit of cross-type points is broader usability and more dependable focusing in difficult subjects, not guaranteed extra sharpness by itself.