Panasonic Eluga U Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Network Capabilities

The Panasonic Eluga U supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, ensuring decent connectivity for 2G and 3G bands. It's equipped to handle GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 frequencies on both SIM slots, as well as HSDPA frequencies 900 and 2100 for 3G connections. While it lacks 4G LTE support, the HSPA speed allows for competent mobile data performance suitable for basic internet browsing and social media use.

Launch and Availability

Announced in July 2014 and released in August of the same year, the Panasonic Eluga U made its mark as a mid-range smartphone offering. However, it is important to note that the device has been discontinued, which may affect availability in the market. When it was released, it offered competitive features for its price range, drawing attention for its design and performance standards within the mid-range smartphone segment.

Design and Build

The Panasonic Eluga U features a sleek design with a thickness of 8 mm and a weight of 141 grams. It offers dual SIM capability, which provides users with the convenience of managing two mobile numbers simultaneously. The build is highlighted by its protection features, including a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen that ensures a robust defense against scratches and minor impacts.

Display Features

The device sports a 5.0-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. This gives the screen a density of approximately 294 ppi, providing clear and crisp visuals suitable for consuming media and normal daily operations. The use of an IPS panel also ensures better color reproduction and wider viewing angles, which enhances the overall visual experience.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Panasonic Eluga U is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset built on the 28 nm process. It features a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU clocked at 1.2 GHz and an Adreno 305 GPU. This combination provides adequate power for everyday tasks, including browsing the web, social media, and basic multitasking. With 2GB of RAM, the Eluga U manages to maintain reasonable performance on the Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system, although more demanding applications and games may pose a challenge.

Storage Options

The device includes 16GB of internal storage, which should suffice for storing a moderate amount of apps, photos, and other media. For users requiring additional space, the Panasonic Eluga U offers a microSDHC card slot, allowing for expandable storage. This feature provides added flexibility, making it easier to manage files and media.

Camera Specifications

The main camera on the Eluga U is a 13 MP shooter with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of capturing clear and detailed shots. It also supports video recording at 1080p@30fps, offering decent video quality for this segment. On the front, there is a 2 MP camera, which is sufficient for video calling and basic selfies but lacks the resolution for high-quality photography.

Audio and Connectivity

The device comes equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, providing flexibility in audio output options. For connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP support, GPS for location services, and microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer. Although it lacks NFC, the inclusion of FM radio with RDS and traditional connectivity features like dual SIM support make it versatile for users.

Sensor and Battery Life

The Panasonic Eluga U includes essential sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which support various applications and functionalities within the device. The phone is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery, which provides adequate power to cover a typical day's usage. However, heavy users may find the need to charge mid-day during extensive usage.

Price and Color Options

Initially, the Panasonic Eluga U was priced at approximately 240 EUR, positioning it as a competitive option within its segment. Its color variants included classic Black and White, appealing to users looking for stylish yet traditional aesthetics.

Overall, the Panasonic Eluga U offered a balanced package of features and performance for its time but has since been overtaken by newer technology. Despite being discontinued, it left a mark as a reliable mid-range smartphone.