Panasonic P77 Comprehensive Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Panasonic P77

The Panasonic P77, introduced to the market in September 2016, is a smartphone that was aimed at users seeking budget-friendly options. With its compact design and fundamental features, it serves as a significant representation of its era, especially in emerging markets. Despite being discontinued, it still retains historical importance as part of the transitional period from feature phones to smartphones in many regions.

Design and Build

The Panasonic P77 measures 143 x 72 x 7.6 mm, making it a comfortable and compact smartphone to hold. Weighing 126 grams, it is lightweight, and this adds to the portability factor, which was a notable feature five years ago. The body holds a Hybrid Dual SIM slot, reflecting the need for connectivity and flexibility in SIM card usage, especially in regions where people had separate SIM cards for work and personal use.

Display

The device features a 5.0-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, showcasing a display density of approximately 294 ppi. While this might not compete with modern high-definition standards, it provides sufficient brightness and clarity for the casual user, making multimedia consumption simple and satisfactory.

Performance

The Panasonic P77 is powered by a Mediatek MT6735P chipset coupled with a Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and a Mali-T720MP2 GPU. These specifications supported moderate multitasking and basic gaming, which sufficed a major segment of users at its launch. The device came with 1GB RAM — a standard for budget smartphones at the time — capable of handling day-to-day tasks efficiently without significant lag.

Storage and Memory

The device was available in two storage variants: 8GB and 16GB internal storage, both expandable via microSDHC cards (utilizing a shared SIM slot). Although limited, this internal storage capacity was sufficient for users primarily interested in basic functionality like messaging, calls, and apps with minimal storage needs.

Camera

The main camera features an 8 MP sensor with autofocus and LED flash, allowing users to capture decent quality images in well-lit conditions. It also records 1080p video at 30fps, which offers reasonable video clarity for occasional recording. The front camera is a basic 2 MP shooter, suitable for video calls and basic selfies, mostly reflecting the standards and expectations of front cameras in budget phones back in 2016.

Battery Life

This smartphone is equipped with a removable 2000 mAh Li-Po battery. While not exceedingly long-lasting by today's standards, the battery life was adequate for the usage habits typical of its time, enabling a full day of average use without needing frequent recharging.

Operating System

The Panasonic P77 runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop. Although not the latest even at its release, this operating system provided users with a variety of functionalities and access to numerous apps on the Google Play Store, enhancing the overall user experience considerably for the target market.

Connectivity

The device supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technology, ensuring wide compatibility with mobile networks. It supports 2G, 3G, and specific 4G bands (3, 5, 40), which permits satisfactory online connectivity and download speeds up to LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps. Additionally, it offers standard connectivity features like Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and microUSB 2.0.

Additional Features

Equipped with FM radio and traditional 3.5mm jack, the Panasonic P77 appeals to users who prefer the simplicity and functionality of a wired audio connection. The inclusion of basic sensors like the accelerometer and proximity sensor offers fundamental interactive capabilities like auto-rotation and screen auto-switch-off.

Conclusion

Despite being discontinued, the Panasonic P77 remains a relevant figure in the transition from traditional to smart technologies in phones. With its modest features and capabilities, it catered to the essential needs of a specific customer segment. Its slender design, practical features, and affordable price point of around 100 EUR made it a feasible choice, especially in developing markets during its time.