Panasonic T45 Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview

The Panasonic T45, released in August 2015, marked Panasonic's foray into the budget smartphone market. Despite being discontinued, the device offers a compact blend of essential smartphone features suitable for users seeking basic functionalities. With a sleek design, moderate power, and affordability, it caught the attention of a wide demographic seeking cost-effective mobile solutions.

Design and Display

The Panasonic T45 exhibits a simple yet practical design. It measures 130.6 x 65.3 x 9.5 mm, giving it a compact form factor that enhances portability and ease of use, especially for one-handed operations. Although the weight is unspecified, the design is streamlined and typical of budget smartphones of its era.

The phone sports a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display, with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 218 ppi, delivering clear and sharp visuals for general use and multimedia consumption. The screen-to-body ratio of around 65.4% ensures a balanced display experience without compromising on the handling dimensions of the device.

Performance

Under the hood, the Panasonic T45 is powered by a Mediatek MT6735M chipset, a common choice for budget phones to balance performance and cost. The quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, coupled with a Mali-T720MP2 GPU, enables it to handle basic tasks efficiently. However, high-end gaming and resource-intensive applications may be beyond its optimal capabilities. With 1GB of RAM, multitasking can be performed moderately, while its Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system ensures a user-friendly interface despite being outdated by more recent standards.

Storage and Memory

The device houses 8GB of internal storage, which was standard for budget smartphones at the time of its release. For users needing additional space for apps, photos, and other media, the Panasonic T45 offers a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing for expanded storage options. This feature enhances the practicality of the device for users who want to maximize storage without incurring additional cloud service costs.

Camera Capabilities

The Panasonic T45 is equipped with a 5MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash features, suitable for capturing basic photography and video needs. The LED flash aids in low-light scenarios, although the quality is typical for its class, leaning towards functional rather than exceptional. The front camera is a VGA shooter, primarily intended for video calls and simple selfies, reflecting its focus as a budget-centric device.

Battery Life

This device comes with a removable Li-Po 1800 mAh battery, offering a decent amount of power for a phone of its specifications. The battery's capacity is aimed at delivering a full day's use under average conditions. The advantage of having a removable battery lies in the ease of replacing it when needed, thereby extending the overall life of the device.

Connectivity and Other Features

Connectivity options include GSM, HSPA, and LTE support, providing a range of network compatibility for users. While the technology supports reasonably fast speeds via HSPA and LTE, it also ensures backward compatibility with older networks, enhancing its reachability across various regions.

The device includes standard wireless features such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. GPS is available for location services, while FM radio caters to conventional media consumption preferences. A common feature absent in this model is NFC, which is not surprising given its price segment. Additionally, it supports dual SIM functionality, appealing to users who require separate personal and professional lines.

Audio and Multimedia

The Panasonic T45 is built with a standard loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, which is advantageous for users who still rely on wired headphones for media consumption. The audio output, while not extraordinary, meets the criteria for basic needs. The inclusion of essential multimedia features aligns with the expectations for entry-level smartphones.

Price and Market Position

Priced at approximately 100 EUR during its release, the Panasonic T45 was positioned as an affordable smartphone option. This pricing strategy underlines its appeal to cost-conscious consumers seeking a device capable of performing essential functions without the financial burden imposed by high-tier models.

Conclusion

The Panasonic T45 stands as a testament to the company's attempt to cater to budget-focused consumers without sacrificing essential smartphone features. For its time, it delivered reasonable functionality and adaptability expected from an entry-level device, making it a viable option for users seeking affordability alongside the experience of a smartphone. Although it lacks certain modern advancements, its presence during its active years provided a suitable digital companion for basic communication and multimedia needs.