Panasonic has just announced its first smartphone for Europe, the Eluga model, that features a 4.3 inch display and runs Android. This device was rumored from back in December 2011, but it’s only now that it gets an official name. This is a waterproof and dustproof phone, with a qHD OLED display and NFC on board.
The device weighs 103 grams and it will act as a remote control for Panasonic HDTVs. There’s no full specs list for this handset just yet, so we have no idea exactly what OS this device runs, but at least we know it has a NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi and a reasonable camera. The handset is shaped like the letter D in cross section, reminding me of the Samsung Omnia 7 and Nokia X7, as far as design goes. Panasonic is only one of the big Asian brands entering Europe this year, just like Fujitsu, that also made a similar announcement recently.
With the likes of Panasonic Eluga and Fujitsu Arrows, the competition in Europe will get tighter, particularly if the pricing is right. I have a feeling that Japanese phones will have a more premium pricing, since they tend to be higher specced and feature unique functions.
