Panasonic is a big name in electronics, but it's been missing from the global market for mobile phones. Two Android phones, the Eluga and Eluga Power, lead its return.
Stephen Shankland
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
The Panasonic Eluga has a 4.3-inch OLED screen. It'll run Gingerbread for its European and Japanese debut but will get the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android this summer.
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Panasonic Eluga's D-shaped cross section
Panasonic's Eluga Power Android phone has a D-shaped cross section.
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Eluga's curve-mounted buttons
The power and volume buttons on the Panasonic Eluga are tucked into the curving back.
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Panasonic's Eluga Power has a more chiseled look than the regular Eluga that will precede it into the market. The Eluga Power is larger than the ordinary Eluga, with a 5.0-inch touch screen, and it's more powerful, with a dual-core 1.5GHz processor.
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Eluga Power: bigger than Galaxy Nexus
The Panasonic Eluga Power is just about as wide as a Samsung Galaxy Nexus (including this broken one on the left) but also taller.
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Panasonic Eluga Power back
The Eluga Power's volume and power buttons are on the flat of its back, but recessed within small rims.
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Panasonic Eluga
Panasonic's Eluga Android phone is a relatively slim model at 7.8mm with tapered edges.
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Back of the Panasonic Eluga
The back of Panasonic's Eluga phone shown at Mobile World Congress.
