Panasonic

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
Mediatek MT6737
Mali-T720 MP2
3 GB / 32 GB
5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Panasonic announced the launch of the Eluga Ray 500 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6737 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) operating system. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Let's explore what sets this device apart.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 / 1

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 specifications

BrandPanasonic
NameEluga Ray 500
ModelELRAY500
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.75 oz
Dimensions5.68 x 2.81 x 0.36 inch
Colorsblue, brown, champagne
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCMediatek MT6737
CPUQuad-core 1.25 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T720 MP2

The Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Eluga Ray 500 has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Eluga Ray 500 (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Eluga Ray 500 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This Panasonic phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Eluga Ray 500 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The Eluga Ray 500 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 / 7

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Fast charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Eluga Ray 500 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Eluga Ray 500 smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. With fast charging, you can get a significant amount of battery life in a few minutes of charging.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Panasonic phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
Add Panasonic Eluga Ray 500 to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
Phone42.com / Smartphones / Panasonic / Panasonic Eluga Ray 500