Panasonic

Panasonic P51: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.2 (Jelly Bean)
Mediatek MT6589
PowerVR SGX544
1 GB / 4 GB
5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

Panasonic announced the launch of the P51 smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6589 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM. The P51 series was launched with Android OS v4.2 (Jelly Bean) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (720 x 1280 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Panasonic P51 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 P51 / 1

Panasonic P51 specifications

BrandPanasonic
NameP51
ModelP51
Release date2013

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.76 oz
Dimensions5.67 x 2.95 x 0.33 inch
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Panasonic P51 is about 4.76 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

Panasonic P51 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.2 (Jelly Bean)
SoCMediatek MT6589
CPUQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUPowerVR SGX544

The Panasonic P51 comes with Android OS v4.2 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. PowerVR GPUs have a reputation for being power-efficient and delivering strong performance.

Panasonic P51 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Panasonic P51 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM1 GB
Internal storage4 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

1 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The P51 has only 4 GB. You can expand the internal storage (4 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Panasonic P51 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera1.3 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of P51 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Panasonic P51 / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

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

The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The P51 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. 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.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2500 mAh

The Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Stylus

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

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
  • insufficient memory
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 4G support
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Panasonic P51 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.
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