Panasonic

Panasonic P55: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
Mediatek MT6589
PowerVR SGX544
1 GB / 4 GB
5.5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

Panasonic announced the launch of the P55 smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6589 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM. The P55 comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) pre-installed. This phone uses a high resolution 720 x 1280 px, 5.5 inch IPS display. This phone has only one rear-camera (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Panasonic P55 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 P55 / 1

Panasonic P55 specifications

BrandPanasonic
NameP55
ModelP55
Release date2014

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.22 oz
Dimensions5.89 x 3.03 x 0.31 inch
Colorsdeep blue, pearl white
SIM typeMini SIM

The weight of the Panasonic P55 is still considered to be lightweight and portable.

Panasonic P55 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
SoCMediatek MT6589
CPUQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUPowerVR SGX544

The Panasonic P55 comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is free to the public. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Many consider PowerVR GPUs to highly compete with other leading mobile GPUs.

Panasonic P55 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.5 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 P55 / 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. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the P55 (4 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 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 P55 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes, with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Compared to modern 4G and 5G networks, 3G networks are much slower. The P55 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your P55 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The P55 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. 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, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). 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 digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
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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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