Panasonic earlier announced they would re-enter the European smartphone market with their Eluga smartphone. If you thought that was going to be the end of that, you were wrong. Panasonic has also unveiled its beefier, larger screened Eluga Power. The Eluga Power joins the phablet club by offering a 5″ 1280×720 HD LCD screen. That puts it up there with the Galaxy Note and LG Vu as far as screen size goes. Other specs include:

• Slim form factor – 136x70x9.6mm
• Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.0.
• International standard IP57 water and dustproofing.
• NFC – allowing for contactless payment and data transfer.
• Main camera with 8MP autofocus and 1080p Full HD video recording, including auto scene recognition and 8x digital zoom, as well as a front-facing camera.
• Superfast charging – 50% charge takes just 30 minutes, and 80% takes 57 minutes (provided it starts charging from a 10% charged status).
• 8GB of internal memory, with Micro SD Card Slot supporting a further 32GB.

There’s no telling how Panasonic will fare in this ever growing mobile market but don’t expect this to be the last announcement from the Japanese company as they move forward. You can read the full press release below.

Panasonic unveils new smartphone ELUGA power

5.0 inch HD screen, dual-core 1.5GHz processor smartphone bolsters Panasonic’s offering in Europe

Barcelona, Spain (27 February 2012) – Panasonic today revealed its latest smartphone for the European market, the ELUGA power, featuring a 1.5GHz processor and Android TM 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

The stylish ELUGA power arrives with Qualcomm’s SnapdragonTM S4 dual-core processor, a stunning 5.0 inch HD LCD screen (1280×720) and 1080p Full HD video capability. With Android 4.0 on board, the ELUGA power also boasts near field communication (NFC) technology, allowing you to pay and transfer data wirelessly.

At just 133g, the ELUGA power combines lightweight portability with big-screen usability to deliver the ultimate blend of form and function. With a 9.6mm chassis, the ELUGA power’s slender, pocket-friendly dimensions and very thinly framed 5.0 inch display mean it’s equally at home whether being used for leisure or out on the road for business.

The ELUGA power also offers superfast charging, making it one of the most convenient smartphones on the market. In just 30 minutes Panasonic’s big- screen, big-battery smartphone can reach 50% charge capacity – and with its 1800mAh battery the ELUGA power is perfect for those who need their phone to work as hard as they do.

Features include:

A 1280×720 HD, 5.0 inch LCD screen with a 9.6mm thin frame.
Slim form factor – 136x70x9.6mm.
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.0.
International standard IP57 water and dustproofing.
NFC – allowing for contactless payment and data transfer.
Main camera with 8MP autofocus and 1080p Full HD video recording, including auto scene recognition and 8x digital zoom, as well as a front-facing camera.
Superfast charging – 50% charge takes just 30 minutes, and 80% takes 57 minutes (provided it starts charging from a 10% charged status).
8GB of internal memory, with Micro SD Card Slot supporting a further 32GB.
Toshiya Matsumura, General Manager, Head of Mobile Communications, Panasonic System Communications Europe, said:

“The ELUGA power is a real landmark for us as it redefines everything a modern smartphone should be. For too long, smartphones have either compromised on looks to embrace new features or dropped functionality in the pursuit of the perfect form. The ELUGA power marks a true turning point – delivering both high performance and high- end style.”

“In developing the ELUGA power, we refused to compromise and remained ambitious. That’s how we’ve managed to deliver the convenience of a 5-inch HD screen and superfast charging, make it water and dustproof, as well as add impressive features like NFC and a 1.5GHz processor. All in a slim, pocket-friendly and stylish smartphone.”

About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 8.69 trillion yen (€79 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2011. The company’s shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York

(NYSE:PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company’s website at https://panasonic.net/.