Panasonic to launch ultra-slim, waterproof and dustproof Android phone with 4.3 inch OLED display in March 2012 Review and Specifications with Price | India US UK

Panasonic has grand plans with it's smartphone which is expected to hit Europe by March 2012. The company has released few details along with some pictures of the Panasonic prototype Android phone. The device uses a 4.3 inch qHD OLED display with a really slim bezel.The design will be  ultra-slim and sport a D-shape.The front shows off the Panasonic branding along with the Menu , home and Back keys. Since waterproof phones are pretty common in Japan , Panasonic is bringing its expertise to the table and claims that it's first smartphone will be waterproof and dustproof. Here is another photo which shows a rear camera and NFC support. There are also volume keys and a power button on the side. The company aims to sell 1.5 million smartphones in Europe next year and by 2016 it aims to sell 15 million units, including 9 million in Europe, Asia, China, and the United States and 6 million in Japan The device will be manufactured in Panasonic's factory in Malaysia.No details of pricing or exact availability are mentioned but we expect to play with this device at MWC 2012

Panasonic to Expand Smartphone Business to European Market

Panasonic will expand its mobile phone business into the global market, targeting at nine million units of overseas sales in fiscal year 2016.

Tokyo, Japan – Panasonic announced today that it will expand its smartphone business to the European market in March 2012. At the same time, it announced its aim to bring its overseas smartphone sales to nine million units in fiscal year 2016, ending March 31, 2016, using Europe as a stepping stone to the global market.

With the mobile phone market rapidly shifting to smartphone usage worldwide and a steady growth expected particularly overseas, Panasonic aims to tap into this growth with its first global model smartphone for the European market in March 2012.

The main characteristics of the global model are:
1. An ultra-slim D-shaped design for easy portability
2. Slim bezel with high viewing quality Quarter HD (QHD) 4.3-inch large organic light emitting diode (OLED) screen
3. Waterproof and dustproof for ease of handling

Using this as a reference model, Panasonic will expand its lineup, aiming at sales of 1.5 million smartphones in Europe next fiscal year. Furthermore, in fiscal year 2016, Panasonic targets global sales of 15 million units, including nine million in Europe, Asia, China, and the United States and six million in Japan (of which five million are smartphones).

The Panasonic Group created the Systems & Communications Company (SNC) in April this year in advance of its reorganization scheduled for January 2012 in order to handle products and services related to system, network and mobile communications. Within this company, Panasonic will maximize its internal resources, including making use of an existing factory in Malaysia. Currently, phones for the Japanese market are manufactured in this factory but now the same factory is also scheduled to manufacture the first global model as announced.

Panasonic will continue to expand its product lineup and increase sales in a speedy process by thoroughly utilizing the Group’s technological assets and development resources as well as its production and sales sites around the world, thereby strengthening development, production, and sales structure and product competitiveness.