Panasonic KX-TF400: New feature phone focuses on the basics

In a fast-paced world, almost everyone is always online and reachable via messaging apps and social media. Feature phones can be a viable solution for a so-called "digital detox". While these devices are primarily marketed toward seniors, they can also offer certain advantages for other age groups.

For one, users aren't constantly distracted by notifications, as these "dumb phones" have fewer features than full-fledged smartphones. On the other hand, the battery can last up to a week (depending on the model), and these devices are also well-suited as secondary phones for festivals or similar events, where stealing can be an issue.

Panasonic KX-TF400 with LED flashlight and IP44 certification for €50

Panasonic's latest feature phone is called the KX-TF400, which is now available for an MSRP of €49.99 in Europe. It’s a 4G cell phone with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and a battery life of up to eight days (200 hours) in standby or up to five hours of talk time. In addition to a 2.4-inch TFT color display, the phone features large, tactile buttons that show clear numbers and symbols, according to Panasonic.

The 1000mAh battery charges via USB-C, and a fitting USB cable included in the box. The phone also has a 1.2MP camera, which is likely only suitable for simple snapshots. There’s also a headphone jack, a hands-free mode and an LED flashlight. The Panasonic KX-TF400 measures roughly 5.2 x 2.2 x 0.57 inches and weighs 3.88 oz including the battery. Lastly, the Panasonic phone supports nano SIM as well as microSD cards with up to 32GB of additional storage capacity.