Panasonic to return, again, with shockproof smartphone at MWC 2014

Panasonic will apparently re-enter the smartphone market for a second time at MWC 2014 as fresh reports suggest the firm is working on a new, rugged handset.

Remember the Panasonic Eluga? Launched at MWC 2012 as Panasonic's return to the mobile game the waterproof phone sunk without a trace, resulting in the firm pulling out of the smartphone market completely in 2013.

According to Japanese site Asahi it won't be gone for long, as reports now point towards a shock proof handset being readied for the Barcelona show at the end of February.

When the going gets tough

There's not a huge amount of detail on the mystery Panasonic smartphone, but the unnamed sources do reveal that it will sport a 5-inch screen.

Apparently Panasonic is targeting users such as construction site workers for its next handset, suggesting that this may not be a particularly mainstream device.

TechRadar will be out in force at MWC 2014 to bring you all the latest from the show, including any possible return to form from Panasonic.

• Find out what else you can expect from MWC this year