How long does the hand crank take to charge it?

Cranking is a top-up method, not a fast charger. A few minutes of cranking gives a short burst of radio time, and a full charge takes a long session. Treat it as a last resort after the battery runs down.

Can it charge a smartphone?

Yes, it has a USB output for charging a phone. The built-in battery holds enough for a partial charge, not a full one, so use it for a call or a message rather than heavy use.

Does the solar panel charge it well?

The panel is small and trickle-charges the battery. It needs direct sunlight and several hours to make a useful difference, so it is best for topping up during a long sunny outage.

What radio bands does it receive?

It is an emergency radio for local broadcast reception. Check the band list before buying if you need specific bands such as weather channels or shortwave.

Is it worth it over a normal power bank?

A power bank holds far more charge for phones. This is worth it if you want a radio plus off-grid charging in one device for emergencies; if you only need phone power, a plain power bank does more.