The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the BLU G61 and the Ulefone Note 10P aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Ulefone leveraging a more modern, albeit still entry-level, chipset while the BLU opts for a more conventional configuration. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Ulefone Note 10P emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset, featuring a Cortex-A75 core, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the BLU G61’s octa-core Cortex-A55 processor, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While both offer 10W charging, the Ulefone’s more efficient chipset may result in slightly better battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 26, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 09. Released 2021, February 09 | 2022, March 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 9.3 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 165.2 x 76.7 x 9.7 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 203 g (7.16 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8300 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Red | Moonlight Black, Aurora Red, Emerald Green |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 110 EUR |
BLU G61
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Reliable brand reputation (BLU)
- Less powerful processor
- Slower app loading times
- Less responsive multitasking
Ulefone Note 10P
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Potentially better battery efficiency
- Ulefone is a less established brand
- May be slightly more expensive
- Software updates may be less frequent
Display Comparison
Neither BLU nor Ulefone provide detailed display specifications. Given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The absence of information regarding peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or refresh rates suggests a focus on cost reduction. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices. Without further data, it's safe to assume display quality will be similar, prioritizing functionality over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both devices likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, given the market segment, expect primary sensors in the 8-13MP range. The presence of auxiliary cameras (depth, macro) is probable on both, but their utility will be limited. Image processing will likely be minimal, relying on software enhancements to improve image quality. The Ulefone’s chipset might offer slightly better image signal processing capabilities, but the difference will likely be marginal.
Performance
The Ulefone Note 10P’s Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset is the key differentiator here. Its quad-core configuration, featuring a 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and three 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, offers a significant architectural advantage over the BLU G61’s octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 processor. The Cortex-A75 is a performance-focused core, capable of handling more demanding tasks than the A55. While the G61 has more cores, the A75’s superior individual core performance will likely result in a smoother user experience. The T310’s 12nm process node also suggests better power efficiency compared to the likely larger node used in the G61’s chipset.
Battery Life
Both the BLU G61 and Ulefone Note 10P support 10W wired charging. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but typical capacities in this price range fall between 3000mAh and 5000mAh. The Ulefone Note 10P’s more efficient Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset, built on a 12nm process, may translate to slightly longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the BLU G61. Expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5-3.5 hours with the included charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU G61 if you prioritize simplicity and a potentially lower price point, and your smartphone usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Ulefone Note 10P if you want a more responsive experience for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and appreciate the benefits of a more modern processor architecture, even within the budget segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Note 10P handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Ulefone Note 10P’s Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset, with its Cortex-A75 core, is well-equipped to handle everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and web browsing without significant lag. The G61 will run these apps, but the experience will likely be less fluid.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset known for overheating?
The Unisoc Tiger T310 is an entry-level chipset and generally doesn't suffer from significant overheating issues. Its 12nm process node contributes to reasonable thermal efficiency. While it won't match the cooling performance of flagship chips, it should remain within safe operating temperatures during typical usage.
❓ Can the Ulefone Note 10P play basic Android games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
Absolutely. The Ulefone Note 10P can comfortably handle casual games like Candy Crush and Subway Surfers. More demanding games may require lower graphics settings to maintain a playable frame rate, but the Cortex-A75 core provides a performance boost over the BLU G61 for gaming.
