Cubot offers a range of affordable smartphones, and the C21 and Note 20 Pro represent two distinct approaches within their budget lineup. The Note 20 Pro, featuring the Mediatek Helio P60, aims for a balance of features and performance. The C21, lacking detailed specifications, likely targets the absolute lowest price bracket, making this a comparison of trade-offs between cost and capability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Cubot Note 20 Pro is the better choice, thanks to its Helio P60 chipset providing a significantly more responsive experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. While the C21 may be cheaper, the performance gap likely outweighs the savings for anyone beyond the most basic smartphone needs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, November | 2020. Released 2020 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Zinc alloy frame | - |
| Dimensions | 46.5 x 46.5 x 13 mm (1.83 x 1.83 x 0.51 in) | 162.8 x 75.4 x 9.1 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 360 x 360 pixels (~386 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.32 inches | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128MB | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Quad | - | 12 MP, (wide), 1/2.9", AF
20 MP, (depth), 1/2.78"
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | - | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Video | - | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | No | microUSB, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2, blood pressure | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 300 mAh | 4200 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Black, Blue, Green |
| Price | About 40 EUR | - |
Cubot C21
- Likely the most affordable option
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer battery life due to lower power demands (speculation)
- Significantly lower performance
- Poor multitasking capabilities
- Limited gaming potential
- Unknown display quality
Cubot Note 20 Pro
- Helio P60 provides a smoother user experience
- Better performance for apps and light gaming
- More responsive multitasking
- ISP offers improved image processing
- May be slightly more expensive
- 2MP macro camera offers limited value
- Display quality likely standard for the price range
Display Comparison
Without specific display details for the C21, a direct comparison is difficult. The Note 20 Pro’s display quality is likely standard for its price range – an IPS LCD panel. The C21 likely utilizes a similar, or potentially lower-resolution panel to minimize costs. The absence of information regarding refresh rates or peak brightness on the C21 suggests it won't compete with more modern displays. Users prioritizing media consumption should lean towards the Note 20 Pro, assuming it offers a slightly better viewing experience due to its more established specifications.
Camera Comparison
The camera capabilities of the C21 are unknown. The Note 20 Pro’s camera setup, while not flagship-level, benefits from the image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio P60 chipset. This allows for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Without knowing the sensor sizes or lens apertures on either device, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the Note 20 Pro’s ISP gives it an advantage in image quality, even if the sensor resolution is similar to the C21. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Note 20 Pro is a common budget feature, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution.
Performance
The Cubot Note 20 Pro’s Mediatek Helio P60 (MT6771) is a 12nm chipset featuring an octa-core CPU configuration – four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores, also at 2.0 GHz. This architecture provides a decent level of performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking. The C21, lacking chipset information, likely uses a significantly less powerful processor, potentially a quad-core or older generation chipset. This translates to slower app loading times, noticeable lag during multitasking, and a less responsive overall experience. Gamers will find the Helio P60 in the Note 20 Pro capable of running less demanding titles at lower settings, a feat the C21 likely won't achieve.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details for the C21 are unavailable. The Note 20 Pro’s battery size and charging wattage are also unknown, but typical for this price point. The Helio P60’s 12nm process contributes to reasonable power efficiency, meaning the Note 20 Pro should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The C21’s battery life will depend heavily on its processor and battery capacity, but it’s likely to be comparable, or potentially shorter, if it uses a less efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot C21 if you need a functional smartphone for essential communication – calls, texts, and very light app usage – and your budget is extremely limited. It's a device for those prioritizing absolute affordability above all else. Buy the Cubot Note 20 Pro if you prefer a smoother user experience, the ability to run more demanding apps, and enjoy occasional gaming, even at lower settings. The Helio P60 offers a tangible performance boost for a modest price increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio P60 in the Cubot Note 20 Pro still a capable chipset in 2024?
While not a flagship processor, the Helio P60 remains a capable chipset for everyday tasks and light gaming in 2024. It provides a significantly smoother experience than the processors typically found in ultra-budget phones like the C21, allowing for responsive app usage and acceptable multitasking.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Cubot Note 20 Pro?
The Note 20 Pro can handle less demanding games like PUBG Mobile at lower settings (balanced graphics, medium frame rate). More graphically intensive titles will likely require significant compromises in settings to achieve playable frame rates. The C21 is unlikely to provide a satisfactory gaming experience.
❓ How much storage does the Cubot Note 20 Pro have, and is it expandable?
Storage capacity information is unavailable. However, many phones in this price range offer 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, and often include a microSD card slot for expandable storage. Check the product listing for specific details.
