Both the Cubot Note 20 and Ulefone Note 11P target the ultra-budget smartphone market, but they approach it with different hardware strategies. The Cubot Note 20 prioritizes a very basic, cost-optimized experience, while the Ulefone Note 11P attempts to offer a more capable processor for slightly increased multitasking and app responsiveness. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Ulefone Note 11P is the clear winner. Its Helio P60 chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU, provides a substantial performance boost over the Cubot Note 20’s quad-core Helio A20. While both phones are entry-level, the Note 11P offers a noticeably smoother experience for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2021, January 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 75.4 x 9.1 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) | 166.9 x 77.2 x 10 mm (6.57 x 3.04 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Quad | 12 MP, (wide), 1/2.9", AF
20 MP, (depth), 1/2.78"
Auxiliary lenses | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/1.8 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/1.8 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4200 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Red, Green |
| Price | - | About 160 EUR |
Cubot Note 20
- Extremely affordable price point
- Basic functionality for essential tasks
- Likely lightweight and compact
- Significantly underpowered processor
- Poor multitasking performance
- Limited gaming capabilities
Ulefone Note 11P
- More powerful Helio P60 processor
- Octa-core CPU for smoother performance
- 10W wired charging
- Potentially higher power consumption
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given their price points, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The absence of details like peak brightness or color gamut suggests neither phone will excel in outdoor visibility or color accuracy. Expect standard viewing angles and a focus on cost reduction rather than visual fidelity. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside auxiliary lenses (potentially depth or macro). Given the market segment, image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. Expect limited low-light performance and a reliance on software processing. The absence of OIS on either device suggests image stabilization will be minimal. The Ulefone Note 11P *may* benefit from slightly better image signal processing capabilities due to the more powerful chipset, but this is speculative.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Note 11P’s MediaTek Helio P60 is a significant upgrade over the Cubot Note 20’s Helio A20. The P60’s octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) provides substantially more processing power than the A20’s quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A73 cores in the P60 are architecturally superior, offering better single-core performance crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. This translates to a smoother user experience, especially when multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the P60’s more complex design and higher clock speeds will likely result in higher power consumption, but the performance gains are worth it.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the Ulefone Note 11P’s 10W wired charging is confirmed, while the Cubot Note 20’s charging speed is unknown. The more powerful Helio P60 in the Note 11P will likely consume more power, but the difference in CPU performance means tasks complete faster, potentially offsetting some of the increased power draw. Expect both phones to offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, but the Note 11P’s faster processor could be beneficial for users who frequently engage in demanding activities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Note 20 if you need an absolutely minimal-cost smartphone for basic communication – calls, texts, and very light app usage. It’s a suitable option for those prioritizing extreme affordability above all else. Buy the Ulefone Note 11P if you prefer a phone that can handle more demanding tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, and occasional gaming without significant lag. The Note 11P offers a better long-term user experience for a small price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Note 11P handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Helio P60 chipset in the Ulefone Note 11P is significantly more capable of handling social media apps than the Helio A20 in the Cubot Note 20. You should experience smoother scrolling, faster loading times, and fewer instances of lag when using these apps.
❓ Can I play games like PUBG Mobile on the Ulefone Note 11P, and if so, at what settings?
While the Ulefone Note 11P can *run* PUBG Mobile, don't expect a high-end gaming experience. You'll likely need to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially reduce the frame rate to achieve playable performance. The Helio P60 isn't a gaming powerhouse, but it's far superior to the Helio A20 for gaming.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Ulefone Note 11P slow compared to other phones?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. However, given the likely smaller battery capacity of these budget devices, it's a reasonable trade-off to keep costs down. It's sufficient for overnight charging.