The Ulefone Note 17 Pro and Cubot Note 30 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware, leading to substantial differences in performance and user experience. This comparison will dissect those differences, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Ulefone Note 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the Cubot Note 30’s older Helio P35, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2024, January 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2024, January |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 163.8 x 74.2 x 9 mm (6.45 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 197.8 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 120Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, (wide)
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
5 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | Yes | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Velvet Black, Pearl White, Amber Orange |
| Price | - | About 300 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 47:33h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (112 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Cubot Note 30
- Potentially lower price point
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly weaker performance
- Less efficient processor leading to shorter battery life
- Slower charging speeds
Ulefone Note 17 Pro
- Superior performance with the Helio G99 chipset
- Faster 33W charging
- Longer battery endurance and lifespan (1000 cycles)
- Likely a slightly higher price tag
- May have limited availability in some markets
- Software updates may be infrequent
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The Ulefone Note 17 Pro, being a newer device, may benefit from improved color calibration and viewing angles. The absence of details like refresh rate or resolution suggests neither phone will excel in this area, focusing instead on affordability.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is challenging. However, the Ulefone Note 17 Pro’s newer chipset likely includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Cubot Note 30’s older ISP will likely produce images with less dynamic range and more noise. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will include a primary camera and potentially depth or macro sensors, but the quality of these secondary sensors is likely to be minimal on both devices.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Ulefone Note 17 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) features a more modern CPU architecture – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz – compared to the Cubot Note 30’s Helio P35 (12nm) with its four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.35 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. The G99’s newer architecture and smaller manufacturing process translate to superior single-core and multi-core performance, as well as improved power efficiency. This means the Ulefone will handle multitasking, app loading, and gaming with noticeably less lag. The P35, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro boasts a significant advantage with its 33W wired charging, allowing for much faster replenishment compared to the Cubot Note 30, which likely supports standard 10W or 15W charging. The Ulefone also claims 47:33h endurance and 1000 charge cycles, suggesting a focus on long-term battery health and usability. While the Cubot Note 30’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the older, less efficient chipset will likely result in shorter battery life despite a potentially similar capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Note 30 if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Ulefone Note 17 Pro if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value longer-term usability thanks to its more powerful processor and faster charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Ulefone Note 17 Pro capable of playing modern mobile games?
Yes, the Helio G99 is a capable gaming chipset for the budget segment. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can handle popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The improved GPU performance compared to the Helio P35 in the Cubot Note 30 makes a significant difference in gaming smoothness.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Ulefone Note 17 Pro with the 33W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't specified, 33W charging is considerably faster than the likely 10-15W charging on the Cubot Note 30. Expect a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, a substantial improvement over the potentially 3+ hours required for the Cubot.
❓ Will the Cubot Note 30 struggle with multitasking or running multiple apps simultaneously?
Yes, the Helio P35’s older architecture and limited processing power will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdown when multitasking or running several apps concurrently. The Ulefone Note 17 Pro’s Helio G99 is far better equipped to handle these scenarios.
