The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot Note 9 and Nokia 3.4 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Note 9 relies on a Unisoc chipset, while the Nokia 3.4 opts for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 460. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications of these choices.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia 3.4 is the better choice. While the Cubot Note 9 offers a potentially larger display, the Nokia 3.4’s Snapdragon 460 provides a significantly more responsive user experience and better long-term software support, justifying its slight price premium.
| 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, 17, 13, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2020, September 22. Released 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 153 x 77 x 11 mm (6.02 x 3.03 x 0.43 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | Unspecified | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.99 inches | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, (wide), AF
other unspecified cameras | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5900 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Fjord, Dusk, Charcoal |
| Models | - | TA-1288, TA-1285, TA-1283 |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
Cubot Note 9
- Potentially larger display size (unconfirmed)
- May offer slightly better standby battery life
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Inferior chipset performance (Unisoc SC9863A)
- Less efficient 28nm process
- Likely limited software updates
Nokia 3.4
- Superior chipset performance (Snapdragon 460)
- More efficient 11nm process
- Better software support from Nokia
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Display specs are fairly standard
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Specifics like panel type (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are missing for the Cubot Note 9, suggesting a basic implementation. The Nokia 3.4’s display is also likely a standard IPS LCD. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. While both will likely offer adequate viewing angles, the Nokia 3.4’s more powerful chipset will contribute to a more fluid scrolling experience, even if the raw panel specs are similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. Details regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures are unavailable for the Cubot Note 9, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The Nokia 3.4 likely features a standard primary sensor, and image processing will be focused on basic enhancements. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low-light scenarios.
Performance
This is where the Nokia 3.4 pulls ahead decisively. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, is architecturally superior to the Unisoc SC9863A’s 28nm fabrication. The Snapdragon 460’s CPU configuration – 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 – features more capable Cortex-A73 cores compared to the Note 9’s 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app launch times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The 11nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load. Gamers will find the Nokia 3.4 significantly more capable of handling moderately demanding titles.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the exact battery capacity of the Cubot Note 9 is unknown, the Nokia 3.4 packs a 4000mAh battery. However, the Nokia 3.4 is limited to 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. The Unisoc SC9863A in the Cubot Note 9 *may* offer slightly better standby power efficiency due to its older architecture, but the Snapdragon 460’s overall efficiency gains during active use will likely offset this. Users prioritizing quick top-ups will find the Nokia 3.4’s charging speed a significant drawback.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Note 9 if you prioritize a potentially larger screen size and are comfortable with a less refined software experience. It’s a viable option for basic tasks and media consumption. Buy the Nokia 3.4 if you value smoother performance, a more reliable software experience backed by Nokia’s commitment to updates, and a more efficient chipset, even if it means accepting slower charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the Nokia 3.4 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 460 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering, but it will provide a significantly better gaming experience than the Unisoc SC9863A in the Cubot Note 9.
❓ How important is Nokia's software update commitment for the 3.4?
Nokia is known for providing timely Android updates and security patches, even on their budget devices. This is a significant advantage over the Cubot Note 9, which is likely to receive limited or no software updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security threats and lacking new features.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia 3.4 a dealbreaker?
The 10W charging is slow by modern standards, taking over 3 hours for a full charge. If you frequently need to top up your phone throughout the day, this could be frustrating. However, the Snapdragon 460's efficiency means you may not need to charge as often.
