Oukitel C61 vs Ulefone Note 12P: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The Oukitel C61 and Ulefone Note 12P represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential functionality at an incredibly low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The C61 prioritizes processing power with a newer Unisoc chipset, while the Note 12P appears to focus on minimizing cost, potentially impacting performance.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Oukitel C61 is the better choice. Its Unisoc T615 chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers significantly more processing power than the Ulefone Note 12P’s older 28nm Unisoc SC9863A. While both offer 10W charging, the C61’s superior performance justifies its slight price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names Oukitel C61 Ulefone Note 12P
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, March2021, October 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, MayAvailable. Released 2021, October 25
Body
Dimensions170.7 x 79.6 x 9.5 mm (6.72 x 3.13 x 0.37 in)173.6 x 79.1 x 10.2 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.40 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight216 g (7.62 oz)237 g (8.36 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass, Mohs level 5-
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density)720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)
Size6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T615 (12 nm)Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1IMG8322
OSAndroid 15Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", AF8 MP
Triple-13 MP, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0"8 MP
Video720p@30fps720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioStereo FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5150 mAhLi-Po 7700 mAh
Misc
ColorsGold, Purple, Blue, BlackBlack, Red, Blue
Price€ 89.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 82.99About 130 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery64:19h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Oukitel C61

  • Significantly more powerful Unisoc T615 chipset
  • Excellent battery endurance (64:19h)
  • Long battery lifespan (1000 charge cycles)

  • 10W charging is slow
  • Display specifications are unknown and likely basic

Ulefone Note 12P

  • Extremely affordable price point
  • Basic smartphone functionality
  • Likely lightweight design

  • Weak Unisoc SC9863A chipset
  • Poor performance for anything beyond basic tasks
  • Likely shorter battery life

Display Comparison

Neither Oukitel nor Ulefone provide display specifications beyond the basic presence of a screen. Given the price point, expect both to utilize LCD panels with modest resolutions (likely 720p+). The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in this area. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, and color accuracy will be basic. Without further data, a direct comparison is impossible, but the display is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most buyers.

Camera Comparison

Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a meaningful comparison. It’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely marketing fluff; image quality will be poor. The primary sensor size and aperture are the key determinants of image quality, and this information is currently unavailable. However, given the chipset disparity, the C61 likely has a more capable image signal processor (ISP) for processing images.

Performance

The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Oukitel C61’s Unisoc T615, fabricated on a 12nm process, features an octa-core configuration with two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz. This architecture provides a significant performance boost over the Ulefone Note 12P’s Unisoc SC9863A. The SC9863A, built on a much older 28nm process, utilizes four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and four at 1.2 GHz. The larger process node and slower, less efficient cores of the SC9863A will result in noticeably slower app loading times, less responsive multitasking, and a generally laggy user experience. The C61 will handle demanding apps and light gaming far better.

Battery Life

The Oukitel C61 boasts a remarkable 64:19h endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. While the exact mAh capacity isn’t specified, this endurance score, coupled with 1000 charge cycles, indicates a large battery and efficient power management. The Ulefone Note 12P’s battery capacity is unknown, but its less efficient chipset will likely result in shorter runtimes. Both phones utilize 10W wired charging, meaning 0-100% charge times will be relatively slow – likely exceeding 3 hours. The C61’s superior endurance will be a significant benefit for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oukitel C61 if you need a phone capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly, including social media, light gaming, and video streaming. Its more powerful processor will provide a more fluid user experience and better longevity. Buy the Ulefone Note 12P if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and very light web browsing – and you are on an extremely tight budget. The Note 12P represents the absolute minimum viable smartphone experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Oukitel C61 be able to run popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Oukitel C61’s Unisoc T615 chipset is powerful enough to run most social media apps without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores will provide a noticeable performance boost compared to the Ulefone Note 12P, resulting in a smoother user experience when scrolling through feeds and recording videos.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone fast enough for overnight charging?
Yes, 10W charging is sufficient for overnight charging. While it won’t provide a quick top-up, leaving either phone plugged in overnight will fully charge the battery. However, expect charge times to be around 3-4 hours from 0% to 100%.
❓ Can the Ulefone Note 12P handle basic web browsing and email?
The Ulefone Note 12P can handle basic web browsing and email, but expect slower loading times and occasional lag, especially with multiple tabs open. The Unisoc SC9863A chipset is significantly less powerful than the C61’s, so performance will be limited.
❓ How does the Unisoc T615 compare to other chipsets in this price range?
The Unisoc T615 is a relatively strong performer for its price point. It generally outperforms MediaTek Helio A22 and similar entry-level chipsets found in other budget smartphones. It offers a good balance of performance and efficiency, making it a solid choice for everyday tasks.