The ultra-budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Tecno Pop 4 represents the absolute baseline for affordability, while the Ulefone Note 11P aims to offer a more substantial experience with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device provides the best value for users prioritizing functionality over premium features.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Ulefone Note 11P is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio P60 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Tecno Pop 4’s quad-core processor, enabling smoother multitasking and app usage. While the Pop 4 excels in pure affordability, the Note 11P’s performance uplift justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 24 | 2021, January 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160 x 77.3 x 9.5 mm (6.30 x 3.04 x 0.37 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 | - | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.1% 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 1.3 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition), HIOS | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/1.8 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/1.8 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Lake Green, Dawn Blue | Black, Red, Green |
| Models | BC2c, BC1s | - |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Tecno Pop 4
- Lowest possible price point
- Simple and easy to use
- Acceptable for basic communication
- Extremely limited performance
- Poor multitasking capabilities
- Likely low-quality display
Ulefone Note 11P
- Significantly better performance with Helio P60
- More responsive user experience
- 10W charging for convenience
- Slower charging compared to modern standards
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. The Tecno Pop 4’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a basic LCD panel. The Ulefone Note 11P also likely features a standard LCD, but the focus here isn’t on visual fidelity. The key difference lies in the processing power needed to drive the UI; the Pop 4’s limited CPU will struggle with smooth animations even at lower resolutions, while the Note 11P’s Helio P60 will provide a more responsive experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both phones feature low-resolution primary sensors. The Ulefone Note 11P’s Helio P60 chipset includes an image signal processor (ISP) that will likely offer slightly better image processing capabilities than the Pop 4’s basic processor, potentially resulting in marginally improved image quality in good lighting conditions. However, neither phone is expected to excel in low-light photography.
Performance
The performance gap is the defining characteristic of this comparison. The Tecno Pop 4’s quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU is designed for minimal power consumption and basic tasks. In contrast, the Ulefone Note 11P’s Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 is an octa-core processor built on a 12nm process. This means four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz handle demanding tasks, while four Cortex-A53 cores manage background processes efficiently. The Helio P60’s architecture provides a substantial performance advantage, making the Note 11P far more capable of handling multitasking, app switching, and moderately demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Tecno Pop 4 likely has a smaller battery capacity to keep costs down, but its less powerful processor will consume less energy. The Ulefone Note 11P features 10W wired charging, which is slow by modern standards, but adequate for its likely battery capacity. The Helio P60’s efficiency, combined with a potentially larger battery, should provide all-day battery life for moderate users, while the Pop 4 may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 4 if you absolutely need the cheapest possible smartphone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light WhatsApp usage. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a temporary device. Buy the Ulefone Note 11P if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, and occasional gaming, and are willing to spend a little more for a noticeably smoother experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Note 11P be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Ulefone Note 11P’s Mediatek Helio P60 chipset is capable of running social media apps like Facebook and Instagram without significant lag. The octa-core processor and sufficient RAM will provide a much smoother experience compared to the Tecno Pop 4’s quad-core processor.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Ulefone Note 11P slow compared to other smartphones?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today’s standards. Many smartphones now offer 18W, 33W, or even faster charging speeds. However, for the Ulefone Note 11P’s likely battery capacity, 10W charging is sufficient to fully charge the device overnight.
❓ Can the Tecno Pop 4 handle video calls like WhatsApp or Zoom?
The Tecno Pop 4 can *technically* handle video calls, but the experience will likely be choppy and unreliable due to its limited processing power. Expect dropped frames and potential app crashes during extended video calls. The Ulefone Note 11P is a much better choice for regular video conferencing.
