The Ulefone Note 10 and Tecno Spark 7 Pro represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Note 10 focuses on a basic, functional experience, while the Spark 7 Pro attempts to offer a more compelling performance profile. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device provides the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Tecno Spark 7 Pro is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G80 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, delivers significantly better performance than the Ulefone Note 10’s Unisoc SC9863A. While both phones offer similar battery capacities, the Spark 7 Pro’s faster processor translates to a smoother user experience and better multitasking capabilities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 21 | 2021, April 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 21 | Available. Released 2021, May 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.7 x 9.7 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.38 in) | 164.9 x 76.2 x 8.8 mm (6.49 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, HIOS 7.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP |
| Triple | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, PDAF
Secondary unknown camera
Third unknown camera |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 5500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Aurora Green | Alps Blue, Spruce Green, Neon Dream, Magnet Black |
| Price | About 120 EUR | - |
Ulefone Note 10
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- May have expandable storage (market dependent)
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slow charging (10W)
- Less efficient processor
Tecno Spark 7 Pro
- Superior performance with Helio G80
- More efficient processor for better battery life
- Smoother user experience
- Slightly higher price
- Camera quality likely still limited
- May include bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates a focus on processing power to drive the UI smoothly. The Ulefone Note 10’s reliance on the older Unisoc chipset may result in noticeable stuttering during scrolling, even with a similar resolution display to the Spark 7 Pro. We anticipate the Spark 7 Pro’s GPU will provide a more fluid visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market segment, both phones likely feature basic camera setups. The presence of a Helio G80 in the Spark 7 Pro suggests a more capable image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image processing and noise reduction compared to the Note 10. Any claims of high-resolution sensors on either device should be viewed with skepticism, as sensor size and lens quality are more critical than megapixel count.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 7 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G80 (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Ulefone Note 10’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The 12nm process node of the Helio G80 is significantly more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. Furthermore, the Helio G80’s CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – is more powerful than the Note 10’s 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Spark 7 Pro.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature similar battery capacities, common in this price range. However, the Helio G80’s superior power efficiency in the Spark 7 Pro means it will likely deliver longer real-world battery life. The Ulefone Note 10’s 10W charging is notably slow; the Spark 7 Pro, while not boasting fast charging, likely offers a more reasonable charging time due to the more efficient chipset and potentially a slightly optimized charging algorithm.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 10 if you prioritize absolute affordability and need a functional device for very basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. Buy the Tecno Spark 7 Pro if you want a phone that can handle social media, streaming video, and casual gaming without significant lag, and if you value a more responsive user interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 7 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G80 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to use lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Ulefone Note 10’s Unisoc SC9863A will struggle significantly with PUBG, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Ulefone Note 10 a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is very slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take well over 3 hours. The Tecno Spark 7 Pro, while not offering fast charging, will likely charge noticeably faster due to its more efficient chipset and potentially optimized charging circuitry.
❓ Does the Unisoc SC9863A in the Ulefone Note 10 get hot during extended use?
The 28nm process of the Unisoc SC9863A is less efficient, meaning it generates more heat. Prolonged use, even with basic tasks, could lead to noticeable warming, and potentially thermal throttling, reducing performance.
❓ Are there significant software differences between these two phones?
Tecno phones often include their HiOS skin on top of Android, which can include pre-installed apps (bloatware). Ulefone typically uses a more stock Android experience, though updates may be less frequent. Both are likely running older versions of Android.
