Ulefone Note 12 vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2022): A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Ulefone Note 12 and the Motorola Moto G Power (2022) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and helps you determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a slightly smoother, more optimized experience, the Motorola Moto G Power (2022) is the better choice. While both phones offer similar battery life due to their 10W charging, the Helio G37 chipset generally provides a more responsive user interface and slightly better application performance than the Unisoc Tiger T310.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Note 12 Motorola Moto G Power (2022)
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, 19, 20, 26, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, July2021, November 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JulyAvailable. Released 2022, February 22
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions173.6 x 79.1 x 10.2 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.40 in)167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight237 g (8.36 oz)203 g (7.16 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUQuad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)-
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8300-
OSAndroid 11Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR
Single8 MP-
Triple13 MP, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.65µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioStereo FM radio, RDS, recordingUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 7700 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Red, BlueBlack
Price-About 70 EUR

Ulefone Note 12

  • Potentially lower price point
  • More powerful single core (Cortex-A75)
  • May offer unique software features

  • Quad-core processor limits multitasking
  • Unisoc chipset has less software support
  • Likely slower app loading times

Motorola Moto G Power (2022)

  • Octa-core processor for better multitasking
  • MediaTek chipset with wider software compatibility
  • Generally more refined user experience

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • 10W charging is slow
  • Potentially less RAM than competitors

Display Comparison

Neither Ulefone nor Motorola provide display specifications beyond size in their marketing materials. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, contributing to a larger overall footprint. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment, prioritizing power efficiency over color fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are scarce for both devices. It’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor. The image processing capabilities of both phones will likely be basic, relying heavily on software algorithms to enhance image quality. Without knowing sensor sizes or lens apertures, it’s difficult to definitively say which phone will produce better photos. However, Motorola generally invests more in camera software optimization, potentially giving the Moto G Power a slight edge in image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Power (2022) utilizes the MediaTek Helio G37, a 12nm chip with an octa-core configuration. The Ulefone Note 12 features the Unisoc Tiger T310, also a 12nm process, but with a quad-core setup – a single Cortex-A75 at 2.0 GHz and three Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The Helio G37’s octa-core design provides a theoretical advantage in multi-threaded tasks and gaming, despite both being built on the same 12nm node. The Cortex-A75 in the Ulefone Note 12 is a more powerful core than the A55s used in the G37, but the lack of additional cores limits its overall throughput. Both phones will likely struggle with demanding games, but the G37 should offer a slightly smoother experience. RAM configurations are not specified, but both will likely be limited to 3-4GB, further impacting multitasking performance.

Battery Life

Both the Ulefone Note 12 and the Motorola Moto G Power (2022) are equipped with 10W wired charging. This is a significant limitation in 2024, resulting in lengthy charge times – likely exceeding 3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but given their focus on affordability, both likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range. The efficiency of the respective chipsets will play a role in real-world battery life, but both should comfortably last a full day with moderate usage. The slow charging speed is a major drawback for both devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Note 12 if you need a phone primarily for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and are comfortable with potentially slower app loading times. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2022) if you prefer a more fluid user experience, occasionally play mobile games, or value a brand with a stronger track record of software updates and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T310 in the Ulefone Note 12 struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Facebook?
Yes, the quad-core architecture of the Tiger T310, while featuring a capable Cortex-A75 core, will likely result in slower app loading times and occasional stuttering when running demanding applications like TikTok or Facebook. The Helio G37 in the Moto G Power is better equipped to handle these tasks due to its octa-core configuration.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either the Ulefone Note 12 or the Motorola Moto G Power (2022) with the 10W charger?
Expect a full charge to take over 3 hours for both devices. 10W charging is a very slow standard, and even with a relatively small battery capacity (likely around 5000mAh), the charging process will be lengthy. Neither phone is ideal for users who need quick top-ups.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile gaming like Candy Crush or Angry Birds?
Both phones should be capable of running less demanding mobile games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds without significant issues. However, more graphically intensive games will likely experience low frame rates and stuttering, particularly on the Ulefone Note 12 due to its less powerful chipset.