The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Note 12 and the Realme C35. Both promise a lot for their price point, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C35 takes the win thanks to its superior chipset (T616 vs T310), faster charging (18W vs 10W), and generally smoother performance. While the Ulefone Note 12 might offer slightly better value in specific regions, the Realme C35 provides a more consistently enjoyable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 26, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 173.6 x 79.1 x 10.2 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.40 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 237 g (8.36 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Blue | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | - | RMX3511 |
| Price | - | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Note 12
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Sufficient for basic tasks
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Basic design
Realme C35
- Better performance (T616 chipset)
- Faster charging (18W)
- More modern design
- Smoother user experience
- Slightly more expensive
- Camera performance not exceptional
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and color accuracy for everyday use, but don't anticipate flagship-level vibrancy or sharpness. The Realme C35 might have a slightly more modern design with a slimmer bezel.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely comparable, with both phones featuring a primary 13MP camera and a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. The Realme C35 might have slightly better image processing algorithms, resulting in marginally better photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will likely be similar on both.
Performance
This is where the Realme C35 pulls ahead. The Unisoc Tiger T616's octa-core configuration offers a significant performance boost over the Ulefone Note 12's quad-core T310. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Realme C35. Gaming performance will also be noticeably better.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the Realme C35's 18W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Ulefone Note 12's 10W charging. This is a crucial advantage for users who value convenience.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Note 12 is a good option for users prioritizing a very budget-friendly device and are not heavily reliant on performance. The Realme C35 is ideal for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and a more modern design, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme C35 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Realme C35 charges much faster.
❓ Which phone has a better design?
The Realme C35 generally has a more modern and appealing design.
❓ Are these phones 5G capable?
No, neither the Ulefone Note 12 nor the Realme C35 support 5G connectivity.
