Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Ulefone Note 12 and Note 12P are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Note 12 edges out the Note 12P thanks to its significantly more efficient chipset and faster CPU architecture. While both offer decent features for the price, the Note 12's performance advantage makes it the slightly better choice for most users.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 26, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 25 | 2022, July |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 25 | Available. Released 2022, July |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 173.6 x 79.1 x 10.2 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.40 in) | 173.6 x 79.1 x 10.2 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 237 g (8.36 oz) | 237 g (8.36 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8300 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Blue | Black, Red, Blue |
| Price | About 130 EUR | - |
Ulefone Note 12P
- Potentially more RAM options
- Slightly larger display (potentially)
- Affordable price
- Older, less efficient chipset
- Slower performance
- Slower charging
Ulefone Note 12
- More modern and efficient chipset
- Faster performance
- Better multitasking
- Potentially slightly better battery life
- Slightly smaller display (potentially)
- 10W charging
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with a 720 x 1600 resolution. The Note 12P might offer slightly better color accuracy or brightness, but the difference will be minimal. Expect a standard 60Hz refresh rate on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a triple camera setup, potentially including a 13MP main sensor, a macro lens, and a depth sensor. Image quality will be comparable, with decent results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be average on both.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The Note 12's Unisoc Tiger T310 with its Cortex-A75 core provides a noticeable performance boost over the Note 12P's older SC9863A with only Cortex-A55 cores. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness on the Note 12.
Battery Life
Both devices are expected to have a 5000mAh battery. However, the Note 12's more efficient chipset should translate to slightly better battery life in real-world usage. Charging is limited to 10W wired on both, so expect relatively slow charging times.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Note 12P is a good option for users prioritizing a slightly larger display and potentially more RAM (depending on the specific variant). The Ulefone Note 12 is ideal for those seeking smoother performance and a more modern chipset, even if it means a slightly smaller screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Unisoc SC9863A and Tiger T310 chipsets?
The Tiger T310 is a newer and more efficient chipset featuring a Cortex-A75 core for improved performance, while the SC9863A relies solely on Cortex-A55 cores, resulting in slower overall performance.
❓ Are these phones 5G capable?
No, neither the Ulefone Note 12 nor the Note 12P support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.