Ulefone Note 13P vs Samsung Galaxy A21: Which Budget Champion Reigns?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Note 13P and the Samsung Galaxy A21. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A21 edges out the Ulefone Note 13P thanks to its slightly faster processor, superior brand reputation, and faster charging. While the Ulefone offers a compelling price point, the A21's overall polish and Samsung's software support make it the slightly better choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Note 13P Samsung Galaxy A21
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 - USA
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 281, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - USA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, November 242020, April 08. Released 2020, June 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 24Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.3 x 75.7 x 9.9 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.39 in)167.8 x 76.7 x 8.1 mm (6.61 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198.5 g (7.02 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~79.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 11Android 10, One UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual20 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.78, 1.0µm, AF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.09, 1.0µm-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.09, 1.0µm13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5180 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Mystery BlueBlack
Models-SM-A215U, SM-A215U1, SM-S215DL, SM-A215W
PriceAbout 130 EUR$ 69.88 / C$ 155.00 / £ 54.99 / € 73.89
SAR-1.27 W/kg (head)     0.60 W/kg (body)

Ulefone Note 13P

  • Extremely affordable
  • Large battery
  • Decent display for the price

  • Slower charging
  • Less powerful processor
  • Potentially less refined software
  • Camera likely inferior

Samsung Galaxy A21

  • Slightly faster processor
  • Faster charging
  • Better camera system
  • Reputable brand with good software support

  • More expensive than Ulefone Note 13P
  • HD+ display resolution is not ideal
  • Performance still limited by chipset

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for everyday use. However, Samsung's display technology generally provides slightly better color accuracy and brightness, resulting in a more vibrant visual experience. The A21's screen might have a slightly better coating for scratch resistance, a common Samsung feature.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy A21 typically features a triple-camera setup (main, ultrawide, depth sensor) offering more versatility than the Note 13P's likely dual-camera setup. Samsung's image processing is generally more refined, resulting in better dynamic range and color reproduction. Low-light performance is also likely to be better on the A21.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A21's Helio P35 boasts a marginally faster clock speed (2.35 GHz vs 2.3 GHz) compared to the Ulefone Note 13P's Helio G35. While both are entry-level chipsets, the A21 will likely handle multitasking and demanding apps slightly better. Expect both to struggle with graphically intensive games.

Battery Life

Both phones have large batteries (likely around 5000mAh), offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the Samsung Galaxy A21's 15W charging is faster than the Ulefone Note 13P's 10W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Note 13P is ideal for users prioritizing the absolute lowest price and don't mind a less polished experience. The Samsung Galaxy A21 is a better fit for those seeking a more reliable brand, slightly better performance, and faster charging, even if it costs a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A21 is likely to receive longer software updates and security patches due to Samsung's commitment to supporting its devices.
❓ Is the Ulefone Note 13P worth considering if I'm on a very tight budget?
Absolutely! The Ulefone Note 13P offers a surprisingly good feature set for its price, making it a viable option for those prioritizing affordability above all else.