The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Note 14 and the Nokia G50. Both promise a lot for their price point, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G50 takes the crown thanks to its superior chipset (Snapdragon 480 5G), 5G connectivity, and generally smoother performance. While the Ulefone Note 14 is a decent option, the G50's advancements make it the more compelling 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 / 1900 / 2100 - EU, ROW, China |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EU, ROW, China |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - EU, ROW, China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | eMMC 5.1 | 2, 5, 7, 38, 41, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - NA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 29 | 2021, September 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 29 | Available. Released 2021, October 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 173.8 x 77.7 x 8.9 mm (6.84 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~252 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 114.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, AF (64/4 model)
8 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, AF (16/3 model)
Depth camera | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Mint Green, Lavender Purple | Midnight Sun, Ocean Blue |
| Models | - | TA-1358, TA-1390, TA-1370, TA-1367, TA-1361 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Note 14
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Weak processor
- Limited features
- Lower quality camera
Nokia G50
- 5G connectivity
- Faster processor (Snapdragon 480 5G)
- Better camera
- Nokia reliability
- Slightly more expensive
- 18W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5-6.6 inches. The Nokia G50 likely has a slightly better panel with potentially better color accuracy and brightness, though both will be adequate for media consumption. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia G50 likely boasts a more versatile camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and better image processing. While both phones will offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, the G50 should perform better in low light. Expect a 48MP main camera on both, but Nokia's image processing is generally better.
Performance
This is where the Nokia G50 shines. The Snapdragon 480 5G is significantly more powerful than the Helio A22. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the G50. The Ulefone Note 14 will handle basic tasks, but may struggle with demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life. The Nokia G50's more efficient chipset may give it a slight edge in battery endurance. The 18W charging on the Nokia G50 is a standard speed.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Note 14 is a good option for users prioritizing a very low price and basic functionality. The Nokia G50 is ideal for those wanting 5G connectivity, better performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and the reliability associated with the Nokia brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Note 14 good for gaming?
The Ulefone Note 14's processor is not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but don't expect smooth performance on high settings.
❓ Does the Nokia G50 support 5G?
Yes, the Nokia G50 supports 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where available.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Nokia is known for providing timely Android updates and security patches, so the Nokia G50 is likely to have better long-term software support.