The Ulefone Note 14 and Xiaomi Poco M5 represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Note 14 aims for absolute affordability, while the Poco M5 attempts to deliver a more compelling feature set and performance within a still-tight budget. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M5 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the Ulefone Note 14’s Helio A22, making it suitable for more than just basic tasks. However, the Ulefone Note 14 remains a viable option for those prioritizing absolute minimum cost.
| 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, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 29 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 29 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| 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) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Mint Green, Lavender Purple | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | - | 22071219CG |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Ulefone Note 14
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic communication
- Potentially longer standby time due to less demanding processor
- Significantly slower performance
- Likely inferior display quality
- Limited camera capabilities
Xiaomi Poco M5
- Much faster performance with Helio G99
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster charging at 18W
- Higher price than Ulefone Note 14
- Battery life is similar despite more powerful processor
- Camera quality still limited by budget constraints
Display Comparison
The Poco M5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 448 nits and a 1363:1 contrast ratio, offering a noticeably more vibrant and visible display experience, especially outdoors. While the Ulefone Note 14’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of the Poco M5 in both brightness and contrast, typical for its price bracket. The Poco M5’s contrast ratio suggests an IPS panel, providing wider viewing angles than the potentially cheaper TN panel the Note 14 might employ.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the price points, image quality will likely be a secondary concern. The Poco M5, benefiting from its more powerful ISP within the Helio G99, will likely offer better image processing and potentially more features. It’s safe to assume the Ulefone Note 14’s camera will be adequate for basic snapshots but will struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Poco M5’s Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, features an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and a more powerful GPU. This contrasts sharply with the Ulefone Note 14’s Helio A22 (12nm) and its quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The G99’s architecture, utilizing Cortex-A76 cores, provides a substantial uplift in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the octa-core configuration improves multitasking capabilities. The 6nm process also translates to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the Poco M5’s slightly higher power draw.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 121 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the Poco M5’s more powerful processor. This is likely due to the Poco M5’s more efficient 6nm chipset partially offsetting its increased processing demands. The Poco M5 supports 18W wired charging, offering faster replenishment compared to the likely slower charging capabilities of the Ulefone Note 14, though the Note 14's charging speed isn't specified.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 14 if you need a functional smartphone for essential communication – calls, texts, and very light app usage – and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5 if you prefer a device capable of handling social media, streaming video, and casual gaming without significant lag, and you're willing to spend a little more for a smoother experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco M5’s Helio G99 capable of playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G99 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The A22 in the Ulefone Note 14 would struggle significantly with this title.
❓ How much faster is the Poco M5 in everyday tasks like browsing and social media compared to the Ulefone Note 14?
The Poco M5 will feel noticeably snappier in everyday tasks. App launch times will be faster, scrolling will be smoother, and multitasking will be less prone to lag due to the G99’s superior CPU and GPU performance.
❓ Does the Poco M5 support fast charging, and how long does it take to fully charge?
The Poco M5 supports 18W wired charging. While not exceptionally fast, it will fully charge the device in approximately 2-3 hours, depending on the charger used. The Ulefone Note 14’s charging speed is unknown but is likely slower.
❓ What type of storage does the Poco M5 use, and is it expandable?
While not specified in the provided data, Poco M5 typically comes with UFS 2.2 storage, which is faster than the eMMC storage often found in ultra-budget phones like the Ulefone Note 14. It also supports microSD card expansion for additional storage.
