The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Ulefone Note 15 and Samsung Galaxy A05s represent two distinct approaches to affordability. The Ulefone prioritizes a low entry price, while the Samsung A05s aims for a more balanced experience with a newer chipset and improved display technology. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset offers significantly better performance and future-proofing than the Ulefone Note 15’s Mediatek MT6580A. While the Ulefone is cheaper, the A05s’ improved display and battery life justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, June 18 | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 18 | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.2 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.19 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 93.4 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580A/WVP (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunset Purple, Diamond Blue, Twilight Black | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | - | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | About 80 EUR | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Note 15
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- May offer expandable storage (market dependent)
- Outdated and slow processor
- Likely poor display quality
- Limited software support
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Significantly better performance with Snapdragon 680
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Longer battery life and faster charging
- Slightly higher price
- Camera performance may not be flagship-level
- Still a budget device with potential compromises
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a significantly more advanced display. With a measured peak brightness of 468 nits, it’s considerably brighter than what we’d expect from the Ulefone Note 15, making it more usable outdoors. The 1418:1 contrast ratio on the A05s also contributes to a more visually appealing image. While the Ulefone’s display specs are unavailable, its price point suggests a lower-quality panel. The A05s’ superior display is a clear advantage for media consumption and everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature cameras, but details are limited. The Samsung Galaxy A05s likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 680, offering better image processing capabilities. While both may include a standard photo/video mode, the Ulefone Note 15’s older chipset will likely result in slower processing times and lower image quality. Without specific sensor details for either device, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the A05s’ chipset provides a foundation for superior camera performance.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A05s’ Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is an octa-core processor built on a modern fabrication process, offering a significant leap in efficiency and power compared to the Ulefone Note 15’s Mediatek MT6580A (28nm). The Snapdragon 680’s architecture – featuring 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores – allows for smoother multitasking and more responsive app launches. The older Mediatek chipset and its quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU will struggle with demanding applications and may exhibit noticeable lag. This difference is critical for users who plan to use their phone for anything beyond basic communication.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines in battery life, achieving an active use score of 11 hours and 32 minutes. While the Ulefone Note 15’s battery capacity is unknown, the less efficient Mediatek MT6580A chipset will likely result in shorter runtimes. Furthermore, the A05s supports 25W wired charging, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the Ulefone, which likely has slower charging capabilities. The combination of a more efficient chipset and faster charging gives the A05s a significant advantage in battery performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 15 if your absolute priority is the lowest possible price and you only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you value smoother performance for multitasking, occasional gaming, a brighter and more vibrant display, and longer battery life, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s powerful enough for modern mobile games?
The Snapdragon 680 is capable of running many popular mobile games, but you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings for smoother gameplay in more demanding titles. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s a significant step up from the Ulefone Note 15’s chipset and will provide a much more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How does the 28nm process of the Mediatek MT6580A affect the Ulefone Note 15’s battery life?
The 28nm fabrication process is significantly less efficient than the 6nm process used in the Snapdragon 680. This means the Mediatek chipset consumes more power for the same tasks, resulting in shorter battery life for the Ulefone Note 15. You’ll likely need to charge it more frequently.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A05s receive software updates for a long period?
Samsung typically provides several years of security updates for its A-series devices. While the A05s is a budget model, it’s likely to receive at least a couple of major Android version updates and several years of security patches, offering better long-term software support than the Ulefone Note 15.
