The Ulefone Note 16 Pro and Xiaomi Poco C55 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential features at a low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Ulefone prioritizes battery endurance, while the Poco C55 focuses on providing a slightly more powerful processor for a smoother user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balance of features and affordability, the Xiaomi Poco C55 is the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, with higher clocked Cortex-A75 cores, delivers noticeably snappier performance than the Ulefone Note 16 Pro’s Unisoc T606, making it more suitable for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 30 | 2023, February 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 30 | Available. Released 2023, February 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Panda Glass), eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.4 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.34 in) | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | - | Dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4400 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Violet, Serenity Blue, Meteorite Black | Cool Blue, Power Black, Forest Green |
| Models | - | 22127PC95I |
| Price | - | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 40:15h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class C (98 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Ulefone Note 16 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (40:15h endurance)
- Potentially more efficient processor (Unisoc T606)
- 1000 charge cycles promise long-term usability
- Slower processor compared to the Poco C55
- Likely less responsive user experience
- 10W charging is slow
Xiaomi Poco C55
- Faster processor (Helio G85) for smoother performance
- Better gaming capabilities
- More responsive user interface
- Shorter battery life compared to the Ulefone Note 16 Pro
- 10W charging is slow
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are unavailable, but the focus here is clearly on cost reduction. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, and color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, relying on software processing to enhance image quality. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both feature a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses (likely 2MP macro/depth sensors of limited utility). The image processing style will likely differ – Xiaomi often leans towards more saturated colors, while Ulefone may aim for a more natural look. The Helio G85’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly faster processing speeds, potentially leading to quicker image capture and better low-light performance, but the difference will be marginal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C55’s MediaTek Helio G85 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, compared to the Ulefone Note 16 Pro’s Unisoc T606 with 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This clock speed difference, combined with slightly faster Cortex-A55 cores (1.8 GHz vs 1.6 GHz), translates to a tangible performance advantage for the Poco C55 in CPU-intensive tasks. While both are 12nm chips, the Helio G85’s architecture is optimized for gaming, offering a better experience for titles like PUBG Mobile. The Ulefone’s T606 is more focused on efficiency, contributing to its longer battery life.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Note 16 Pro shines in battery endurance, boasting a remarkable 40:15h rating. This is significantly better than what’s typically seen in this price range. While both phones share the same 10W charging, the Ulefone’s larger battery capacity (specific mAh not provided, but implied to be larger to achieve the endurance) means it will take longer to fully charge. The Poco C55, with its more power-hungry Helio G85, will likely offer a shorter battery life, but the faster processor may make the trade-off worthwhile for users who prioritize performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 16 Pro if you absolutely need maximum battery life and are willing to compromise on processing power. Its 40:15h endurance is exceptional for this price range. Buy the Xiaomi Poco C55 if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, smoother app loading, and slightly better gaming performance, even if it means sacrificing some battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Poco C55 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G85 is known to throttle under sustained load, but the Poco C55’s thermal design (which isn’t detailed) will play a crucial role. Expect some performance reduction after prolonged gaming, but it should remain playable. The Ulefone Note 16 Pro’s T606 is less prone to overheating but also offers lower peak performance.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone with the 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging rate and the likely larger battery capacity of the Ulefone Note 16 Pro, expect it to take upwards of 3-4 hours for a full charge. The Poco C55 will likely charge slightly faster, around 2.5-3.5 hours, but both are significantly slower than phones with fast charging capabilities.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 chipset in the Ulefone Note 16 Pro sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is capable of handling everyday tasks without significant issues. However, expect some lag when multitasking or opening multiple apps. It’s best suited for users with basic smartphone needs.
❓ Does the Poco C55 support popular gaming titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
The Poco C55 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Helio G85 provides a better gaming experience than the Ulefone Note 16 Pro, but don’t expect flagship-level performance.
