The Ulefone Note 18 Ultra and Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience, they diverge significantly in their core processing power and charging capabilities, making a direct comparison crucial for discerning buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8050 chipset offers a substantial upgrade over the Ulefone Note 18 Ultra’s Dimensity 720. However, the Ulefone Note 18 Ultra’s impressive 50:45h endurance provides a significant advantage for those who value extended battery life above all else.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, May | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Available. Released 2023, May 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 162.7 x 75.9 x 7.8 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 211.6 g (7.48 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass, Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8050 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, HIOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.31", 0.7µm, PDAF
50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚, (ultrawide), 1/2.8" | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.7µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5450 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lustrous Black, Moonlit White, Titanium Gray | Dark Welkin, Serenity Blue |
| Models | - | CK8n |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 50:45h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class C (108 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Ulefone Note 18 Ultra
- Exceptional battery life (50:45h endurance)
- Potentially longer battery lifespan (1000 charge cycles)
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Less powerful processor (Dimensity 720)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 8050)
- Faster charging (33W)
- Potentially better camera system
- Shorter battery life (estimated)
- Higher price point (likely)
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price points, both devices likely utilize LCD or lower-tier AMOLED panels. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G, being positioned as a more premium device, may benefit from a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially a higher refresh rate, though this is speculative. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent beyond the fact that both phones likely feature multi-camera systems. Given the Tecno brand’s focus on camera technology, it’s reasonable to assume the Camon 20 Pro 5G will have a more sophisticated camera setup, potentially with a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Ulefone Note 18 Ultra may prioritize quantity of lenses over quality, potentially including lower-resolution auxiliary sensors.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G’s Dimensity 8050, fabricated on a 6nm process, represents a significant leap over the Ulefone Note 18 Ultra’s Dimensity 720 (7nm). The 8050 boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core alongside 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, compared to the Note 18 Ultra’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This translates to faster application launches, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Tecno's CPU architecture is also more modern, with the A78 cores offering a performance advantage over the A76 cores in the Ulefone.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Note 18 Ultra shines in battery endurance, boasting a tested 50:45h runtime. While the capacity isn’t specified, this figure suggests a large battery coupled with efficient power management. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G, however, compensates with faster charging – 33W wired versus the Ulefone’s 18W. This means the Tecno can replenish its battery significantly quicker, even if its overall capacity is smaller. The Ulefone’s 1000 cycle battery claim suggests a focus on long-term battery health, but the slower charging speed is a trade-off.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 18 Ultra if you need exceptional battery life and are willing to trade some processing power for it. This phone is ideal for users who frequently travel, rely heavily on their phone throughout the day, or simply dislike frequent charging. Buy the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience, faster app loading times, and quicker charging, making it better suited for gamers, content creators, and power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 8050 in the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Dimensity 8050 is a capable chipset and should handle Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. However, sustained performance will depend on the phone's thermal management. Expect some frame drops during extended gaming sessions, but overall, the experience should be significantly smoother than on the Ulefone Note 18 Ultra.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G from 0% with the 33W charger?
With 33W charging, the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G should fully charge from 0% in approximately 60-75 minutes, depending on the battery capacity. This is considerably faster than the Ulefone Note 18 Ultra’s 18W charging, which could take over 2 hours.
❓ Is the 1000 charge cycle claim for the Ulefone Note 18 Ultra battery realistic, and what does it mean for long-term use?
The 1000 charge cycle claim suggests the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its capacity even after being fully charged and discharged 1000 times. While battery degradation is inevitable, this indicates the Ulefone Note 18 Ultra’s battery should maintain acceptable performance for a longer period than batteries with lower cycle ratings.
