The Ulefone Note 6 and Nokia G21 represent two compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware, particularly in the chipset and resulting performance. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G21 is the superior choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Ulefone Note 6’s SC7731e, making it noticeably smoother for everyday tasks. While both offer comparable battery life, the G21’s 18W charging is a welcome addition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 11 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 11 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 155.4 x 73.4 x 8.5 mm (6.12 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~80.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7731e | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 3300 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Purple, Red | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | - | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.7 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 171299 (v9)
GeekBench: 1193 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Ulefone Note 6
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable battery life for basic use
- Functional for essential smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Likely lower display brightness
- Outdated chipset architecture
Nokia G21
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Brighter display for better visibility
- 18W fast charging with PD3.0
- Slightly higher price
- Camera performance likely limited by budget sensors
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
Both the Ulefone Note 6 and Nokia G21 share a contrast ratio of 1631:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Nokia G21 boasts a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, a significant advantage over what we can infer is a lower brightness on the Ulefone Note 6. This brighter display will be more visible outdoors and in brightly lit environments. While neither phone is likely to feature high-end panel technology, the G21’s brightness provides a tangible usability benefit.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Nokia G21’s more powerful chipset likely enables better image processing, potentially leading to slightly improved photo quality. It's reasonable to assume both phones will struggle in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to provide meaningful photographic value.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The Ulefone Note 6 utilizes the Unisoc SC7731e, a quad-core processor based on the Cortex-A7 architecture. In contrast, the Nokia G21 is powered by the Unisoc T606, an octa-core chip featuring a mix of Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A55 cores. This architectural leap is crucial; the A75 cores offer significantly higher single-core performance, resulting in a much snappier user experience. The T606’s 12nm manufacturing process also contributes to improved efficiency compared to the SC7731e. Users will experience faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Nokia G21.
Battery Life
Both the Ulefone Note 6 and Nokia G21 achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Nokia G21 includes 18W wired charging with PD3.0 support, a significant advantage over the likely slower charging capabilities of the Ulefone Note 6. This means the G21 can be topped up much faster, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. While both will likely last a full day on a single charge for moderate users, the G21’s charging speed is a key differentiator.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 6 if your primary need is a functional smartphone for extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and you prioritize the absolute lowest possible price. Buy the Nokia G21 if you want a more responsive experience for social media, streaming, and occasional gaming, and appreciate the convenience of faster charging and a more modern chipset architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 powerful enough for casual gaming?
The Unisoc T606 is capable of handling casual games without significant issues. However, demanding titles will likely require reduced graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops. It's a step up from the Ulefone Note 6's chipset, but don't expect flagship-level gaming performance.
❓ How long does it actually take to charge the Nokia G21 from 0% to 100%?
With the included 18W charger and PD3.0 support, the Nokia G21 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2-2.5 hours. This is considerably faster than the Ulefone Note 6, which likely takes 3+ hours with a standard charger.
❓ Will the Nokia G21 receive software updates and security patches?
Nokia has a relatively good track record for providing software updates and security patches, even for their budget devices. While the frequency and duration of support are not guaranteed, the G21 is more likely to receive updates than the Ulefone Note 6, which may have limited software support.
