The Ulefone Note 6 and Oppo A17k represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this. The Ulefone relies on an older, power-efficient chipset, while the Oppo opts for a newer, more powerful (but potentially less efficient) Mediatek Helio G35. This comparison will dissect these choices and determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic tasks like calling, messaging, and light social media, the Oppo A17k emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G35 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Ulefone Note 6’s Unisoc SC7731e, making for a smoother, more responsive user experience, despite potentially slightly reduced battery longevity.
| 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, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 11 | 2022, October 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 11 | Available. Released 2022, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 155.4 x 73.4 x 8.5 mm (6.12 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) | 164.2 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IPX4 water resistance |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~80.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7731e | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 3300 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Purple, Red | Navy Blue, Gold |
| Models | - | CPH2471 |
| Price | - | About 130 EUR |
Ulefone Note 6
- Potentially longer battery life due to the power-efficient chipset.
- Lower price point is likely.
- Simpler user experience for basic tasks.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Oppo A17k.
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Oppo A17k
- Faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Helio G35.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- More enjoyable gaming experience (for casual games).
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the Ulefone Note 6.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Image processing may still be limited by the budget sensor.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the lack of detailed display specs, we can assume both utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. However, the Oppo A17k’s chipset allows for potentially better image processing, which *could* translate to slightly more vibrant colors. The Ulefone Note 6, with its older chipset, may struggle with smoother animations and faster refresh rates, if supported at all. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards social media sharing rather than professional photography. The Oppo A17k’s more powerful chipset *could* enable slightly better image processing, potentially improving dynamic range and noise reduction. The Ulefone Note 6 will likely struggle with complex scenes and low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; these sensors typically produce low-quality images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Note 6’s Unisoc SC7731e is a quad-core processor built on a larger fabrication process, prioritizing power efficiency over raw performance. Conversely, the Oppo A17k’s Mediatek Helio G35 is an octa-core processor fabricated on a 12nm node. This means the A17k has twice the processing cores and a more modern manufacturing process, resulting in significantly faster CPU speeds (2.3 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Helio G35’s architecture (4x Cortex-A53 @ 2.3GHz & 4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.8GHz) is also more efficient than the A7 cores in the Ulefone, leading to better multitasking and app loading times. Users who play even casual games will find the Oppo A17k a far more enjoyable experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target market, both devices likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Ulefone Note 6, with its power-efficient Unisoc chipset, will likely offer longer battery life *per charge*. However, the Oppo A17k’s more efficient Helio G35, despite its higher performance, may not suffer a drastic reduction in battery life, and the faster processing speeds will allow for quicker task completion, potentially reducing overall screen-on time. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to utilize slow charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 6 if you absolutely prioritize maximizing battery life and are willing to accept slower performance for very basic tasks. It’s a good option for users who primarily need a phone for calls and texts. Buy the Oppo A17k if you want a more responsive experience for everyday apps, occasional gaming, and a generally smoother user interface, even if it means slightly more frequent charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G35 in the Oppo A17k overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G35 is a capable chip for its class, it's still an entry-level processor. Prolonged gaming at high settings will likely cause some thermal throttling, reducing performance to prevent overheating. However, it's unlikely to reach dangerously high temperatures, and the phone is not designed for intensive, sustained gaming.
❓ Is the Ulefone Note 6 suitable for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Ulefone Note 6’s Unisoc SC7731e chipset and limited RAM will struggle with multitasking. Running more than a few apps concurrently will likely result in noticeable slowdowns and app crashes. It’s best suited for running one app at a time.
❓ How does the camera perform in low-light conditions on the Oppo A17k?
Low-light camera performance on the Oppo A17k will be limited by the budget sensor and lens. Expect noisy images with limited detail. The Helio G35’s image processing can help to some extent, but it won’t be able to overcome the fundamental limitations of the hardware.
❓ Can the Oppo A17k handle popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Oppo A17k’s Helio G35 chipset should handle TikTok and Instagram relatively smoothly. While you might experience occasional stutters with very demanding filters or effects, the overall experience should be acceptable for casual social media use.
