Choosing a smartphone can be overwhelming, especially when considering vastly different price points. Today, we pit the budget-friendly Ulefone Note 6P against the aging but iconic Apple iPhone 6s. Can the Ulefone's modern features compete with the iPhone's established ecosystem and brand recognition?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 6s, despite its age, offers a smoother, more refined experience thanks to the iOS ecosystem and A9 chip. However, the Ulefone Note 6P provides significantly more modern features like a larger screen, more RAM, and a more recent Android version, all at a fraction of the cost. It's a trade-off between polish and value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29 - A1688 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1687 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 25 | 2015, September 09. Released 2015, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 25 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 155.4 x 73.4 x 8.5 mm (6.12 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 143 g (5.04 oz) |
| | - | Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Ion-strengthened glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~80.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits |
| | - | 3D Touch |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Apple A9 (14/16 nm - maker dependant) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GT7600 (six-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | iOS 9, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps,1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 16-bit/44.1kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 240 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 3300 mAh | Li-Ion 1715 mAh, non-removable (6.91 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Purple, Red | Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | A1633, A1688, A1691, A1700, iPhone8,1 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.14 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.8dB / Crosstalk -73.2dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 62h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1481 (nominal), 3.783 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 65dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2195 |
Ulefone Note 6P
- Large Display
- More RAM (likely 4GB or more)
- Modern Android Version
- Larger Battery Capacity (likely)
- Significantly Lower Price
- Less Powerful Processor
- Potentially Lower Camera Quality
- Less Refined User Experience
- Build Quality May Be Lower
Apple iPhone 6s
- Powerful A9 Chip
- Smooth iOS Experience
- Established Ecosystem
- Good Camera Quality
- Premium Build Quality
- Small Display
- Limited RAM (2GB)
- Older iOS Version
- Smaller Battery Capacity
- Significantly Higher Price
- Aging Hardware
Display Comparison
The Ulefone Note 6P boasts a larger display (likely 6.53 inches) compared to the iPhone 6s's 4.7-inch screen. While both have a contrast ratio of 1481 (nominal) and 3.783 (sunlight), the Ulefone's larger size offers more immersive viewing. The iPhone 6s display, however, benefits from Apple's color calibration and potentially better brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is a complex area. The iPhone 6s's camera is known for its consistent image quality and ease of use. The Ulefone Note 6P likely has higher megapixel counts, but image processing and sensor size are crucial factors. Expect the iPhone 6s to produce more natural-looking photos, while the Ulefone might offer more vibrant, albeit potentially less accurate, colors.
Performance
Here's where the iPhone 6s shines. The Apple A9 chip, though older, is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A. iOS is also highly optimized, resulting in a smoother and more responsive user experience. The Ulefone Note 6P's octa-core processor is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding games or multitasking.
Battery Life
Both devices are reported to have an endurance rating of 62h. However, battery capacity is a key factor. The Ulefone Note 6P likely has a larger battery capacity (around 5000mAh) compared to the iPhone 6s (around 1810mAh), potentially translating to longer real-world usage despite the similar endurance rating. Software optimization also plays a role.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Note 6P is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize screen size, RAM, and a modern Android experience. The iPhone 6s is a better choice for those already invested in the Apple ecosystem, valuing iOS simplicity and a more polished user experience, and who don't mind an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iPhone 6s still worth buying in 2024?
It depends. If you're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and prioritize a smooth, simple user experience, it can be a budget-friendly option. However, be aware of its age and limited future software updates.
❓ Will the Ulefone Note 6P receive software updates?
Ulefone's update track record is not always consistent. Expect a few Android updates, but long-term support is uncertain. Check Ulefone's website for the latest information.
