The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. We pit the Ulefone Note 7, a veteran of affordability, against the Samsung Galaxy A05s, a newer entrant leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon series. This comparison isn't about flagship features; it's about maximizing value for essential smartphone tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset offers significantly better performance and efficiency than the Ulefone Note 7’s aging Mediatek MT6580, justifying the slight price difference.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April. Released 2019, April | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 73.7 x 9.7 mm (6.15 x 2.90 x 0.38 in) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177.5 g (6.28 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 600 x 1280 pixels (~232 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 92.3 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP
2 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | - | 25W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 374 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Twilight | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | Q345 | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | About 120 EUR | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Note 7
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- May offer expandable storage (assumption based on market segment)
- Outdated processor
- Poor performance for multitasking
- Likely lower quality display
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Significantly faster processor
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging (25W)
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Better camera image processing
- Slightly higher price
- May lack expandable storage (check specifications)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 468 nits, compared to the Ulefone Note 7’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While the Ulefone Note 7’s panel technology isn’t specified, the A05s’ 1418:1 contrast ratio suggests a more vibrant image. The A05s’ larger screen size (assumed, based on market positioning) also provides a more immersive viewing experience. The Note 7 likely uses an older IPS panel, while the A05s benefits from Samsung’s display expertise.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature cameras, but details are limited for the Ulefone Note 7. The Samsung Galaxy A05s’ camera system is described as 'Photo / Video,' suggesting a standard configuration. While the megapixel count isn’t specified, the A05s likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), offering better image processing and noise reduction compared to the Mediatek chipset in the Note 7. The Note 7 likely relies on basic software algorithms, resulting in lower-quality images, especially in low-light conditions. We can assume both phones include a basic macro camera, but its utility is limited on both devices.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Ulefone Note 7’s Mediatek MT6580, built on a 28nm process, features a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz. This is a dated architecture. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A05s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), an octa-core processor with a mix of 2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 680 delivers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning less throttling during sustained use. The A05s will handle multitasking and app loading significantly faster, and is more capable of running modern applications smoothly.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines in battery life, achieving an active use score of 11 hours and 32 minutes. While the Ulefone Note 7’s battery capacity is unknown, the less efficient Mediatek MT6580 chipset will likely result in shorter runtimes. Furthermore, the A05s supports 25W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Note 7, which likely uses a slower charging standard. This faster charging is a significant convenience factor for users on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 7 if you absolutely need a functional smartphone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light web browsing – and are constrained by the tightest of budgets. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you want a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and a more modern feature set, including faster charging and a brighter display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s handle popular apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is more than capable of running apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly. Its octa-core architecture and efficient 6nm process provide sufficient processing power for social media and everyday tasks without significant lag.
❓ Is the Ulefone Note 7 a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
If your primary use case is calls and texts, and budget is the absolute top priority, the Ulefone Note 7 will function adequately. However, be prepared for slower performance and a less responsive experience when using other apps.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A05s support fast charging with any charger, or do I need a specific Samsung charger?
The Samsung Galaxy A05s supports 25W fast charging, but to achieve the fastest charging speeds, it's recommended to use a charger that supports the Power Delivery (PD) protocol and delivers at least 25W of power. Using a lower wattage charger will still charge the phone, but at a slower rate.
❓ How does the Mediatek MT6580 handle multiple apps open at the same time?
The Mediatek MT6580 struggles with multitasking. Opening several apps simultaneously will likely result in noticeable slowdowns and app reloading, as the quad-core processor and limited RAM are quickly overwhelmed.
