The Ulefone Note 8 and the Infinix Smart 6 Plus (India) represent the extreme end of the budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point, but they take very different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user needing a functional, if basic, smartphone experience, the Infinix Smart 6 Plus (India) is the better choice. Its newer Helio G25 chipset, built on a 12nm process, provides a significant performance uplift over the Ulefone Note 8’s aging MT6580, making everyday tasks noticeably smoother.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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 | 2020, August 28. Released 2020, August 28 | 2022, July 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 141.7 x 66.5 x 12 mm (5.58 x 2.62 x 0.47 in) | 172.6 x 77.7 x 8.7 mm (6.80 x 3.06 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 153 g (5.40 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 442 x 960 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~257 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 74.1 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 440 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 12 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 5 MP, f/2.8
2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 720p@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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2700 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Amber Sunrise, Midnight Green | Tranquil Sea Blue, Miracle Black |
| Models | - | X6823C, X6823 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Ulefone Note 8
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Simpler software experience (potentially less bloatware)
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Significantly slower performance
- Less efficient processor
- Outdated architecture
Infinix Smart 6 Plus (India)
- Faster and more efficient processor (Helio G25)
- Larger 5000mAh battery
- More responsive user experience
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Limited camera capabilities
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Specifications are unavailable for the Ulefone Note 8's panel, but given its price point, it's likely a low-resolution IPS LCD. The Infinix Smart 6 Plus also utilizes an IPS LCD, but details regarding its brightness and color accuracy are limited. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power needed to drive the display; the more capable GPU in the Smart 6 Plus will likely result in smoother animations and transitions, even if the panel itself isn't high-end.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Details are sparse, but it's safe to assume both will include a primary sensor and potentially a secondary depth or macro lens. Given the limited processing power of the Ulefone Note 8, image processing will be slower and less sophisticated. The Helio G25 in the Infinix Smart 6 Plus offers a slight advantage in image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction, though expectations should remain modest for both devices.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Ulefone Note 8’s Mediatek MT6580, a quad-core processor built on a 28nm process, is demonstrably slower and less efficient than the Infinix Smart 6 Plus’s Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25. The Helio G25 features an octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) and is fabricated on a more modern 12nm process. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience on the Infinix device. The older architecture of the MT6580 will struggle with modern app demands.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for the Ulefone Note 8. The Infinix Smart 6 Plus (India) features a 5000mAh battery. While charging wattage is not specified for either device, the more efficient 12nm Helio G25 chipset in the Infinix Smart 6 Plus will likely contribute to longer battery life, even with a similar usage pattern. The older 28nm process of the MT6580 will consume more power, reducing overall runtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 8 if you absolutely need a phone that works with minimal software overhead and are comfortable with significantly slower performance. It's a viable option for those who primarily need a calling device with basic features. Buy the Infinix Smart 6 Plus (India) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, even for simple tasks like browsing and social media, and want a phone that feels less dated in terms of processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 6 Plus (India) struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Helio G25 isn't a powerhouse, it's sufficient to run apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly. You might experience some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously, but for basic social media use, it should perform adequately. The Ulefone Note 8's MT6580 will likely struggle more with these apps, exhibiting noticeable lag.
❓ Is the camera on either of these phones good enough for casual snapshots?
Both phones are equipped with basic camera systems intended for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. Don't expect high-quality images, especially in low light. The Infinix Smart 6 Plus may offer slightly better image processing, but overall, camera performance should be considered a secondary feature on both devices.
❓ Can the Infinix Smart 6 Plus (India) handle light gaming?
The Helio G25 is a gaming-focused chip, albeit an entry-level one. You'll be able to play less demanding games, but don't expect to run graphically intensive titles like PUBG Mobile at high settings. The Ulefone Note 8's MT6580 is not suitable for gaming beyond very simple titles.
