The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Ulefone Note 8 and Motorola Moto E40 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, particularly in their core processing power. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Motorola Moto E40 is the superior choice. Its Unisoc T700 chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz, provides a significantly more responsive experience than the Ulefone Note 8’s aging Mediatek MT6580. While both phones are entry-level, the Moto E40 offers a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and light multitasking.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 40, 66 - Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 28. Released 2020, August 28 | 2021, October 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, October 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 141.7 x 66.5 x 12 mm (5.58 x 2.62 x 0.47 in) | 165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 153 g (5.40 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 442 x 960 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 74.1 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) | Unisoc T700 |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali G52 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 5 MP, f/2.8
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2700 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Amber Sunrise, Midnight Green | Carbon Gray, Pink Clay |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Ulefone Note 8
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer longer battery life with minimal usage
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower performance
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps
- Outdated chipset architecture
Motorola Moto E40
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Octa-core processor for smoother multitasking
- More efficient chipset for potentially better battery life
- Slower 10W charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data, we can assume both utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The lack of specified resolution or refresh rate suggests both are likely 720p displays. The Ulefone Note 8’s display quality will likely be adequate for basic viewing, but the Moto E40’s performance advantage may make navigating the UI more pleasant, even on a similar panel. Bezels are likely substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Ulefone Note 8 likely relies heavily on software processing to compensate for its older chipset, potentially leading to slower image capture and processing times. The Moto E40’s more powerful processor could offer faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance, though sensor size and lens quality remain unknown factors. Expect both to struggle with dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Motorola Moto E40’s Unisoc T700, with its eight cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, represents a substantial upgrade over the Ulefone Note 8’s Mediatek MT6580 quad-core processor running at 1.3 GHz. The Unisoc T700’s higher clock speed and core count translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The MT6580, built on a 28nm process, is an older architecture and will struggle with modern applications. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the Moto E40 will handle less demanding games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Moto E40 includes 10W wired charging, which is slow by modern standards, but adequate for overnight charging. Without knowing the battery capacity of the Ulefone Note 8, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the more efficient Unisoc T700 in the Moto E40 could potentially offset a smaller battery capacity, providing comparable or even better real-world battery life. The slower processor in the Ulefone Note 8 will consume less power, but the overall experience may be hampered by the need to conserve battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 8 if you prioritize a potentially lower upfront cost and are willing to accept significantly slower performance for basic tasks like web browsing and messaging. Buy the Motorola Moto E40 if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, even for simple operations, and appreciate the benefits of an octa-core processor for multitasking and app loading times. The Moto E40 is the better choice for anyone who doesn't want to constantly fight with lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto E40 struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
While the Moto E40 isn't a flagship, its Unisoc T700 chipset should handle Facebook and Instagram without significant issues. You might experience some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously, but for typical social media browsing, it should be adequate. The Ulefone Note 8, with its older processor, will likely exhibit more noticeable lag.
❓ Is the Unisoc T700 chipset known for overheating under load?
The Unisoc T700 is generally considered to be a relatively efficient chipset. While it can get warm during prolonged gaming or intensive tasks, it's unlikely to experience significant overheating issues. The Mediatek MT6580 in the Ulefone Note 8, being an older architecture, may also heat up, but its lower performance will likely limit the duration of demanding tasks.
❓ Can I expect to play PUBG Mobile on either of these phones?
PUBG Mobile is a demanding game. While you *might* be able to run it on the Motorola Moto E40 at the lowest settings, expect a choppy experience. The Ulefone Note 8 is unlikely to provide a playable experience due to its limited processing power. Neither phone is suitable for serious PUBG gaming.
