The Ulefone Note 8 and Nokia C21 Plus represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability and basic smartphone features.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a slightly more responsive experience, the Nokia C21 Plus is the better choice. Its octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor provides a significant performance uplift over the Ulefone Note 8’s quad-core Mediatek MT6580, making everyday tasks smoother, despite both phones sharing a 28nm process.
| 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 | - | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 28. Released 2020, August 28 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, April 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 141.7 x 66.5 x 12 mm (5.58 x 2.62 x 0.47 in) | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 153 g (5.40 oz) | 178 g or 191 g (6.28 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 442 x 960 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 74.1 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 5 MP, f/2.8
2 MP | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 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-Ion 4000/5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Amber Sunrise, Midnight Green | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Note 8
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Likely slower app loading times
- May struggle with multitasking
Nokia C21 Plus
- Octa-core processor for smoother performance
- More responsive user interface
- 10W wired charging included
- Slightly higher price
- Charging speed is relatively slow
- Camera quality likely similar to Ulefone
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone nor Nokia provide display specifications beyond size. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with modest resolutions (likely 720p+). The absence of data prevents a detailed comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or viewing angles. However, the Nokia C21 Plus’s slightly higher price *suggests* a potentially better-quality panel, though this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable for either device. However, given the target market, expectations should be tempered. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing capabilities, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s safe to assume image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but will suffer in low-light scenarios. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Ulefone Note 8’s Mediatek MT6580, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.3 GHz using Cortex-A7 cores, is a demonstrably older and less capable design. The Nokia C21 Plus, equipped with the Unisoc SC9863A, boasts an octa-core configuration (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55). This means the Nokia C21 Plus can handle more simultaneous tasks and will exhibit smoother performance in app switching and basic gaming. While both are built on a 28nm process, the architectural improvements of the Cortex-A55 cores and the increased core count give the Unisoc chip a clear advantage. The Ulefone will struggle with even moderately demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the low-power chipsets, both phones should offer at least a full day of battery life with moderate usage. The Nokia C21 Plus includes 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by modern standards, but adequate for this price range. The Ulefone Note 8’s charging speed is unknown, but likely similar. The real-world impact will depend on battery capacity, but the more efficient Unisoc processor in the Nokia C21 Plus may contribute to slightly longer runtimes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 8 if you need a phone for extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and are prioritizing the absolute lowest possible price. Buy the Nokia C21 Plus if you prefer a more fluid user experience, even for simple apps, and appreciate the benefit of an octa-core processor for multitasking and future-proofing, even within the budget segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia C21 Plus handle popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A’s octa-core architecture is sufficiently powerful to run Facebook, WhatsApp, and similar social media apps without significant lag. While it won’t offer a flagship-level experience, it will provide a usable and reasonably responsive experience for these common tasks.
❓ Is the Ulefone Note 8 suitable for playing mobile games?
The Ulefone Note 8 is not well-suited for gaming. The Mediatek MT6580 processor lacks the graphical power to run most modern mobile games at playable frame rates. Even simple games may experience stuttering and lag. The Nokia C21 Plus will offer a slightly better gaming experience, but still isn't ideal.
❓ Does the Nokia C21 Plus support software updates?
Nokia generally provides software updates for its devices, even at the entry-level. However, the frequency and duration of support for the C21 Plus are limited. Expect at least one major Android version update, but long-term support cannot be guaranteed. The Ulefone Note 8’s update track record is less predictable.
❓ What type of SIM cards do these phones support?
Both the Ulefone Note 8 and Nokia C21 Plus likely support dual SIM cards (Nano-SIM). However, specific network compatibility (e.g., 4G LTE bands) may vary depending on the region. Check the specifications for your carrier before purchasing.
