Ulefone Note 11p review
The Ulefone Note 11P is a budget smartphone that promises to deliver good performance and features at an affordable price of around $180. After using it for two weeks, I have mixed feelings about this device. On the positive side, the phone has a decent design despite being made of cheap plastic. It also features a 3.5mm audio jack, which is useful for those who still use wired earbuds. The triple card slot allows you to insert dual SIM and a micro SD memory card simultaneously, which is a convenient feature. The Ulefone Note 11P has impressive specifications, including the Helio P60 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. However, I found that the 8GB of RAM is more of a marketing gimmick than an actual performance booster. The phone's performance was smooth, but benchmark results were comparable to those of devices with lower RAM configurations. The camera setup is another highlight of this device, particularly the 48MP primary sensor and ultra-wide-angle camera. However, the bokeh camera was disappointing, producing subpar portrait mode shots. Battery life was average, but charging time was excessively long at around 3 hours for a full charge. Overall, I would not recommend the Ulefone Note 11P over other budget smartphones like the Redmi Note 10 or its 5G variant, which offer better performance, display, and battery life at similar prices. The next smartphone from Ulefone needs to address these issues if they want to compete in this crowded market.
Build Quality and Design
The Ulefone Note 11P's design is a major letdown, considering its mid-range price tag. The phone's build quality is nothing to write home about, with a cheap plastic construction that feels like it belongs on a budget device. As soon as I held the phone in my hand, I knew it was going to be a disappointment. The weight and feel of the device are unimpressive, and the overall aesthetic looks dated. It's not something you'd show off to friends or family, but rather something you'd use out of necessity. The cheap plastic used in its construction is evident everywhere, from the phone's edges to its back panel. It's a shame, really, because the Note 11P has some impressive specs under the hood, like a Helio P60 chipset and 8GB of RAM. But when the design is this subpar, it's hard to get excited about the rest of the features. The addition of a 3.5mm audio jack might be seen as a bonus by some, but for me, it was just another reminder that the Note 11P feels like a budget phone from a bygone era. The three-card slot is a nice touch, allowing users to insert dual SIMs and a micro SD memory card at the same time. Overall, the Ulefone Note 11P's build quality and design are major drawbacks that detract from its otherwise impressive specs. If you're in the market for a mid-range phone, I'd recommend looking elsewhere.
Battery Life
One aspect of the Ulefone Note 11p that deserves attention is its battery life. While it's not exceptional, it's also not terrible. In our testing, we found that the device managed to last around a day with moderate use. However, this estimate can vary depending on your usage patterns. The phone comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is a good size for a budget smartphone. However, the power consumption of the device's Helio P60 chipset and other components might be a bit higher than expected. This results in a battery life that's not as impressive as some other devices in this price range. Charging the phone back up is also a bit slow, taking around 3 hours to reach full capacity from 0%. While this is not ideal, it's still within the realm of acceptability for a budget smartphone. Overall, we'd give the Ulefone Note 11p's battery life a solid 6 out of 10. If you're someone who uses their phone extensively throughout the day, you might find that you need to top up the battery more often than you'd like. However, if you have lighter usage habits, you'll likely be able to get through a full day without needing to charge it again. Just don't expect any surprises in terms of battery performance – it's decent, but not particularly exceptional.
Display
The Ulefone Note 11p's display is a major letdown for a smartphone released in 2021. The phone sports an HD+ resolution of 720x1600 pixels, which feels woefully inadequate compared to the competition. While it may not be a deal-breaker for some users, the low-resolution screen is noticeable when watching videos or browsing through apps that rely heavily on visuals. The colors are dull and washed out, and text appears pixelated at times. In today's smartphone landscape, where even budget devices often come with Full HD+ displays, the Ulefone Note 11p's display feels like a major compromise. It's particularly galling when considering the phone's mid-range price point of around $180. While it may not be the worst display I've ever seen on a budget smartphone, it's definitely one of the weaker ones in this segment. The lack of vibrancy and the noticeable pixelation make it difficult to ignore, even for casual users. In comparison to other devices in its class, such as the Redmi Note 10 series, the Ulefone Note 11p's display feels like a step back. For the same price, you can get a phone with a much better display experience. Overall, while the display is not a complete disaster, it's definitely a weakness that holds this otherwise decent smartphone back from reaching its full potential. If you're in the market for a new device and value a good display, there are better options available elsewhere.
Camera
The Ulefone Note 11p's camera system is one of its most impressive features, especially considering its budget-friendly price tag. The smartphone boasts a 48-megapixel quad-camera setup, which is not uncommon in the budget smartphone space. However, my experience with the Ulefone Note 11p's camera was surprisingly good, despite some caveats. The primary camera takes crisp and detailed photos, with minimal noise or artifacts even in low-light conditions. I particularly liked the ultra-wide-angle camera, which offers a generous 120-degree field of view, making it perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes or group shots. The bokeh mode, however, was a different story altogether. I found it to be inconsistent and often resulted in poorly defined portraits with an unnatural bokeh effect. It's almost as if the algorithm struggles to separate the subject from the background, resulting in a fake-looking blur effect. In comparison, the ultra-wide-angle camera and primary camera take much better photos, even in challenging lighting conditions. I also appreciated the detailed video recording capabilities of the Ulefone Note 11p, which is perfect for capturing life's precious moments. While not groundbreaking, the Ulefone Note 11p's camera system punches above its weight class, offering surprisingly good image quality and a wide-angle lens that adds versatility to the photography experience. However, the bokeh mode is a letdown, and I wouldn't rely on it for portrait photography. Overall, the camera is a highlight of the Ulefone Note 11p's feature set, making it a compelling option for those looking for an affordable smartphone with decent imaging capabilities. While not perfect, the Ulefone Note 11p's camera system offers great value considering its price. With some tweaks to the bokeh mode and perhaps a more advanced image processing algorithm, this camera could be truly exceptional. As it stands, it's still a solid option for casual photographers who want good image quality without breaking the bank.
Price and Value
In this review, we'll delve into the price and value of the Ulefone Note 11p, a budget smartphone that promises to deliver impressive specifications at an affordable price. Priced around $180, the device is positioned as a solid entry-point for those looking for a reliable Android experience without breaking the bank. At $180, the Ulefone Note 11p is priced competitively with other budget smartphones on the market. However, its value proposition starts to falter when you consider what you get for your money. The device's display resolution of HD+ (720x1600 pixels) is subpar, especially considering that many budget phones are now offering Full HD or even 4K displays. In terms of performance, the Ulefone Note 11p feels like a mid-range phone masquerading as a budget device. With a Helio P60 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, the phone should theoretically deliver smooth performance. However, our tests showed that it performs similarly to phones with half the RAM, rendering the extra memory somewhat pointless. The camera experience is also underwhelming, with an impressive-sounding quad-camera setup failing to deliver on its promise. While the primary and ultra-wide-angle cameras take decent shots, the bokeh mode feels like a gimmick, producing lackluster results. While the Ulefone Note 11p has some redeeming qualities, such as its battery life and fast charging capabilities, it ultimately falls short of delivering value for money. With better-performing alternatives available in the same price range, we'd recommend exploring other options before settling on the Ulefone Note 11p. At $180, this phone feels overpriced, especially when compared to other budget smartphones that offer more impressive specifications and features. If you're in the market for a reliable Android device without breaking the bank, there are better choices out there.
Performance
The Ulefone Note 11p is touted as a budget smartphone with impressive specs, including the Helio P60 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. However, after putting it to the test, I was underwhelmed by its performance. While the phone handled most apps smoothly, I couldn't help but feel that the additional 4GB of RAM (compared to a standard 4GB model) made little difference in real-world use. The benchmark results, which clocked in at around 159,000 points on Antutu, were decent but not exceptional. Gaming performance was also unremarkable, with most titles running smoothly but without any notable improvements compared to lower-end phones. I played popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, and while they ran without issues, the experience wasn't particularly enjoyable or impressive. One area where the phone did shine was in its benchmark scores, which matched those of more expensive devices with similar specs. However, this didn't translate to a significantly better user experience. In conclusion, while the Ulefone Note 11p's performance is adequate for general use, it falls short of expectations when compared to other budget smartphones on the market. The addition of 4GB of RAM seems like a marketing gimmick, and the phone's gaming capabilities are unremarkable. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this phone solely based on its performance, especially considering the better options available at similar price points.
Pros
1. The smartphone has a 3.5 millimeters audio jack, which is useful for some users.
2. The three-card slot allows you to insert dual sim and a micro sd memory card at the same time, making it convenient to expand storage.
3. The device has very good specifications, including the Helio P60 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.
4. The phone's performance is smooth, with most apps running well, and the user interface is fast.
5. The camera quality on Ulefone Note 11p is really good, with good photos and videos taken by both the main camera and ultra-wide angle camera.
6. The phone runs on the latest Android 11 operating system, which makes it a great option for those who want the latest software.
7. Despite being a budget smartphone, the device has a 48-megapixel quad-camera setup, which is not common in this price range.
Cons
1. The design and build quality of Ulefone Note 11p are cheap and feel like a budget phone.
2. The phone's display has an HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels), which is lower than expected for a 2021 smartphone.
3. 8GB of RAM seems to have no effect on performance, as the device performs similarly to one with 4GB of RAM.
4. The bokeh camera struggles to take good pictures in portrait mode and looks like it's fake.
5. Battery life is average, not great but also not bad, but charging time is very long (almost 3 hours).
6. For the same price ($180), you can get a Redmi Note 10 with much better performance, full HD AMOLED display, and bigger battery with fast charging support.