Ulefone Note 17 Pro review
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers impressive features at an affordable price point. The device boasts a stunningly smooth 120Hz display, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia use. Its premium-looking design and generous storage of 256GB are also notable highlights. Under the hood, the Helio G99 processor and 12GB of RAM provide efficient performance for everyday tasks, such as browsing, social media scrolling, or casual gaming without overheating. While not record-breakers, these specs deliver reliable performance in real-world scenarios. However, the camera system is a letdown, with decent photos from the main 108MP sensor but shaky videos due to the lack of image stabilization. The mono speaker also falls short, requiring earbuds for immersive audio experiences. In terms of gaming, the Ulefone Note 17 Pro handles popular titles like Asphalt 9: Legends and Call of Duty Mobile with ease, averaging around 90fps in the latter. Battery life is respectable, lasting four days on average use, and charges quickly to 100% with its 33 watts fast charger. Ultimately, this phone is suitable for those prioritizing style, decent performance, and value over high-end features like top-tier gaming or advanced camera capabilities. Its price point of under $300 makes it a compelling choice for users seeking everyday functionality wrapped in a good-looking package.
Build Quality and Design
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro's build quality is a mixed bag. On one hand, the device has a premium-looking design with a sleek and sturdy construction that feels solid in the hand. The phone's weight distribution is also well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold. However, upon closer inspection, the plastic back panel reveals a more budget-friendly feel. The IP52 rating for dust and water resistance is a welcome addition, but it's not exactly impressive given the competition. The camera module and fingerprint sensor placement can be somewhat awkward, especially for those with larger hands. Despite this, the phone's overall design is still attractive and eye-catching. In terms of materials, the Note 17 Pro has a plastic back panel that feels cheap to the touch. However, it's worth noting that the device's weight and build quality are still respectable given its price point. The phone's dimensions are also well-balanced, making it easy to carry around in a pocket or bag. Overall, while the Ulefone Note 17 Pro's design is not revolutionary, it's still a solid effort for a budget-friendly smartphone. With some tweaks to the build quality and materials used, this device could have truly impressed. As it stands, it's an acceptable choice for those on a tight budget who want a stylish phone with decent performance. The Ulefone Note 17 Pro's design is a mixed bag - while it looks great, the build quality and materials used leave something to be desired. Despite this, the phone still manages to deliver in terms of overall appeal and functionality.
Battery Life
One aspect where the Ulefone Note 17 Pro truly shines is its battery life. In my testing, I was able to get an impressive 4 days of average use on a single charge. This is a testament to the phone's power-efficient processor and optimized software. Even with heavy usage, including gaming and video streaming, the battery managed to last for at least a day and a half. To put this into perspective, my Pixel 8 device typically lasted around 2 days with similar usage patterns. The phone's fast charging capabilities are also worth mentioning. With its 33 watts charger, it took just under an hour to reach 100% capacity. This is actually faster than the iPhone 15 Pro, despite not supporting wireless charging. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Ulefone Note 17 Pro's battery life. It's a significant improvement over many other budget phones on the market and makes this device even more appealing to users who value all-day power. If you're in the market for a phone with great battery life and decent performance, the Note 17 Pro is definitely worth considering.
Display
One of the standout features of the Ulefone Note 17 Pro is its impressive display. The phone boasts a stunningly smooth 120Hz screen, making it perfect for those who enjoy watching videos, playing games, or browsing through their favorite websites. The high refresh rate ensures that visuals are smooth and seamless, reducing eye strain and fatigue. The display itself is of good quality, with vivid colors and crisp text. Whether you're reading an article or scrolling through social media, the screen's clarity is impressive. The 120Hz refresh rate also makes it ideal for gaming, providing a more immersive experience than lower-end displays. In terms of design, the phone's premium look is enhanced by its display. The screen's bezels are minimal, giving the impression that the display dominates the front of the phone. This is further accentuated by the sleek and durable build quality, making the Ulefone Note 17 Pro feel like a high-end device. While some users may find the camera to be underwhelming, the display is definitely one of the strengths of this phone. Its smoothness and clarity make it perfect for everyday use, whether that's watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games. Overall, the Ulefone Note 17 Pro's display is a highlight of this device, making it worth considering for anyone looking for a budget-friendly phone with great visuals. In terms of practicality, the phone's battery life is also impressive, lasting up to four days on average use. The fast charging capabilities are another bonus, allowing users to quickly top up their battery and get back to using their phone.
Camera
The camera on the Ulefone Note 17 Pro is a mixed bag. On the plus side, the main 108MP sensor takes decent pictures in good lighting conditions. Colors are accurate, and the level of detail is sufficient for casual use. However, the lack of image stabilization makes videos shaky and unsmooth. In low-light conditions, the camera struggles to produce clear images. Noise creeps in, and the overall quality suffers. The 108MP sensor can't quite make up for the limitations of the camera hardware. The selfie camera is average at best. Portrait mode works adequately, but the level of detail and resolution are not impressive. Selfies are serviceable for casual use, but you won't win any awards with these photos. One notable omission from the camera feature set is the lack of a telephoto lens. The 108MP sensor has no real zoom capabilities, making it difficult to get close-ups or capture distant subjects without sacrificing image quality. The ultra-wide-angle lens is present, but its usefulness is limited by the relatively low resolution (16MP). This makes it less useful for capturing broad vistas or architectural shots. In comparison to other budget-friendly phones on the market, the Ulefone Note 17 Pro's camera system feels dated. The main 108MP sensor has some decent moments, but overall, it's a step back from what's available in more expensive devices. Considering the price point of around $300, one would expect a more capable camera system from the Ulefone Note 17 Pro. As it stands, this is an area where the phone falls short. If camera capabilities are your top priority, you might want to look elsewhere. However, if performance and value for money are more important to you, the Note 17 Pro has its strengths elsewhere. The smooth 120Hz display, generous storage options, and decent gaming performance make it a compelling choice in the budget segment. Just keep your expectations tempered regarding the camera.
Price and Value
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro is a commendable effort from the manufacturer to deliver a high-quality smartphone at an affordable price point. With a budget-friendly tag of under $300, this device offers impressive features that rival some of its more expensive counterparts. One of the standout aspects of the Note 17 Pro is its stunningly smooth 120Hz display. This feature, typically reserved for flagship devices, provides a seamless visual experience that's hard to find in this price range. The premium-looking design of the phone only adds to its appeal, making it a stylish choice for those on a tight budget. In terms of performance, the Note 17 Pro delivers efficiently, handling everyday tasks with ease. With a Helio G99 processor and 12GB of RAM, you can expect smooth browsing, social media scrolling, and even casual gaming without any issues. The device's clean, bloatware-free version of Android 13 is also a welcome addition. The phone's storage options are generous, with a large 256GB capacity that provides ample space for apps, photos, and videos. While benchmarks may not impress power users, the Note 17 Pro delivers efficient performance for everyday use. Considering its price point, the Ulefone Note 17 Pro offers an impressive set of features that make it a great value for your money. While it may not be perfect – the camera system is limited and image stabilization is absent – the phone's strengths more than make up for its weaknesses. For those on a tight budget who prioritize stylish design, decent performance, and generous storage, the Note 17 Pro is definitely worth considering. Just keep in mind that immersive audio requires earbuds, but overall, this device delivers on its promise of quality at an affordable price.
Performance
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to deliver decent performance without breaking the bank. In this review, we'll focus on the phone's performance capabilities. The Helio G99 processor and 12GB of RAM are the heart of this device, and they handle everyday tasks with ease. Browsing, social media scrolling, and casual gaming are all covered without any hiccups. The phone also features a clean, bloatware-free version of Android 13, which adds to its overall performance. In real-world gaming scenarios, the Note 17 Pro holds its own surprisingly well. Games like Asphalt 9: Legends and Call of Duty Mobile were played at high frame rates without any issues. The phone averaged around 90fps in Call of Duty Mobile with medium graphics settings, making it a solid contender for casual players. The phone also performed well in PUBG, with smooth gameplay and no overheating issues. For casual gamers who enjoy simpler games like Candy Crush, the Note 17 Pro is more than capable, even handling multiple instances at once without any issues. While the phone's performance may not be record-breaking, it delivers efficient performance for everyday use. The big 256GB of storage gives users ample space for apps, photos, and videos. The phone also promises 3 years of security updates, matching the big names in this price point. In a benchmark test, the Note 17 Pro scored a respectable 409,000 points, matching the Samsung Galaxy A14 not bad for a budget-friendly phone. While flagships may brag about bigger numbers, the Note 17 Pro's budget-friendly price tag and generous storage are hard to ignore. Overall, the Ulefone Note 17 Pro delivers decent performance without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize everyday performance and value.
Pros
1. Stunningly smooth 120Hz display
2. Generous storage of 256GB with virtually expandable RAM
3. Efficient performance for everyday use
4. Quick charging with a 33 watts fast charger
5. Clean, bloatware-free Android 13 and 3 years of security updates
6. Budget-friendly price tag
Cons
1. Shaky videos due to lack of image stabilization
2. Mono speaker requires earbuds for immersive audio
3. Not a top-tier gaming phone