The Ulefone Note 21, announced and released in November 2024, is a budget-friendly smartphone designed for everyday users seeking essential features without breaking the bank. With its reliable performance, solid battery life, and modest yet functional camera system, the Note 21 is perfect for those looking for an affordable Android device with practical features.
Design and Display
The Ulefone Note 21 boasts a sleek, compact design, with dimensions of 163.2 x 75.2 x 8.8 mm and a weight of 196.1 grams, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. The device features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display that offers a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 84.2%, providing users with an immersive viewing experience for watching videos or browsing the web. The screen resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio delivers decent clarity, though it’s aimed more at budget-conscious users rather than those expecting high-definition displays.
The Ulefone Note 21 runs on Android 14, a lighter version of Android optimized for entry-level smartphones. This ensures smoother performance on devices with lower specifications, like the Note 19. The phone is powered by the Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring an octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU, which is adequate for handling basic tasks such as browsing, social media, and light apps. The PowerVR GE8322 GPU manages the device’s graphics, making it suitable for casual gaming and media consumption.
With 128GB of internal storage and 4GB of RAM, the device offers sufficient space for basic apps and media. While there’s no microSD card slot for expandable storage, the built-in UFS 2.0 storage ensures faster app loading times compared to traditional eMMC storage.
Camera and Audio
The 13 MP rear camera on the Ulefone Note 21 comes with an f/2.0 aperture, supporting features like HDR and panorama. While it’s not a high-end camera, it is suitable for capturing decent photos in well-lit conditions. The device also supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, which is a rare feature in this price segment. On the front, a 8 MP selfie camera takes care of video calls and selfies.
The device has a 3.5mm headphone jack and supports stereo FM radio with RDS and recording features, offering good audio versatility for music lovers.
Connectivity and Battery
The Ulefone Note 21 supports basic connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, and multiple satellite positioning systems like GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS. It includes a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, and an infrared port for remote control functions.
The device is powered by a large 5000 mAh battery, which should easily last a full day of typical usage. It supports 10W wired charging for a reasonably fast recharge experience.
Conclusion
The Ulefone Note 21 is an excellent choice for users seeking an affordable smartphone that covers all the basics. Its long battery life, decent display, and essential Android experience make it a practical option for those on a budget.
