Ulefone Note 21 specifications and in-depth review

Ulefone Note 21

Manufacturer: Ulefone

The Ulefone Note 21 is a smartphone offering a combination of useful features in a practical package. It comes with a 6.56″ LCD display and provides ample storage with 128GB of internal space. One of its standout features is its 5000 mAh battery, designed to keep the device running for extended periods. The phone is powered by Android 14, ensuring a modern software experience.

In terms of performance, the Ulefone Note 21 is equipped with 4GB of RAM and the Unisoc T606 chipset. It supports fast charging at 10W and provides 8-core processing power with a maximum clock speed of 1.6 GHz. For photography, it offers a 13 MP main camera with features like manual exposure, phase detection autofocus, and HDR. The phone also supports up to 1024GB of external memory via the microSD slot and includes a fingerprint scanner for security.

Pros
  • Supports 2 SIM cards for enhanced connectivity and flexibility.
  • Equipped with a fingerprint scanner for added security.
  • Includes a video light, improving low-light photo and video quality.
Cons
  • Does not support 5G connectivity, limiting high-speed mobile data access.
  • Lacks a stereo speaker setup, reducing the overall audio experience.
  • No support for NFC, limiting contactless payments and device pairing.
  • Does not have a sapphire glass display, which could improve durability.
  • No wireless charging support, requiring traditional charging methods.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who need a reliable and functional device with basic multimedia capabilities, such as those who prioritize dual SIM support for managing multiple phone numbers or business and personal lines. It also suits those who require basic security features like a fingerprint scanner for privacy protection. The inclusion of a video light makes it a good choice for individuals who frequently take photos or videos in low-light environments.

Who is this NOT for?

This product is not suitable for users who demand cutting-edge connectivity or advanced multimedia features. It lacks 5G support, making it less ideal for those who need fast mobile data speeds for tasks like streaming or gaming. Additionally, the absence of stereo speakers and NFC will be limiting for users who expect immersive audio and convenient contactless payments or device pairing.

Design:

water resistance None
weight 196.1 g
thickness 9.2 mm
width 75.16 mm
height 163.2 mm
volume 112.8482304 cm³
has a rugged build
can be folded

The design of the Ulefone Note 21 features a weight of 196.1 g and dimensions of 163.2 mm in height, 75.16 mm in width, and 9.2 mm in thickness, offering a balanced and standard build. The device does not include water resistance or a rugged build, and it cannot be folded. Its volume is approximately 112.85 cm³, contributing to its overall form factor.

Display:

Display type LCD, IPS
screen size 6.56"
pixel density 269 ppi
resolution 720 x 1612 px
refresh rate 90Hz
has branded damage-resistant glass
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
Always-On Display
supports Dolby Vision
Has a secondary screen
has a touch screen

The Ulefone Note 21 features a 6.56″ LCD, IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1612 px and a pixel density of 269 ppi, providing clear visuals for everyday use. The screen supports a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, though it does not include branded damage-resistant glass like Gorilla Glass. It lacks support for HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, or an Always-On Display, but does offer full touch functionality for user interaction.

Performance:

internal storage 128GB
RAM 4GB
AnTuTu benchmark score 251000
Chipset (SoC) name Unisoc T606
GPU name Mali G57 MP1
CPU speed 2 x 1.6 & 6 x 1.6 GHz
Geekbench 6 result (multi) 1391
Geekbench 6 result (single) 371
Geekbench 5 result (multi) 1175
Geekbench 5 result (single) 313
GPU clock speed 650 MHz
Has integrated LTE
RAM speed 1600 MHz
semiconductor size 12 nm
Supports 64-bit
DirectX version DirectX 12
Has integrated graphics
OpenGL ES version 3.2
Uses big.LITTLE technology
CPU threads 8 threads
maximum amount of external memory supported 1024GB
Uses HMP
Has TrustZone
maximum memory bandwidth 12.8 GB/s
OpenCL version 2
L2 cache 2 MB
eMMC version 5.1
L1 cache 128 KB
maximum memory amount 14GB
GPU execution units 1
GPU turbo 650 MHz
PassMark result 2663
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 10W
DDR memory version 4
PassMark result (single) 988
shading units 64
L3 cache 1 MB

The Ulefone Note 21 is powered by the Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 1024GB. It has an AnTuTu benchmark score of 251000 and a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 1391, offering solid performance for daily tasks. The device also supports 64-bit processing and uses big.LITTLE technology, with 8 CPU threads and a GPU clock speed of 650 MHz. For enhanced performance, it includes integrated graphics with DirectX 12 and OpenGL ES 3.2 support.

Cameras:

megapixels (main camera) 13 MP
Has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) main camera
megapixels (front camera) 8MP
has built-in optical image stabilization
video recording (main camera) 1080 x 30 fps
Has a dual-tone LED flash
number of flash LEDs 1
has a BSI sensor
has a CMOS sensor
has continuous autofocus when recording movies
Has phase-detection autofocus for photos
supports slow-motion video recording
has a built-in HDR mode
has manual exposure
has a flash
optical zoom 0x
has manual ISO
has a serial shot mode
has manual focus
has a front camera
Has laser autofocus
Shoots 360° panorama
has manual white balance
shoots raw
has touch autofocus
has manual shutter speed
can create panoramas in-camera
Has timelapse function
Has a front-facing LED flash
has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) front camera
supports HDR10 recording
supports Dolby Vision recording
has a front-facing camera under the display
Has a RGB LED flash
has 3D photo/video recording capabilities

The Ulefone Note 21 features a 13 MP main camera with phase-detection autofocus for clear photos, though it does not include optical zoom or optical image stabilization. The camera supports video recording at 1080 x 30 fps and includes a flash with a single LED. For front-facing shots, the 8 MP front camera offers basic capabilities with HDR and manual exposure. Additional features such as manual ISO, burst mode, touch autofocus, and panorama shots are available to enhance your photography experience, while the device also supports slow-motion video recording and timelapse functions.

Operating system:

Android version Android 14
has clipboard warnings
has location privacy options
has camera/microphone privacy options
has Mail Privacy Protection
has theme customization
can block app tracking
blocks cross-site tracking
has on-device machine learning
has notification permissions
has media picker
Can play games while they download
has dark mode
has Wi-Fi password sharing
has battery health check
has an extra dim mode
has focus modes
has dynamic theming
can offload apps
Has customizable notifications
has Live Text
has full-page screenshots
supports split screen
gets direct OS updates
has PiP
Can be used as a PC
Has sharing intents
has a child lock
Supports widgets
Is free and open source
Has offline voice recognition
has voice commands
Tracks the current position of a mobile device
is a multi-user system
has Quick Start

The Ulefone Note 21 runs on Android 14, offering various privacy and customization options. It includes features like clipboard warnings, location privacy options, and camera/microphone access controls. Users can enjoy theme customization, dark mode, dynamic theming, and customizable notifications. The device also supports split-screen functionality, PiP (Picture-in-Picture), offline voice recognition, and voice commands. While it does not support Mail Privacy Protection or Wi-Fi password sharing, it offers features like media picker, battery health check, and a child lock for enhanced usability.

Battery:

battery power 5000 mAh
has wireless charging
Supports fast charging
charging speed 10W
comes with a charger
has a removable battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The Ulefone Note 21 is equipped with a powerful 5000 mAh battery, providing long-lasting usage. It supports fast charging at 10W, and comes with a charger included in the box. While it does not offer wireless charging or a removable battery, it features a battery level indicator and is equipped with a rechargeable battery for easy power management.

Audio:

has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has stereo speakers
has aptX
has LDAC
has aptX HD
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX Lossless
Has a radio

The Ulefone Note 21 offers a classic 3.5mm audio jack for wired headphones, but it does not feature stereo speakers or support advanced Bluetooth audio codecs like aptX, LDAC, or aptX HD. Additionally, it lacks a built-in radio for FM listening.

Connectivity & Features:

release date January 2025
has 5G support
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
SIM cards 2 SIM
Bluetooth version 5
has an external memory slot
Has USB Type-C
has NFC
download speed 300 MBits/s
upload speed 100 MBits/s
Has a fingerprint scanner
has emergency SOS via satellite
has crash detection
is DLNA-certified
has a gyroscope
supports ANT+
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has a compass
supports Wi-Fi
Has an infrared sensor
has an accelerometer
has a cellular module
Has a barometer
has an HDMI output
Uses 3D facial recognition
Has an iris scanner
Stylus included
supports Galileo
Has motion tracking
Has optical tracking
Has a built-in projector

The device supports dual SIM functionality and offers connectivity via USB Type-C and Bluetooth 5. It features GPS and a compass for location tracking, along with Galileo support for enhanced positioning accuracy. For memory expansion, there is an external memory slot, and it supports Wi-Fi 4 and 5. However, it lacks 5G support, NFC, and satellite SOS capabilities.

Miscellaneous:

has a video light
Has sapphire glass display
Has a curved display
Has an e-paper display

This device is equipped with a video light to assist with low-light situations. However, it does not feature a sapphire glass display, a curved display, or an e-paper display.

Final Verdict

The product offers solid functionality for users seeking a reliable device with dual SIM support and basic security features like a fingerprint scanner. It is well-suited for those who value multimedia basics, such as video lighting, and require good overall performance for day-to-day tasks. However, it falls short in modern connectivity with no 5G support and lacks certain multimedia features like stereo speakers and NFC. While it delivers essential features well, it may not satisfy users looking for advanced connectivity or premium media performance. Overall, it provides a balanced and straightforward option for practical users.

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