Ulefone Note 17 Pro Review: Beautiful, but not competitive at this price
Today we are reviewing the new smartphone Ulefone Note 17 Pro. Ulefone, renowned for its rugged smartphones, ventures into the realm of conventional smartphones with the Note 17 Pro. Sporting impressive specifications including 256 gigabytes of internal memory, an AMOLED curved display, and the powerful Helio G99 processor, the device presents a promising foundation for success in the mid-range segment.
Priced at 300 euros, the Note 17 Pro enters a fiercely competitive market, where it must demonstrate its worth against established rivals. With features that sound promising on paper, our review aims to ascertain whether the device lives up to its price tag and can stand toe-to-toe with other mid-range offerings.
Ulefone Note 17 Pro: Video Review
| Specs | Ulefone Note 17 Pro |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| Memory Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Display | 6.78 inch, AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz, 500 nits (HBM), 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) |
| Display Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Software | Android 13 |
| SIM support | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| NFC | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Ports | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Rear cameras | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 5 MP, f/2.2, (macro) |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Battery | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 33W wired |
| Dust/water resistance | Splash proof |
| Size | 163.8 x 74.2 x 9 mm (6.45 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 197.8 g (6.98 oz) |
| Colors | Velvet Black, Pearl White, Amber Orange |
Unboxing
Ulefone ensures users are equipped with everything they need out of the box. In addition to the smartphone, the package includes a 33W charger, a USB-C to USB-C cable and a silicone protective case. Additionally, having a high-quality display film adds to the overall value of the device.
Ulefone Note 17 Pro: Design
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro makes a striking first impression with its sleek design and impressive display technology. Featuring a curved 6.78-inch 120 Hertz AMOLED display, this smartphone immediately stands out in the mid-range market. Available in three vibrant colors – black, white, or orange – the Note 17 Pro exudes a premium feel.
In terms of build, the Note 17 Pro boasts a lightweight and comfortable form factor, weighing in at 197 grams with dimensions of 163.8 x 74.2 x 9 mm. The frame and back are constructed from durable plastic, while Gorilla Glass 5 protects the display, ensuring durability against everyday wear and tear.
On the bottom of the device, users will find a mono speaker, a USB 2.0 port, and slots for two nano SIM cards. While there is no option for memory expansion via Micro SD, the device does feature an infrared transmitter on the top side. Security options include both face unlock and a fingerprint sensor, both of which provide quick and reliable access to the device. Although lacking an official IP certification, the rubberized SIM slot offers some protection against splash water.
In terms of craftsmanship, the Note 17 Pro smartphone excels with excellent build quality. However, beyond its curved display, there’s little that sets the Note 17 Pro apart from its competitors.
Display
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro has a spacious 6.78-inch AMOLED curved display, boasting a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, translating to a pixel density of 388 pixels per inch. While Ulefone advertises a brightness of 500 lux, our testing revealed an impressive brightness of 890 lux. However, the automatic brightness control can be finicky, often dimming the display prematurely.
The device offers flexibility in refresh rate settings, allowing users to choose between dynamic refresh rates or fixed options of 60, 90, or 120 Hertz, with adjustments made automatically depending on usage scenarios.
The Note 17 Pro features an always-on display (AOD) function, albeit with minimalistic settings. However, it effectively showcases essential notifications. Users can opt to keep the AOD on continuously or set it to turn off automatically after 10 seconds.
Unfortunately, beyond basic color adjustments, the display lacks additional enhancement options such as EmmC or other optical improvements commonly found in competitor devices. Moreover, the absence of HDR10 or Dolby Vision support is a letdown, and the device only supports Widevine L3, meaning that streaming Full HD content from certain paid providers like Netflix and Prime Video isn’t possible.
Performance
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro is equipped with the reliable Mediatek Helio G99 processor, a tried and tested choice known for its efficiency and performance. This octa-core processor, manufactured on a 6nm process, features two powerful ARM Cortex-A76 cores clocked at up to 2.2 GHz for demanding tasks, complemented by six energy-efficient ARM Cortex-A55 cores with a clock speed of up to 2 GHz . The device utilizes UFS 2.2 as its mass storage solution, offering swift read speeds of 991 MB/s and write speeds of 893 MB/s. With a generous internal storage capacity of 256 gigabytes and an impressive 12 gigabytes of RAM, the Note 17 Pro delivers smooth multitasking capabilities.
While the device boasts about virtual RAM expansion to purportedly increase the RAM to 16 gigabytes, this feature may be more about appearance than reality. Despite the capable Helio G99 processor, the Note 17 Pro finds itself in a price range around €200 where competition offers more compelling features. Consequently, Ulefone missed an opportunity to distinguish itself in this crowded market.
In terms of everyday performance, the Note 17 Pro impresses with flawless operation, devoid of stutters or prolonged loading times. However, considering its potential, the device could have offered even better performance to truly stand out.
OS
Running on Android 13 with an up-to-date security patch, the Ulefone Note 17 Pro offers a clean and organized user experience. Alongside Google’s native applications, the device provides an app drawer and the option to choose between swipe gestures and on-screen buttons, enhancing user customization and navigation ease.
Moreover, the device’s tidy system contributes to its overall performance, ensuring smooth operation without dropouts or bugs during testing. However, prospective buyers should note that while major system updates and occasional bug fixes may be provided, Ulefone does not promise regular updates beyond this scope.
Ulefone Note 17 Pro: Camera
The camera setup of the Ulefone Note 17 Pro comprises a Samsung HM2 108-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.89 aperture, accompanied by a 5-megapixel macro camera boasting an f/2.2 aperture. For selfies, the device features an OmniVision OV32B40 32-megapixel front camera with an aperture of f/2.45.
In optimal lighting conditions, the main camera captures impressive photos with vibrant yet natural colors and a satisfactory dynamic range. However, upon closer examination, images may appear slightly over-sharpened, especially in complex scenes like foliage. Despite this, the main camera performs well overall. However, in low-light environments, image quality deteriorates, with the autofocus struggling to maintain sharpness, making night photography challenging.
The Note 17 Pro’s 108-megapixel mode offers enhanced detail, albeit with occasional color distortions. This mode is beneficial for users who prioritize detail or frequently zoom in on their photos.
On the flip side, the front camera delivers decent results with good sharpness and color accuracy, complemented by a variety of available filters. Portrait mode is only accessible through AI, limiting manual control.
Unfortunately, the macro camera’s performance leaves much to be desired, with unclear focusing distances and underwhelming image quality. Many users might have preferred an ultra-wide-angle sensor for its versatility.
In terms of video recording, the Note 17 Pro supports 2K resolution at 30 frames per second. However, due to the lack of image stabilization, videos suffer from significant blurring. While the picture quality remains acceptable, the sound quality is subpar, characterized by tinny and compressed audio.
Connectivity
The Ulefone Note 17 Pro may not support 5G or eSIM, but it compensates with robust connectivity options. LTE Band 20 is available, alongside support for various LTE-TDD and LTE-FDD frequency bands, ensuring reliable network coverage. Both VoWiFi and VoLTE are supported seamlessly, enhancing call quality and connectivity. Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 5 capabilities provide fast and stable wireless connections. Users can expect excellent network quality and navigation performance, thanks to GPS, Beidou, Glonass, and Galileo positioning systems. Additionally, NFC functionality allows for convenient mobile payments and data exchange.
Despite its comprehensive connectivity features, the Note 17 Pro does have some drawbacks. The brightness sensor can be overly sensitive, requiring frequent readjustment to maintain optimal screen brightness, especially in direct sunlight. Moreover, the mono speaker lacks the richness of stereo sound, with occasional booming and a noticeable absence of bass.
Battery life
Under the hood, Ulefone Note 17 Pro has a 5050 mAh battery. Coupled with the efficient Helio G99 processor, the Note 17 Pro delivers impressive battery life, lasting nearly 12 hours at 120 Hertz refresh rate and over 14 hours at 60 Hertz.
Charging the device from 0 to 100% with the included 33-watt power adapter takes approximately 70 minutes. While the battery life is commendable, the charging speed falls short of some competitors in the mid-range segment.
Ulefone Note 17 Pro: Conclusion
Despite its standout design and high-quality craftsmanship, the device struggles to keep up with its rivals. The curved AMOLED display offers a premium viewing experience, complemented by a generous 256 gigabytes of internal memory and 12 gigabytes of RAM.
However, beyond these strengths, the Note 17 Pro falls short in several key areas. Its lack of 5G support and Widevine L1 certification are notable omissions in a market where such features are becoming standard. Moreover, the device’s mono speaker, absence of promised updates, and the absence of premium features like OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and IP certification further dampen its appeal.
While the device’s OLED display is pleasing, it fails to deliver the super-bright performance expected in this price range. Additionally, the absence of an ultra-wide-angle camera limits its versatility in photography.
At a current price of $300, the Note 17 Pro faces stiff competition from superior alternatives, which offers better performance and features for a similar price. While price reductions over time may improve its competitiveness.
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