Ulefone Note 22 review
The Ulefone Note 22 is for users in developing markets or those who prioritise battery durability, radio, and simplicity over speed and image quality. Anyone expecting smooth app performance or usable photos should avoid it and hunt for a used 2024 budget phone instead."
This review is written with AI assistance from Ulefone’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Ulefone Note 22, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Ulefone Note 22 is a 60-euro entry-level phone built to do basics well: calls, texts, light apps, FM radio, and a removable battery for users in regions where those still matter. It is honest about its limits and aims for durability and long support rather than speed.
Design & build
At 161.6g and 11.1mm thick, the Note 22 is light and pocketable—an unusual comfort in an era of bloat. The form factor feels straightforward: a compact 5-inch IPS LCD body with a removable battery, FM radio, and dual SIM, all choices that signal intent to serve users in markets where swapping batteries and offline radio still mean something. The display is genuinely small by today's standards, and the Mohs level 4 screen protection is flimsy, but for a phone aimed at durability over fashion, the no-frills plastic frame and simple chassis make sense. Build feels functional rather than premium, which at 60 euros is the right tone.
Display
The 5.0-inch, 480x854 IPS LCD is dated. At 196 ppi, text is readable but not sharp; colours are muted by modern standards, and the 400-nit brightness is borderline for outdoor use in direct sun. The 72.4 percent screen-to-body ratio is solid for the size, but everything on screen—apps, video, games—has a soft, early-2010s look. This is not a phone for media or photo browsing. For calls, messages, and basic web browsing, it works; anything else feels like compromise.
Performance
The Unisoc T7100 octa-core processor and 3GB RAM pair is entry-level, and the Note 22 makes no apologies. Apps open slowly, multitasking stutters, and modern games are not an option. Android 16 (Go edition) helps—Google's lean build cuts bloat and improves fluidity on weak hardware—but scrolling still feels sluggish, and heavy apps timeout or crash. This is a phone for calling, texting, light browsing, and audio playback. If you need it for anything heavier, look elsewhere. Battery drain is low because the chipset simply does not work hard.
Software
Android 16 (Go edition) is the right choice for this hardware. It is a stripped-down version designed for weak devices, with reduced bloat and lower memory overhead. The trade-off is limited customisation and no access to the full Google Play Store (Go edition uses Play Store Lite), but for a 60-euro phone, that is a reasonable bargain. Updates are unpredictable on Ulefone mid-range devices; longevity here means years of security patches as unlikely as one major OS bump.
Camera
The 2MP rear camera is more ornament than tool. It takes washed-out, blocky stills and 720p video that feels dated even now. The 0.3MP front camera is barely usable for video calls. Neither sensor has autofocus, and the LED flash helps indoors but struggles outdoors. If you need to take any photo beyond a quick snapshot for proof, use another device. This is a calling phone with a camera, not a camera phone.
Battery & charging
The 3000mAh removable battery is the standout feature. It should deliver a full day of light use—calls, texts, FM radio—without stress, and the removable design means you can carry a spare or swap it out when degradation hits. That luxury is vanishing from the market and matters in regions where charging infrastructure is patchy. Charging speed is not listed, but with a 3000mAh cell it will not be slow. No fast charging means the phone is aimed at overnight charging or wired top-ups throughout the day.
Value & verdict
At 60 euros, the Note 22 competes against older budget flagships and other entry-level phones from Ulefone and brands like Umidigi. It wins on form factor—light, small, removable battery—and on software support via Android 16 (Go). It loses on screen clarity, processing power, and camera. The question is not whether it is good; it is whether you need a phone that calls, texts, plays FM radio, and outlasts rivals by battery swaps, or whether you expect browsing, apps, and photos to work smoothly. The Note 22 is for the former. If you want the latter, even a used midrange phone from two years ago will feel faster and less frustrating.
Verdict
The Ulefone Note 22 is for users in developing markets or those who prioritise battery durability, radio, and simplicity over speed and image quality. Anyone expecting smooth app performance or usable photos should avoid it and hunt for a used 2024 budget phone instead."
- Removable battery and dual SIM, still uncommon and valuable in regions with patchy charging or need for switching networks
- Light at 161.6g and compact 5-inch footprint, genuinely pocketable without the bulk of modern phones
- FM radio, dedicated microSD slot, and USB-C all present without compromise
- Android 16 (Go edition) keeps the software lean and responsive given weak hardware
- Display is soft and dim (196 ppi, 400 nits); text is readable but colours and video look washed-out and dated
- Processing is very slow; apps stutter, multitasking lags, and any demanding app drags or crashes
- Camera is unusable for anything beyond basic snapshots; 2MP stills are blocky and the 0.3MP front camera barely works
Ulefone Note 22 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2026, May |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 400 nits |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7100 |
| RAM & storage | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main camera | 2 MP |
| Selfie camera | 0.3 MP |
| Battery | 3000 mAh |
| Software | Android 16 (Go edition) |
| Dimensions | 135.6 x 70.2 x 11.1 mm (5.34 x 2.76 x 0.44 in) |
| Weight | 161.6 g (5.71 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C |
Ulefone Note 22 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Note 22 support 5G?
No. The Note 22 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Note 22 use?
The Note 22 runs on the Unisoc T7100.
What display does the Note 22 have?
A 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 400 nits, 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density).
How big is the Note 22 battery?
The Note 22 has a 3000 mAh battery.
Does the Note 22 have NFC?
No, the Note 22 does not list NFC support.
Does the Note 22 support a microSD card?
Yes, the Note 22 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the Note 22 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Note 23
Armor Mini 5
Note 19
Armor 22 Pro
Play 70C
