Cubot

Cubot Note 9: Pros and Cons

Android OS v11.0
Unisoc SC9863A
PowerVR GE8322
3 GB / 32 GB
5.99 inch (480 x 960 px)
16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus

Cubot announced the launch of the Note 9 smartphone in 2021. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.99 inch IPS display, Unisoc SC9863A SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Note 9 comes with Android OS v11.0 pre-installed. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Cubot Note 9 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Cubot Note 9 / 1

Cubot Note 9 specifications

BrandCubot
NameNote 9
ModelNOTE9
Release date2021

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight8.47 oz
Dimensions6.02 x 3.03 x 0.43 inch
Colorsblack, green
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Cubot Note 9 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v11.0
SoCUnisoc SC9863A
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55
GPUPowerVR GE8322
PerformanceAnTuTu v9: 99457

The Cubot Note 9 comes with Android OS v11.0 out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. Many consider PowerVR GPUs to highly compete with other leading mobile GPUs. AnTuTu measures and evaluates the performance of different hardware components of a device.

Cubot Note 9 / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.99 inch
Resolution480 x 960 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.99 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Note 9 has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Note 9 (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cubot Note 9 / 2

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Note 9 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphoneno

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The Note 9 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Note 9 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Note 9 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The Note 9 smartphone does not have 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 5900 mAh

The Li-Ion 5900 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Note 9 smartphone has an accelerometer. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Cubot phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • good battery
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • weak performance
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no headphone jack
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
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Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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