Ulefone Be Pro hands on and first impressions

Another hands on today, this time I get to grips with the Ulefone Be Pro and come away pleasantly surprised.

Take one look at the Ulefone Be Pro and you will more than likely think “OnePlus One Clone”, and I suppose Ulefone should expect that, but take a closer look and you soon realise this is less of a clone and actually a surprisingly good phone in its own right.

Ulefone Be Pro hands on and first impressions

Opening the Ulefone branded packaging you uncover the 5.5-inch Ulefone Be Pro, screen protector, well detailed instruction book, EU battery charger and USB data cable. The fact that Ulefone have taken the time to put together such a detailed instruction manual, and in English is a comforting detail. It’s not some cheap piece of paper either but a nice quality instruction manual!

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You might find my obsession with the manual a little odd but you generally don’t find something like this form a $169.99 smartphone. In fact I didn’t get a manual like this from Huawei, Vivo, Xiaomi, Oppo or OnePlus. It’s a great example that Ulefone mean business.

Picking up the Ulefone Be Pro is a pleasant experience also. The 5.5-inch phone has a nicely detailed alloy border which wraps around the edge of the phone and is (I believe) part of the internal chassis.

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The alloy has a brushed finish and creates a nice recessed bezel around the screen and creates an elegant border around the USB and 3.5mm headphone jack in the top of the phone. It’s these nice design touches which really impress me about the phone.

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Physical controls consist of a power button on the right and volme rockers on the left. They are a little loose but no more so than on the Oppo N3, which costs 4 times as much!

The removable rear panel is high quality plastic requiring a good amount of force to remove it. It snaps back in to place with reassuring clicks too. I also like the fact that Ulefone have though about the rear camera on the phone and made it recessed in to the plastic so you don’t rest the phone on the glass lens.

Video: Ulefone Be Pro hands on and first impressions

Ulefone Be Pro gallery

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Ulefone Be Pro specifications

[table id=194 /]

I’ve still got to spend some more time with the Ulefone Be Pro and I will be reporting all my findings in a full written and video review. So far though I could honestly say I am truly impressed by this $169.99 64bit phone! Not only is the specification impressive but so is the build quality and attention to detail.

You might also be interested in: Ulefone Be Pro 64bit Benchmarks.

If Ulefone keep this up then they are surely going to make some waves in the Chinese smartphone world over the coming months.

Learn more about Ulefone on the official Ulefone Facebook page.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

About the author

Andi

Michael Ogbonnaya
January 27, 2015
Nice to know they are paying much attention to details. One thing I dont like though is the positioning of the micro usb at the top. I find it more convenient at the bottom so that it doesnt get damaged for someone who is in the habit of using the phone during charge.
- arsalan
  January 27, 2015
  I fully support the point you made about USB. It will be very difficult to use it while charging.

Marco Lancaster
January 27, 2015
Congratulations for Ulefone on this high quality device, they keep attention on details and make the phone way good. The Stock Android running on it, giving a flawless perfomance. The dedication in ship Lollipop soon. I can see Ulefone going to the right direction and turning to be a serious company!
- Muhammad Yasir
  January 27, 2015
  - Marco Lancaster
    January 27, 2015
    I’ve seen some reviews, and the camera looks ok, the major problem is on night shots, but we find it in the majority of the chinese phones, most because the flashlight is weak. But looks like a regular 13MP Shooter, but the Front of course can’t be real 8MP.
    - Muhammad Yasir
      January 27, 2015
      hmm, can u tell me any phones which are actually GOOD at night shots?
      also , its real sad to see fake adverts of 8mp front cams :/
      - Steve B
        January 28, 2015
        
        Muhammad Yasir
        January 28, 2015
        i’d like something below 180$
        but thanks anyways
        Steve B
        January 28, 2015
        Iuni U2 16GB is $189 at Merimobiles and there’s always discount vouchers floating about to bring down further. Reliable company in my experience too. I’ve seen it cheaper elsewhere, but wouldn’t trust them.
    - Tyrone Ricardo Creary
      January 28, 2015
      - Marco Lancaster
        January 28, 2015
        Could be, but i don’t think is real, because is easy for they, and judging by the phone price, to put a 5MP sensor and interpolate it to produce 8MP photos. If I’m wrong i’ll be glad to see a good value phone with it.
  - Steve B
    January 28, 2015
    - Muhammad Yasir
      January 28, 2015
      - Tyrone Ricardo Creary
        January 28, 2015
        How do you know??
        It’s like saying the battery is 2600mah but not made by Sony? Lol
        The point is, post up some specs and sample photos before making statements.
        
        Muhammad Yasir
        January 29, 2015
        first of all , in a related ulefone post , SOMEONE who purchased this , posted an official reply from Ulefone support , who ADMITTED that the camera is indeed interpolated.
        secondly , check THIS out : http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/new_pro/april_2014/imx214_e.html , it shows WHAT exactly should imx214 produce in quality.
        3rdly : read the review of Ulefone , you’ll know how shit the camera REALLY is.
        4th : also see this for further reference ; https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=SOT-P13N05A&viewState=DetailView
        so , you know now , im NOT a blind naysayer , i argue ONLY with reason.
        
        Gabe
        January 31, 2015
        The page you liked above does not have a mention of ” interpolate” anywhere on the page (find doesn’t locate it)
        The camera on the Ulephone be one is excellent, I would think this would be close?
        I have a Nikon I use for important pictures, expecting a cell phone to do the same is just stupid.
        BTW: Resolution (pixel size) has nothing to do with quality and it only helps if you want a really large print or to do some serious cropping.
        
        Steve B
        February 3, 2015
        Muhammad is right, It has now been shown that the camera isn’t Sony IMX214 13mp, it’s an Omnivision 8mp and some samples have a pink cast. The screen also isn’t LG, apparently its a Goodix. Ulefone appear to be full of BS, perhaps why no full review has appeared here.
        Lasse k
        February 3, 2015
        As I stated a couple of weeks ago ago the rear camera is OV8825 and front is Samsung S5K5E2, I have the config file from the proc folder somewhere. Because I don’t have the phone anymore
        
        Muhammad Yasir
        February 4, 2015
        i think great guys like u should share those “CONFIG FILES” for ALL of the phones that are being released . since we really wanna know which sensors are ACTUALLY being used !
        
        Muhammad Yasir
        February 4, 2015
        my friend , i never said anything about the needing a DSLR on a poor , slim bodied cellphone!
        All i say , is , that in general , China hasnt learned its lesson. Their night time photography is shit. Flash is diappointing in MOST of the phones AND as a final straw , if a company LIES about its camera specs , ESPCIALLY if its a flagship phone , then its really infuriating for the consumer as well as for general observing public (something i term as the ‘market jury’). It really discourages people from further dealing , purchasing or even trusting that company.
        I had expected something MUCH better from a ULEFONE flagship and never something so low :/
        February 3, 2015
        Yup, we are hearing that the camera on the Ulefone is an 8 mega-pixel camera not 13. I don’t have mine at hand to test but I will as soon as I can. Also reached out to Ulefone about this.
        Steve B
        February 3, 2015
        Jack Ma has stated on the Ulefone facebook community that it is ‘genuine’ 8mp interpolated to 13mp. Doesn’t seem apologetic in any way. Such bad PR.

tweetycontrabajo
January 27, 2015
- Simon
  January 27, 2015
  We need showdown between this phone and Jiayu S3 🙂
- Muhammad Yasir
  January 27, 2015
  jiayu s4 is gonna be badly overpriced for intl customers !
- Tagel
  January 27, 2015
  No, Jiayu is more expensive…
- tweetycontrabajo
  January 27, 2015
  Is listed in the international store as 169.90 dollars. It says special price. and
  Out of stock.
  - Gabe
    January 31, 2015
    It’s always out of stock yet some sellers say they have it now?
    It has higher specs than this phone
- Airyl
  January 28, 2015
Muhammad Yasir
January 27, 2015
- Simon
  January 28, 2015
  - Muhammad Yasir
    January 28, 2015
    - Roger
      January 30, 2015
      Yes, they look good and the pricing is good for presale on the Elite 2, but am wondering how good the camera will be?
      I’m looking for a sub $200 phone with 2GB with a decent camera with a bright flash that can good pictures at night too. Also I want decent battery life.
      I’m considering a refurbished LG G2, as they are under $200 on Aliexpress.
      - Muhammad Yasir
        January 30, 2015
        Steve B
        February 4, 2015
        Ecoo are being suspiciously quiet about the 16mp camera in their new Aurora, but if it is genuine 16mp and f2.2 (only details I’ve seen) then might (just must) be the same OV unit as Gionee E7 & Iuni U2 and that is a great night shooter. Trouble is you need to risk presale to get below $190.
        Muhammad Yasir
        February 4, 2015
Michael Ogbonnaya
January 27, 2015
Nice to know they are paying much attention to details. One thing I dont like though is the positioning of the micro usb at the top. I find it more convenient at the bottom so that it doesnt get damaged for someone who is in the habit of using the phone during charge.
- arsalan
  January 27, 2015
  I fully support the point you made about USB. It will be very difficult to use it while charging.
Marco Lancaster
January 27, 2015
Congratulations for Ulefone on this high quality device, they keep attention on details and make the phone way good. The Stock Android running on it, giving a flawless perfomance. The dedication in ship Lollipop soon. I can see Ulefone going to the right direction and turning to be a serious company!
- Guest
  January 27, 2015
  camera is shit tho AND interpolated!
- Marco Lancaster
  January 27, 2015
  I’ve seen some reviews, and the camera looks ok, the major problem is on night shots, but we find it in the majority of the chinese phones, most because the flashlight is weak. But looks like a regular 13MP Shooter, but the Front of course can’t be real 8MP.
- Guest
  January 27, 2015
  hmm, can u tell me any phones which are actually GOOD at night shots?
  also , its real sad to see fake adverts of 8mp front cams :/
- Steve B
  January 28, 2015
  Iuni U2 with omnivision sensor is very good.
- Steve B
  January 28, 2015
  Thought it was supposed to be Sony IMX 214? Can’t be that bad.
- Guest
  January 28, 2015
  nah.. imx was 13mp , that is a 8mp shooter interpolated to 13…
- Guest
  January 28, 2015
  i’d like something below 180$
  but thanks anyways
- Steve B
  January 28, 2015
  Iuni U2 16GB is $189 at Merimobiles and there’s always discount vouchers floating about to bring down further. Reliable company in my experience too. I’ve seen it cheaper elsewhere, but wouldn’t trust them.
- Guest
  January 28, 2015
  What’s the reason why the front can’t be a real 8mp??
- Guest
  January 28, 2015
  How do you know??
  It’s like saying the battery is 2600mah but not made by Sony? Lol
  The point is, post up some specs and sample photos before making statements.
- Marco Lancaster
  January 29, 2015
  Could be, but i don’t think is real, because is easy for they, and judging by the phone price, to put a 5MP sensor and interpolate it to produce 8MP photos. If I’m wrong i’ll be glad to see a good value phone with it.
- Guest
  January 29, 2015
  first of all , in a related ulefone post , SOMEONE who purchased this , posted an official reply from Ulefone support , who ADMITTED that the camera is indeed interpolated.
  secondly , check THIS out : http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/new_pro/april_2014/imx214_e.html , it shows WHAT exactly should imx214 produce in quality.
  3rdly : read the review of Ulefone , you’ll know how shit the camera REALLY is.
  4th : also see this for further reference ; https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=SOT-P13N05A&viewState=DetailView
  so , you know now , im NOT a blind naysayer , i argue ONLY with reason.
- Guest
  January 31, 2015
  The page you liked above does not have a mention of ” interpolate” anywhere on the page (find doesn’t locate it)
  The camera on the Ulephone be one is excellent, I would think this would be close?
  I have a Nikon I use for important pictures, expecting a cell phone to do the same is just stupid.
  BTW: Resolution (pixel size) has nothing to do with quality and it only helps if you want a really large print or to do some serious cropping.
- Steve B
  February 3, 2015
  Muhammad is right, It has now been shown that the camera isn’t Sony IMX214 13mp, it’s an Omnivision 8mp and some samples have a pink cast. The screen also isn’t LG, apparently its a Goodix. Ulefone appear to be full of BS, perhaps why no full review has appeared here.
- Andi Sykes
  February 3, 2015
  Yup, we are hearing that the camera on the Ulefone is an 8 mega-pixel camera not 13. I don’t have mine at hand to test but I will as soon as I can. Also reached out to Ulefone about this.
- Steve B
  February 3, 2015
  Jack Ma has stated on the Ulefone facebook community that it is ‘genuine’ 8mp interpolated to 13mp. Doesn’t seem apologetic in any way. Such bad PR.
- Guest
  February 3, 2015
  As I stated a couple of weeks ago ago the rear camera is OV8825 and front is Samsung S5K5E2, I have the config file from the proc folder somewhere. Because I don’t have the phone anymore
- Guest
  February 4, 2015
  i think great guys like u should share those “CONFIG FILES” for ALL of the phones that are being released . since we really wanna know which sensors are ACTUALLY being used !
- Guest
  February 4, 2015
  my friend , i never said anything about the needing a DSLR on a poor , slim bodied cellphone!
  All i say , is , that in general , China hasnt learned its lesson. Their night time photography is shit. Flash is diappointing in MOST of the phones AND as a final straw , if a company LIES about its camera specs , ESPCIALLY if its a flagship phone , then its really infuriating for the consumer as well as for general observing public (something i term as the ‘market jury’). It really discourages people from further dealing , purchasing or even trusting that company.
  I had expected something MUCH better from a ULEFONE flagship and never something so low :/

Guest
January 27, 2015
- Guest
  January 27, 2015
  We need showdown between this phone and Jiayu S3 🙂
- Guest
  January 27, 2015
  jiayu s4 is gonna be badly overpriced for intl customers !
- Guest
  January 27, 2015
  No, Jiayu is more expensive…
- Guest
  January 28, 2015
  Is listed in the international store as 169.90 dollars. It says special price. and
  Out of stock.
- Airyl
  January 28, 2015
  The S3 is probably more expensive internationally.
- Guest
  January 31, 2015
  It’s always out of stock yet some sellers say they have it now?
  It has higher specs than this phone
Guest
January 27, 2015
- Guest
  January 28, 2015
  Do you have a link to that phone ?
- Guest
  January 28, 2015
  why yes i do!
  http://www.leagoo.cc/c662695.html
  the next big thing?!
- Guest
  January 30, 2015
  im also looking for a fantastic night shooter below $190 !
  i guess we’ll keep searchin
- Steve B
  February 4, 2015
  Ecoo are being suspiciously quiet about the 16mp camera in their new Aurora, but if it is genuine 16mp and f2.2 (only details I’ve seen) then might (just must) be the same OV unit as Gionee E7 & Iuni U2 and that is a great night shooter. Trouble is you need to risk presale to get below $190.
- Guest
  February 4, 2015
ksafan0
January 28, 2015
It would be nice to know how the GPS, wifi, sound, and call functions fare in this phone.
ksafan0
January 28, 2015
It would be nice to know how the GPS, wifi, sound, and call functions fare in this phone.
Mrinal
January 28, 2015
Sorry for this off-topic post, but any idea on when the full review for the elephone P6000 will be done?
MP
January 28, 2015
Amazing phone for the price. It really seems like an awesome deal!

Mrinal
January 28, 2015
Sorry for this off-topic post, but any idea on when the full review for the elephone P6000 will be done?
MP
January 28, 2015
Amazing phone for the price. It really seems like an awesome deal!
ksafan0
January 29, 2015

Ulefone Be Pro hands on and first impressions

Video: Ulefone Be Pro hands on and first impressions

Ulefone Be Pro gallery

Ulefone Be Pro specifications

Andi

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