Conclusion

We would refrain from using the “extreme balance” mantra conjured up by Ulefone’s marketing department, but after playing around with their latest mainstream phone, must admit the marketing is spot on. This truly is a well-balanced device built to a tight budget. Just consider what the average European consumer can buy for €100 off-contract, or via carriers?

The Ulefone Paris boasts a mainstream processor at low-end pricing, an aluminium and curved glass design in a market segment dominated by plastic phones, and it has good camera hardware, which is let down by quirky firmware and/or software. Other than the camera glitch, there’s really not a lot to complain about.

Sure, battery life could have been somewhat better, but this is not a device for enthusiasts or heavy users. 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, backed by a microSD slot, are more than enough for this market segment. We also appreciate the inclusion of a standard Google launcher along with the company’s custom skin.

The availability of a stock launcher and 4G support on both SIM slots make the Ulefone an interesting choice for a secondary device, something to keep roaming costs down and enable 4G tethering. As a primary device, it’s geared toward mainstream users who don’t need bleeding edge hardware and huge batteries.

Does it get our thumbs up? Well, until we come across something better for $119, it cetainly does.

Ulefone Paris Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Value for money
• Performance
• Above average build quality
• Good camera hardware

Cons:

• Quirky camera software/firmware
• Battery life could have been better
• Unoriginal design