Cubot Note S is one of those rare budget smartphones that tries to combine an affordable price with modern features. In an era when even flagships skimp on packaging, this device offers NFC for contactless payments, large IPS screen and a 4200 mAh battery - all this for an amount that does not exceed 15,000 rubles. But is it that good? Cubot Note S in practice, or are there compromises hidden behind the low price?
In this review, we will break down the smartphone step by step: from technical specifications to real user experience. You will find out what you are capable of MediaTek Helio G25 in everyday tasks, how the camera behaves in different conditions and whether you can count on long-term firmware support. We’ll also reveal a few hidden possibilities, which the manufacturer is silent about in the official specifications.
Cubot Note S specifications: what's under the hood?
On paper Cubot Note S looks like a typical budget employee, but with a couple of unexpected bonuses. The heart of the device is the processor MediaTek Helio G25 — 8-core chip with a clock frequency of up to 2.0 GHz, built using a 12-nm process technology. This is not the most powerful chipset on the market, but it is enough for basic tasks (social networks, instant messengers, simple games). But with heavy 3D games or multitasking may cause problems.
There is 3 GB of RAM here - the standard for the budget segment, but taking into account the optimization of Android 11 (yes, the firmware is not the latest), this is enough for comfortable work. Built-in memory 32 GB, but cards are supported microSD up to 256 GB - this is a lifesaver if you like to store a lot of photos or music. Screen IPS with a diagonal of 6.52 inches and a resolution 1600×720 (HD+) does not impress with its clarity, but for its class it demonstrates decent color rendition and viewing angles.
- 🔋 Battery: 4200 mAh with support for 10-watt charging (the included adapter is 5V/2A).
- 📸 Main camera: triple module 13 MP (main) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth sensor).
- 🤳 Front camera: 8 MP with background blur support.
- 📶 Communication: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC (Google Pay support).
- 🔑 Additionally: Fingerprint scanner on the rear panel, connector
3.5 mmfor headphones, USB Type-C.
One of the key advantages Cubot Note S — availability NFC module. This is a rarity in the budget segment, especially when it comes to brands that are not officially represented in Russia. Also worth noting dual SIM card slot (nano-SIM) plus a separate slot for microSD — no need to sacrifice a second SIM card for additional memory.
⚠️ Attention: Manufacturer declares support OTG, but in reality the function is unstable. Connecting a flash drive or mouse may cause the smartphone to reboot. Please check compatibility with your devices before purchasing.
Display and multimedia: is it comfortable to use?
Screen Cubot Note S - this is a classic IPS with permission HD+ (1600x720 pixels) and aspect ratio 20:9. For its class, it is quite decent: the colors do not bleed into the red or blue spectrum, the brightness at maximum reaches ~400 nits, which is enough for use outdoors in cloudy weather. However, under direct sunlight, readability decreases - this is a typical problem for budget smartphones.
An interesting feature is support reading mode (Settings → Display → Reading mode), which filters blue light and makes the picture warmer. This is useful for evening viewing or long-term work with texts. It is also possible to configure automatic brightness adjustment, but the light sensor works with a delay, so manually adjusting the brightness is sometimes more convenient.
Sound in Cubot Note S produces one speaker located at the bottom end. The volume is average - enough to watch videos in a quiet room, but in a noisy room or outdoors you will have to use headphones. Sound quality through 3.5 mm The connector is acceptable, but without much detail: the bass is weak, the high frequencies can wheeze at maximum volume.
- For social networks and instant messengers
- For games
- For photos and videos
- For work
- Other
Performance and gaming: can Genshin Impact hold up?
Processor MediaTek Helio G25 in Cubot Note S belongs to the budget gaming segment, but don't expect miracles. In synthetic tests (for example, AnTuTu) he scores about 100,000 points - this is enough for light games like Brawl Stars, Clash Royale or Among Us on medium settings. But with Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile you will have to reduce the graphics to a minimum and put up with slowdowns.
In everyday tasks (switching between applications, watching videos, working with documents), the smartphone behaves stably, but 3 GB RAM clog quickly. If you open 5-6 applications, the system starts killing background processes. For example, YouTube may reboot when returning from another application. Partially solves the problem optimization through the developer (Settings → For developers → Process limit), but this does not radically change the situation.
- 🎮 Games on medium settings: PUBG Mobile (Balanced, Medium), Free Fire (High), Mobile Legends (Ultra).
- ⚠️ Games with lags: Genshin Impact (Low), Call of Duty: Mobile (Medium), Asphalt 9 (Low).
- 🔄 Advice: Close background applications before starting the game - this will reduce the load on the processor.
Heat generation under long-term loads is moderate: the case heats up to ~40°C, but not critical. However, if you play for more than an hour, you will notice throttling (reduced performance due to overheating). In this case, a break for 10-15 minutes or removing the cover (if you have one) will help.
Turn on performance mode in Settings → Battery → Performance Mode. This will speed up the work a little, but will reduce battery life.
Camera: what can a triple module on a budget phone do?
Main camera module in Cubot Note S is a 13-megapixel sensor with an aperture f/2.2. In the daytime, it copes with the task: the photos are detailed, the colors are close to natural, and there is almost no noise. However, in low light, the quality drops sharply - artifacts appear, detail is lost, and autofocus begins to “float”.
Additional modules - 2 MP for macro and 2 MP for the depth sensor - are more of a decorative nature. Macro photography only works at a distance of 4-6 cm from the subject, and the result is often blurry. Portrait mode with background blur is also not ideal: the edges of objects are cut off sloppily, and sometimes the background is blurred where it is not needed. The 8 MP front camera is good for selfies in good lighting, but nothing more.
| Shooting mode | Day (good lighting) | Night (low light) |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | ✅ Good detail, natural colors | ❌ Loud noise, loss of details |
| Macro | ⚠️ Only works at close range, blurry | ❌ Almost unusable |
| Portrait | ✅ Acceptable background blur | ❌ Incorrect edge trimming |
| Video (1080p@30fps) | ✅ Stabilization works, colors are normal | ❌ Strong noises, shaking |
A unique feature of the camera in Cubot Note S is that it supports manual settings (shutter speed, ISO, white balance) even in the budget segment. This allows for slightly improved images when shooting in difficult conditions, but requires experience.
How to enable manual mode on your camera?
Open the camera app → go to Pro (in the lower menu) → configure the settings manually. Tip: for night photography, increase the shutter speed to 1-2 seconds and use a tripod.
Autonomy and charging: is it enough for a day?
Battery capacity 4200 mAh Cubot Note S - This is one of the main advantages of the device. With moderate use (social networks, instant messengers, video), the smartphone can easily survive until the evening, or even until the next morning. In battery life tests (video playback in a loop at 50% brightness), the device lasted about 12 hours - a good result for a budget phone.
However, there are nuances:
- 🔋 In active use mode (games, navigation, video shooting), the operating time is reduced to 6-8 hours.
- 🔌 Charging is slow: the included adapter (5V/2A) charges the smartphone from 0 to 100% in ~2.5 hours.
- 📉 Fast discharge when the network signal is weak (the smartphone is actively looking for a connection).
Among the useful features are: energy saving mode (Settings → Battery → Power saving mode), which limits background activity and reduces screen brightness. This may extend your experience by 1-2 hours, but will disable notifications from some apps. There is also charging optimization — the system automatically limits the charge to 80% if the smartphone is connected to the network for a long time (useful for preserving battery capacity).
⚠️ Attention: When using non-original chargers, the smartphone may not recognize fast charging or even refuse to charge. It is recommended to use adapters that support Quick Charge 2.0 or original kit.
Software and updates: Android 11 in 2026
Cubot Note S works for Android 11 with branded shell Cubot OS. The interface is minimalistic, without unnecessary bloat (there are few pre-installed applications here - only basic Google services). However, there are also disadvantages: the firmware has not been updated for a long time, and security updates come out extremely rarely. This makes your smartphone vulnerable to new threats, especially if you actively use banking applications.
Among the useful features of the shell:
- 🔒 App Lock: Lock individual applications with a password or fingerprint.
- 🌙 Dark theme: automatically turns on according to schedule.
- 📱 Navigation Gestures: support for swipes instead of classic buttons.
- 🔊 Sound amplification: There is an option in the settings to increase the speaker volume (but the sound quality deteriorates).
Unfortunately, rooting or installing custom firmware on Cubot Note S complicated due to a closed bootloader. The manufacturer does not provide unlocking, so enthusiasts are forced to look for workarounds, which runs the risk of bricking the device. If regular updates are important to you, it's worth considering alternatives (for example, smartphones with Android One).
☑️ What to do after purchasing Cubot Note S
Pros and cons of Cubot Note S: is it worth buying in 2026?
Cubot Note S — a typical representative of the budget segment with a couple of unexpected advantages. Its main advantages:
- ✅ NFC - a rarity for smartphones costing 15,000 rubles.
- ✅ Big screen with decent color rendition.
- ✅ Long autonomy thanks to the 4200 mAh battery.
- ✅ Separate slot for microSD — no need to sacrifice a second SIM card.
But there are also significant disadvantages:
- ❌ Outdated firmware (Android 11 without updates).
- ❌ Weak processor for modern games.
- ❌ Mediocre camera in low light conditions.
- ❌ Slow charging (no support for fast standards).
Who is it suitable for? Cubot Note S? For those who are looking for an inexpensive smartphone for calls, social networks and photos in good lighting. Also, the device will be of interest to those who need NFC for contactless payments without overpayment. But gamers, photographers, or those who value fresh updates should take a closer look at alternatives (for example, Redmi 9A or Samsung Galaxy A04e).
The Cubot Note S is one of the few budget smartphones with NFC and a big battery, but its weaknesses (performance, camera, software) make it a niche choice.
FAQ: answers to popular questions about Cubot Note S
❓ Does Cubot Note S support contactless payments via Google Pay?
✅ Yes, thanks to the NFC module, the smartphone supports Google Pay and other contactless payment services. However, before use, make sure that your bank supports linking cards to devices without certification Google Mobile Services (sometimes manual configuration is required).
❓Can I play PUBG Mobile on Cubot Note S?
⚠️ Technically yes, but only on minimum graphics settings (Smooth + Low). At the same time, slowdowns will be noticeable, especially in dynamic scenes. For a comfortable game, it is better to choose a smartphone with a processor of the same level Helio G80 or Snapdragon 662.
❓ How to transfer data from old phone to Cubot Note S?
The easiest way is to use Google Account (contacts, photos, some settings are synchronized automatically). To transfer files, connect your old device via cable via OTG adapter or use cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex Disk). You can also use the application Clone Phone (available in Google Play).
❓ Why does Cubot Note S discharge quickly?
Main reasons:
- 🔍 Active network search (if the signal is weak).
- 📱 Background activity of applications (check in
Settings → Battery → Battery Usage). - 📶 Always on Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/GPS.
Solution: Turn on power saving mode, turn off unnecessary connections, and limit background app activity.
❓ Where to buy Cubot Note S and how much does it cost?
The smartphone is not officially sold in Russia, but it can be found on sites like AliExpress, Joybuy or in small online stores. Price varies from 12,000 to 15,000 rubles depending on promotions and configuration. When purchasing, pay attention to guarantee (often sellers offer 1 year) and reviews about the store.