UMIDIGI Note 100 5G Review: Affordable 120Hz 5G Phone with Big Battery

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In the ever evolving world of smartphones, it’s easy to get distracted by the flashiest flagships. Every year, brands like Samsung and Apple dominate headlines with devices that cost as much as a decent laptop. But beyond the spotlight, there’s another category quietly competing for attention: affordable 5G smartphones that promise modern connectivity without draining your bank account.

One such device is the "UMIDIGI Note 100 5G".

At first glance, it might look like just another budget phone in a crowded market. Big screen? Check. 5G support? Check. Large battery? Of course. But as with many things in life, the story isn’t in the checklist it’s in the experience. And that’s where this phone becomes interesting.

Let’s take a deep dive into what the UMIDIGI Note 100 5G offers, how it performs in real world use, and whether it deserves a place in your pocket in 2026.

First Impressions: Big Screen, Modern Feel

The moment you hold the UMIDIGI Note 100 5G, one thing stands out immediately the size. It features a large 6.8 inch IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate. That combination alone is uncommon in the lower price segment.

Now, let’s be honest. When people hear “IPS LCD” instead of AMOLED, some instinctively assume it’s inferior. But in daily use, especially for social media scrolling, YouTube watching, or reading articles late at night, the display performs surprisingly well. Colors are decent. Brightness is adequate indoors. And that 120Hz refresh rate? It makes a difference.

Scrolling through Instagram feels smooth. Swiping between apps feels fluid. Even navigating menus has a certain slickness that you don’t typically associate with budget devices.

Is it razor sharp like a high end AMOLED panel? No. The resolution sits at 720p, which means pixel density isn’t groundbreaking. But for most everyday tasks, the difference is subtle. Unless you’re comparing it side by side with a premium flagship, you probably won’t complain.

Sometimes we chase specs. But in reality, what we feel matters more than what we read.

Performance: Modest But Reliable

Under the hood, the phone runs on the Unisoc T765 chipset. It’s built on a 6nm process, which is efficient and relatively modern.

Now, let’s set expectations properly. This isn’t a gaming monster. It won’t compete with Snapdragon 8 series processors. But for everyday use? It holds its ground.

Opening WhatsApp, browsing Chrome, switching between YouTube and Telegram it handles those tasks smoothly. Light gaming like Mobile Legends or casual puzzle games runs fine on medium settings. Heavier titles can work, but you’ll need to dial down graphics.

What helps significantly is the RAM configuration. With options offering up to 8GB of physical RAM plus virtual RAM expansion, multitasking feels more capable than you’d expect. Apps don’t close aggressively. Background processes remain stable.

For students, office workers, or anyone who mainly uses their phone for communication and entertainment, performance is more than adequate.

And honestly, that’s the target audience.

Android 14: Clean and Modern Software

One of the pleasant surprises is that the device runs Android 14 out of the box.

There’s something refreshing about using a phone that doesn’t feel overloaded with unnecessary apps. The UI feels relatively clean. Navigation is straightforward. The system animations, combined with the 120Hz refresh rate, create a modern experience.

Of course, long term software updates are always a question mark with smaller brands. That’s a trade off. You may not receive years of major Android updates like you would from Samsung or Google.

But out of the box, the experience feels current. And that matters.

Camera: Good Enough for Everyday Moments

The UMIDIGI Note 100 5G comes with a 50MP main camera, supported by secondary sensors for depth and macro shots.

Let’s talk real world results. In good lighting conditions, photos are decent. Colors are natural. Dynamic range is acceptable. Social media posts look perfectly fine without heavy editing.

Indoor shots are usable but show the typical limitations of budget sensors. Low light photography introduces noise, and night mode helps but doesn’t perform miracles.

The 16MP front camera delivers solid selfies in daylight. Video recording tops out at 1080p, which is standard at this price.

Here’s the thing: most people aren’t shooting professional documentaries. They’re capturing birthdays, coffee cups, sunsets, and occasional selfies. For those moments, the camera does its job.

It’s practical. And sometimes practicality wins over perfection.

Battery Life: The Quiet Strength

This is where the phone truly shines. The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day. For moderate users, it can stretch into a day and a half. Streaming, browsing, messaging the phone handles long hours without anxiety.

If you’ve ever owned a device that constantly forced you to hunt for a charger by late afternoon, you’ll appreciate this stability.

Charging speed is rated at 20W. It’s not blazing fast compared to 67W or 120W competitors. But it’s reliable. You plug it in during dinner, and it’s ready before bed.

Sometimes fast charging is like fast food convenient but not always necessary. Steady and consistent works just fine.

5G Connectivity: Future Proof on a Budget

The headline feature is, of course, 5G support. As more regions expand 5G networks, having a compatible device becomes increasingly relevant. The UMIDIGI Note 100 5G supports dual SIM and multiple network bands. However, here’s an important note: band compatibility can vary by region. In some areas, users have reported falling back to LTE due to unsupported bands.

So before purchasing, it’s wise to check your local carrier’s supported frequencies. When 5G works, speeds are impressive for a budget device. Downloads feel snappy. Streaming in high resolution is smooth.

It’s not just about speed. It’s about longevity. Buying a 5G phone in 2026 makes more sense than buying a 4G only device.

Design and Build Quality

The phone uses a plastic back with a glass front. That’s standard in this category. It feels lightweight for its size and reasonably slim. The design doesn’t scream luxury, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. It’s practical and clean.

The side mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. Face unlock works well in good lighting. There’s also IP53 splash resistance a small but reassuring addition. It won’t survive a swim, but accidental splashes won’t cause panic.

In a world obsessed with glass and metal sandwiches, sometimes simple durability makes more sense.

Storage and Expandability

With up to 256GB of internal storage and microSD expansion up to 1TB, storage anxiety is minimal.

Photos, videos, apps, documents you have room to grow. For content creators on a budget, this flexibility is valuable. Shooting short videos, saving offline Netflix content, downloading large apps it all adds up.

Expandable storage is becoming rare in flagship devices. Ironically, budget phones like this preserve that practicality.

The Real World User: Who Is It For?

This phone isn’t trying to compete with flagship killers. It’s targeting:

• Students who need affordable 5G connectivity
• Professionals looking for a reliable secondary device
• Users upgrading from older 4G phones
• Budget conscious buyers who prioritize battery and screen size

It’s a sensible phone, not flashy, not revolutionary. But dependable and dependability is underrated.

Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance

Strengths

• Large 6.8” 120Hz display
• Solid battery life
• Affordable 5G support
• Expandable storage
• Clean Android 14 experience

Weaknesses

• 720p resolution
• Average low light camera
• 20W charging is modest
• Uncertain long term software updates

The Value Perspective

Smartphones have become essential tools. We work, learn, socialize, and entertain ourselves through these devices.

But not everyone needs a $1000 powerhouse.

The UMIDIGI Note 100 5G proves that you can access modern features smooth display, large battery, 5G connectivity without premium pricing. It’s like buying a reliable sedan instead of a sports car. Both get you to your destination. One simply does it without drama.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

If you’re seeking cutting edge camera performance or flagship grade display sharpness, this isn’t your device.

But if you want a balanced, affordable 5G smartphone that handles daily tasks smoothly and lasts all day on a single charge, the UMIDIGI Note 100 5G is genuinely compelling. It doesn’t try to be everything, it focuses on being enough and for many people, enough is exactly right.