• Which smartphone is better: Xiaomi or Meizu

    What is better Meizu or Xiaomi in 2017? This kind of question haunts a huge number of users who decide to order a smartphone from China. Today we will try to answer it. Why these particular brands? Statistics from various resources show that Meizu and Xiaomi products are in great demand among users in the post-Soviet space. Well, let's start!

    A little history of Meizu and Xiaomi

    Both companies, as you probably know, are from China, very young compared to many other brands. Meizu was founded in 2003, Xiaomi in 2010. Meizu initially (2003-2007) was engaged in the production of MP3 players, which were then in excellent demand. After the success of the first, the Chinese company realized that the displacement of portable players was beginning. Since 2008, she began to actively develop smartphones, noticeably copying the design of American brand devices. The similarity is visible even today.

    Xiaomi began its journey with the development of the MIUI shell, which today is an integral part of any company's smartphone. The first version of the shell was released in 2010, and users really liked it. Already in 2011, Xiaomi releases the first smartphone, and after some 6 years it becomes one of the largest global companies.

    Xiaomi vs Meizu: whose smartphones are better in 2017?

    To answer the question, you will have to compare the products of companies according to a number of criteria.

    Meizu or Xiaomi: who has a wider range

    Both companies with enviable regularity present new smartphones to the public, but, whatever one may say, they manage to do this more often than Meizu. Xiaomi boasts not only a bunch of new products in recent months, but also a variety of lines, among which there are ultra-budget devices and flagships. Meizu has not been able to present something completely new lately, slightly updating its old models and releasing them under new names.

    For diversity, the first point goes to Xiaomi.

    Whose smartphones are prettier

    Design is subjective. However, we think many will agree that Meizu is still developing more stylish smartphones. Perhaps the point is inheriting the appearance features of an American company. Due to the use of high-quality materials and good assembly, Meizu smartphones are not only elegant, but also practical. True, Xiaomi also increasingly has beautiful solutions made from premium parts.

    Well, for now, let's give the score to Meizu.

    Who has better quality

    A very controversial criterion, using which we risk receiving a flurry of criticism from readers. However, if we again turn to the statistics and user reviews, we will find out that Xiaomi has a slightly larger number of marriages than Meizu. This is partly due to the large number of company sales. Also, the percentage of Xiaomi marriage can be attributed to the company's pursuit of quantity, not quality.

    Be that as it may, we give the score to Meizu.

    Meizu or Xiaomi: Who has better smartphones

    - a sore point of Meizu smartphones. All the company's smartphones released recently are equipped with MediaTek processors, which are not known as the most powerful market representatives. Xiaomi, even in budget solutions, installs Snapdragon processors, which are much better in performance than their competitors. It is precisely because of low-power chips that many users refuse the rest of Meizu's advantages, preferring Xiaomi.

    Unconditionally the score goes to Xiaomi.

    Whose smartphones take better pictures

    If we consider the budget niche, then the products of both companies have approximately the same cameras that take mediocre photos. In the flagship segment today, everything is a little different. Xiaomi recently appeared in the Mi6 line - a newcomer with a top-end Snapdragon 835 processor and an excellent camera. Meizu's flagship remains the Pro 6S, shown last year. It shoots well, but is clearly inferior to the more technologically advanced Mi6 modules. Perhaps the situation will change with the release of Pro 7, which should be shown very soon.

    In the meantime, a little ahead of Xiaomi, so the score goes to her.

    One of the biggest stumbling blocks is the branded shell - each company has its own. Xiaomi installs MIUI on its smartphones based on the Android operating system, while Meizu has Flyme. MIUI is distinguished by wide customization options and an abundance of various settings, but not all smartphones at the start of sales are presented with Russian localization. Flyme is known to users for its pleasant interface and excellent translation of the interface into Russian, but it receives updates less often.

    Whose smartphones are more autonomous

    Here, the Xiaomi device is definitely ahead. The vast majority of the company's smartphones, released in 2016-2017, are equipped with a capacity of 4000 mAh or more, which ensures excellent autonomy. At the same time, Meizu smartphones have an average capacity of 3000-3500 mAh.

    Point goes Xiaomi.

    And a few more points: additional "chips" and the ecosystem

    Each company is trying to bring some kind of feature to their devices in order to attract a new user. And devices from Meizu and Xiaomi have their own characteristics. The first "trick" can be called the mTouch button. It is a touch and mechanical button combined with a fingerprint scanner - quite versatile and convenient. Xiaomi has an infrared port in many smartphones. It allows you to control appliances in the house using your phone. Useful stuff, right?

    Meizu and Xiaomi also produce other devices for users that, together with a smartphone, can form an entire ecosystem. Xiaomi is especially successful in this direction, releasing smart bracelets, headphones, TVs, smart set-top boxes, even umbrellas (and all with the “smart” prefix).

    We will not add points for additional features, but if you are one of the users who have already surrounded themselves with a bunch of smart technology today, then in your mind you can add Xiaomi plus with their ecosystem.

    And who is better?

    As you noticed, we did not consider memory sizes, interfaces and other insignificant features - there is not much difference here. As a result, we have: 4 points for Xiaomi (model range, performance, cameras and autonomy) and 2 points for Meizu (design and quality). Following the numbers, in 2017 it is better to buy a Xiaomi smartphone.

    Comparison of the best Meizu and Xiaomi smartphones

    Of course, the numbers are a serious argument in the Meizu vs Xiaomi dispute, but they only reflect the situation in the market as a whole. But what if the best smartphones from these companies in 2016-2017 are pushed head-on? We took a couple of models from each price segment to compare them according to the main criteria.

    Budget class: Xiaomi Redmi 4X vs Meizu M5

    Two affordable smartphones that have recently appeared on the virtual shelves of online stores. - a practical metal apparatus with a productive filling. - an elegant option with an abundance of colors. Both are good in their own way and deserve attention.

    Xiaomi Redmi 4X MeizuM5
    OSAndroid 6.0Android 5.1
    Screen5" HD5.2" HD
    CPUSnapdragon 435Mediatek MT6750
    Memory2+16 GB2+16 GB
    Camera13+5 MP13+5 MP
    Battery4100 mAh3070 mAh
    Price6000 rubles6000 rubles

    In terms of key parameters, Redmi 4X looks more interesting: it is more practical, productive and autonomous. M5 attracts only with a good appearance and "chips" in the face of Flyme.

    Mid-range: Meizu MX6 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

    In the middle class, Meizu manages to catch up with the competitor in terms of performance. MX6, in addition to a more stylish design, surpasses Redmi Note 4 in photo capabilities, and is not much inferior in performance. But in terms of autonomy, the solution from Xiaomi is still a cut above, and the infrared port, which the MX6 did not acquire, will not be superfluous.

    Xiaomi RedmiNote 4 MeizuMX6
    OSAndroid 6.0Android 6.0
    Screen5.5 inches5.5 inches
    CPUSnapdragon 635Mediatek Helio X20
    Memory3+32 GB3+32 GB
    Camera13+5 MP12+5 MP
    Battery4100 mAh3060 mAh
    Price9000 rubles12000 rubles

    You have to choose from these smartphones, starting from your requests. You need a beautiful thin device with good performance and a good camera, then you should look towards Meizu MX6. If you are one of those who like to play and want to stay in touch for a long time, then your choice is Xiaomi Redmi Note 4.

    Since Meizu has not yet introduced a Mi6 competitor, we will compare the previous models: Pro 6 and Mi5. Two great smartphones with still up-to-date specs that could compete with more expensive A-brands. Xiaomi Mi5 received a powerful Snapdragon 820 processor, Meizu has a powerful chip from MTK. The devices are full of various "chips" and are able to take great photos.

    Xiaomi Mi5
    OSAndroid 6.0Android 6.0
    Screen5.15 inch Full HD5.2 inch FullHD
    CPUSnapdragon 820Mediatek Helio X25
    Memory3+32 GB4+32 GB
    Camera16+4 MP21.16+5 MP
    Battery3000 mAh2560 mAh
    Price13700 rubles17500 rubles

    The choice depends on the tastes of the user - both smartphones are really good. However, Xiaomi Mi5 can be put one step higher due to the processor and lower cost.

    Conclusion

    Well, it's time to sum up. We examined each manufacturer according to different criteria and came to the conclusion that it is more practical to buy Xiaomi smartphones in 2017. This brand is represented by a much larger assortment, which does not constrain the choice, offers powerful and autonomous solutions for little money. Meizu slightly slowed down, releasing the main competitor forward. However, the company should not be discounted - a rather unusual Pro 7 will be presented soon, and maybe a couple of budget models that will win back several points. The battle of “Meizu or Xiaomi” has not yet been finalized. What brand do you prefer?


    Since the Chinese learned how to make good smartphones, their products have become popular not only in their homeland, but all over the world. Xiaomi and Meizu have captivated the audience with their low prices, so the competition between them is blazing both in China and here. For an affordable price tag, they are ready to forgive many minor flaws, but it’s still worth figuring out who is better and who has fewer of these minuses. To do this, it is worth analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the products of each brand, and weigh the alignment of forces.

    Meizu has some advantages over its competitor, what exactly they are better for - read below, point by point.

    Design

    Models (especially budget ones) that are sold most actively at the moment, Meizu turned out to be better, more beautiful in appearance. For example, the M3 Note does not have plastic separators (like the Redmi Note 3) for antennas on the rear panel. Xiaomi began to install 2.5D glass only in the 4th generation of Redmi, while Meizu has been using it everywhere for a long time. And Xiaomi has no analogues of models at all.

    Availability

    Meizu in the early stages of sales is easier to get than Xiaomi, as the company does not severely limit the first circulation. As a result, they appear faster in retail, and sellers do not set inadequate markups.

    Sound

    Flagship (and not only) Meizu models are often equipped with a discrete DAC (audio processor). Let not the same as in Hi-Fi players for hundreds of dollars, but it is clearly better than the one integrated into the chipset. The sampling rate is higher, the signal-to-noise ratio is better, the frequency potential is wider.

    cameras

    Top-end Meizu are equipped with flagship cameras that shoot great, but Xiaomi has something to show in this niche. But the models of the budget and middle classes from Meizu are better in terms of cameras. The company uses almost identical matrices for a wide range of models, so it has the opportunity to better work out and optimize their functionality.

    mtouch button

    Meizu equip their smartphones with a universal button under the screen. It combines the functions of a fingerprint scanner, a physical key and a touch tracker. Touching and pressing on the locked screen unlocks the smartphone, a short press is similar to the home key, and using touch gestures, you can open the task manager and access other functions.

    Cons of Meizu smartphones

    With all the positive aspects, Meizu also has disadvantages.

    MediaTek Chipsets

    At the moment, Meizu and Qualcomm are not on friendly terms due to litigation. Only, but Meizu smartphones with Snapdragon processors will appear no earlier than the end of 2017. Therefore, the company can only buy chipsets from Samsung and MediaTek. Koreans work, first of all, to satisfy their needs, and not all SoCs are sold, not to everyone, and not always. They only have inexpensive budget chips, good mid-range SoCs, but with flagships they are not going smoothly. Top MTKs are about on par with mid-range Qualcomm chips.

    Update instability

    MediaTek sometimes lacks customer support in terms of transferring new Android OS kernels and drivers for not the latest chipsets to developers. Because of this, users run the risk of not waiting for the new version of Android for their smartphone, receiving only updates to the Flyme OS shell, but not the OS kernel. However, Xiaomi is also not immune from this: Redmi Note 2 on the forgotten MTK Helio X10 will hardly wait for Android 6.

    Minor OS flaws

    The release of many devices, albeit on a similar, but different hardware, complicates the process of user support. As a result, firmware may have minor bugs that spoil the impression of the device and complicate its use. Updates may not come out on time, they are rare, but there are cases when the treatment of one glitch led to the appearance of a new one. There are also problems with menu items and programs not fully translated, and in China-oriented devices, there is no Russian language and the Play Market at all.

    Value for money

    Despite their cheapness, relative to some Samsung or HTC, Xiaomi equivalent Meizu smartphones are more expensive. The difference is not very significant, but if Xiaomi is asked for about $ 300 for the flagship, Meise's competitor will cost about 400.

    Why are Xiaomi smartphones better?

    In response to all the pluses of Meizu, Xiaomi can also trump with virtues. In some ways, Xiaomi is still better.

    Price policy

    Xiaomi representatives officially declare that smartphones themselves are not a source of income for the company. The main method of earning money is selling services, as well as other electronics and accessories (and these are TVs, rice cookers, network equipment, headphones, fitness bracelets, external batteries and much more). The company sells mobile devices practically at cost, it is problematic to find something better in terms of characteristics for a similar amount.

    IR port

    Since the company is also engaged in the production of household appliances, its engineers considered the function of the universal remote to be very important. Almost all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with an infrared diode. It, in combination with the built-in Mi Remote program (or an analogue from the market), allows you to control your TV, air conditioner, multimedia center, home kit theater and other consumer electronics. In this regard, Xiaomi is better not only from Meizu, but also from the lion's share of other smartphones.


    Own ecosystem

    Like Apple, the Chinese have created their own ecosystem, integrating branded electronics into an organized infrastructure. This includes cloud storage with convenient device synchronization, as well as free 5 GB on the server (it can be expanded up to 1 TB, but it's not very cheap), and well-developed device interaction. Unlike Meizu, all synchronization functions work fine on any firmware and anywhere in the world.

    Powerful iron

    The company even develops budget smartphones based on mid-range chips. The only current device with a quad-core SoC is, but it's forgivable because of the price of $ 75. But the Redmi series phablets are equipped with mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets or top-end MediaTek chipsets, which Meizu put only in flagships. For games, Xiaomi is definitely better, except for the cheapest models (those have parity with Meizu).

    Cons of Xiaomi smartphones

    The shortcomings spoil the picture a little, without which Xiaomi also could not do.

    Limited editions and seller markup

    The company sells its smartphones independently, through the official website. She has practically no stores outside of China, you can buy a smartphone on the Xiaomi website only in countries where there is an office of the company itself (and not its dealer), and the devices go on sale in limited quantities.

    Taking advantage of the demand and the initial shortage, at first, sellers buy up all circulations in minutes, and then resell them with a solid markup. For the same one, with an official price of just over $500, in the first days after the start of sales, resellers asked for $1,000.

    "Lottery" with accessories

    In order to quickly release new models to the market, Xiaomi simultaneously uses the services of several suppliers and assemblers (although many do this, the same Apple does too). However, a feature of Xiaomi is that displays, cameras, sensors and other components from different companies can be used in different batches of the same model.

    In addition to the fact that there is a slight variation in quality (Sharp screens in Redmi Note 3 look slightly better than BOE and Tianma), this complicates the development and optimization of software. After all, you have to include drivers for different components in the OS assembly or write universal ones. Because of this, situations sometimes arise when one device behaves perfectly on an identical firmware version, and bugs are noticed on another.

    Unstable updates

    Xiaomi has problems with Android system updates, although things are a little better in this regard. Usually, smartphones based on MediaTek chips, like Meizu, do not receive a fresh version of the OS. On models with Qualcomm, minor updates appear more often, and the new version of Android is made faster. For example, Android 6 for the Redmi Note 3 version on MTK is not (and most likely will not be), but for Qualcomm it is, Android 7 is also expected.

    Flaws and shortcomings of the OS

    In addition to problems with the update, there are also bugs in the system. The roots of the reason for this are indicated by the two points above. Due to the large model range, as well as the lack of tangible benefits from smartphone sales, Xiaomi cannot keep a large staff of engineers and testers (like Apple).

    Beta versions of the MIUI system are being “run-in” by volunteers, whose bugs do not always pop up (see the moment with different hardware). As a result, a glitch missed at the beta testing stage flies to the people with an official update. Meizu also has this, but on average they are doing better.

    Another software problem is localization. Smartphones that are not focused on international sales do not have the Russian language and Google services. If the seller did not reflash the firmware assembly from the Russian or European MIUI community, you will have to conjure with localization. And if I re-flashed, it's not a fact that the localization was done with high quality, and the firmware was rebuilt without side bugs.

    Conclusion

    As the analysis showed, both Xiaomi and Meizu have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Both brands have a characteristic plus in the form of an affordable price. The fact that Xiaomi's official prices are lower is offset by the seller's cheating, if you do not order directly from the official store through a Chinese friend. It is not easy to buy Meizu at the recommended price from us, and Xiaomi even more so.

    Both firms have a number of shortcomings, mainly related to software. At Meizu, the situation with him is a little better, but there are shortcomings. Therefore, if the choice of a successful firmware and other troubles is not for you, then Meise will be better.

    The second common minus of the companies is that their flagships do not have slots for a memory card. The first reason for this problem is the reluctance to hear claims from users of cheap MicroSDs that reduce performance. The second is the desire to earn extra money by renting cloud storage. However, if you need space on the server, it is better to take Xiaomi, since there will be no problems with their MiCloud, regardless of the firmware version and location.

    The camera software (starting with the drivers and ending with the application) Meizu has been worked out more efficiently, which is important for amateur photographers. Flagships are more suitable for music lovers, as they are equipped with a discrete DAC. Fans of a fingerprint scanner and a multi-functional button in front under the screen (like in the iPhone) this brand is also more suitable. Finally, Meizu is the best buy if you want a beautiful smartphone at an affordable price.

    Xiaomi is better if you are interested in an affordable smartphone with top-end hardware or a budget employee with middle-class stuffing. You should not expect ideal camera work or Hi-Fi sound from them, but performance in games and heavy programs will be higher than that of Meizu. If you want to control all the appliances in the house with the help of a budget device, then Xiaomi is out of competition. And, finally, it is better to take Xiaomi on Qualcomm chips if you want to receive updates regularly and wait for the new Android on your device.

    previous records

    Meizu / Meizu is one of the leading Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Meizu models are consistently among the best-selling android smartphones in the world, China and Russia.

    In this review, we will consider the best smartphones from the catalog of the Chinese brand for December 2017. The rating is based on reviews in Yandex Market, the price-quality ratio and technical characteristics.

    Meizu M5C

    The average price in Russia is 7,100 rubles. You can buy Meizu M5C on AliExpress for 5.2 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). This model was introduced in June 2017. Meizu M5C received 48% of fives and 73% of recommendations to buy.

    Specifications: 5-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 16 GB of permanent memory and 2 GB of RAM, there is a slot for an external memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card). Main camera 8 MP with LED flash and autofocus, front 5 MP. Battery capacity - 3000 mAh. 4-core processor MediaTek MT6737.


    7th place.

    Meizu M5s 16GB

    The average price in Russia is 8,000 rubles. Buy Meizu M5s 16Gb on AliExpress you can for 6 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). The budget model appeared in February 2017 and today has scored 46% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market and 80% of recommendations for purchase.

    Specifications: 5.2-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 16 GB of permanent memory and 3 GB of RAM, there is a slot for a memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card). 8-core processor MediaTek MT6753. Battery capacity - 3000 mAh. There is a fingerprint scanner. Main camera 13 MP with LED flash and autofocus. Front camera 5 MP. Metal case.

    Meizu M5 16Gb

    The average price in Russia is 9,980 rubles. The budget model appeared in October 2016 and today has scored 65% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market and 82% of recommendations for purchase.

    Specifications: 5.2-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 16 GB of permanent memory and 2 GB of RAM, there is a slot for a memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card). 8-core processor MediaTek MT6750. Battery capacity - 3070 mAh. There is a fingerprint scanner. Main camera 13 MP with LED flash and autofocus. Front camera 5 MP.

    5th place

    Meizu M6 32GB

    The average price in Russia is 9,500 rubles. The model, which went on sale on December 13, 2017, received 48% of fives in reviews in Yandex Market and 82% of recommendations for purchase. Specifications: 5.2-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels, Android 7.0 operating system, 32 GB of permanent memory and 3 GB of RAM, there is a slot for an external memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card). Battery capacity - 3070 mAh. There is a fingerprint scanner. 8-core processor MediaTek MT6750. Plastic case.

    The main camera with a Sony IMX278 sensor at 13 megapixels with f / 2.2 aperture and autofocus. Front camera 8 MP with aperture f/2.0. The front camera has a 4-lens wide-angle lens.

    Meizu M6 Note 32GB

    The average price in Russia is 13,500 rubles. You can buy Meizu M6 Note 32GB on AliExpress for 8.1 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). The model, introduced in August 2017, received 72% of fives in reviews in Yandex Market and 88% of recommendations for purchase. Today it is the third most popular Meizu model (according to Yandex-Market). Specifications: 5.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Android 7.1 operating system, 32 GB of permanent memory and 3 GB of RAM, there is a slot for an external memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card).

    The main camera is dual, the first Sony IMX362 sensor is 12 megapixels with f / 1.9 aperture (one of the best camera phones of 2017 HTC U11 has such a sensor), the second 5 megapixel sensor with f / 2.0 aperture. Front camera with a sensor from Samsung at 16 megapixels with f / 2.0 aperture.

    Battery capacity - 4000 mAh. There is a fingerprint scanner. Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor.

    Meizu Pro 6 64Gb

    The average price in Russia is 17,800 rubles. You can buy Meizu Pro 6 on AliExpress for 13.3 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). The spring flagship of Meizu 2016 scored 46% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market and 71% of recommendations for purchase. Specifications: AMOLED screen 5.2 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 64 GB of permanent and 4 GB of RAM, support for two SIM cards. Battery capacity - 2560 mAh. There is a fingerprint scanner.

    Main camera 21.16 MP, front camera 5 MP. Camera based on Sony IMX230 sensor. The resource dxomark.com gave this camera 74 points, the same points scored, for example, Huawei P8.

    Unlike traditional taps and swipes, Meizu PRO 6 has a 3D Press function that allows you to recognize the force of touching the screen in real time and launch the corresponding functions and applications. This technology has not only improved the efficiency of the system, but also made possible a closer connection between the person and the device. In addition, 3D Press technology includes vibration of the device in addition to visual changes when touched with a certain force.

    Meizu PRO 6 comes with third-generation NXP Smart PA system. The advanced chip can capture the speaker's real-time status and intelligently control its vibration. The device has improved the volume and transmission of low-frequency speaker sounds. The sound is clear and great volume without any noise. The characteristics of the mSound speaker are at the Hi-Fi level. In addition, the speaker can work as a microphone with high resolution recording.

    The device uses Meizu's proprietary shell - Flyme 5. This is a heavily rethought version of the standard Android. The user interface is elegant and the system is very powerful and flexible.

    Meizu Pro 7 64GB

    The average price in Russia is 23,300 rubles. You can buy Meizu Pro 7 64GB on AliExpress for 17 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). The younger version of the new flagship went on sale in September 2017 and today has scored 70% of fives in reviews in Yandex Market and 83% of recommendations for purchase.

    The main thing that distinguishes this model from the entire previous Meizu lineup is the second display with a SuperAMOLED matrix with a diagonal of 1.9 inches and a resolution of 240x536 pixels. This display is designed to show information about the time, weather and incoming notifications. With it, you can take a selfie on the main camera. The main display is also SuperAMOLED, with a diagonal of 5.2 inches and a resolution of 1920x1080. Specifications: Android 7.0 operating system, 64 GB of permanent and 4 GB of RAM, without a slot for an external memory card. Two SIM cards. Battery capacity - 3000 mAh. There is a fingerprint scanner. 8-core processor MediaTek Helio P25. Metal case.

    Dual camera 12 + 12 MP. One module is color, the second is monochrome. Aperture at every f/2.0. The same aperture in the front camera, its resolution is 16 megapixels. It is worth noting that the photographic resource Dxomark was not impressed with the Meizu Pro 7 camera and gave it a score for photography slightly higher than that of the 6th iPhone - 74 points.

    Meizu Pro 7 Plus 128GB

    The average price in Russia is 35,400 rubles. The older version of the Meizu flagship went on sale in September 2017 and today has scored 50% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market and 83% of recommendations for purchase.

    Specifications are largely the same as in Meizu Pro 7: a second 1.9-inch 240x536 display, Android 7.0 operating system, 128 GB of permanent memory, without a slot for an external memory card. Two SIM cards. There is a fingerprint scanner. Metal case. Dual camera 12 + 12 MP. Frontal 16 mp.

    But there are also differences: a larger display (5.7 inches with a resolution of 2560x1440), RAM is no longer 4 GB, but 6, a more powerful battery (3500 mAh) and a processor (10-core MediaTek Helio X30).

    China has long been awarded the title of capital of fakes. Of course, at some point this was true, but, apparently, Meizu and Xiaomi companies decided to change their minds about Chinese products, and began to produce really high-quality smartphones. And not only cheap models, but also real flagships. Now buyers have a difficult choice - which is better Xiaomi or Meizu?

    Choosing devices of these brands, users cannot decide which is better. After all, as one so the second company has on its account models that for a long time remained leaders in sales. If we compare the characteristics, then both have quality products that are sold at an affordable price. Naturally, there are flaws in the configuration, but the low price more than compensates for the inconvenience of having them. Let's look at who is better of these two eternal competitors.

    Comparing Meizu and Xiaomi is one of the main topics on many sites. In addition, to find out what are the advantages and disadvantages of these smartphones, users can refer to the forums. Asking people who have already dealt with this technique is much more reliable than reading blogger reviews. Although the video review also has its advantages. Most importantly, choose a page with a lot of reviews to be completely sure that this is not a fake.


    Meizu has some advantages. Let's look at them in more detail:

    1. Original and stylish design. Perhaps this is the first thing the buyer pays attention to. Manufacturers took this into account and released a lot of beautiful devices. This is especially noticeable when examining budget models. They have several colors for the panel, the glass screen looks very stylish and expensive, despite the fact that the price of technology is relatively low. Take at least the Meise U10 and U20 - it is generally impossible to pick up analogues of these models at the same price.
    2. The availability policies of the companies differ in favor of Meizu. In the early stages, buying Haomi is much more difficult. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer does not limit the initial circulation, so representatives who resell the device do not have the opportunity to set too high a markup.
    3. Audio in Meizu works much better, not only on flagship models, but also on conventional devices. This is due to the fact that they are equipped with discrete audio processors. Of course, they cannot compete with expensive models for a thousand dollars. But no one requires this from them, given the money for which the buyer took the device.
    4. So, in terms of sampling rate, users get relatively higher performance than smartphones from Xiaomi. The signal-to-noise ratio is also not ideal, but of high quality, and the sensitivity to the frequency potential is quite wide.
    5. The Meizu camera is also one of the advantages of the manufacturer in question. The best-selling models are specially equipped with flagship cameras, the video quality of which is very high, especially considering that this technique costs ridiculous money. It is important to recall that if we compare Xiaomi and Meizu phones, then the advantage will clearly be on the side of Meizu, although this does not mean that competitors have nothing to show. In general, the video of Meizu smartphones should be of high quality.
    6. An interesting feature of these flagships is the presence of a button. This key has many functions, in particular, it reads fingerprints, can lock or unlock the phone, opens the task manager, etc.

    Disadvantages of Meizu smartphones

    Naturally, such inexpensive models have drawbacks, like many other devices among Chinese flagships. So, let's take a look at the biggest problems in smartphone configuration.

    1. MediaTek chipsets do not quite fit the smartphones of this manufacturer, so users may experience various problems. But since the end of 2017, the situation may change, so it remains only to wait.
    2. As you know, timely updates affect the quality of a smartphone, and if they are not carried out, the system will start to malfunction, various glitches will occur, etc. So customers have to take care of their own safety. Unfortunately, almost all Meizu smartphones have a similar drawback. So if you're tired of looking for the right updates yourself, it's better to take a phone that works more reliably.
    3. There are also disadvantages of the OS, but they do not interfere with the good operation of the device. Of course, benchmarking against expensive flagships won't be in Meizu's favor, but the affordable price makes these small configuration issues very minor. The main thing is to monitor the system, carefully refers to the installation of various updates, and the smartphone will work more reliably.


    What is better Meizu or Xiaomi

    Xiaomi smartphones are very popular devices not only in China, but also in the global market. However, while these devices are relative newcomers to the European market. Nevertheless, they confidently capture the audience. Let's take the most important features of this manufacturer and find out how Xiaomi differs from other Chinese-made devices.

    • First of all, what attracts users to Xiaomi Redmi is the company's pricing policy. Prices are quite low as smartphones are only part of the investment the company is making. Also under this logo are TVs, network equipment, fitness bracelets and more. So it makes no sense for the manufacturer to overprice gadgets;
    • Considering the difference between Xiaomi Redmi and Meizu, we can highlight the presence of an infrared port. Thanks to him, users can use the smartphone as a universal remote control. The main thing is that the Mi Remote program is built into the device, which transmits the command from the smartphone to household appliances or electronics;
    • Considering which smartphone is better, Xiaomi will come first, because it works in its own ecosystem, like, for example, Apple. That is, all devices that were released under the Xiaomi logo can be combined into one network;
    • High-quality iron is put even on budget smartphones. Although the Xiaomi review shows that the more expensive the equipment, the better it is, the high price is a relative unit. The difference between Meizu vs Xiaomi is minimal, but if we consider the prices of top manufacturers, then the buyer will be able to save several hundred dollars on flagships that are practically not inferior in quality to models from Samsung or the like.


    conclusions

    Having considered all the advantages and disadvantages of these Chinese smartphones, one conclusion can be drawn - whether or not to buy a device depends on the personal preferences of the buyer. For example, Xiaomi smartphones are produced in a limited edition, so you will have to buy them from resellers, who, of course, profit from customers. Therefore, the low price suddenly turns into a high one.

    Naturally, distinguished by a different desire to find the cheapest model, buyers take decisive steps - for example, they go to China for a phone. If you want to save money, but not go anywhere, then it’s better to choose Meise, because their circulation is much larger, which means that it makes no sense to make a large margin for a domestic user. So, specifying what to choose, each person relies on his own selection criteria. Both of these manufacturers are worthy, even if they are not perfect.


    Meizu products were initially in demand with us, when the Russian consumer tasted the right Chinese quality and the right prices. Then the company was pushed by Xiaomi with its even more attractive pricing policy and processors on the "Dragon". Now Meizu has reconsidered her views on smartphone construction and focuses on design, cameras, individual chips and convenience achieved by using innovative technologies such as pressure registration or the mBack button.

    We have collected for you the best smartphones from Meizu in the budget, mid-range and premium segments. These are proven models that are worthy of their price.

    The best inexpensive Meizu smartphones: budget up to 10,000 rubles.

    Despite the fact that Meizu is a Chinese company, its products cannot be called too cheap. Yes, the price / performance ratio is just excellent, and even top-end devices are relatively inexpensive, but there are no ultra-budget smartphones in the company's lineup. The cost of phones starts at about 8 thousand rubles.

    4 Meizu M6 16GB

    cool screen
    Country: China
    Average price: 7939 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.6

    Great inexpensive smartphone. For seven thousand rubles, you get a 5.2-inch IPS matrix with HD resolution, a 13-megapixel camera, an eight-core processor (yes, on the Media Library), convenient one-button control. All the necessary sensors are available: illumination, proximity, gyroscope and compass, fingerprint scanner. This is the best device for those who love Meiza and are looking for something on a budget for surfing the Internet, using social networks, casual games and photography.

    In the reviews, users complain about the quality of photos in poor lighting conditions, especially those taken with the front camera, and also complain about the mere 5.2-inch HD resolution. Given the price, all the shortcomings of the smartphone are natural and forgivable.

    3 Meizu M5c

    Best price
    Country: China
    Average price: 8 310 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.4

    Model M5c is the most affordable in the class of budget devices. But this accessibility imposes a number of limitations. First of all, you should pay attention to the plastic case. It scratches quite quickly even with careful use. And it doesn't feel so good in the hand either. The second significant drawback is lower productivity. The processor is somewhat weaker than that of competitors, the RAM is only 2 GB, the internal memory is 16 GB. Buyers in their reviews claim that the interface works without problems, but it’s better not to remember about heavy applications and games. Also, the disadvantages include the lack of a fingerprint scanner, which the other two participants have.

    What is the result, is the phone bad? Not really. Given the price tag, we have an excellent contender for the role of an inexpensive smartphone. It is worse only when compared with brand mates.

    Advantages:

    • Lowest Cost
    • Good build quality

    Flaws:

    • All performance figures are slightly lower than competitors

    2 Meizu M5 32Gb

    The largest amount of built-in memory
    Country: China
    Average price: 10,876 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.5

    Model M5 can hardly be called the best in all respects. The appearance is the same as that of the M5s discussed above, which means that all the shortcomings are the same. The only difference is slightly increased dimensions due to the screen increased to 5.2 inches. Although the resolution remains the same - 1280x720 pixels. There are also not very many internal differences, but already when compared with the M5s. The processor performance differs little, the amount of RAM is the same 3 GB, but the video processor is somewhat more powerful. Although you can still play either casual games or serious games at the minimum graphics settings. Even the amount of built-in storage is the same - 32 GB. In general, the device is not bad, but the price is higher than that of the M5s, and the plastic case is a mess ...

    Advantages:

    • Large built-in memory
    • Good performance
    • Good image quality in normal lighting

    Flaws:

    • Plastic body that scratches easily

    Most often, Meizu products are compared with fellow countryman Xiaomi. Both companies quickly gained momentum and gathered a huge army of fans. And, of course, disputes between these armies will never subside, whose idol is better. We will not take the side of one or another manufacturer, but simply collect the pros and cons of each of them in the table.

    pros

    Minuses

    Design. Budget models look slightly better than competitors in the same price range

    Sales begin on a larger scale, and therefore it is easier to buy a new product at the start of sales

    Great sound in headphones. Flagship smartphones are equipped with a DAC, which provides excellent sound.

    Better image quality in the budget and mid-range classes

    Branded mTouch button that combines a fingerprint scanner, physical and touch keys

    Chipsets from MediaTek. Meizu's top smartphones are equipped with excellent processors from Samsung, but the initial and middle ones are based on mediocre MediaTek SoCs.

    Similar models are slightly more expensive than Xiaomi

    Lower prices, better price/performance ratio

    own ecosystem. Xiaomi has a huge number of other smart devices, and they work especially well with their smartphones.

    Powerful stuffing

    The presence of an infrared port in almost all models

    A large number of component suppliers due to which the quality “dances” a little

    A large number of flaws in the OS (for example, the well-known problem of not receiving notifications)

    What is the result? You can not choose only Meizu or only Xiaomi. Both companies have successful and failed smartphones, as well as branded chips and famous flaws. As usual, the choice depends more on the personal preferences of the buyer.

    1 Meizu M5s 16Gb

    Best performance in a metal case
    Country: China
    Average price: 8,500 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.7

    And here is the best Meizu in the budget class. First of all, the M5s model stands out with a metal case, which cannot but rejoice. This advantage is also mentioned in many customer reviews. Secondly, the filling pleases. MediaTek MT6753 can hardly be called a performance monster, but the interface and applications are more than enough for a quick interface and applications. Moreover, in the 32GB version, as much as 3GB of “RAM” is installed (in the version with 16GB of ROM, only 2GB of RAM). In games, the device does not shine: casual games run without problems, but serious games only at the minimum graphics settings, and sometimes there can be slowdowns.

    The cameras were amazing. The 5MP front camera shoots just fine for its price. The main camera performs well only with sufficient lighting. It remains to add to the above low cost, and we get an excellent phone.

    Advantages:

    • Low cost
    • metal case
    • Excellent performance for this class
    • Good front camera

    The best Meizu smartphones with a large screen: budget up to 15,000 rubles.

    Large displays in smartphones are all the rage these days. Now no one is surprised that a 5-inch device is called a "mini". And this is quite logical, because in recent years the percentage of people who consume content from the smartphone screen is growing at an incredible pace. At the same time, the larger the screen, the more comfortable it is to watch videos or play games. Of course, there are many large devices in the Meizu assortment, but we have selected for you only relatively inexpensive models.

    3 Meizu M6 Note 3/32GB

    Powerful battery
    Country: China
    Average price: 13751 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.6

    Model with Full HD, dual camera and a large 4000 mAh battery. In the reviews, users express positive impressions about using the camera: the frames come out bright, juicy and clear. Some are confused by the bokeh effect - it looks strange. Macro photography is fine, autofocus does not fail. The main drawback of the model is not enough bright screen. Out of the box, the display of the phone can tend to warm shades - this is treated with a correction with a blue bias in the settings. Even the owners of the smartphone are dissatisfied with the quality of the coating - it quickly collects scratches.

    The performance is pleasing - the Meizu company decided on another experiment with the Dragon, so here, to the delight of users, there is a smart eight-core Snapdragon 625. The bonus is fast charging, which charges the smartphone by 50% in half an hour.

    2 Meizu M5 Note 32 Gb

    Best Camera
    Country: China
    Average price: 15,494 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.6

    The M5 Note smartphone is the successor to the previous participant in the rating. And, of course, this model is somewhat better. The appearance remained the same to the smallest detail - even the dimensions differ by only a couple of tenths of a millimeter. The screen is still the same 5.5 'display with FullHD resolution, but the contrast is higher, which is noticeable to the naked eye. The cameras have also changed for the better. There are no changes in terms of numbers (13 MP, aperture 2.2), but the pictures are much better. In the dark, there is not much noise, and in daylight, with straight arms, you get just great pictures.

    But in terms of performance, progress is not noticeable, and this is extremely sad. It is also worth considering that there are several modifications of the smartphone: 16 and 32 GB models are equipped with 3 GB of RAM, 64 GB version - 4 GB. Finally, it is worth noting the presence of fast charging, thanks to which the 4000 mAh battery is charged in just 1.5 hours.

    Advantages:

    • Great camera
    • More contrast display
    • The 64GB version has the largest amount of RAM
    • fast charging

    Flaws:

    • Would like more performance

    1 Meizu M6s 64GB

    Large amount of permanent memory
    Country: China
    Average price: 12400 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.8

    A device that lures buyers with its convenient virtual mTouch button, which replaces the three standard Android buttons. Another plus for the M6s is the processor from Samsung, and not the throttling Mediatek. Here is a 5.7-inch diagonal with HD+ resolution and a trendy 18:9 aspect ratio. Both cameras shoot decently for this price segment: both the main one with 16 megapixels and the front one with 8 megapixels. This phone from Meizu has received universal approval from users.

    The main grievances in the reviews relate to the need to choose between a second SIM card and a memory card. But how many delights are the quality of the photo, the fast and conveniently located side scanner, the stylish expensive-looking design and the friendly Flyme shell.

    The best flagship smartphones Meizu

    The vast majority of smartphone manufacturers have a clear division of devices into classes. The division is banal, according to cost - budget, middle and top classes. Of course, Meizu is no exception, so let's look at the most powerful, beautiful and expensive models of their production.

    3 Meizu Pro 7 64GB

    Two screens
    Country: China
    Average price: 23290 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.5

    On the back of the device is a small color touch screen. It does not add much functionality, it is convenient to watch only the time, track notifications and pedometer indicators. But it is unusual, beautiful and show off. And with it, you can click a selfie on the main camera.

    In the reviews, users note the cool photo quality (there is a dual-module main camera), a luxurious appearance and surprisingly high-quality deep sound. There is nothing to blame for the screen - it is a bright AMOLED, contrasting and clear. Problems - no NFC, no way to connect a memory card, not enough powerful battery (maximum - two days). Other users complain about Meizu's roughly crafted Flyme shell and the modest performance of Mediatek's chipset.

    2 Meizu 15 4/64GB

    Best Camera
    Country: China
    Average price: 31010 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.9

    Fans of this smartphone claim that with its dual-module camera of 12 and 20 megapixels it shoots no worse than the iPhone X and the flagship from Samsung. This is quite similar to the truth, as there is a cool laser autofocus, optical stabilization and three (!)x optical zoom. A conditionally frameless design with a button under the screen and a body clad in ceramics act magnetically, attracting customers.

    Top-end processor, water protection, NFC contactless payment module - none of this is here. There is a fast but not the most powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset, 4 GB of RAM, fast charging and a modest 3000 mAh battery, a fingerprint scanner and face recognition. The screen is worthy of praise - this is the development of Samsung. It is not clear how the manufacturer "forgot" to install NFC in its flagship device - this is a hard miss. All in all, it's a good alternative for those who don't have enough money for the latest Galaxy or who are fundamentally against Apple.

    1 Meizu 16th 6/64Gb

    Model for perfectionists
    Country: China
    Average price: 32,000 rubles.
    Rating (2018): 4.9

    Smartphone with perfect proportions. Meizu did not bend under the trends: it did not attach an “eyebrow” to the screen and did not remove the audio jack. The engineers made the same indents at the top and bottom, synchronized the position of the connectors and buttons. The chic 6-inch AMOLED screen with Full HD + and an aspect ratio of 18 to 9 is equipped with a fingerprint scanner. Yes, the sensor is located directly below the screen. A fly in the ointment - the finger must be placed in a strictly designated place, and the response speed is lower than that of competitors. But the scanner is accurate. There is also a face unlock that works even in the dark.

    A small but significant plus is a separate vibration motor that works pleasantly and gently. The vaunted mBack button has evolved into an on-screen navigation bar. There are also gestures and standard navigation keys. The performance is great, because here is the top-end Snapdragon 845 processor. The main disadvantage of the novelty is the lack of NFC. Also, the device does not please with autonomy - with moderately active use, it lives for a day on a single charge.