Meizu M3 Max in hand. Meizu M3 Max - Specifications. Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates

At the beginning of September 2016, Meizu announced its readiness to make the public happy with the appearance of another middle-class smartphone - Meizu m3 Max. However, in the full sense, the device cannot be called a new product, since it actually repeats the Meizu m3e smartphone announced in August 2016, with the only difference being that the dimensions of the m3 Max are slightly larger. The model has already caused a mixed response from users regarding its closest competitor, which is the Xiaomi Mi Max model. It is already known that the manufacturer has set the price for the mobile update at $255, but on the Russian market it will most likely be close to $300.

Outer vestments

The model is available in several colors: gray, gold, rose gold and champagne gold. Ports, including Type-C, are located at the bottom, and the fingerprint sensor is built into the button under the display, which is in full agreement with Meizu traditions. The 7.94 mm thick metal case looks perfect and, in tandem with glass with a 2.5D effect, is even more attractive. Plastic dividers noticed. And once again we note that the external design Meizu m3 Max– complete analogy to m3e.

What do the tests indicate?

The 6-inch device has truly phablet-like dimensions. In a synthetic comparison with the proposed opponent-compatriot from China Xiaomi Mi Max, the result is not in favor of Meizu m3 Max, possibly due to the fact that the initial comparability of the phones is questionable. However, the potential of a beginner speaks of the ability to provide the owner with comfortable use and complete nervous peace.

Key positions

The face of the smartphone is an IPS matrix with a resolution of 1920x1080p. The used MediaTek Helio P10 chipset with a clock frequency of 1.8 GHz has previously been repeatedly presented in the mid-budget environment. For operational data processing, 3 GB of memory is allocated, while the built-in storage module will accommodate 64 GB with the prospect of increasing it up to 128 GB via a memory card. The front wide-angle camera is not inferior to the competitor’s camera, and the main photo module with phase focus and double flash produces pictures with a resolution of 13 megapixels.

A little optimism

It has long been known that MediaTek processors are quite economical and, even with a low-power battery, provide a decent level of autonomy. Considering the nuclear brand, the Meizu m3 Max battery capacity of 4100 mAh can be considered acceptable or even good. The manufacturer has released test results showing that the battery will last more than 9 hours under good load. Interestingly, thanks to accelerated charging, it will take 30 minutes to replenish energy losses to 45%.

Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds

Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on a single chip.

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Memory cards

Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

Main camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.

Additional camera

Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

Location determination

Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

Headphone jack

This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Audio file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.

Video file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.

As for the sound in the headphones, both smartphones are approximately equal (M3E for some reason plays a little louder and at the same time less intelligible) and are good in this equality - you can’t expect ideal sound from the DAC built into the Helio P10, and the clarity could be a little higher, but Meizu has set the sound correctly from the factory, so these shortcomings are not noticeable to the ears.

The volume reserve is average: if you decide to listen to 1980s pop music with monitor (60 Ohm) headphones, you will definitely want to turn it up louder, but it won’t get any louder. In other cases, the volume is sufficient, the sound is voluminous, balanced (mid and high frequencies are approximately equal, low frequencies are slightly “cut off”). There is an equalizer to adjust the music to your taste. It is hidden in the settings of the standard audio player, affects the sound in this very audio player and, to a lesser extent, in the browser, for some reason does not affect the result in Google Play Music.

The speaker in the M3E is disappointing - it’s not very loud, it sounds dirty and faded, as if the smartphone had been dropped and not completely dried out. That is, you will quickly hate the ringtone from your favorite song. M3 Max is better - the volume is average, the sound is quite intelligible, with claims to reproduce mid-range frequencies and is a little muffled. It's like holding a handkerchief to your laptop speaker. Not bad - Huawei Mate 8 and Meizu Pro 5, for example, sound worse.

Iron

The heroes of our test cannot be called slow, but they clearly saved money on the Meizu processor - not the new and not painfully fast MediaTek Helio P10, and even in a derated version, with 1.8 GHz instead of 2 GHz on a productive “cluster”. Compared to last year’s typical eight-core processors (Snapdragon 615 and derivatives, Kirin 620, MT6753), it’s not bad; next to the new Snapdragon 625, it’s dull because it’s slower and consumes more power (28 nm process technology is a disgrace in the era of 14 nm FinFET).

• Case materials: aluminum, 2.5D glass (front panel)
• Operating system: Android 6.0, Flyme 5
• Network: GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSDPA, LTE (TD/FDD-LTE) (two nanoSIM cards)
• Screen: IPS LCD, 6” diagonal, resolution 1920x1080, ppi 368, automatic backlight level adjustment, protective glass with 2.5D effect
• Platform: MediaTek MT6755 (Helio P10)
• Processor: eight-core, 64-bit, four cores 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A53) and four cores 1 GHz (Cortex-A53)
• Graphics: Mali-T860
• RAM: 3 GB (LPDDR3)
• Data storage memory: 64 GB
• Memory card slot: yes, microSD (combined with nanoSIM slot)
• Main camera: 13 MP, f/2.2, 5 lenses, autofocus, dual LED flash, video recorded in FullHD
• Front camera: 5 MP without autofocus, f/2.0, 4 lenses, video recorded in 1080p
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.1 (LE), microUSB connector (USB 2.0, MHL, USB-OTG, USB-Host) for charging/synchronization, 3.5 mm for headset
• Navigation: GPS (A-GPS support), Glonass
• Additionally: mTouch fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor
• Battery: 4100 mAh, support fast charging
• Dimensions: 163.4 x 81.6 x 7.9 mm
• Weight: 189 grams

As with the recent presentation of Meizu M3e, the company’s latest announcement leaves a strange aftertaste and one important question hanging in the air: who is this device for and why?

Here I can only repeat my thought from the first glance at the Meizu M3e - the company, which until recently was considered a manufacturer of one device per year, began to form a full-fledged model range, and therefore it now seems as if Meizu is churning out one device after another. And they really are churning out, but mostly to occupy those niches in which they are not yet represented. The niche of phablets is exactly that.

Xiaomi Mi Max with a 6.44” screen, Huawei Mate 8 (6”), Lenovo VIBE Z2 Pro (6”), an oldie, but still. Each of these companies is a competitor to Meizu in the domestic market, which is what some Chinese brands are primarily targeting, and Meizu is one of them. Therefore, the appearance of the phablet was a matter of time, and now this moment has come.

Case design and materials

Everything is simple here - remember the Meizu M3e and visually enlarge it, you get the M3 Max. The design, the shape of the case, the arrangement of all elements, the implementation of plastic inserts for antenna wiring - in everything, the new M3 Max is a copy of the M3e. The workmanship is good, the device cannot be called budget when you pick it up: it has an honest metal body, a minimum of plastic (two thin lines), neat processing, no creaks, no play in the keys, and so on. In fact, the M3 Max, like the M3e, M3 Note and M3s mini, belongs to Meizu's Meilan line of budget smartphones.

Compared to Meizu MX6

Compared to HTC Desire E9 Plus

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

The M3 Max will be available in four colors: white, gold and pink with a white front panel, and gray with a black front panel.

Dimensions

The device can hardly be called compact; it uses a 6" diagonal screen and the dimensions are built around it. Yes, the thickness of the frames on the left and right of the display is small, but the body of the smartphone is still wide. Those with large limbs will be able to use the device with one hand; others will have to get used to it or sometimes resort to using the second hand. The weight is within reason, I can’t say that the M3 Max is too heavy.

Controls

In terms of basic controls, the Meizu M3 Max is no different from the M3e. Power and volume buttons on the right, a tray for two nanoSIM cards (or a SIM card and a memory card) on the left, a microUSB connector, a microphone, a speaker grille and a 3.5 mm mini-jack at the bottom. On top is an additional microphone (noise reduction).

Below the screen there is a mechanical mTouch key with a touch layer and a fingerprint scanner embedded in it. The button is convenient and today is already found in all current Meizu smartphones, from M3s mini to MX6.

Screen

The device uses a 6" diagonal screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels based on an IPS matrix. A display with maximum viewing angles, a good margin of brightness and close to natural color rendition. The richness and brightness of the picture does not match the displays in the Meizu MX6 or Pro 6, but for an inexpensive smartphone the screen is good. There is an “eye protection” mode in which the screen works in warm colors, as well as the ability to manually adjust the color temperature. The oleophobic coating is excellent, there are no complaints here.

Platform, memory

The smartphone is built on the Helio P10 platform from MediaTek. It was also used in the M3 Note and M3e. This is not a top-end chip, but for FullHD resolution it is a completely acceptable option. Mali-T860 graphics. The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. There is a slot for a microSD memory card, combined with a second slot for a nanoSIM card. I will repeat the idea that I already voiced in relation to M3e - I like that the company is gradually moving away from creating various modifications, 2/16 GB, 3/32 GB and so on. One version of each smartphone in terms of the amount of RAM and internal memory is the best option. Less confusion, more transparent and understandable model range for ordinary users. In the case of Meizu M3 Max, this is 3/64 GB.

Camera

Both cameras, both the main one and the front one, have undergone almost no changes in terms of characteristics compared to the cameras in the M3 Note. The only thing that has changed is the sensor. Accordingly, the photo quality in the new M3 Max, upon first glance, is approximately the same as it was in the M3 Note and M3e. I won’t describe individual features; after all, this is an inexpensive smartphone, just look at the example photos and judge for yourself.

Like all other devices from Meizu, there is a completely manual shooting mode (this is good), and also the fact that the interface still cannot be rotated to landscape orientation (this is bad).

Interfaces

The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi and VoLTE technology. In 4G networks, the smartphone operates in all bands common in Russia, except for Band 20. Bluetooth version 4.1 with support for the LE (Low Energy) profile.

Battery

The battery capacity in the M3 Max is 4100 mAh, which is the same as in the M3 Note. On the one hand, this is a good volume, on the other hand, the main competitor, Xiaomi Mi Max, has an even larger capacity, 4850 mAh. I don’t know how the device will perform in terms of operating time, we’ll wait for a review from Roman Belykh!

The device supports fast charging (MediaTek PumpExpress technology).

Conclusion

In China, Meizu M3 Max will cost 1,700 yuan. The cost for Russia has not yet been determined, approximately 25,000-26,000 rubles, sales start in November.

Like the Meizu M3e, the new device was created primarily to expand the company’s product range. Meizu seeks to occupy niches in which it was not previously represented, and for a company that is demonstrating stable growth in China, its main market (as well as in Russia, India and other key but still insignificant markets) this is a logical step. Another question is that Meizu fans and people familiar with the brand expect something completely different from it - another breakthrough, improvements in the sound part, movement in the direction of improving cameras (MX6 is only the first step towards positive changes). A couple of years ago, it was customary to criticize Meizu for its inertia; supposedly the company produced a couple of devices a year and did not bother at all about those users for whom these models were not suitable, but wanted something from Meizu. Now the situation is exactly the opposite: Meizu is expanding its model range, there are budget smartphones in metal (M3s mini and M3 Note) and in glass (U10 and U20), there is a compact flagship (Pro 6) and a device with an emphasis on the camera (MX6), there is a phablet (M3 Max) and a mid-range device (M3e), and it turns out to be too much and confusing for users.

Obviously, for Meizu the new M3 Max is a niche device and will not be emphasized. Who might be interested in it? For lovers of devices with large screens, in metal, with a capacious battery. If you need a current and relatively inexpensive phablet with a display of 6" or more, then the choice, as it turns out, is very small: Xiaomi Mi Max, Meizu M3 Max, Asus Zenfone 2 Laser, Sony Xperia C5 Ultra Dual, Samsung Galaxy A9 and old smartphones or same expensive flagships (Huawei Mate 8).

The first phablet in the lineup of the Chinese company Meizu was released to compete with Xiaomi Mi Max. This is clearly indicated by the similarity of the names of both models, as well as their direct comparison during the premiere of the Meizu M3 Max to the public, which took place at the dawn of autumn 2016.

Convenient control

Unlike his opponent Meizu smartphone has a screen diagonal that is more convenient for one-handed operation(6" versus 6.44" for Xiaomi). The dimensions of the gadget practically do not exceed the similar dimensions of the 5.5-inch Apple iPhone 7 Plus. Thin bezels around the display further enhance the usability of the smartphone. By the way, the screen is based on an IPS matrix with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and good viewing angles. There are no complaints from the owners of the device regarding the quality of its color rendition.

Home key

The multifunctional Home key is implemented in an interesting way: touching its surface returns one position back, and pressing it redirects to the start screen. In addition, it has a built-in fast and accurate fingerprint scanner that works completely without errors.

Hardware platform

The hardware of the smartphone is based on the hardware of the super popular Meizu M3 Note model. It is represented by an 8-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor, 3 GB of RAM and a Mali T-860 graphics accelerator. This “filling” cannot be called high-performance, but it can run any modern games at medium graphics settings. But the volume of the phablet’s built-in data storage starts at 64 GB - after all, the gadget is positioned as a multimedia device, so Chinese engineers considered the release of 16 or 32 GB versions to be a low priority. The memory can also be expanded using a microSD flash drive with a capacity of up to 128 GB.

Facilities

In terms of photo and video capabilities, both smartphone cameras (main 13-megapixel with f/2.2 aperture and 5-megapixel front camera with f/2.0 aperture) do not particularly stand out, being quite mediocre. The capacious 4100 mAh battery with support for fast charging technology looks even more advantageous against their background - the battery cells are filled to 45% in just 30 minutes. And on the smartphone, the friendly Flyme shell opens up with all its might, with all sorts of gestures and swipes, which make the process of managing a large diagonal much more comfortable.