M3 comparison. Meizu m3 note or Meizu m3s – which one to take: big or small? Differences from Meizu M2 mini and Meizu M3S mini

Meizu Technology Co., Ltd. or simply " Meizu" is a Chinese digital electronics company based in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China. Meizu is also among the top ten manufacturers in China. And it received wide recognition in European countries after the presentation of the Meizu MX 2 smartphone. This monster became simply the crowning achievement of Meizu Technology, after a dozen unsuccessful attempts to expand beyond China.

Meizu did not stop at models MX they also have a line that is far from worse M. Which in April 2016 was replenished with another model called: M3 Note, we were all waiting for it with impatience after we got acquainted and played enough with the younger brother Meizu M2 Note. Its sales, according to the manufacturer, have amounted to more than two tens of millions of devices since last summer. Meizu obviously expects that the M3 Note smartphone will, if not surpass, then at least repeat the success of its predecessor.

Specifications Meizu M3 Note

• Model: M3 Note (M681H)
• OS: Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with Flyme OS 5.1.3.1G shell
• Processor: 64-bit MediaTek Helio P10 (MT6755), ARMv8 architecture, 8 cores ARM Cortex-A53 (4x1.8 GHz + 4x1.0 GHz)
• Graphics coprocessor: ARM Mali-T860 MP2 (550 MHz)
• RAM: 2 GB/3 GB LPDDR3 (933 MHz, single channel)
• Storage Memory: 16GB/32GB, eMMC 5.1, card support microSD memory/HC/XC (up to 128 GB)
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 (LE), microUSB (USB 2.0) for charging/syncing, USB-OTG, 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Screen: capacitive touch, IPS LTPS (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon) matrix, GFF (full lamination), 5.5-inch diagonal, resolution 1920x1080 pixels, pixel density per inch 403 ppi, brightness 450 cd/sq. m, contrast ratio 1000:1, protective glass NEG 2.5D T2X-1
• Main camera: 13 MP, PureCel matrix, OmniVision OV13853, optical size 1/3.06 inches, pixel size 1.12 microns, Corning protective glass Gorilla Glass 3, 5-element lens, f/2.2 aperture, phase detection (PDAF) autofocus, dual dual-color flash, 1080p@30fps video
• Front camera: 5 MP, BSI sensor, Samsung S5K5E8 or OmniVision OV5670 PureCel, optical size (1/5 inch), 1.12 µm pixel size, 4-element lens, f/2.0 aperture
• Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (900/1800/1900 MHz), WCDMA/HSPA+ (900/2100 MHz), 4G FDD-LTE (1800/2100/2600 MHz)
• SIM card format: nanoSIM (4FF)
• Slot tray configuration: nanoSIM + nanoSIM, or nanoSIM + microSD/HD/XC
• Navigation: GPS/GLONASS, A-GPS
• Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, Hall sensor, light and proximity sensors (infrared), fingerprint scanner
• Battery: non-removable, lithium polymer, 4,100 mAh
• Colors: dark grey, silver, gold
• Dimensions: 153.6x75.5x8.2 mm
• Weight: 163 grams

Design, ergonomics

When creating the M3 Note, the designers seemed to take their inspiration from older Meizu models last year, in particular in the MX5 and Pro 5 smartphones.

Thus, for the manufacture of the all-metal body of the new product, also known as unibody, we chose an aviation aluminum-magnesium alloy of the 6000 series.

To prevent the smartphone antennas from being shielded by metal, two inserts made of radio-transparent material were provided, separating them from the aluminum alloy with raised strips. The dimensions of the new product have not changed very significantly compared to the M2 Note - 153.6x75.5x8.2 mm versus 150.7x75.2x8.7 mm. Well, the weight has predictably increased due to the more capacious battery - 163 g versus 149 g.

Let us remind you that in its predecessor they were content with glossy colored plastic for the body and only matte polycarbonate was used for the gray color.

At the time of testing, two color options for the anodized coating of the M3 Note cases were offered for sale: silver (with a black or white front panel) and gray (with a black or white front panel).

The entire front surface of the M2 Note, including the screen, is covered protective glass, which was chosen as Dinorex 2.5D T2X-1 from Nippon Electric Glass (NEG).

The 2.5D effect consists of a smooth “rounding” of this glass along the perimeter of the front panel.

Above the display, with traditionally narrow side frames,

The speaker grille is located, surrounded by the front camera lens (on the left), light and proximity sensors, as well as LED indicator(on right). The latter does not seem to be used by the standard smartphone tools.

Below the display there is a mechanical key with a built-in fingerprint scanner mTouch 2.1, which looks very similar to mBack, which first appeared in the M2 Note smartphone. From the latter it also inherited its basic functionality. So, a normal touch (tap) of this button activates the “Back” function, a short press with a hardware “click” returns to the main screen (“Home”), and a long press (and hold) turns off the screen backlight. But the “Recent Applications” button is replaced by swiping up from the bottom edge of the display. After a short period of getting used to, this control scheme becomes very convenient.

On the right edge, in a small recess, there is a volume rocker and a power/lock button.

The left edge is occupied by a closed slot with a double tray, which can accommodate either two subscriber identification modules of the nanoSIM format, or the place of the second one will be taken by a microSD memory expansion card. To open the combination tray lock, you will need a special tool. As before, a thin paper clip can be used as it. Unfortunately, during the production of the device (at least our test unit), the size of the tray and the slot for it were not adjusted perfectly, as a result of which the tray rattles slightly if you shake the smartphone.

The hole for the second microphone (for noise reduction and sound recording) and the 3.5 mm audio headset connector remain on the top end.

The microUSB connector between two mounting screws at the bottom end is framed by decorative grilles (four round holes in each). At the same time, a “conversational” microphone is hidden under the left, and a “multimedia” speaker is hidden under the right.

On the rear panel, the first thing that catches your eye are the relief strips separating the metal from the radio-transparent plastic,

and just like the Pro 5, the stylized Meizu logo is moved closer to the main camera lens and dual two-color LED flash.

Despite the 5.5-inch screen diagonal, new smartphone, however, like the M2 Note, it is comfortable and easy to hold in your hand.

In addition, the slightly rough surface of the metal rear panel is pleasant to the touch.

Screen, camera, sound

The M3 Note screen uses a 5.5-inch IPS matrix, on which, with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (Full HD) and a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, the pixel density per inch according to the passport is 403 ppi. LTPS (Low Temperature Poly Silicon) technology is used for its manufacture, since replacing amorphous silicon with polycrystalline silicon ultimately allows for wider viewing angles (up to 178 degrees), a better color palette, lower power consumption and response time. In turn, the GFF (Glass-to-Film-to-Film) full lamination technology eliminates the air gap between the display layers, which serves as the basis for good anti-glare properties and reduces the reflection effect. Let us remind you that the entire front panel, including the screen, is covered with NEG 2.5D Dinorex T2X-1 protective glass. They didn’t forget to apply an oleophobic coating to it, which, unlike that used for the M2 Note, is more effective (the glass is very easy to clean and your finger glides over the surface without problems).

Thanks to support for MiraVision 2.0 technology, which balances the best display and power consumption, screen brightness and colors are adjusted dynamically depending on lighting conditions. By the way, the declared contrast is 1000:1, and the maximum brightness is 450 cd/sq.m. At the same time, it is proposed to regulate the backlight level in a fairly wide range, either according to your own understanding, manually, or automatically (“Auto-tuning” option), based on information from the light sensor. Multi-touch technology allows you to process up to ten simultaneous clicks on a capacitive screen, which is confirmed by the results of the AntTuTu Tester program. The settings also add the ability to adjust color temperature, so you can make the colors warmer or, conversely, cooler to suit your taste. Along with large viewing angles, a fairly high-quality anti-reflective coating is provided, so that even in the bright summer sun the image remains readable.

The main camera of the M3 Note has a 13-megapixel BSI matrix (OmniVision OV13853 PureCel, optical size 1/3.06 inches), as well as dual two-color LED flash with different color temperatures. The camera lens with 5-element optics, covered with Corilla Glass 3, has an f/2.2 aperture and fast (0.2 s) phase detection autofocus. The maximum image resolution is achieved with an aspect ratio of 4:3 and is 4208x3120 pixels (13 MP). Examples of photos can be viewed.

The front camera has a 5-megapixel BSI sensor (Samsung S5K5E8 or OmniVision OV5670 PureCel, 1/5-inch optical size) equipped with a wide-angle 4-lens lens with f/2.0 aperture. But autofocus and flash are missing here. Maximum size a picture in a classic proportion (4:3) – 2592x1944 pixels (5 MP).

Both cameras can record video in Full HD quality (1920x1080 pixels) with a frame rate of 30 fps, while the content is saved in MP4 container files (AVC - video, AAC - audio).

The interface of the Camera application in the M3 Note, compared to that of its predecessor, has been slightly improved, but the main features have changed little. The modes “Auto”, “Manual”, “Portrait”, “Panorama”, “Change focus” and “Slow motion” (4 times, resolution 640x480 pixels, up to 60 minutes) remain in place. At the same time, having removed the “Scanner”, they added “Macro” and “GIF” (up to 6 minutes of animation). In the settings, you can select the HDR mode, as well as decide on the photo size and video quality. Shooting in manual mode(M) involves adjusting the parameters of shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, saturation, white balance, etc. By activating the appropriate option, focus and exposure can be measured separately. In addition, there are almost a dozen image filters at your disposal. It’s convenient to switch the viewfinder from the main camera to the front camera and back using vertical swipes. But the volume rocker (both increasing and decreasing) is also proposed to be used to release the shutter. The manufacturer notes the role of the ISP TrueBright image processor, which allows you to take pictures in low light brighter and clearer. However, even the main camera can hardly boast of special shooting quality in such conditions.

Not only in the placement of the “multimedia” speaker grille, but also in its acoustic capabilities, the M3 Note is practically no different from its predecessor. The standard smartphone tools still allow you to listen sound files, for example, with FLAC extensions, created by codecs to compress audio data without losing quality. After connecting the audio headset, you are offered to use a 5-band equalizer with presets and manual setting. Unfortunately, the device does not have a built-in FM tuner. The simple “Dictaphone” makes fairly high-quality monophonic recordings (44.1 kHz), which it stores in MP3 files.

But with playing music via Bluetooth, a small problem emerged - clicks that occur when you take the smartphone in your hand or move it on the table. Apparently, the reason is insufficient shielding of the audio path from static electricity on the case.

Filling, performance

If the M2 Note relied on the 64-bit MediaTek MT6753 platform with eight ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.3 GHz), then for the M3 Note they chose the first-born from the MediaTek Helio P10 family of mid-range chipsets (aka MT6755), designed for according to the manufacturer, for thin smartphones.

This chip is based on an 8-core processor, where four ARM Cortex-A53 cores are clocked at up to 1.8 GHz, and four more at up to 1.0 GHz. At the same time, the 2-core ARM Mali-T860 MP2 (550 MHz) architecture with support for OpenGL ES 3.2 and OpenCL 1.2 is used as a graphics accelerator. The MT6755 chip is made in a new way technological process TSMC 28HPC+ (28 nm), which, according to the manufacturer, reduced power consumption by 30-35% compared to chips manufactured in compliance with the “old” 28HPC design standards. In addition, increasing energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient computing power is achieved by automatically adjusting the frequencies of the processor and video accelerator. Helio P10 can work in LTE-TDD, LTE-FDD Cat networks. 6 (300/50 Mbit/s), HSPA+, TD-SCDMA, EDGE, etc., and is also equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 LE and 2-band Wi-Fi interfaces. Among the other proprietary highlights of the MediaTek MT6755, in addition to MiraVision 2.0, it is worth noting the load optimizer for processor cores CorePilot and the heart rate monitoring system (using the camera built into the smartphone) Heart Rate Monitoring.

The basic configuration of the M3 Note is supplemented by LPDDR3 (933 MHz) RAM, which is controlled by a single-channel controller. Note that the smartphone variants with 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage (eMMC 5.1) have 2 GB or 3 GB of RAM, respectively. We received a device with a 2 GB/16 GB combination for testing. Judging by the published data, the Helio P10’s performance successfully competes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615/616 chipsets, which does not contradict the results of the tests performed.

Number of “virtual parrots” obtained on a synthetic benchmark AnTuTu Benchmark, was obviously predetermined by the selected hardware platform.

The efficiency of using the processor cores (Geekbench 3, Vellamo) of the new smartphone looks quite optimistic, but the estimate of the amount of “horsepower” is not so positive.

On the Epic Citadel visual test settings (High Performance, High Quality and Ultra High Quality), the average frame rate changed as follows - 60.1 fps, 59.8 fps and 41.5 fps, respectively.

On the universal gaming benchmark 3DMark, where the Meizu M3 Note was tested on the recommended Sling Shot set (ES 3.1), a rather modest result of 326 points was recorded. If problems are unlikely to arise with simple games, then with “heavy” ones (Asphalt 8: Take Off, World of Tanks Blitz) it is better to limit yourself to medium settings.

In turn, the total number of points scored by the smartphone on the cross-platform benchmark Base Mark OS II was 986.

Of the 16 GB of declared internal memory in the tested model, about 14.56 GB are available, and approximately 9.6 GB are free. At the same time, like the M2 Note, to expand the available storage, it is possible to install a microSD/HC/XC memory card with a maximum capacity of up to 128 GB. True, the dual tray into which the memory card is inserted is universal, and if you take up one place in it, you will have to sacrifice the installation of a second SIM card (nanoSIM format). By the way, you can also expand the built-in memory thanks to the support of USB-OTG technology by connecting an external drive.

Similar to its predecessor set wireless communications The M3 Note also includes a dual-band Wi-Fi module 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth 4.0 (LE).

When two nanoSIM cards (4FF format) are installed, one radio channel of the device operates with them in Dual mode SIM Dual Standby, in other words, both SIM cards are active, but when one is busy, the other is also unavailable. Both trays in the slot support 4G, while the SIM card for data transfer, as well as the priority network mode, is selected in the corresponding menu. Unfortunately, only two “Russian” FDD-LTE bands are available – b3 (1,800 MHz) and b7 (2,600 MHz). But the most “disruptive”, low-frequency b20 (800 MHz), as before, remained “overboard”. The manufacturer especially emphasizes support for the promising VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology.

The built-in multi-system receiver uses GPS and GLONASS satellites for positioning and navigation, as confirmed by the results of the AndroiTS GPS Test and GPS Test programs. There is also support for A-GPS technology (coordination over Wi-Fi and cellular networks).

The volume of the lithium-polymer battery equipped with the M3 Note (4,100 mAh), compared to its predecessor (3,100 mAh), has increased quite significantly - by about 32% (1,000 mAh). Despite this capacity reserve, the body of the new smartphone has become 0.5 mm thinner. Support fast charging there is no. The smartphone comes with a power adapter (5 V/2 A). It will take about 2 hours to fill the battery to 100% from a level of 15-20%.

We managed to earn an impressive 8,778 points in the AnTuTu Tester battery tests. While the M2 Note was limited to 6,289 points here. When the battery is 100% full, the manufacturer promises up to two days of operation in active mode, or up to 17 hours of watching videos, or up to 36 hours of listening to music. A test set of videos in MP4 format (hardware decoding) and Full HD quality at full brightness played continuously for almost 9.5 hours.

In the “Power Management” settings section, depending on the expected load, you can force the smartphone to switch from “Balanced” mode to “Energy Saving” or “Productive”. In addition, the “Power Consumption Optimization” section suggests not only managing the sleep mode of applications, but also taking advantage of flexible settings to save battery power – “Smart”, “Super” and “Custom”.

Peculiarities software

The M3 Note smartphone runs on the Android 5.1 (Lollipop) operating system, the interface of which is hidden under the proprietary Flyme OS 5.1.3.1G shell. It should be noted here that in the latest versions of Flyme firmware, including the one mentioned above, the first launch of the store Google applications Play (creation Google account) must be performed on a smartphone with a SIM card installed. This additional device authorization has become one of the new security requirements.

All program shortcuts, folders and widgets in the Flyme launcher are placed directly on the desktop. Swipe down to open the panel quick settings(where the brightness adjustment slider now appears), and swipe up to display recently opened applications.

In the "Special" section capabilities”, as before, possible smartphone control gestures are collected, including the SmartTouch control “ring” (not shown in the screenshot) with adjustable transparency.

IN new version shell, it became possible to split the screen to simultaneously display the work of two applications, however, so far this only applies to the “Settings”, “Video” and “Maps” programs.

Using up to five fingerprints captured on the fast (0.2 second) mTouch 2.1 fingerprint scanner, you can lock not only the screen, but also access to files and applications.

The M3 Note has a minimal set of software installed. From this software, you can highlight a collection of utilities for regular smartphone care, collected in the “Security Center” (virus scan, garbage removal, memory cleaning, energy saving management, etc.), as well as practical tools from the “Useful” application ( “Mirror”, “Flashlight”, “Ruler”, etc.).

Purchase and conclusions

Improvements in Meizu M3 Note, compared to its predecessor M2 Note, affected not only the replacement of plastic with aluminum alloy, but also the functionality of the filling. Now the smartphone, which can be equipped with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory, uses a new processor, has significantly increased battery capacity, and has also added a fast fingerprint scanner. In addition, both trays in the slot support not only LTE technology, but also VoLTE. At the same time, they managed to keep the price of the M3 Note quite attractive: 127 $ for the 2 GB/16 GB version and 157 $ for 3 GB/32 GB (RAM/built-in memory, respectively) -

By using cashback you have the opportunity to save up to 10% on the purchase of goods -

This manufacturer has become an example of the fact that Chinese companies can make not only very cheap and not very high-quality handsets, but also compete with global brands. They offer high-quality and modern smartphones, the price of which is noticeably lower than their counterparts from Samsung, Sony or HTC.

The presentation of Meizu M3 Mini took place in China on April 25, and pre-orders opened at the same time. During the first day, the company collected almost 5 million orders for the new smartphone. This excitement is comparable to the demand for Apple equipment. Unfortunately, the release date for Meizu M3 is still unknown, but you shouldn’t wait long for the new product. Even if dealers take their time, “gray” sellers will be able to satisfy the demand for it in 1-3 weeks (when the first parcels arrive from China).

The price of Meizu M3 Mini in China is about $95 for the version with 2 GB RAM/16 GB ROM. A more advanced modification, with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, is priced at approximately $125 at the current yuan exchange rate. Of course, at first resellers will raise prices, taking advantage of the demand, and we won’t be able to buy it from us for that kind of money. But the price of about $150-170 (with markup from local sellers) is quite adequate and competitive for such a device.

In terms of characteristics, Meizu M3 is not far from the previous model. But it is also impossible to say that there are no changes. Meizu review M3 is designed to find out what new the smartphone has received in comparison with its predecessor (the M2 Mini model), to identify its main advantages and disadvantages.

Design, dimensions, weight, photo Meizu M3

The Meizu M3 body is made of plastic and is almost identical to the M2 model. In general, the design is typical for the entire line of Meizu smartphones. The dimensions of the device are 141x69x8.3 mm, which can be called typical for a five-inch gadget. Weight – 132 grams, this is comparable to the weight of the iPhone 6(S).

The front panel of the device is made of black 2.5D glass. Most likely, this is the Asahi Dragontail, but there is no official confirmation or denial of this. On the front surface, in addition to the screen, there is a speaker slot, a front camera window and a physical home button.

From the back, the cover looks monolithic; only the camera and the LED flash eye are visible on it. The back panel material is plastic, available colors are white, gray, pink, blue and gold. The cover is non-removable and has a rounded shape, but this is not a “remnant” a la Samsung of yesteryear: such shapes are much closer to the iPhone.

The side edges of the device are occupied by classic design elements: on the left is a card slot, on the right are volume and lock buttons. At the bottom end there is a perforation for the speaker and a MicroUSB port, at the top there is only a 3.5 mm jack hole.

Specifications Meizu M3 (Mini)

By the standards of 2016, the filling of the smartphone does not look quite budget-friendly, but decent. Meizu M3 fully corresponds to its niche, and even more. If Samsung had started producing such a device, the price of the Meizu M3 would have been a hundred dollars higher.

Display

The device's screen has not undergone noticeable changes compared to its predecessor. Visually, it is no different: it is the same IPS matrix with a 5-inch diagonal and HD resolution. 1280x720 pixels give 294 PPI and look smooth. Pixels are visible to the naked eye only if you look at them from a distance of 10 centimeters.

The picture is juicy, the white does not turn yellow, and there is no obvious tint of blue. In the sun, the backlight may seem insufficient, but things are no worse than with other smartphones. Viewing angles, as befits an IPS screen, are good – there is no inversion of colors or darkening of the picture when viewed from the side.

The Meizu M3 screen occupies 70% of the front surface, which is comparable to 90% of devices on the market. The rounded edges of the touch glass make the display even wider visually. The use of 2.5D technology looks only like positive point. Fingers glide over the touchscreen easily, and you can feel the pleasant coolness of the glass.

Iron

The characteristics of the Meizu M3 “inside” are, first of all, an eight-core processor. This is where the main progress is made, compared to the 2015 model. “Dvushka” runs on the budget quad-core MT6735, the most affordable 64-bit Quad Core processor. It also uses the eight-core MT6750, a simplified version of the Helio P10 model, which belongs to the middle class. Traditionally for MTK, there is confusion in the chipset numbers: 6750 more powerful than models 6752 and 6753, but weaker than the mentioned P10 (MT6755). The processor operates at frequencies up to 1.5 GHz, depending on the load.

The Mali T860MP2 core is responsible for graphics processing. This is a pretty good chip that can handle almost all games. Of course, in “tanks” on maximum graphics (with grass and other special effects) the FPS will jump, but on medium graphics everything will be stable at 50-60 frames per second. In AnTuTu, the device scores about 40 thousand points, which is not much less than last year’s flagship Helio X10.

Memory

2 or 3 gigabytes of RAM are responsible for the operation of the system and applications. This volume looks decent by the standards of 2016; there will definitely not be a shortage of RAM. You can safely minimize Opera with a dozen open pages without fear of relegation. You can also run the game in the background to check your email and reply to a message.

About 10 GB out of 16 in total are allocated for data storage. In the 32 gig version, about 24 are available to the user (depending on the firmware, the volumes may vary). If this is not enough, you can install a 128 GB card, but then you will have to forget about the second SIM card (the flash drive will take up its slot).

Battery

Meizu M3 is equipped with a non-removable 2870 mAh battery. Compared to its predecessor, the increase is 370 mAh. The autonomy of the device is slightly above average, 2 days in standby mode is not a myth, but a reality. If you load your smartphone with a game, you will have to look for an outlet after about 4-5 hours (depending on the complexity of the graphics). You can watch a movie on a single charge for 10 hours, and how long will the Meizu M3 work in web surfing mode.

A complete 2 A charge replenishes the battery capacity in about 3 hours; from a PC the process lasts much longer, 6-8 hours (depending on the current strength on USB port computer). During the charging process, the battery does not get very hot, you can use the device without fear of overheating.

Camera Meizu M3, photo

The smartphone has a 13 MP camera equipped with a dual-LED flashlight. It supports phase focusing and can shoot in HDR. The f/2.2 aperture value indicates that the module here most likely has not undergone any changes compared to its predecessor. A similar (if not similar) camera has previously been installed in a dozen models by Meizu themselves, Xiaomi (the same Redmi Note 2) or smaller Chinese companies. You shouldn't expect a miracle from it: the pictures come out good, but not without fault, and at night the flash doesn't really help the situation.

The smartphone records video in 1080P resolution, with a frame rate of 30. If you do not fix the device, any hand shake will lead to blurring, and moving the smartphone may disrupt focus.

For selfies, the Meizu M3 has a 5 MP front module with f/2.0 aperture. Capturing your “face” will not be difficult, and the person in the photo will even turn out to be similar to the original. But seriously, the camera is quite tolerable, the noise is within the statistical average, and for Skype it is even more than enough.

Connection

Meizu M3 is equipped with a dual SIM card slot combined with a memory card slot. It is located just above the middle of the left side of the smartphone. Both cards must be in NanoSIM format (when switching from MicroSIM you cannot do without scissors). Considering that the slot is combined, supporters of using two numbers will be deprived of the opportunity to expand the memory. Therefore, if you like the device, it is better to look towards the advanced version, with 32 GB on board.

The operation of SIM cards is organized alternately (Dual Standby mode), that is, the network module is common. When an incoming call is received on one number, the second one is deactivated for the duration of the conversation. The device supports GSM, 3G and LTE networks. European cellular networks Not all of them are on the supported list; in Moscow, Meizu M3 will not work with every operator and not everywhere. Perhaps this is a problem with the Chinese version, and when a modification aimed at the foreign market appears, it will disappear. After all, now you can only buy Meiza M3 outside of China unofficially.

Our review of the Meizu M3 Mini is dedicated specifically to the first modification, aimed at the Celestial Empire. It is likely that a smartphone with slightly changed characteristics will hit the world market.

To access the Internet, Meizu M3 is equipped with a Wi-Fi transceiver that supports ac, b, g and n modes. Thus, it will be able to work in networks at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. Bluetooth complies with generation 4.0, it works with stereo headsets and supports all major protocols (like A2DP or LE). It makes no sense to describe its characteristics in detail: 95% of modern handsets have modules installed that are no different in the eyes of ordinary users.

Satellite navigation supports work with GPS and GLONASS satellites. It seems logical that the version for China should also find BeiDou satellites, but it was not possible to catch them. Moreover, Xiaomi Redmi devices in Eastern Europe calmly receive the signal from two satellites of the Chinese navigation system.

Operating system and other characteristics of Meizu M3

Meizu M3 runs FlymeOS 5. This is a modified version of Android installed on Meizu smartphones. It is based on the Android 5.1 Lolipop kernel, but has significant differences from the bare firmware with the green robot. The main one is a completely redesigned interface.

The graphical shell of the system, like in Huawei or Xiaomi, does not have a separate application menu. All program shortcuts are located directly on the desktop (fortunately, you can create many of them). It is no secret that such a move is widely practiced in China. This is not a banal attempt to play like Apple, but a deliberate step to attract customers who are accustomed to iPhones.

Convenient device like this GUI or not - it's hard to say. But the experience of using Xiaomi as the main smartphone shows that getting used to it will not be difficult.

The device does not support a fingerprint scanner, but for a budget smartphone this is not a big deal. The lack of NFC is also not a significant disadvantage, since contactless payments have not yet taken a significant place in the economy. The MicroUSB socket seems outdated compared to the new Type C connector, but it is the most versatile. If the charging cord gets damaged, you can buy a new one for a dollar or two “at the nearest crossing,” which cannot yet be said about Type C.

The multimedia part of the smartphone is typical for inexpensive but high-quality devices. The speaker is loud, does not wheeze, there is not enough bass, but this is not a pathetic tweeter: compared to a Samsung in the same price category, the sound is at least no worse. In headphones, the quality is at a decent level, “bleeding from the ears” is clearly not the case. Of course, various types of HTC are able to outshine the Meizu M3 both in terms of speakers and headset, but they also successfully do this with smartphones 2-4 times more expensive.

The lack of FM radio is disappointing, but is it such a drawback? After all, not every city has radio stations whose DJs you can trust in terms of choosing tracks to suit your taste.

Conclusion

Meizu M3 (Mini) turned out to be quite not a bad smartphone originally from the Middle Kingdom. Based on the results of the review of Meizu M3, to its main advantages can be attributed powerful Hardware ,large (for a public sector employee) volume of operational and permanent memory and a good battery. The use of 2.5D glass and the availability of several colors are also positive features of the device. But its main advantage is reasonable price.

The Chinese company Meizu has not weakly expanded its line of budget and mid-budget Blue Charm M smartphones when it released another representative Meizu smartphone M5. The device received a 5.2-inch display and became a reluctant competitor to the company's other phone, the Meizu M3 Note. In this comparison we will take a closer look specifications, dimensions, design and capabilities of smartphones.

Comparison of technical characteristics

Model	Meizu M3 Note	Meizu M5
Display	5.5 inches, Full HD	5.2, inches, HD
Permission	1920×1080 pixels, 401 ppi	1280×720 pixels, 282 ppi
CPU	MediaTek Helio P10	MediaTek MT6750
Frequency	1.8 GHz	1.5 GHz
Flash memory	16/32 GB	16/32 GB
RAM	2/3 GB	2/3 GB
Camera	13 MP f/2.2, 5 lenses, PDAF	13 MP f/2.2, PDAF
Dimensions	153.6×75.5×8.2 mm	147.2×72.8×8 mm
Weight	149 grams	138 grams
Battery	4100 mAh	3070 mAh
OS	Android 5.1 + Flyme OS	YunOS + FlymeOS
Price in China	$125/154	$102/132

Design, case dimensions, colors and weight

The smartphones are very similar in appearance, but radically different in design. Firstly, the Meizu M3 Note has a more premium metal body than the plastic (polycarbonate) body of the M5. Secondly, the M3 Note is larger in all dimensions than the Meizu M5: it is 5.6 mm higher, 2.7 mm wider, 0.2 mm thicker, and also 11 grams heavier than its opponent.

Smartphones are also offered in various body colors. The metal Meizu M3 Note has 3 options to choose from: gold, silver and gray colors. And the M5 offers the user as many as 5 color options: gold, white, black, green and blue.

Displays: diagonals, ppi and more

The display diagonals of the Meizu M3 Note and Meizu M5 are approximately the same: 5.5″ inches versus 5.2″ inches, respectively, but the resolution and density of dots per square inch are different. The M3 Note phablet has a Full HD display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (401 ppi), while the M5 has a regular HD display with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels (282 ppi). The screen of the Meizu M3 Note clearly outperforms the M5.

Processor, RAM, memory and power

Since the Meizu M3 Note is considered middling and the smartphone came out a long time ago, it still runs on the Helio P10 chipset with clock frequency 1.8 GHz and with 2/16 or 3/32 GB of memory to choose from. Meizu M5 is a budget device and carries an MT5670 processor with a maximum frequency of 1.5 GHz and memory sets of 2/16 GB or 3/32 GB, just like the compared competitor.

The M5 is inferior in performance to the M3 Note, but not by much. The user will not notice interface slowdowns or third party applications on both devices. What's noticeable is the firmware. Both devices run on the proprietary Flyme OS, the difference is that in the Meizu M3 Note the Flyme firmware is based on Android based 5.1 Lollipop, and the M5 is based on the Chinese operating system YunOS intended for the domestic market of the Middle Kingdom.

Where the M5 can really perform better is in the autonomy test. The smartphone has a chance to last longer than the Meizu M3 Note, since the M5 is equipped with a 3070 mAh battery (versus 4100 mAh). But the Meizu M5 has a smaller diagonal and resolution, and this will significantly add screen/clock operating time to battery life.

Cameras, scanners and batteries

The phones use the same camera and fingerprint scanner technologies. Both Meizu M5 and M3 Note are equipped with 13 MP camera sensors with f/2.2 and PDAF phase detection autofocus. As a front sensor, both here and there - 5 megapixels. The scanners are also the same: mTouch 2.1 is built into the key under the display in both versions.

Price comparison

The last significant difference between the Meizu M3 Note and Meizu M5 lies in the prices of the smartphone. For maximum accuracy, we will compare Chinese prices for devices. And so, in China, the M3 Note can be purchased for $125/154 (2/3 GB modification), and the M5 can be purchased at a starting price of $102/132 for the same version with 2/3 GB of RAM. As you can see, there is a difference, but not significant; for the cost of the older M5 model you can buy the younger M3 Note and this will probably be the best choice.

Among the manufacturers of mobile equipment, companies from China stand out, which managed to become incredibly popular just a couple of years after their appearance. Such phenomena include Xiaomi brands and Meizu. Five years ago no one knew anything about them. And now they are among the five most famous smartphone manufacturers. Isn't this Na this moment the most promising brand is Meizu. Its smartphones amaze with unmatched performance and low prices. Our today's hero, the Meizu M3 Mini smartphone, also belongs to the category of mid-price devices. This device looks very interesting compared to its competitors. But we will talk about its technical characteristics a little later.

A little about the company

What kind of company is this - Meizu? Where did she come from? The history of this company began in 2003. A certain Jack Wong did not find a suitable MP3 player on the market and decided to develop it himself. It so happened that the company produced MP3 players until 2008. Without further ado, engineers simply copied well-known models and made minor changes to them. This continued until 2008. And then Wong decided that it was time to get down to business seriously. The first smartphone from Meizu worked on Windows platform CE was almost no different in design from the fourth iPhone. Then Apple ensured that overly zealous copiers stopped their tricks. The release of the smartphone was canceled, but the idea did not die. They just decided to produce devices on Android with minimal common features with the products of famous brands. Such devices include the one we will discuss later.

The company's first Android device was the M9, which created a real revolution in China. For the most part, the wild success of the Nine was due to its extremely low price. The manufacturer produced a flagship per year. The company's managers considered it inappropriate to "spray" on mid-level models and budget smartphones. This continued until 2014. However, the company began to sharply lose its position even in China. The management had to reconsider their views. The result was that the company also focused on budget devices. However, most of all people liked the models in the mid-price segment. A prominent representative of gadgets in this category is the Meizu M3 Mini smartphone. Now let’s take a closer look at this miracle of Chinese engineering.

Appearance and Design

Of course, there are many borrowings in the appearance of the M3, but there are also specific features that make the device unique. Main feature This device is that it is enclosed in a completely metal body. The main material is 7000 series aluminum, sandblasted. The presence of such a case brings the device closer to the flagships. The front panel is covered with convex tempered glass (though from an unknown manufacturer) 2.5D. This allows the gadget to look modern. As expected, most of the front panel is occupied by the screen. Below it is a mechanical Home button with a touch insert. A fingerprint scanner is hidden under the sensor. It should be noted that the shape of this very button is painfully reminiscent of that in Samsung devices. And the rest of the front panel elements are more reminiscent of an iPhone. That's the M3 Mini. Reviews, however, do not particularly criticize its “similarity” to other devices.

The camera module is located on the rear panel, the flash is located under it. And even lower is the Meizu corporate logo. There's nothing special here. It is only worth noting that back cover very elastic and does not press down to the battery. The mechanical power and volume buttons are located as standard: on the right side of the device. It is interesting that the entire body is well assembled: there are no cracks, nothing creaks or plays. People are accustomed to the fact that Chinese crafts are quite flimsy. But not Meizu M3 Mini. Reviews from owners indicate that the smartphone is exceptionally strong. For which honor and praise go to the manufacturers.

Screen

The new product has an IPS display with a diagonal of 5 inches. Is this a lot or a little? Let's just say: for the modern user this is quite enough. The device will clearly appeal to those who are already quite tired of modern “shovel-shaped” smartphones. The screen resolution is 1280 by 720 pixels, that is, the display fully complies with the HD standard. It has a pixel density standard for this resolution - 294 per inch. This is a normal indicator. The declared contrast is 1000 to 1. But in reality we have 677 to 1. Such a difference between the declared characteristics and the real ones is quite normal for modern manufacturers. The Meizu M3 S is no exception. Its characteristics, by the way, do not differ very much from those declared.

Other features of the screen include decent brightness (400 cd per square meter). This brightness allows you to comfortably use the device even in direct sunlight. The image will still look great. Thanks to the IPS matrix, the screen has very impressive viewing angles. The image begins to distort only when the device is tilted sufficiently. In addition, IPS displays have amazingly accurate color reproduction. And they don’t fade over time like AMOLED panels. So it’s not surprising that this particular screen was chosen for installation in the Meizu M3 Mini smartphone. Now let's move on to the rest of the technical characteristics.

Processor and RAM

Under the hood of the smartphone sits an eight-core processor from MediaTek. He has a very high performance. This is due to the fact that the MT 6750 chip belongs to a new generation of products. In terms of power, it is comparable to those processors that are installed in modern flagships. It's no surprise that nothing is impossible for the Meizu M3 S 32GB. The characteristics of this smartphone allow it to easily cope with the heaviest games and applications. As for the device's RAM, there are two modifications - with 2 and 3 gigabytes of RAM. Moreover, the three-gigabyte version costs almost the same as the 2-gigabyte version. If possible, it is better to purchase a device with more memory, so it will remain relevant longer. As for memory, accessible to the user, then there are also two options. There are models with 16 and 32 gigabytes of internal memory. Of course, it's better to take more. Meizu, which we are reviewing here, can easily compete even with the iPhone.

Graphics chip and other components

The graphics chip is Mali T860-MP2. This chipset easily handles high-definition video and has support for OpenGL and DirectX. This allows for incredible graphics performance in today's mobile games. A distinctive feature of this device is its support for the latest generation LTE communication standard. But that's not all. The device is equipped with a Wi-Fi transmitter with a broadcast frequency of 5 gigahertz. And this is already good. Other features include a lightning-fast fingerprint scanner, the latest generation Bluetooth transmitter, a wide variety of sensors and capacious battery at 3020 mAh. The latter helps the smartphone easily work for two days on a single charge. These are the main parameters of the screen; by the way, they are quite good. They take this smartphone to a completely different level. Now let's move on to the camera of the device.

Camera (main)

The main camera uses a high-aperture module of 13 megapixels. A special feature of the camera design is an optical system of five lenses. The camera has phase detection autofocus and dual-color LED flash. By the way, it is phase autofocus that gives the camera the ability to focus very quickly even in low light conditions. During the day, the pictures turn out simply excellent. and if you turn on the HDR mode, you actually get works of art. But at night the camera is clearly missing something. Extraneous noise is noticeable to the naked eye. And the photos turn out somewhat blurry. Night photography is clearly beyond the capabilities of the Meizu M3 Mini. Reviews from owners, however, praise the camera. By the way, the device can record Full HD video in MP4 format. And that is not all. There is even a very popular recording option called "Slow Mo" - slow motion. This is a new option in the Meizu M3 S. Its characteristics and reviews are full of praise.

Camera (front)

Now let's move on to the characteristics of the front camera of the device. Unlike other manufacturers, Meizu takes front-facing cameras seriously. Even this module has 5 megapixels and a complex optical system of 4 lenses. This camera is also fast and wide-angle. Photos are high quality and sharp. By the way, front-camera also knows how to record videos in Full HD format. No practical benefit This, of course, doesn’t help, but for video communication such a module is simply ideal. Selfie lovers will also be delighted. Meizu M3 Mini, technical specifications and reviews of which we are reviewing here, is quite modern device, which will appeal to the vast majority of users. That was the calculation of the manufacturing company.

Firmware and software platform

The operating system in this smartphone is Android version 5.1 with the proprietary Flyme shell from Meizu. Many people categorically do not like the branded shell, but we must admit that it is made simply and tastefully. It at least somehow diversifies the “naked” “Android”. But what should those who absolutely do not like this about the Meizu M3 Mini do? Firmware on w3bsit3-dns.com (a popular forum for mobile gadgets) can somewhat improve the situation. There are very interesting “custom” options without Flyme. It must be said that the fifth “Android” works quite quickly and “glitch-free” under the proprietary shell. Although this is probably due to the smartphone's hardware platform. But everything looks very beautiful, you can’t take that away. The most important thing is that the company regularly updates the firmware and “patches” old holes and corrects defects. Not all manufacturers can boast of such product support.

As for pre-installed applications, the version of the gadget with international firmware contains almost no unnecessary junk. But if you are the “lucky” owner of the Chinese version, then be prepared that your phone will have a lot of useless Chinese “slag” that cannot be removed. By the way, such devices do not have Google Play and all other usual services. What should owners of Chinese Meizu M3 Mini do? The firmware on w3bsit3-dns.com is, as a rule, completely Russified, devoid of Chinese applications and has all the necessary services from Google. You just need to install it. But how to do this painlessly is a completely different question. In any case, gadgets from Meizu can easily be updated with firmware and various modifications. So there definitely shouldn’t be any problems with this. The main thing is to do everything according to the instructions.

Meizu M3s Mini new in elegant metal case with 3D sandblasting and high-quality finishing polishing. The smartphone runs on the Android operating system and is equipped with a large 2.5D screen, powerful processor and a high capacity battery. Meizu M3s mini supports two SIM cards in nano-SIM format, works in 4G LTE networks and provides reliable protection thanks to the presence of a fingerprint scanner in the phone.

Basic Meizu specifications M3s Mini: 2 SIM cards, HD screen 5 inches diagonal, operating Android system 5.1, a powerful 3020 mAh battery, an eight-core processor, support for microSD memory cards up to 128 GB, a 13 MP main camera and a 5 MP front camera.

You can buy Meiza M3s mini in two versions with 32 GB built-in and 3 GB RAM or 16 GB built-in and 2 GB RAM, and both versions support memory cards. Price Meizu M3s Mini will depend on the version you choose. The smartphone is sold in four colors: gold, gray, silver and metallic pink.

Powerful processor and large RAM Meizu M3s Mini will cope with any task, work with several open applications on big screen with 2.5D protective glass or play the latest android games without brakes or freezes.

Working with two SIM cards allows the user Meizu M3s mini to save on communication services, select favorable rates for internet and calls. The fingerprint scanner provides reliable protection of the smartphone from unauthorized persons, now you don’t need to remember complex passwords, to unlock a smartphone, just touch the sensor and the phone will quickly identify the owner and unlock the screen.

A Meizu M3s Mini user will be able to install two SIM cards or one SIM card and a memory card. Enjoy high-speed Internet thanks to 4G LTE support from both SIM cards. When choosing 4G Internet from one of the SIM cards, the second one will work in 3G networks.

Long smartphone operation is one of the most important characteristics any device. Received Meiza M3s mini powerful battery with a capacity of 3020 mAh and provides up to 240 hours of standby time and up to 13 hours of talk time.

Full specifications of Meizu M3s Mini. Meizu M3s mini features

• Number of SIM cards: 2 with 4G support
• SIM card type: 2 Nano-SIM or 1 Nano-SIM card + microSD
• Case material: metal
• Operating system: Android 5.1
• Processor: 8-core / MTK MT6750
• GPU: ARM Mali-T860
• Display: 5.0" diagonal 2.5D/ HD 1280 x 720 pixels/ 296 ppi density/ full lamination
• Main camera: 13 MP / 5-element lens / dual flash / autofocus
• Front camera: 5 MP / 4-element lens
• Video camera: video recording in FullHD 1920 x 1080 pixels
• 4G LTE: supports
• Wi-Fi: WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
• Dot Wi-Fi access: Yes
• Bluetooth: 4.0
• Battery: 3020 mAh / fast charging function
• Talk time: up to 13 hours
• Standby time: up to 240 hours
• RAM: 2 GB/ 3 GB
• Built-in memory: 16 GB / 32 GB
• Memory card: microSD up to 128 GB
• Audio jack: 3.5mm
• MicroUSB: USB 2.0, USB-OTG, USB-Host
• Navigation: GPS/ A-GPS/ GLONASS
• Sensors: Accelerometer/gyroscope/light/gravity/compass/IR sensor
• Fingerprint scanner: yes / capacity up to 5 prints
• Flashlight function: yes
• Color: gold/silver/gray/pink metallic
• Size: (W.H.T.) 69.9mm x 141.9mm x 8.3mm
• Weight: 138 grams