The creators of smartphones even under severe torture never uttered the phrase “we failed/we have failed”, when it comes to the flagships. In return, the marketers go on the attack and conceive the old song “our smartphone and already balanced/but my competitors are chasing numbers, but we are for quality/you still don’t notice the difference”. The Chinese brands to all these pathetic excuses is added the argument “well, but we are cheaper!”, which automatically justifies any shortcomings in comparison with the market leaders.
But there are other cases: instead of trying to save money and pick the toppings, “identical to natural”, Chinese brands often produce purebred accessories. And they save due to the lack of joint advertisement with pop singers mouth and traffickers face of show business, as well as fundamentally lower margin than the gadgets under popular brands.
Specifically, Meizu, being the old-timers in the smartphone market, sales record in the world do not make, and therefore, may not always score the coolest irons in bulk, then to make their smartphones cheaper. However, they do not hesitate to stuff their flagship “all the money” in the case and their few leaders.
Where did not the most ambitious Chinese companies have come from this facility? From the owners of Aliexpress, roomy. In short, meet — Chinese smartphone with a new Super AMOLED display Samsung processor as Galaxy S6, Sony camera, similar to iPhone design, cool audio chip, and (Oh, miracle!) the memory card slot! Now let’s check how all this beauty will work well together.
Korean display and processor, the camera of Japanese and American sound chip is the flagship Meizu has become a “hodgepodge” for the assorted technologies
Features
Meizu Pro 5
Operating system
Android 5.1 Lollipop
Screen
5.7 inch, 1920×1080, IPS, 387 ppi
Processor
Samsung Exynos 7420 2.1 GHz (8 cores, 4x Cortex-A53 + 4x Cortex-A57)
Graphics
The Mali-T760 MP8
Operational memory
3/4 GB
Constant memory
32/64 GB
Link
4G (LTE Cat.6), 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, NFC
Camera
21.1 Megapixel main with autofocus, 3840×2160 video, front — 5 MP
Battery
non-removable 3050 mAh
Sizes
156,7x78x7,55 mm
Weight
168 g
The price at the time of publication
38 000/41 000
Price according to price.EN
Design and management
Still, in the phrase “recently bought an iPhone is here iPhone, Lenovo only” from ignorant of the art people have a sacred meaning — an iPhone, looks like a great comprehensive, and each buyer submits it in their own way. But for Meizu mobiles Apple became not just a role model and source of inspiration during commercials last 8 years. While the iPhone is already corrected appearance from generation to generation, and Meizu, in an attempt to reason with your signature style, correct shape of the flagships less radical.
Chrome inserts still look better than the white stripes under antenna
So there probably will be, the appropriate comparison “In Contact” and Facebook — the Russian decision also has long been a design clone of the foreign counterpart, but only now after numerous “plastic surgeries” related to social sphere became markedly differ.
IPhone, not iPhone — similarities in design are immediately noticeable, but plagiarism is not reached
If the source of inspiration on the “other side” is more or less clear, with differences of the models within the Chinese brand is difficult — differences between the 5-inch Meizu MX5 and 5.5 inch Pro 5 cat laugh. It is not clear why the Chinese breed smartphones-“dolls” — are only in order to flatter the owners of more affordable models, and can and does the principle of “once we were too lazy to bother”.
For the latter show placed out of place with the rear slots notches on the metal frame. And in favor of the first hypothesis it can be noted here that the backlash of the tray for SIM-cards and sleazy joints of metal with plastic (chrome strip separates the plastic from the top and bottom of the rear panel) is in the past, and therefore, “mistakes” after the MX5 was definitely held. However, the design of the tray is still mocking — or two Nano-SIM or Nano-SIM + Micro-SD card.
Unlike the platform the Samsung Galaxy S6, the flagship Meizu is capable of installing a memory card…
…true, but instead of the second Nano-SIM
The keys on the right side comfortable, multifunction key mTouch 2.1 under the screen is good, although the speed of the fingerprint sensor is not a record by today’s standards. And even protruding from the housing chamber, oddly enough, is not annoying — it is very good it fits in with the design.
In the rest of the things our hero is perceived very harmonious gadget — with a typical 5.7-inch planshetofona weight, thin frames around the display and of the average size it will not please except that those who, in principle, annoying in a streamlined design body in smartphones.
The metal housing is decorated with absolutely any smartphone
Plastic inserts well concealed amid metal rear panel
This time not only attractive, but without backlash
The screen and sound
Meizu once tried to install to the smartphone the most advanced display — it was the MX4 Pro, which was released in late 2014 and was equipped with exotic in those days 2K-matrix. No “childhood diseases” that are associated with extremely high image definition, a smartphone is not revealed, but the company’s engineers thought otherwise and since then refused to release new models with higher resolution than Full HD. The arguments in favour of such decision are not new: beyond standard 1080p CPU and accelerator growing at an alarming rate, simultaneously pulling and increased consumption of battery.
Color gamut of the display Meizu Pro 5
Therefore Super AMOLED display of 1920 x 1080 pixels on 5.5 inches in this way looks in its place. The clarity of the image almost iPhone (slightly worse than 6s Plus), color — saver for me (very vivid colors, but, unlike Galaxy, without the ability to turn their rampage), Pentile (partial loss of definition compared to IPS) is in place, but not too noticeable.
Oversaturated colors and brightness as the Samsung flagship 2014 release. Not the most perfect, but definitely a good display
The brightness Pro 5 gives the new Galaxy (Note 5 & edge+) display is able to deliver 340 CD/m2 on a white background. Contrast, because of the excellent black color, our smartphone prohibitive, and in General the display is in its characteristics is like that of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Huawei Mate S.
The viewing angles are great, color gamut exceeds sRGB (which is why we’re seeing such a brutally “colorful” picture), but the average DeltaE deviation is 2.0 (very cool), gamma is close to standard, and the color temperature is slightly moved down in cool shades and is 7500K, but this particular parameter is adjustable in the system settings. In short, AMOLED and AMOLED China, with all its advantages and disadvantages.
None of the flagship Meizu is not without audiochip advanced, and Pro 5 is no exception — one Duo from the decoder ESS Technology SABRE ES9018K2M and TI OPA1612 amplifier puts our hero in line with the most quality in sound flagships, and the full scheme “audiopreparation” smartphone looks even more impressive.
Lengthy audiophile calculations on what is good and bad Meizu Pro 5 music, further in the text will not. Just because we have evaluated the sound with their ears, and not with the help of advanced equipment. We noted the advantages of audio: the ability to “tuck” the gain level based on several presets (useful for expensive and intricate models of headphones), and, as in the older flagships, the presence of presets for Dirac HD earphones under cool — this feature allows you to calibrate the sound according to the principle “nothing here is normal so shakes”, and to achieve exactly that sound, which was conceived by the authors during the recording of the track.
For the test sound Meizu has provided us with headphones Oppo PM-3 is not the most, of course, a cool model for the audiophile, but suitable for mobiles. Shortly before that, we also visited the smartphones LG V10 (SABRE 9018 decoder, amplifier ESS Technology 9602) and Highscreen Boost 3 (ESS9018K2M decoder, amplifier ADA4897-2). In comparison with our hero LG sounds better on all fronts, but I can give a more brutal sound (in the gain can be adjusted manually, rather than relying on the presets).
Audio player and Manager of sound in Meizu Pro 5
The potential of headphones with impedance of 30 Ohms, the smartphone is sold in large “monitorcam” I had the opportunity to give to such condition, in which the leaders without DAC is usually plagued by your complete vacuum headset. Stock volume in Pro 5 is quite “earthly”, but the music is served with due accuracy, from which we, frankly, got out of the habit since the days of the dominance of CD-Audio players.
Meizu 5 Pro plays in the headphones better than the competitors-the leaders — of course, if you can afford these headphones
Speakerphone is pretty good: its volume is middling, and high quality too. But ringtones any degree tricked not turn into an ugly mess, but notice the overload is possible only if you set ringtone “heavy”, from which V10 LG and Huawei Honor 7, for example, would be hopelessly wheeze and rattle. Earpiece less impressed with the sound it muffled, and deprived of headroom and volume for conversation in a noisy transport.
Everyone who is ready to be downloaded “multi-ton” albums in lossless and buy headphones with a good value smartphone, Meizu Pro 5 definitely recommended to educate, for other categories of buyers note — the sound is good, but properly it appears only on the appropriate equipment.
Iron
Processor Pro 5 — exclusive exclusive: while other manufacturers are content with overheating Snapdragon 810, his stubby six-core version of the index 808 or a weaker Helio X10 MediaTek, Meizu persuaded Samsung to share its latest and most powerful processor available, for example, Galaxy S6/Note5/edge+. And it would have been enough to find yourself at the top of power in 2015.
Performance (Antutu Benchmark test)
But the Chinese did not stop there, and at the expense of “only” Full HD display is WQHD Samsung have made their flagship running faster Korean ancestor. Meizu Pro 5 is very fast, damn fast! None of the serial smartphones of 2015 can not compete with him in performance. And those are right who declare that this power excess is no game in Full HD resolution will not squeeze out of the chip all the juices.
The coolest season of the processor, the Exynos 7420, tried on a “modest” Full HD resolution display after the Galaxy S6. As a result Meizu Pro 5 has overtaken all competitors 2015 release
But! First, this musculature is a guarantee that the buyer Pro 5 is a much later encounter with the effect of “something new applications has already slow down”, and the new version of Android (if it will appear for this model effort Meizu or enthusiasts) will not become unsupportable burden for the smartphone after a couple years of operation.
And even just for peace of mind the CPU is important. Here the situation is like with cars, who long ago overcame the reserve of accelerating dynamics and the maximum speed established by rules of the road — buyers without a trace of embarrassment choose models with more powerful engines.
Gaming performance (3DMark test Sling Shot ES 3.1 1440p)
Processor speed test (Geekbench)
For example, HTC One M9 we have seen how powerful the processor in a metal smartphone “choking” and loses in speed, however, the Exynos 7420, this problem is almost deprived of the use of modern (14 nm) process technology — roughly speaking, the modern factory has allowed Samsung to pack impressive power in a more compact chip than the competition. Hence the differences in the results of the benchmarks within the ridiculous 2-3%, if you take the smartphone out and cut in without stopping. Smartphones running the Snapdragon 810, for example, the difference can reach up to 10-20%.
Software
So far as the original shell manufacturers androidofony different from the interface to which we are accustomed on budget smartphones with “empty” Android — system Flyme OS for the Meizu authorship has always been a “separate state” with its principles of operation.
The shell interface Flyme OS Meizu 4.5.7 I in Pro 5
iOS, Android, and Chinese artistic impulses — something like this is perceived in the shell Meizu Pro 5. Original, but you need to get used
Combined in one key the Back command (touch) and “Home” (pressing), combined into one menu to the desktops and the list of applications, the original keyboard and the notification curtain, brand themes, “anti-theft” Flyme account and assistant in navigating the system Smart Touch — over the past year the system has not changed, and soon for Meizu Pro 5 promise a new Flyme OS 5, whereas our sample was satisfied with the version I. 4.5.4.2
In General, this is Android for those who are sick of “green robot” in the basic variation in the performance of leading brands.
Camera
On the case with smooth corners even the camera she looks defiant
If our Meizu processor borrowed from Samsung, rear camera manufactured by Sony here — by the way, exactly the same IMX230 sensor installed in Xperia Z3+ and Lenovo VIBE X3. All the flagship features are observed: the f/2.2 aperture helps the smartphone to see better in the dark, the double flash prevents yellow or blue shades in the photo when shooting at night, laser autofocus quickly locks on the objects in the frame.
The camera interface not so good. All necessary functions are present, but to jump into a separate menu for enable HDR banal, for example, not too pleasant. For lovers of manual settings, you can adjust ISO, exposure, focus and shutter speed.
Example photos taken with rear camera Meizu Pro 5
Example photos taken with rear camera Meizu Pro 5
Example photos taken with rear camera Meizu Pro 5
Example photos taken with the front camera Meizu Pro 5
Pictures of the smartphone is quite good — in comparison with the MX5, which had “nose poke” in the subject, the new flagship almost no problems. The pictures are sharp and low noise, the autofocus works quickly, the white balance and exposure camera almost never wrong. Not to say that Meizu Pro 5 is on par with the best camera phones of the year, but given the price tag of the flagship “Chinese”, its photographic potential does not disappoint. Front camera quality is not revolutionary different, but the selfie is quite suitable.
With PV panel as the Sony Xperia Z3+, the flagship Meizu is transformed into sensible kamerafon with a cumbersome interface for capturing
With video recording, things are not so good and the cause is the totality of the shortcomings of the Sony sensor, coupled with some strange preferences settings in the Meizu engineers. Hey the Sony is the lack of optical stabilization — it really lacks when it comes to shooting on the move. You have to keep the smartphone is much more thorough than I would like, so that the image on the video does not “jump”. And to the whims of developers Pro 5 include the absence of a shooting mode at 60 K/S. In 4K and Full HD available only on 30 fps, at 720p you can shoot at as much as 120 K/s, but live 60 frames at 1080p resolution, it is impossible for Pro 5 task. That’s why, fellow engineers?
Autonomy
The Meizu Pro 5 has all the ingredients for a good endurance: economical CPU (if it is not “anger”), the display is Super AMOLED, which does not consume power when it displays black color, moderate resolution of the display and typical of the modern phablets battery capacity.
There is therefore nothing surprising in the fact that our hero was singularly hardy: Meizu has given its flagship a great source of data and without software overloaded — the success of so competent approach was a foregone conclusion.
Use (brightness 200 CD/m2)
The duration of the work
Video from a memory card
16 hours 40 minutes
Game
5 hours and 30 minutes
Reading
14 hours and 15 minutes
Competitors
Meizu Pro 5
Huawei Mate S
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+
Operating system
Android 5.1 Lollipop
Android 5.1 Lollipop
Android 5.0 Lollipop
Screen
5.7 inch, 1920×1080, IPS, 387 ppi
5.5-inch, 1920×1080 AMOLED, 401 ppi
5.7 inch 2560×1440 Super AMOLED, 518 ppi
Processor
Samsung Exynos 7420 2.1 GHz (8 cores, 4x Cortex-A53 + 4x Cortex-A57)
HiSilicon Kirin 935 2.2 GHz (8 cores, Cortex-A53)
Samsung Exynos 7420 At 1.5-2.1 GHz (8 cores, 4x Cortex-A53 + 4x Cortex-A57)
Graphics
The Mali-T760 MP8
Mali-T628 MP4
The Mali-T760 MP8
Operational memory
3/4 GB
3 GB
4 GB
Permanent memory
32/64 GB
32 GB, Micro SD slot
32 GB
Link
4G (LTE Cat.6), 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, NFC
4G (LTE Cat.6), 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, GLONASS
4G (LTE Cat.9), 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, GLONASS, NFC
Camera
21.1 Megapixel main with autofocus, 3840×2160 video, front — 5 MP
13 MP main with autofocus, video 1920×1080, front 8 MP
16 MP main with autofocus, 3840×2160 video, front — 5 MP
Battery
non-removable 3050 mAh
non-removable 2700 mAh
non-removable, 3000 mAh
Sizes
156,7x78x7,55 mm
150x75x7,2 mm
154,4×75,8×6.9 mm
Weight
168 g
159 g
153 g
The price at the time of publication
38 000/41 000
37 000 rubles
54 000
Price according to price.EN
RFQ:Huawei Mate S28011
Call for price:Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+28011
Conclusions
Meizu Pro 5 captivates not so much by individual characteristics, how much of his balance. Here’s an example of how the manufacturer decided not to invest in a new design, found instead a record of the display is good, and the money saved were installed in the smartphone best CPU 2015. Modern CPU “eat” sparingly, and the above-mentioned matrix is not without its flaws, but quite economical. The output was a record powerful smartphone with excellent battery. And by the way, in front of us coveted by enthusiasts the option “processor price Samsung without the original shell and the slot for memory cards”.
Cons? Not have done without them. First, it is not clear why the Chinese smartphone may cost more “mid-sized”, but still Korean and a priori more expensive Samsung Galaxy S6? This is considering the fact that he and display, and the camera is noticeably better quality.
By the way, about the camera — it is good, but certainly not advanced at the end of 2015, while stronger in photos and video competitors now actively losing in value. Yes and proprietary shell, for all its originality, remains an exotic oddity “not for everyone”. And yet, the Meizu Pro 5 advantages outweigh the disadvantages, because this model is not just another smartphone “flagship killer” from China with the slogan “not quite the same, but cheaper”. Pro 5 on a number of characteristics superior to the best models of competition and therefore deservedly received the award “editor’s choice”.
Meizu Pro 5
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
+ Serial is the most powerful smartphone of 2015
— Rear camera is not easy to manage and lacks some of the flagship features
+ Good level of autonomy
— The price is almost on par with the platform flagship Samsung
+ High sound quality
— Proprietary shell is different from standard Android controls have not been to everyone