Meizu or Xiaomi: Which is better in 2018?

Choosing a new smartphone in 2018 turns into a difficult dilemma, especially when it comes to two Chinese giants, Meizu and Xiaomi.Both manufacturers offer impressive specs for an affordable price, but their philosophy and approach to creating devices are radically different.

This year, the market is oversaturated with bezel-less screens and dual cameras, blurring the lines between the budget and the mid-range. But software and system optimization are often the deciding factor. Chinese brands have learned to make beautiful hardware, but software stability varies.

In this article, we will conduct a detailed analysis of the current lines of both manufacturers to understand which flagship or budget will be more profitable for you. We will consider not only dry benchmark numbers, but also the real experience of operating devices in everyday tasks.

Design and ergonomics of housings

In 2018, both brands have been betting on minimalism and premium materials even in the mid-range. Xiaomi in its Mi 8 and Mi Mix 2S models actively uses glass and metal, often copying recognizable features of more expensive competitors, but adding their unique elements.

Meizu has traditionally been known for its ergonomics and symmetrical design. Their flagships, such as the Meizu 15 and 15 Plus, stand out with thin bezels around the display and the lack of bangs, which for many is a critical advantage. The use of aeronautical aluminum makes the devices feel pleasant to the touch and less branded.

⚠️ Note: Glass cases Xiaomi models, despite the beauty, much more fragile when falling on hard surfaces compared to metal counterparts Meizu.

The ergonomics of one-handed control also vary. Meizu devices are often smaller than their competitors with similar screen sizes due to narrow bezels. At the same time, Xiaomi's dimensions can be larger due to the presence of a cutout at the top of the display, which shifts the usable area down.

Screens and multimedia capabilities

Display quality is one of the main parameters when choosing a smartphone. In 2018, Xiaomi massively introduces AMOLED-matrixes from Samsung even in the middle segment, providing deep black color and high saturation. Flagships are equipped with screens with Full HD+ resolution and HDR support, which makes viewing content incredibly vivid.

Meizu also uses high-quality Super in its top models. AMOLED panels, but in the budget segment can often be found IPS-However, Meizu's color calibration has traditionally been seen as more natural and pleasing to the eye on long reading, and the pixel density in both cases is sufficient to ignore the graininess.

In terms of media, stereo is the leading sound in Xiaomi devices, and the presence of a dedicated DAC (digital-to-analog converter) in some Meizu models makes them preferred for music lovers using high-end wired headphones.

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When choosing a smartphone, pay attention to the presence of Gorilla Glass protective glass and its version - this directly affects the resistance of the screen to scratches from the keys in your pocket.

Performance: processors and benchmarks

In the battle of processors in 2018, an interesting battle is unfolding: Xiaomi is betting on flagship solutions from Qualcomm, installing in its top devices Snapdragon 845.This provides maximum performance in heavy games and graphics processing tasks. Benchmarks AnTuTu deliver impressive results exceeding 250,000 points.

On the other hand, Meizu has long been involved with MediaTek, which has been a source of feedback for less game optimization. However, in 2018, the situation changes: the Meizu 15 Plus models and new devices get Samsung Exynos processors and return to Qualcomm. This allows for significant improvements in game performance and stability of the interface.

In the mid-segment, Xiaomi offers Snapdragon 600-series processors, which often bypass MediaTek’s counterparts in energy efficiency and graphics accelerator speed. For gamers, the choice is obvious – devices based on Qualcomm chips will work more stable and less warm under load.

However, the daily speed of the interface on Meizu is often subjectively felt faster thanks to the lightweight Flyme shell, which less loads RAM in the background.

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For mobile gamers, Xiaomi models on Snapdragon should be a priority, while for ordinary tasks, the difference in processors can be invisible.

Software and shells

The operating system is the face of the smartphone that the user interacts with 90 percent of the time. Xiaomi's MIUI shell is a powerful ecosystem with a huge number of features. It has app cloning, advanced notification settings and deep customization. However, the abundance of features can lead to overloading the interface.

Meizu’s Flyme shell, by contrast, is known for its minimalism and elegance. In 2018, it offers unique features such as mBack (though newer models are moving away from it) and smart controls. The settings menu is more logically structured, and the visual style is more holistic.

Advertising is an important aspect: in MIUI, ads are built into system applications, and it requires some manipulation in settings. In Flyme, ads are also present, but their appearance in 2018 has become less intrusive, especially in global versions of firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Global versions of firmware MIUI Flyme can be updated less frequently than the Chinese originals, which is worth considering if you want to get fresh security patches.

Stability is another stumbling block: MIUI sometimes causes occasional closures of background applications to save power, requiring manual adjustment. Flyme is more predictable in this regard, but may have less compatibility with some of Google’s western services out of the box.

Cameras: comparison of photos and videos

In 2018, dual main camera became the standard. Xiaomi in its flagships focuses on artificial intelligence for processing images. Algorithms actively blur the background in portrait mode and saturate colors, making the photo bright and ready to publish on social networks without additional processing.

Meizu approaches photography from the other side, trying to preserve the naturalness of colors and detail. Their optical stabilization (OIS) in top-end models works very effectively, allowing you to get clear pictures even in low light or with your hands in motion.

Video is the strength of Qualcomm’s processor-powered devices, which are rich in Xiaomi’s lineup. Having 4K at 60 frames per second and high-quality stabilization makes them great tools for video blogging. Meizu also knows how to shoot in 4K, but frame rate and soundtrack quality can be inferior to competitors.

Autonomy and charging speed

The issue of autonomy in 2018 is acute due to the growth of screen resolution. Xiaomi traditionally equips its smartphones with high-capacity batteries, often exceeding 3400-4000 mAh even in standard models. Support for Qualcomm Quick Charge technology allows you to replenish energy in an hour and a half.

Meizu has long used its own Super mCharge technology, which was one of the fastest on the market, but in 2018 new models often find standard fast charging.Meizu's battery capacity is typically slightly smaller due to the desire for thin enclosures, which can affect the time of operation in active use.

The power optimization in MIUI works aggressively, allowing Xiaomi smartphones to stay on standby longer. Meizu devices can discharge faster in standby mode if you don't adjust the background restrictions for apps.

To compare the main characteristics, we have prepared a summary table of popular models of 2018:

Conclusions and Comparisons

To sum up, a comparison between Meizu and Xiaomi in 2018 is that there is no perfect choice, only a choice for specific tasks. Xiaomi offers more powerful hardware, better community support, frequent updates and a developed smart home ecosystem.

Meizu is a lot of aesthetes and those who appreciate ergonomics, quality body materials and a concise interface without unnecessary tinsel. If you care about design and tactile sensation, Meizu may like it more.

Both brands offer excellent value for money, outpacing many of their eminent competitors, and choosing between them is often a choice between the frenzy of MIUI features and the sophistication of Flyme.

⚠️ Note: When buying devices from China (Global Version), make sure that the bootloader is unlocked to install Google services, if they are not built-in initially.

Ultimately, both manufacturers are worth considering, and buying either of their current flagships in 2018 is no mistake, but it’s important to prioritize whether you want maximum power and an AI camera, or whether you want one-handedness and cleanliness.

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