Meizu laptop 2 memory is different. Meizu M2 Note smartphone review: budget station wagon
Smartphones from Meizu are still considered a kind of exotic on the Russian market - those who are already familiar with the brand will agree that this is a very shame, because the gadgets are worthy of the widest distribution. From us you can buy a gray Meizu M2 Note without any problems and at a reasonable price, because we believe that everyone should be able to purchase a truly high-quality smartphone at an adequate price.
And you are convinced that the Meizu M2 Note phone is a truly high-quality product even at the first glance at it. The case itself and the build quality, as well as the level of screen resolution, can be compared with the most popular models in this class from leading companies. Performance also deserves special praise - the smartphone works very quickly, does not freeze or cause other inconveniences to the owner. You will be able to play your favorite shooters and adventure games, view photos and videos in high resolution - in a word, use all the power of your phone to the fullest.
It is clear that the thinnest case does not imply the use of a huge battery, but the battery life is quite consistent with modern requirements - a whole day without additional recharging, subject to moderate active use. The smartphone also has a loud speaker that can play the clear sound of your favorite music. And of course, let's not forget about the 13 megapixel camera, which allows you to take decent pictures and record spectacular videos.
Today, the Meizu M2 Note LTE smartphone is a smart, profitable choice that will surely give you a lot of pleasure. If you are still in doubt, compare the price of this smartphone with other popular models, and then go make your order.
The Chinese concern Meizu, as you know, is actively presenting itself on the market as an “iPhone killer.” At least this can be concluded after viewing the company's advertising. In addition, this can be confirmed by the external design of the smartphone and its high technical capabilities. Taking all this into account, phones of this brand can really be considered by buyers as “cheap iPhone analogues.” It is not surprising that developers actively use this “status” for their own purposes.
In this article we will talk about one of the devices released by the company that is quite in demand on the market. We are talking about the Meizu M2 Note smartphone. The specifications of the phone are truly amazing. At its low cost, the model also has a very attractive design. The build quality of the device and its stability are not far behind. In general, we won’t get ahead of ourselves, but will simply conduct a more detailed review of the device so that you understand what we are talking about.
Positioning
Surprisingly, Meizu does not hide its imitation of the main Apple concern, which sets fashion in the world of smartphones. This is communicated not only by advertising slogans, but also by the features of the model’s body and its external design. Just look at the “Home” button, made in the likeness of the iPhone 5S.
Due to this “image” a double situation arises. On the one hand, the device is only a copy, a semblance of the original Apple, which does not seem at all unusual: recently, many companies have been releasing analogues of “top-end” smartphones. On the other hand, the situation is also observed in a second, positive aspect. It's about attractiveness.
The characteristics attributed to the Meizu M2 Note device are described by customer reviews as only one of the factors that forced them to purchase this model. In addition, this also includes price, as well as appearance. Despite the fact that everyone perfectly understands where it originally came from and what the Chinese are trying to copy, this kind of design is always a success, which the Meizu company did not fail to take advantage of in its activities.
Design
The body of the Meizu M2 Note (we will present the characteristics of the device a little later) is made of polycarbonate, which lies pleasantly in the hand. The texture (depending on the model) can be matte or glossy - this is the user’s choice. The general features, as already noted, are strongly reminiscent of the iPhone - these are rounded corners on the back of the case and a direct transition between the glass and the cover at the front. To give the model rigidity, a metal base, so to speak, a frame, is installed inside.
The back cover of the model should not be removed at all; all functional holes are provided in the side of the case. Therefore, it’s easy to guess that the SIM card and memory card get into the phone using special “sliders”, and the slots here are opened, just like in the “Apple friend” - with the help of a needle.
The general appearance of the device (the way it lies in the hand and behaves when squeezed) allows us to draw a positive conclusion about the smartphone (and its assembly) as a whole. We were unable to make the Meizu M2 Note (we'll list the specifications a little further) creak, and we couldn't cause any play or movement of individual body elements. Therefore, we confidently praise the Chinese who assembled the phone so well.
CPU
Now let's move on directly to the filling of the model. And first of all, let's start with the “heart” of any gadget. The characteristics of the Meizu M2 Note smartphone show us that the model is equipped with a processor that includes 8 cores. The clock frequency of each (in normal operating mode) is 1.3 GHz - this is a good indicator. Thanks to its high performance, the gadget behaves well when interacting with graphically “heavy” games, playing them without hitches or any unpleasant “freezes”.
2 GB RAM also has a similar effect - it significantly increases the reaction speed and “liveness” of the device, its capabilities. What do users say about Meizu M2 Note? Are they satisfied with the characteristics? The phone is really quite fast, and all this is thanks to the “heart”.
Screen
The smartphone has a recently classic display with a diagonal size of 5.5 inches. With this indicator, the screen resolution of 1920x1080 pixels seems simply fantastic, which is why the actual image density on the Meizu M2 Note 16Gb (the specifications won’t let you lie) reaches 401 pixels per square inch.
The picture quality can be called very high. You can verify this both in your own practice, simply by picking up the phone, and through an analysis of the technical indicators that are mentioned in the specifications. Thus, such a high density can produce a very accurate, clear and sharp image, and IPS technology allows the smartphone to be provided with the proper brightness and color saturation, which is also important.
On another positive side I would like to mention the screen design. In this case, the developer used the method of painting the panel (top and bottom edges). Due to this, visually the frames may seem much smaller than they actually are. True, the practical effect of this approach is minimal - it is done purely “for beauty”.
operating system
If we talk about the software that controls the smartphone, we should note the Google Android shell, which is unchanged on this type of device. True, the peculiarity of the Meizu M2 Note 16Gb (the characteristics will also confirm this information) is that the Flyme graphic add-on is installed on top of the “native” Android interface. It gives the smartphone an interface design (the icons you will see here may be unusual for you if you have not previously worked with Meizu); some options (for example, the SmartTouch function); and even methods of entering information (perception of user gestures).
Thanks to this, we can say that the basis of the device’s operation is the familiar Google platform, while the manufacturer has also developed its own set of programs that make interaction with the smartphone more convenient and comfortable. It’s also worth saying that Meizu continues to support its “shell” by releasing new updates. You can download them directly via a Wi-Fi connection (without installing additional programs).
Camera
Of course, when describing the characteristics of a device, it is also necessary to indicate the capabilities of its camera. After all, photography and video functions are key for any smartphone.
As stated in the documentation, the device has a camera whose matrix has a resolution of 13 megapixels. This is enough to create colorful, clear and color-rich photos. This is how they appear, at least when the picture is taken in good lighting. In other conditions, minor changes in the picture may occur. User reviews note that it is best to use the Meizu M2 Note camera (the technical characteristics of which you already know) for private photography - create an avatar on a social network, photograph text, and so on.
Battery
Another important point is the autonomy of the device. It directly depends on how big the battery is. In the case of the M2 Note, the developers used a battery with a capacity of 3100 mAh. Considering, however, the bright screen and powerful processor, the charge is only enough for 10-12 hours of active use or 1-1.5 days of moderate load.
conclusions
It’s not for nothing that the mobile phone we described above is so popular. As the characteristics describing the Meizu M2 Note Mini show, the device is really good in all respects. It looks great, has an adequate price, has a wide range of functionality and, in addition, boasts stable operation.
Buyers clearly praise the device, positively note its qualities and write reviews in which they clearly recommend purchasing such a model. All this, as you understand, is reflected favorably on the image of the entire company. In recent years, smartphones of this brand have become quite expected in world markets.
The question is, what else do you need from a smartphone of this class? Apparently, the developers at Meizu asked themselves this question when designing this model. And, it should be noted, they managed to find a solution that could satisfy user requests.
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.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 75.2 mm (millimeters) 7.52 cm (centimeters) 0.25 ft (feet) 2.96 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 150.9 mm (millimeters) 15.09 cm (centimeters) 0.5 ft (feet) 5.94 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 8.7 mm (millimeters) 0.87 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.34 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 149 g (grams) 0.33 lbs 5.26 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 98.72 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 6 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | White Grey Pink Blue |
| Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body. | Magnesium alloy Polycarbonate |
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.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often called a 2G mobile network. It is improved by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies. | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| TD-SCDMA TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) is a 3G mobile network standard. It is also called UTRA/UMTS-TDD LCR. It was developed as an alternative to the W-CDMA standard in China by the Chinese Academy of Telecommunications Technology, Datang Telecom and Siemens. TD-SCDMA combines TDMA and CDMA. | TD-SCDMA 1880-1920 MHz TD-SCDMA 2010-2025 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS is an abbreviation for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and belongs to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is providing greater speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology. | UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent technology development is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 1800 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 1900 MHz (B39) LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2500 MHz (B41) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) |
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 one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | MediaTek MT6753 |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 28 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | ARM Cortex-A53 |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 64 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv8-A |
| Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes) |
| Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory. | 512 kB (kilobytes) 0.5 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 8 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 1300 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc. | ARM Mali-T720 MP3 |
| Number of GPU cores Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications. | 3 |
| GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 450 MHz (megahertz) |
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 2 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR3 |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels mean higher data rates. | Single channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 666 MHz (megahertz) |
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.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | IGZO |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 5.5 in (inches) 139.7 mm (millimeters) 13.97 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.7 in (inches) 68.49 mm (millimeters) 6.85 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 4.79 in (inches) 121.76 mm (millimeters) 12.18 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.778:1 16:9 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail. | 401 ppi (pixels per inch) 157 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 73.73% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance |
| Display manufacturer - Sharp Tempered glass 1000:1 contrast ratio 450 cd/m² GFF full lamination |
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.
| Sensor model | Samsung S5K3L2 |
| Sensor type | ISOCELL |
| Sensor size | 4.69 x 3.52 mm (millimeters) 0.23 in (inches) |
| Pixel size | 1.127 µm (micrometers) 0.001127 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor | 7.38 |
| ISO (light sensitivity) ISO indicators determine the level of light sensitivity of the photosensor. A lower value means weaker light sensitivity and vice versa - higher values mean higher light sensitivity, i.e. better ability of the sensor to work in low light conditions. | 100 - 1600 |
| Diaphragm | f/2.2 |
| Flash type The most common types of flashes in mobile device cameras are LED and xenon flashes. LED flashes produce softer light and, unlike brighter xenon flashes, are also used for video shooting. | Double LED |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which shows the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. | 4160 x 3120 pixels 12.98 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with the device. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video - frame rate/frames per second. Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the device when shooting video at the maximum resolution. Some of the main standard video shooting and playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Digital image stabilization Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition White Balance Adjustment ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode |
| 5-element lens Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens protection Blue filter glass 300° panoramic lens Angle of view - 74.4° |
Additional camera
Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.
| Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the photo sensor used in the device's camera. | OmniVision OV5670 |
| Sensor type Digital cameras use photo sensors to take photographs. The sensor, as well as optics, are one of the main factors in the quality of the camera in a mobile device. | PureCel |
| Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with larger sensors and lower pixel densities offer higher image quality despite the lower resolution. | 2.95 x 2.21 mm (millimeters) 0.14 in (inches) |
| Pixel size The smaller pixel size of the photosensor allows more pixels per unit area, thereby increasing resolution. On the other hand, a smaller pixel size can have a negative impact on image quality at high ISO levels. | 1.136 µm (micrometers) 0.001136 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the dimensions of the full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the dimensions of the device's photosensor. The indicated number represents the ratio of the diagonals of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor of a particular device. | 11.74 |
| Diaphragm Aperture (f-number) is the size of the aperture opening that controls the amount of light reaching the photosensor. A lower f-number means the aperture opening is larger. | f/2 |
| Image Resolution Information about the maximum resolution of the additional camera when shooting. In most cases, the resolution of the secondary camera is lower than that of the main camera. | 2592 x 1944 pixels 5.04 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with an additional camera. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| 4-element lens Angle of view - 69° |
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.
| Browser Information about some of the main characteristics and standards supported by the device's browser. | HTML HTML5 CSS 3 |
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.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 3100 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used batteries in mobile devices. | Li-Ion (Lithium-ion) |
| 2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network. | 20 h (hours) 1200 min (minutes) 0.8 days |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 18 hours (hours) 1080 min (minutes) 0.8 days |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery. | Fixed |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| Head SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values. | 0.345 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard. | 0.928 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
The Chinese company Meizu began to produce new smartphone models much more actively. Just half a year after the Meizu M1 Note, its successor M2 Note was released. Our editor-in-chief was present at its presentation and already shared some impressions, and to the editor gg The smartphone has already been submitted for review. Meizu M2 Note is already sold along with its predecessor, there is information that M1 Note will soon disappear from the shelves. The M1 Note turned out to be a very interesting and successful smartphone considering its price, and it still is. You can read his review here. Let's see how the M2 Note differs from the M1?
What is this?
Meizu M2 Note is a smartphone with a large 5.5-inch display, a 64-bit eight-core processor, two gigabytes of RAM and the latest version of Android 5.1 Lollipop OS.
Why is he interesting?
Meizu M2 Note largely repeats its predecessor and received a similar price tag in our market, but there are still differences. The smartphone has a 5.5-inch FullHD display, a 64-bit eight-core MediaTek processor, 2 GB of RAM and 13 and 5 megapixel cameras, like its predecessor. There are two SIM card slots, this time of the nanoSIM standard, one of which can be used for MicroSD memory cards, which was not possible in the M1.
What does it look like?
In terms of design, the smartphone has changed little: the shape remains the same, the same polycarbonate is used, and the dimensions and weight remain virtually unchanged, except that the back cover has become a little flatter. A new color has appeared in the range: matte gray (similar to MX4 and MX4 Pro), but we got the white version. The changes affected the smartphone controls. Instead of a touch button under the screen, which served as a notification indicator, the M2 Note has a button with a built-in sensor and a metal edge. When touched, it acts as a back button, and when pressed, it acts as a Home button. A long press locks the smartphone. In the older MX5, it also has a fingerprint scanner built into it. The rest of the front panel is familiar: a large screen, a set of sensors, an indicator and a front camera under a sheet of protective glass. Above the screen is a speaker.
The LED indicator is located above the screen, like in the MX4 Pro:
The power button has moved from the top to the left, which is clearly more convenient. A paired volume rocker is also located here (the predecessor had separate buttons):
On the right side there is a tray for SIM cards and MicroSD:
The bottom design is similar to the M1 Note. It houses MicroUSB, a conversational microphone and four large external speaker holes. I didn't have the M1 on hand for comparison, but the speakers appear to be identical. The call melody sounds quite loud, but it cannot be said that it is of very high quality:
At the top end there is another microphone and a 3.5 mm headphone jack:
Non-removable polycarbonate back cover with Meizu logo and main camera:
The camera module with dual LED flash looks the same as in other current models of the company:
A mechanical button with a capacitive sensor, something similar was in the MX4 Pro, but there was also a fingerprint scanner. In the M2 Note, the tip has an oval shape and a metal side:
Tray for two nano-sized SIM cards, one of which can be used for a MicroSD memory card:
The smartphone is well assembled, nothing creaks, all the parts fit well as expected. Meizu M2 Note fits well in the hand and is quite compact in size for a smartphone with a 5.5-inch display. Since its predecessor, the smartphone has slightly changed the layout of its controls, which has a positive effect on ease of use. The power button has been moved to a better location, and the mechanical button under the screen is easy to use and takes very little time to get used to. In fact, the very first evening I used it, I used it without a second thought.
Is the screen good?
The M2 Note features the same 5.5-inch IGZO screen manufactured by Sharp using full lamination technology. Resolution is 1920x1080, standard aspect ratio is 16:9 and pixel density is 400.5 ppi. Gorilla Glass 3 with oleophobic coating is used instead AGC Dragontrail/NEG T2X-1. There is an oleophobic coating, but it is of lower quality than in the M1.The declared maximum brightness is 450 cd/m2. Visually, the screen remains of the same good quality. Of course, there is no air gap, viewing angles are maximum.
Even in the bright summer sun, the screen remains readable; there is a light sensor, it works quite adequately:
Multi-touch up to 10 touches supported:
The results of testing with a colorimeter showed close to the declared ones: the maximum brightness is 441.386 cd/m2, black field brightness is 0.659 cd/m2, and contrast is 670:1. The figures are slightly more modest than those of the M1 Note. Although it is worth considering that there may be different supplies and it is possible that the current batch of its predecessor has similar ones. The color rendition is slightly hampered by an overabundance of blue and a lack of red, but within reasonable limits the screen looks great to the eye.
The smartphone has the ability to adjust the color temperature, so you can adjust it more precisely.
Comparison with competitors:
| Device name | White field brightness, cd/m2 | The brightness of the black field, cd/m2 | Contrast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meizu M2 Note | 441.386 | 0.659 | 670:1 |
| Meizu M1 Note | 494.284 | 0.649 | 762:1 |
| Lenovo Vibe Z2 | 425.699 | 0.574 | 742:1 |
| Xiaomi Mi4 | 423.5 | 0.64 | 662:1 |
| HTC Desire Eye | 527.337 | 0.483 | 1092:1 |
How's the performance going?
It’s difficult to judge what the Meizu engineers were guided by, but in the M2 Note they decided to install a more modest 64-bit eight-core MediaTek MT6753 processor with ARM Cortex-A53 cores and graphics Mali T720 MP3, 450MHz (M1 Note was equipped with 64-bit octa-core MediaTek MT6752 at 1.7 GHz and Mali T760 MP2, 700 MHz). The amount of RAM remains the same: 2 GB. The shell “flies” on this hardware, all applications run perfectly, without any problems, but with games things are a little worse. Yes, most of them go well, but in the most resource-intensive ones (Mortal Kombat X in particular) there are very noticeable FPS drops. Modern Combat Blackout, UFC, Dead Trigger 2 and Implosion do not have this problem:
The FlymeOS shell provides a choice of system operating modes: Energy Saving, Balanced and Productive. Exactly the same as its predecessor:
I was pleasantly pleased that even under heavy loads the smartphone does not get too hot. Subjectively, the M1 Note was hotter. The smartphone has 16 GB of built-in memory, which won’t be enough for anyone - MicroSD memory cards up to 128 GB are supported. But in this case you will have to be content with only one SIM card.
Everything is fine with the GPS module, it quickly finds satellites, and the performance is not inferior to solutions from the same Qualcomm. Apparently, the manufacturer does not skimp on the quality of the antenna, as is the case with many Chinese:
The battery capacity has remained virtually unchanged: 3100 mAh. Given the more modest processor, one could hope for increased battery life. In reality this did not happen. Subjectively, this indicator seemed absolutely similar to its predecessor. With about 30 minutes of calls, 3-4 hours of Wi-Fi, 3 hours of 3G Internet, synchronization of a bunch of accounts and active communication using all sorts of messengers, the battery will last until the evening of the next day. If you add games and music, you can safely expect a full day of work from early morning until night.
The music component is similar to that in the M1 Note: the external speaker is quite loud and audible in most situations, although it is not of high quality, which is not too important: you should still listen to music with headphones. The sound quality in the headphones is of course significantly inferior to the MX4 Pro (which is one of the most advanced in this regard), but it sounds quite passable and most users will be satisfied. Functionally, the player has not changed:
For those who want to know more
Meizu M2 Note uses a fairly budget solution MediaTek MT6753 ( 64-bit, eight cores ARM Cortex-A53 clocked at 1.3 GHz and graphics Mali T720 MP3, 450MHz), RAM:2 GBLPDDR3-1600. As expected, the results of synthetic tests are more modest than in the M1 Note. In AnTuTu, the smartphone scores about 31,000 points versus 40,000 for its predecessor. Benchmark results:
Is the interface user-friendly?
The Meizu M2 Note is equipped with the latest version of Android 5.1 Lollipop OS, of which practically nothing remains: the Flyme OS version 4.5I shell is stretched on top, which leaves almost nothing of the original Android interface. Moreover, despite the new version, the shell is practically no different from previous versions, which were discussed in detail in the reviews of Meizu M1 Note, MX4 and MX4 Pro. The shell has become more stable, but no more; there are no significant innovations:
All widgets and applications are unloaded onto the desktop; swiping up from the bottom of the screen opens the recently launched applications manager:
The top curtain opens by swiping down anywhere on the screen. By moving again or clicking on the corresponding icon, its full version opens:
The Swype-like TouchPal keyboard is quite easy to use:
Gestures for unlocking the screen and launching applications are still there:
Set of pre-installed applications:
How are things going with the camera?
The main camera remains the same: a 13-megapixel matrix with back-illumination made by Samsung with dual LED flash with different color temperatures. The interface has not changed either:
Photos are of comparable quality to the M1 Note. Examples of photos. Standard Mode:
Video in FullHD:
Bottom line
The successor to the extremely successful Meizu M1 Note turned out to be an equally interesting smartphone, weaker in some ways and stronger in some ways than its successor. The M2 Note costs us the same as its predecessor, so while both are on sale, you can choose. In the near future, the M1 Note will disappear from sale. It has more powerful hardware for game lovers, while the M2 Note is more suitable for those who shoot a lot with a camera and listen to music from a smartphone (there is now support for MicroSD memory cards). Changing a touch button to a mechanical one is a more controversial issue, rather a matter of taste. Otherwise, the main advantages remain the same: a good display, a comfortable and high-quality case, a good shell and price. Smartphones still have no competitors in terms of price/quality ratio in their price segment.
4 reasons to buy Meizu M2 Note:
- Good screen;
- high-quality case;
- comfortable shell;
- price-quality ratio.
1 reason not to buy Meizu M2 Note:
- not the best performance.
| Specifications of Meizu M2 Note and comparison with M1 Note | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Meizu M2 Note | Meizu M1 Note |
| Display | IGZO, 5.5 inches, 1920x1080, AGC Dragontrail/NEG T2X-1 | IGZO, 5.5 inches, 1920x1080, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Frame | dimensions 150.9x75.2x8.7 mm, weight 149 g | dimensions 150.7x75.2x8.9 mm, weight 145 g |
| CPU | 64-bit MediaTek MT6753: eight cores ARM Cortex-A53 (ARMv8), frequency 1.3 GHz, Mali T720MP3 graphics | 64-bit MediaTek MT6752: eight cores ARM Cortex-A53 (ARMv8), frequency 1.7 GHz, Mali T760 MP2 graphics |
| RAM | 2 GB, LPDDR3-1600 | 2 GB, LPDDR3-1600 |
| Flash memory | 16/32 GB, microSD up to 128 GB | 16/32 GB, no memory card support |
| Camera | 13 MP, autofocus, two-color flash, 5 MP front camera | |
| Wireless technologies | ,Bluetooth 4.0LE | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac (dual band, 2.4 and 5 GHz),Bluetooth 4.0LE |
| GPS | GPS, Glonass | GPS, Glonass |
| Battery | 3100 mAh, non-removable | 3140 mAh, non-removable |
| operating system | Android 5.1 Lollipop + Flyme 4.5I | Android 4.4.4 + Flyme 4.2.0.3I |
| SIM card | nanoSIMx2 | microSIMx2 |
Meizu M2 Note is a bright and beautiful smartphone with a large screen. The gadget is aimed at young people who want to get a productive mobile device for little money. The official announcement of the device took place in June 2015.
Appearance and ergonomics
The elegant body of the Meizu M2 Note is made of high-quality polycarbonate. It uses the one-piece casting method, which creates a single strong and soft structure. Also inside there is a frame that strengthens the body, made of magnesium alloy. As for the polycarbonate itself, it has undergone additional processing. This enabled the device to look truly impressive, as the glossy body literally sparkles and shimmers in the sun. One of the interesting features of the model is the presence of the mBack navigation button, which is located under the display. On the bottom edge there is a microphone, a multimedia speaker and a microUSB connector. The top end received an additional microphone and audio jack. The device fits quite well in the hand, but its polished surface is quite slippery. Inside there is a 3100 mAh battery. Available colors: white, pink, blue and grey. Dimensions: height - 150.9 mm, thickness - 8.7 mm, width - 75.2 mm, weight - 149 g.
Display
The M2 Note is equipped with a 5.5-inch screen from Sharp/AUO, which is made using IGZO technology. Therefore, the display features low power consumption as well as stable quality. Excellent FHD resolution and increased pixel density make the image extremely detailed. Increased contrast makes the picture rich and juicy. This IPS matrix has good viewing angles. This screen is covered with AGC Dragontrail protective glass.
Hardware and performance
The M2 Note houses an eight-core MT6753 processor from MediaTek. All its cores operate at a frequency of 1300 MHz. There is a Mali-T720 MP3 3D accelerator, and the amount of built-in memory ranges from 16 GB to 32 GB (storage volume depends on the version). The device easily supports MicroSD cards up to 64 GB. There is 2 GB of LPDDR3 RAM, which operates in dual-channel mode. The Android 5 operating system is installed here, and there is also a Flyme 4.5 shell. In the AnTuTu test, the gadget scores just over 32,000 points. In real tasks there are no complaints about the performance of the smartphone. The exception is modern games, which run with noticeable slowdowns.
Communication and sound
The user will certainly be pleased with the high-quality sound of the external speaker in Meizu M2 Note. It is worth noting that its sound is not only clear, but also loud. The situation is similar with headphones. The device supports Bluetooth 4.0 and TD-LTE, FDD-LTE. The speaker is of good quality; the interlocutor can be heard clearly in many situations.
Camera
Meizu M2 Note received a 13-megapixel camera from Samsung. The advanced CMOS sensor is complemented by a two-color flash and protective glass Gorilla Glass 3. But the front 5-megapixel camera OmniVision OV5670 has at its disposal the FotoNation system, which significantly improves portrait photography.
conclusions
The budget smartphone M2 Note is recommended for purchase by fans of mobile devices with a large, high-quality screen. At the same time, the model has decent technical characteristics, as well as an attractive appearance. Contents: phone, documentation, power adapter, paper clip and USB cable.
Pros:
- Colorful and large display.
- Excellent sound quality.
- Bright and stylish design.
- There is a slot for memory cards.
- There is support for LTE, as well as two SIM cards.
Minuses:
- The glossy body is quite slippery.
- The graphics accelerator is not very suitable for games.
Specifications Meizu M2 Note
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Model | Meizu M2 Note, Meizu Blue Charm Note2 |
| Date of announcement and start of sales | June 2015 / June 2015 |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 150.9 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm. |
| Weight | 149 |
| Available colors | white, grey, blue, pink |
| operating system | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) + Flyme 4.5 |
| Connection | |
| Number and type of SIM cards | two hybrid, Nano-SIM, dual stand-by |
| Communication standard in 2G networks | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| Communication standard in 3G networks | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 TD-SCDMA |
| Communication standard in 4G networks | LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 7(2600), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500) |
| Carrier Compatibility | MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2, Yota |
| Data transfer | |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | yes, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | No |
| Infrared port | No |
| Platform | |
| CPU | eight-core Mediatek MT6753 (Octa-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP3 |
| Inner memory | 16 GB / 32 GB |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Ports and connectors | |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, USB Host |
| 3.5mm jack | There is |
| Memory card slot | microSD, up to 64 GB (combined with SIM 2 slot) |
| Display | |
| Display type | IGZO IPS LCD capacitive, 16M colors |
| Screen size | 5.5 inches (~72.8% of the front surface of the device) |
| Display protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass/Dinorex T2X-1 |
| Camera | |
| Main camera | 13 MP (f/2.2, 1/3″), autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash |
| Functionality of the main camera | Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Video recording | 1080p, 1080p@30fps |
| Front-camera | 5 MP (f/2.0, 1/5″, 1.12 µm), 1080p |
| Sensors | |
| Illuminance | There is |
| Approximations | There is |
| Gyroscope | There is |
| Compass | There is |
| Hall | No |
| Accelerometer | There is |
| Barometer | No |
| Fingerprint scanner | No |
| Battery | |
| Battery type and capacity | 3100 mAh |
| Battery mount | non-removable |
| Equipment | |
| Standard kit | M2 Note: 1 USB cable: 1 SIM tray eject clip: 1 User manual: 1 Warranty card: 1 Charger: 1 |
