The Lenovo Z6 Youth and Meizu 16Xs represent a fascinating intersection of value and performance from a bygone era of competitive Chinese smartphone manufacturing. Both devices aimed to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieving that goal, primarily through chipset selection. This comparison dissects those choices, focusing on the real-world implications for users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially slightly smoother everyday performance, the Meizu 16Xs emerges as the better choice. Its 24W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 675’s 11nm process offers a modest efficiency advantage over the Z6 Youth’s 10nm Snapdragon 710. However, the Z6 Youth remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2019, May. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 74.3 x 7.9 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 152 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm (5.98 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2232 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Flyme |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 48 MP, f/1.7, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 24W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Green | Carbon Black, Pearl White, Phantom Blue |
| Models | L38111 | - |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Lenovo Z6 Youth
- Potentially lower price point.
- Snapdragon 710 offers respectable performance for everyday tasks.
- Functional and reliable smartphone experience.
- Slower 15W charging.
- Snapdragon 710 is an older chipset.
- Likely less efficient than the Snapdragon 675.
Meizu 16Xs
- Faster 24W wired charging.
- More efficient Snapdragon 675 (11nm).
- Potentially better sustained performance due to improved thermal management.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Z6 Youth.
- Flyme OS may not appeal to all users.
- Camera performance is likely similar to the Z6 Youth.
Display Comparison
Neither Lenovo nor Meizu provided detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given the market segment, both likely utilized IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests both are limited to 60Hz. The real difference will likely lie in color calibration and peak brightness, areas where Meizu historically focused on delivering a visually pleasing experience. Without specific nit ratings, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Meizu’s brand reputation suggests a potentially more accurate and vibrant display.
Camera Comparison
Without sensor details, a direct camera comparison is challenging. Both phones likely featured multi-camera setups common in this price range. However, the absence of information suggests neither phone boasts a flagship-level camera experience. Image processing will be a key differentiator, with Meizu’s Flyme OS potentially offering more sophisticated algorithms. The focus should be on real-world image quality, rather than relying on megapixel counts, which are often inflated in this segment. The 675’s slightly more powerful ISP could provide a marginal advantage in image processing speed and quality.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Z6 Youth’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm) features a Kryo 360 CPU with a 2x2.2 GHz Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver configuration. The Meizu 16Xs utilizes the Snapdragon 675 (11nm) with a 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver setup. While clock speeds are similar, the 675’s newer architecture and 11nm process offer a slight efficiency advantage. This translates to potentially better sustained performance under load and reduced thermal throttling. The 675 also benefits from an improved GPU, making it the better choice for casual gaming. The Z6 Youth’s 710 is still capable, but the 675 offers a more modern foundation.
Battery Life
The Meizu 16Xs’s 24W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Lenovo Z6 Youth’s 15W charging. This difference translates to substantially faster top-up times, a critical benefit for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the 16Xs effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The 11nm process of the Snapdragon 675 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life during moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Z6 Youth if you need a functional smartphone at the absolute lowest possible price point and aren't concerned with rapid charging or demanding gaming. Buy the Meizu 16Xs if you prioritize faster charging speeds, a potentially more refined user experience (based on Meizu’s Flyme OS), and a slightly more modern chipset architecture, even if the performance gains aren't massive.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the Meizu 16Xs handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It’s not a dedicated gaming chipset, but it offers a noticeable improvement over the Snapdragon 710 in terms of GPU performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Lenovo Z6 Youth with its 15W charger?
Given the 15W charging rate and assuming a battery capacity around 3500-4000mAh (typical for this segment), a full charge from 0% will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is significantly slower than the Meizu 16Xs.
❓ Is Flyme OS on the Meizu 16Xs significantly different from stock Android?
Yes, Flyme OS is a heavily customized version of Android. It features a unique design language, extensive customization options, and a different approach to system management. Some users appreciate its features, while others prefer the simplicity of stock Android.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 710 in the Lenovo Z6 Youth experience significant throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 710 is prone to some throttling under sustained load due to its 10nm process and limited thermal headroom. While it won't shut down completely, you may experience frame rate drops and reduced performance after extended gaming.
