Released closely together, the Meizu 16 and 16 Plus represent a high point for the brand's focus on near-bezeless displays and powerful performance. Both leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, but cater to slightly different priorities. This comparison dissects the nuances between these two devices to determine which offers the best value and experience for today's user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Meizu 16 emerges as the slightly better choice. While the 16 Plus offers a marginally larger screen, the core experience – powered by the same Snapdragon 845 and 24W charging – is nearly identical, making the 16 a more sensible purchase given potential price differences.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, August. Released 2018, August | 2018, August. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.4 x 78.2 x 7.3 mm (6.31 x 3.08 x 0.29 in) | 150.5 x 73.2 x 7.3 mm (5.93 x 2.88 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 152 g (5.36 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~374 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 107.9 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 630 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), Flyme UI | Android 8.1 (Oreo), Flyme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.3", 1.55µm, dual pixel PDAF, 4-axis OIS
20 MP, f/2.6, 1/2.6", 1.0µm, AF | 12 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.55µm, dual pixel PDAF, 4-axis OIS
20 MP, f/2.6, 1/2.6", 1.0µm |
| Features | Laser AF, Six-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Six-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, SBAS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, SBAS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | 24W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3570 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3010 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Price | About 480 EUR | About 410 EUR |
Meizu 16 Plus
- Potentially larger display for immersive viewing
- May offer slightly better thermal management due to larger chassis
- Same flagship Snapdragon 845 performance
- Likely higher price point
- Larger size may be less comfortable for one-handed use
Meizu 16
- More compact and manageable form factor
- Potentially lower price point
- Same flagship Snapdragon 845 performance
- Smaller display may be less ideal for media consumption
- Potentially slightly warmer during prolonged intensive tasks
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu 16 Plus and Meizu 16 feature AMOLED displays, but specific details like resolution and peak brightness are not provided. However, given the emphasis on bezelless design, both likely prioritize high screen-to-body ratios. The Plus model's larger size suggests a potentially more immersive viewing experience, but without knowing the exact panel characteristics, it's difficult to quantify the difference. Color accuracy is likely similar, given Meizu's focus on display quality in this era.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature similar image processing algorithms. The 16 Plus, potentially having a larger body, *might* accommodate a slightly larger image sensor, leading to improved low-light performance. However, this is speculative. The absence of information regarding OIS or lens apertures makes a definitive assessment impossible. Any secondary cameras (ultra-wide, telephoto) are also unknown, hindering a comprehensive camera comparison.
Performance
The core performance is identical: both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (10nm) with an octa-core CPU configuration (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver). This means users will experience similar speeds in app loading, multitasking, and demanding games. Thermal management will likely be comparable, though the larger chassis of the 16 Plus *could* offer slightly better heat dissipation, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. The absence of information on RAM speed (LPDDR4X is probable) prevents a deeper analysis.
Battery Life
Both the Meizu 16 Plus and Meizu 16 support 24W wired charging, promising relatively quick top-ups. The battery capacity is not specified, but the larger size of the 16 Plus suggests a potentially larger battery. However, the efficiency of the Snapdragon 845 and software optimization will play a significant role in real-world battery life. The 24W charging speed should provide a 0-100% charge in approximately 90-120 minutes for both devices, assuming similar battery capacities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu 16 Plus if you prioritize a slightly larger display and are willing to pay a premium for it. Its larger screen real estate may be beneficial for media consumption and multitasking. Buy the Meizu 16 if you prefer a more compact form factor without sacrificing performance. It delivers the same Snapdragon 845 power in a more manageable size, offering excellent value for those who don't need the extra screen inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in gaming performance between the Meizu 16 and 16 Plus?
No, you likely won't. Both devices utilize the same Snapdragon 845 chipset and CPU configuration, meaning gaming performance will be virtually identical. Any minor differences would stem from thermal management, and the 16 Plus *might* sustain peak performance for slightly longer due to its larger chassis, but the difference will be minimal.
❓ Is the difference in screen size between the two models substantial enough to impact everyday use?
The difference will be noticeable, particularly when consuming media or multitasking. The Meizu 16 Plus offers more screen real estate, which can be beneficial for these tasks. However, if you prefer a more pocketable device, the Meizu 16's smaller size might be more appealing.
❓ Given the age of these phones, can I expect good software support and security updates?
Software support for these devices is likely limited at this point. Meizu's update track record has been inconsistent, and these phones are several years old. Expect minimal or no further major Android version updates, and security patches may be infrequent or nonexistent.
