The Meizu 16 and 16s Pro represent a fascinating period for the brand – a focus on near-stock Android, premium build quality, and competitive pricing. While both phones share a similar aesthetic, the 16s Pro boasts a significant internal upgrade with the Snapdragon 855+ chipset. This comparison dissects the differences to help you determine if the newer model justifies the potential cost.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Meizu 16s Pro is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 855+ delivers a noticeable performance boost, particularly in demanding tasks and gaming, thanks to its 7nm process and higher clock speeds. While both charge at the same speed, the 855+'s efficiency provides a smoother, more sustained experience.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, August. Released 2018, August | 2019, August. Released 2019, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 73.2 x 7.3 mm (5.93 x 2.88 x 0.29 in) | 151.9 x 73.4 x 7.7 mm (5.98 x 2.89 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 152 g (5.36 oz) | 166 g (5.86 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2232 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~85.9% 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 (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 630 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), Flyme UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), Flyme 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 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 | Six-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
20MP, f/2.6, (telephoto), 1/2.8", 1.0µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm | 20MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, SBAS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 3010 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Twilight Forest, Dream Unicorn, Black Mirror, White story |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 340 EUR |
Meizu 16
- More affordable price point
- Still a capable performer for everyday tasks
- Premium build quality
- Snapdragon 845 is less efficient
- Lower peak performance compared to 855+
Meizu 16s Pro
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 855+ processor
- Improved power efficiency for longer battery life
- Better sustained performance during gaming
- Higher price tag
- Charging speed is identical to the Meizu 16
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu 16 and 16s Pro feature similar AMOLED displays, though specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy aren't provided. However, the core difference lies in the underlying chipset's ability to drive the display efficiently. The 855+ in the 16s Pro will likely result in slightly smoother animations and potentially better power management when displaying graphically intensive content. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device means the visual experience is focused on color reproduction and contrast.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the 855+’s improved image signal processor (ISP) in the 16s Pro likely contributes to faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The ISP handles noise reduction, dynamic range, and color accuracy. While both phones likely share similar sensor sizes and lens apertures, the 16s Pro benefits from the enhanced processing capabilities of the newer chipset, leading to more refined images. The absence of information on OIS makes it difficult to assess stabilization differences.
Performance
The jump from the Snapdragon 845 (10nm) to the Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) is the defining factor here. The 855+ features a Kryo 485 CPU with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, compared to the 845's 2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold core. This, combined with the smaller 7nm process, translates to a roughly 15-20% performance increase in CPU-bound tasks. More importantly, the 855+’s Adreno 640 GPU offers a substantial leap in graphics performance, benefiting gamers and users who engage in video editing. The 845 is still capable, but the 855+ offers significantly better thermal headroom, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 24W wired charging, meaning 0-100% charge times will be comparable. However, the Snapdragon 855+'s 7nm process is significantly more power-efficient than the 845's 10nm process. This translates to longer battery life for the 16s Pro, especially during demanding tasks. While the actual battery capacity isn't specified, the 855+'s efficiency means the 16s Pro will extract more usage from a similar-sized battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu 16 if you're seeking a capable flagship experience at a significantly lower price point, and your usage primarily revolves around everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The Snapdragon 845 remains a powerful chip. Buy the Meizu 16s Pro if you prioritize sustained performance for gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive applications, and you want the benefits of the more efficient Snapdragon 855+.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Meizu 16s Pro run demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855+ in the 16s Pro is well-equipped to handle Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games at high settings. The Adreno 640 GPU provides a substantial performance boost over the 845, and the 7nm process minimizes throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the performance difference between the 845 and 855+ noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference will be minimal. Both chips are more than capable of handling everyday usage. However, you'll notice the 855+'s advantage when multitasking, opening multiple apps, or performing more demanding operations like video editing.
❓ Does the Meizu 16s Pro get significantly hotter than the Meizu 16 during prolonged use?
The 855+ is more thermally efficient than the 845. While both phones will warm up during intensive tasks, the 16s Pro is less likely to experience significant throttling due to heat, maintaining higher sustained performance.
