The Meizu 16 and 16T represent a fascinating point in Android history – the tail end of the compact flagship era. Both devices aimed to deliver premium experiences without exorbitant price tags. However, the 16T arrived as a revision, swapping the Snapdragon 845 for the more advanced Snapdragon 855. This comparison dissects the real-world implications of that chipset change, alongside other key differences, to determine which phone offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Meizu 16T is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 855, built on a 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift and improved efficiency compared to the 10nm Snapdragon 845 in the Meizu 16. While the 16T’s 18W charging is slower than the 16’s 24W, the performance gains outweigh this compromise.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - Global | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 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 (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 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, October. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 73.2 x 7.3 mm (5.93 x 2.88 x 0.29 in) | 159.6 x 78.2 x 8.3 mm (6.28 x 3.08 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 152 g (5.36 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2232 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~382 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 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 |
| 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 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, 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 |
| 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 | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3010 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Orange, Blue, Green |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Meizu 16
- Faster 24W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point (depending on market)
- Established Snapdragon 845 performance
- Less efficient Snapdragon 845 processor
- Potential for more thermal throttling under sustained load
- Older chipset architecture
Meizu 16T
- More efficient Snapdragon 855 processor
- Improved performance in demanding tasks
- Better thermal management
- 7nm process node for longer battery life
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Potentially higher price point
- May not be a significant upgrade for casual users
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu 16 and 16T feature similar AMOLED displays, though detailed specs like peak brightness and color accuracy are not provided. The focus here is on the processors, not the display. However, the absence of high refresh rate panels (90Hz or 120Hz) is a commonality, placing both phones behind more modern offerings. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the design language of the time.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature similar camera setups targeting the mid-range to upper-mid-range segment of their time. The image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 855 ISP in the 16T *may* offer slightly improved image quality and faster processing times, but this is speculative without further data. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS prevents a more thorough analysis.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Meizu 16 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, a 10nm processor with an octa-core configuration peaking at 2.8 GHz. The 16T upgrades to the Snapdragon 855, fabricated on a more efficient 7nm process. This process node shrink translates to improved thermal performance and power efficiency. The 855’s Kryo 485 cores, with a peak clock speed of 2.84 GHz, offer architectural improvements over the 845’s Kryo 385 cores, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. Users engaging in graphically intensive games or demanding applications will experience smoother frame rates and reduced throttling on the 16T.
Battery Life
The Meizu 16 boasts 24W wired charging, while the 16T is limited to 18W. This means the 16 will charge faster from 0-100%. However, the Snapdragon 855’s improved efficiency in the 16T partially offsets this difference. While the 16T may take longer to fully charge, it will likely exhibit better battery life during typical usage due to the more efficient processor. The actual battery capacity of both devices is not provided, making a precise battery life comparison impossible.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu 16 if you prioritize faster wired charging and can find it at a significantly lower price. Its 24W charging is a tangible benefit for those who frequently top up their phones. Buy the Meizu 16T if you value sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and appreciate the efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 855, even with the slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Meizu 16T handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 is capable of running PUBG and Genshin Impact at high settings with playable frame rates. The 7nm process and improved architecture provide sufficient thermal headroom to maintain performance for extended gaming sessions, unlike the 845 which may experience more noticeable throttling.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed (24W vs 18W) significant in real-world use?
While the Meizu 16 charges faster, the difference isn't massive. Expect roughly 30-60 minutes faster full charge times with the 16. However, the 16T’s improved efficiency means it will likely drain slower during typical use, potentially negating the charging speed difference for many users.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 offer any benefits for video recording or editing?
The Snapdragon 855’s improved ISP (Image Signal Processor) can offer benefits in video recording, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and stabilization. It also accelerates video encoding and decoding, making video editing on the device smoother and faster.
