Meizu 16s Pro vs Google Pixel 5: A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown

The Meizu 16s Pro, released in 2019, represented a peak in aggressively priced flagships. Now, with the Google Pixel 5 available at increasingly competitive prices, the question arises: can Google’s software optimization and 5G connectivity overcome the Meizu’s older, but more powerful, chipset? This comparison dives deep into the core differences to help you choose.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a smooth, reliable experience and long-term software support, the Google Pixel 5 is the better choice. While the Meizu 16s Pro boasts a more potent Snapdragon 855+ processor, the Pixel 5’s optimized software, 5G connectivity, and superior battery management deliver a more consistently enjoyable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 16s Pro Google Pixel 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - GD1YQ
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - GTT9Q
Launch
Announced2019, August. Released 2019, August2020, September 30
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, October 15
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions151.9 x 73.4 x 7.7 mm (5.98 x 2.89 x 0.30 in)144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight166 g (5.86 oz)151 g (5.33 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2232 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Adreno 620
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Flyme 8Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesSix-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Triple48 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-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20MP, f/2.28 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging24W wired18W wired, PD2.0 12W wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 3600 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4080 mAh
Misc
ColorsTwilight Forest, Dream Unicorn, Black Mirror, White storyJust Black, Sorta Sage
Models-GD1YQ, GTT9Q, G5NZ6
PriceAbout 340 EUR€ 181.31 / $ 272.44 / £ 136.00
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM-$ 194.84
RENEWED-$ 253.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 95h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)

Meizu 16s Pro

  • More powerful Snapdragon 855+ processor
  • Potentially faster charging speed (24W)
  • Aggressive pricing for its hardware

  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Less refined software experience
  • Uncertainty regarding long-term software support

Google Pixel 5

  • Clean and optimized Android experience
  • Excellent camera performance with computational photography
  • 5G connectivity for future-proof networking
  • Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 765G processor
  • Slower wired charging speed (18W)
  • May be slightly more expensive depending on retailer

Display Comparison

The Google Pixel 5’s 6.0-inch display achieves a measured peak brightness of 699 nits, providing excellent visibility in outdoor conditions. While the Meizu 16s Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, its market positioning suggests a comparable OLED panel. However, the Pixel 5’s infinite contrast ratio (typical of OLED) ensures deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Pixel 5’s display is likely to offer a more refined viewing experience due to Google’s color calibration and image processing, and the absence of PWM dimming concerns often found in older OLED panels.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 5 is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms to deliver consistently excellent photos, even in challenging lighting conditions. While the Meizu 16s Pro’s camera specifications are not detailed, it likely features a capable sensor. However, the Pixel 5’s software-driven image processing, including features like Night Sight and Super Res Zoom, provides a significant advantage. The Pixel 5’s focus on image quality over sheer megapixel count results in more usable and aesthetically pleasing photos. The absence of a telephoto lens on the Pixel 5 is offset by its excellent digital zoom capabilities.

Performance

The Meizu 16s Pro’s Snapdragon 855+ chipset, built on a 7nm process, offers significantly higher theoretical performance than the Pixel 5’s Snapdragon 765G (also 7nm). The 855+ features an octa-core CPU with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, compared to the 765G’s 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Meizu. However, the 765G’s integrated 5G modem provides future-proof connectivity, a feature absent in the 16s Pro. The Pixel 5’s software optimization mitigates the chipset difference, providing a fluid user experience for everyday tasks. The 8GB of RAM in both devices is sufficient for most users, but the 855+'s superior GPU will be noticeable in demanding games.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an impressive endurance rating of 95 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the Meizu). The Pixel 5’s 18W wired charging with PD2.0, 12W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wired charging offer greater versatility than the Meizu 16s Pro’s 24W wired charging. The Pixel 5’s more efficient chipset and software optimization contribute to its excellent battery performance, allowing it to consistently deliver all-day battery life even with moderate to heavy usage. The addition of wireless charging is a significant convenience factor for Pixel 5 users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 16s Pro if you absolutely need maximum raw processing power for demanding tasks like video editing or consistently high frame rates in graphically intensive games, and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. Buy the Google Pixel 5 if you prioritize a clean Android experience, excellent camera performance, reliable battery life, and future-proof 5G connectivity, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While not as powerful as the Snapdragon 855+ in the Meizu 16s Pro, the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5 can handle Genshin Impact at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Google’s software optimizations and thermal management help to maintain consistent performance during extended gaming sessions. However, users seeking the highest possible frame rates and graphics settings may prefer the Meizu 16s Pro.
❓ How does the Pixel 5's software update commitment compare to Meizu's support for the 16s Pro?
Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 5, ensuring long-term software support and security. Meizu’s update track record is less consistent, and the 16s Pro is unlikely to receive major Android updates beyond what it currently has. This makes the Pixel 5 a more secure and future-proof option.
❓ Is the 24W charging on the Meizu 16s Pro significantly faster in real-world use than the Pixel 5's 18W charging?
While 24W is numerically higher, the difference in charging speed between the Meizu 16s Pro and the Pixel 5 is not substantial in real-world use. The Pixel 5’s PD2.0 support and optimized charging algorithms contribute to efficient charging, minimizing the gap. Both phones will fully charge in a comparable timeframe.