Meizu 16s Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S10e: A Detailed Comparison of Two Compact Powerhouses

The Meizu 16s Pro and Samsung Galaxy S10e represent a fascinating intersection of design philosophies and hardware choices. Released around the same time, both aimed for the 'compact flagship' segment, but took different routes to get there. The S10e prioritized a refined, feature-rich experience with Samsung's ecosystem, while the 16s Pro focused on delivering raw performance at a competitive price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around usability and ecosystem integration, the Samsung Galaxy S10e remains a solid choice. However, the Meizu 16s Pro, equipped with the Snapdragon 855+, offers a noticeable performance advantage, particularly for demanding tasks and gaming, making it the winner for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 16s Pro Samsung Galaxy S10e
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global, USA
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2019, August. Released 2019, August2019, February 20. Released 2019, March 08
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions151.9 x 73.4 x 7.7 mm (5.98 x 2.89 x 0.30 in)142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm (5.60 x 2.75 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight166 g (5.86 oz)150 g (5.29 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2232 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~438 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)5.8 inches, 82.8 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDDynamic AMOLED, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M4 & 2x2.31 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA/LATAMOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) - USA/China
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Exynos 9820 (8 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/China
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Mali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAM Adreno 640 - USA/China
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Flyme 8Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, Super Steady video
FeaturesSix-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, 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@60fps (no EIS), 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20MP, f/2.210 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (USA & Canada only)
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging24W wired15W wired, PD2.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 3600 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsTwilight Forest, Dream Unicorn, Black Mirror, White storyPrism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow, Flamingo Pink
Models-SM-G970F, SM-G970U, SM-G970W, SM-G9700, SM-G970U1, SM-G970N, SM-G970X
PriceAbout 340 EURAbout 130 EUR
SAR-0.56 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.58 W/kg (head)     1.57 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: infinite
Loudspeaker- Voice 71dB / Noise 76dB / Ring 80dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 325192 (v7), 389694 (v8) GeekBench: 10081 (v4.4), 2141 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Meizu 16s Pro

  • Superior processing power with Snapdragon 855+
  • Faster 24W wired charging
  • Potentially cleaner software experience

  • Limited information on camera specs
  • No wireless charging

Samsung Galaxy S10e

  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Samsung's refined software and ecosystem integration
  • Compact and ergonomic design

  • Exynos 9820 (in some regions) may throttle under load
  • Slower 15W wired charging

Display Comparison

Both devices feature excellent displays with an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting OLED panels. However, specific details like peak brightness and color calibration are missing. The S10e's smaller 5.8-inch display likely contributes to a higher pixel density, potentially offering a sharper image. The Meizu 16s Pro's display size is not specified, but the focus on a bezel-less design suggests a similar immersive experience. Without further data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung's display expertise generally delivers industry-leading color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but details are limited to 'Photo / Video'. The absence of sensor size information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the market positioning suggests Samsung likely prioritized image processing and software features, while Meizu focused on hardware. The S10e's camera benefits from Samsung's well-regarded image processing algorithms, known for vibrant colors and dynamic range. The 2MP macro camera on the S10e is likely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit. Without detailed specs, it's difficult to assess the low-light performance or video capabilities of either device.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Meizu 16s Pro boasts the Snapdragon 855+, fabricated on a 7nm process, while the Galaxy S10e ships with either the Exynos 9820 (8nm) in EMEA/LATAM or the Snapdragon 855 (7nm) in USA/China. The 'Plus' variant of the Snapdragon 855 offers higher clock speeds (2.96 GHz vs 2.84 GHz) and improved thermal performance. This translates to sustained performance during prolonged gaming sessions and demanding tasks. The Exynos 9820, while capable, is generally known to throttle more aggressively under sustained load. For users in regions receiving the Snapdragon 855 variant of the S10e, the performance difference will be less pronounced, but the 855+ still holds an edge.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified). However, charging speeds differ significantly. The Meizu 16s Pro supports 24W wired charging, while the S10e offers 15W wired charging, 15W wireless charging (Qi), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The faster wired charging on the 16s Pro allows for quicker top-ups, while the S10e's wireless charging provides added convenience. The reverse wireless charging on the S10e is a niche feature, useful for charging accessories like earbuds.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 16s Pro if you need uncompromising performance for gaming or demanding applications and value a clean, near-stock Android experience. You'll benefit from the faster Snapdragon 855+ and 24W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10e if you prefer a more polished software experience, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and integration with the Samsung ecosystem, even if it means a slight performance trade-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9820 in the Galaxy S10e overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9820 is known to throttle more aggressively than the Snapdragon 855 and 855+ under sustained load. While it won't necessarily 'overheat' to the point of being unusable, you may experience frame rate drops and reduced performance during prolonged gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 855+ in the Meizu 16s Pro offers better thermal management.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy S10e actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on smartphones offer limited practical benefit. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While it can capture a close-up perspective, the image quality is often subpar compared to using the main camera with digital zoom.
❓ Does the Meizu 16s Pro support high frame rate gaming, like 90fps in PUBG?
The Snapdragon 855+ is capable of supporting high frame rate gaming, but whether PUBG specifically supports 90fps on the Meizu 16s Pro depends on the game's settings and optimization. The 16s Pro's powerful GPU should be able to handle higher frame rates at lower graphics settings.
❓ What are the software differences between Meizu's Flyme OS and Samsung's One UI?
Flyme OS, Meizu's custom Android skin, is known for its minimalist design and focus on customization. One UI, Samsung's skin, offers a more feature-rich and polished experience with a strong emphasis on usability and ecosystem integration. One UI is generally considered more stable and receives more frequent updates.