Meizu 16s vs OnePlus 7: A Deep Dive into 2019 Flagship Performance

The Meizu 16s and OnePlus 7 represent a fascinating intersection of design philosophies and performance priorities from 2019. Both devices leveraged the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, but targeted different user bases. The Meizu 16s aimed for a premium, compact experience, while the OnePlus 7 focused on delivering flagship performance at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone holds up better today.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user seeking a balance of performance and value, the OnePlus 7 emerges as the slightly better choice. While the Meizu 16s offers a refined design, the OnePlus 7’s comparable performance, coupled with its endurance rating of 102 hours, provides a more practical and long-lasting experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 16s OnePlus 7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMACDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, April. Released 2019, April2019, May 14. Released 2019, June 04
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions151.9 x 73.4 x 7.6 mm (5.98 x 2.89 x 0.30 in)157.7 x 74.8 x 8.2 mm (6.21 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight165 g (5.82 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2232 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 97.2 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.41 inches, 100.9 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDOptic AMOLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Flyme 7.3Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 20MP, f/2.6, (telephoto), PDAF48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS Auxiliary lens
FeaturesSix-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20MP, f/2.216 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
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, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging24W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 3600 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsCarbon Black, Pearl White, Phantom BlueMirror Gray, Red, Mirror Blue
Models-GM1901, GM1900, GM1905, GM1903
PriceAbout 420 EURAbout 400 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 82dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 367812 (v7) GeekBench: 11075 (v4.4) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Meizu 16s

  • Potentially more compact design
  • Faster wired charging (24W)
  • Premium build quality (assumed based on brand reputation)

  • Unknown battery capacity and endurance
  • Limited display brightness information
  • Potentially less optimized software

OnePlus 7

  • Excellent battery life (102h endurance)
  • Brighter display (642 nits)
  • Optimized software for performance

  • Slightly slower wired charging (20W)
  • Larger form factor
  • Less emphasis on premium aesthetics

Display Comparison

Both the Meizu 16s and OnePlus 7 feature displays designed for immersive content consumption, but differ in key areas. The OnePlus 7 boasts a measured peak brightness of 642 nits, significantly brighter than what is known about the Meizu 16s, making it more usable in direct sunlight. While the OnePlus 7’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘infinite’ (typical for OLED), the lack of specific details on the Meizu 16s’ panel technology leaves the OnePlus 7 with a clear advantage for outdoor visibility. The absence of refresh rate data for both devices means we can't compare smoothness, but both would have been standard 60Hz panels for the time.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details for either device, a definitive comparison is difficult. The absence of information suggests neither phone was a standout camera performer compared to competitors at the time. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on many phones of this era is likely present on at least one of these devices, but its utility is minimal due to the small sensor size and limited dynamic range.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485). This means raw processing power is virtually identical. However, thermal management and sustained performance could differ. The OnePlus 7, known for its optimized software, likely benefits from more efficient thermal throttling, allowing it to maintain peak performance for longer durations during demanding tasks. The lack of RAM specifications for the Meizu 16s prevents a direct comparison, but the OnePlus 7’s RAM configuration would have been a key factor in multitasking performance.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 7 holds a significant advantage in battery endurance, boasting a 102-hour rating. While the Meizu 16s’ battery capacity is unknown, the OnePlus 7’s larger endurance rating suggests a more efficient power management system or a larger battery. The OnePlus 7’s 20W wired charging is slightly slower than the Meizu 16s’ 24W wired charging, but the difference in charging speed is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use, especially considering the OnePlus 7’s superior battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 16s if you prioritize a compact form factor and a more premium aesthetic, and are willing to potentially compromise on battery life. Buy the OnePlus 7 if you value all-day battery life, a brighter display, and a more aggressive price point, even if it means a slightly larger device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in either phone show significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While both phones utilize the Snapdragon 855, the OnePlus 7 likely exhibits less throttling due to OnePlus’s software optimizations and potentially more effective thermal management. Sustained performance is crucial for gaming, and OnePlus has a history of prioritizing this.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed (24W vs 20W) between the Meizu 16s and OnePlus 7 noticeable in real-world use?
The 4W difference in charging speed is unlikely to be dramatically noticeable. Both phones offer relatively fast charging, and the OnePlus 7’s superior battery life means you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently, mitigating the impact of the slightly slower charging speed.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Meizu 16s and OnePlus 7?
The OnePlus 7 runs OxygenOS, known for its clean interface, minimal bloatware, and frequent updates. Meizu’s Flyme OS, while visually distinct, historically received less consistent updates and had a more customized (and sometimes polarizing) user experience.