The Meizu 16T and Honor 20 Pro represent a fascinating intersection of flagship ambition and value pricing. Released around the same time, both devices aimed to deliver a premium experience without the top-tier price tag. Today, as both phones are available at significantly reduced costs, the question of which offers the better deal is more relevant than ever. This comparison dives deep into their core components to determine which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a streamlined experience, the Meizu 16T emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset provides a noticeable edge in demanding tasks, while the Honor 20 Pro counters with slightly faster charging and comparable battery endurance. However, the Meizu's cleaner software and more focused feature set give it a slight advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2019, May. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.6 x 78.2 x 8.3 mm (6.28 x 3.08 x 0.33 in) | 154.6 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2232 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~382 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Flyme 8 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.4, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro) |
| 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@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 22.5W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange, Blue, Green | Phantom Blue, Phantom Black, Icelandic Illusion |
| Models | - | YAL-AL10, YAL-L41 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -46.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 104h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB |
Meizu 16T
- Superior gaming performance with Snapdragon 855
- Potentially cleaner software experience
- Strong CPU performance for everyday tasks
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Limited camera information
- Battery capacity unknown
Honor 20 Pro
- Excellent battery endurance (104h rating)
- Faster charging (22.5W, 50% in 30min)
- Potentially more versatile camera system
- Kirin 980 may exhibit thermal throttling
- Software potentially bloated with features
- GPU performance lags behind Snapdragon 855
Display Comparison
The Honor 20 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 507 nits and a 1222:1 contrast ratio, indicating a vibrant and readable display. However, the Meizu 16T’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. Given Meizu’s focus on visual aesthetics, it’s reasonable to assume a comparable panel quality. The Honor 20 Pro’s contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks, potentially enhancing media consumption. Without knowing the Meizu 16T’s panel technology (OLED vs LCD) or color accuracy, the Honor 20 Pro holds a slight edge based on available data.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised as having strong camera capabilities, but specifics are limited. The Honor 20 Pro’s camera system is described as offering both photo and video capabilities, but details regarding sensor size, aperture, and OIS are absent. The Meizu 16T’s camera specs are similarly vague. Without concrete information, it’s difficult to assess which phone offers superior image quality. However, given Honor’s historical emphasis on camera technology, it’s likely the 20 Pro offers more advanced features and potentially better image processing. The absence of details regarding the Meizu 16T’s camera suggests it may not be a primary selling point.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets: the Meizu 16T utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm), while the Honor 20 Pro features the Kirin 980 (7nm). While both are 7nm processors, the Snapdragon 855 generally exhibits superior GPU performance, making it more suitable for graphically intensive gaming. The Snapdragon 855’s Kryo 485 cores, with their tiered clock speeds (2.84 GHz, 2.42 GHz, 1.78 GHz), are designed for efficient task allocation. The Kirin 980’s octa-core configuration (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76, 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) offers a different approach, prioritizing a balance between performance and power efficiency. The Snapdragon 855’s Adreno 640 GPU is a significant advantage for gamers. Thermal management is a key consideration; the Kirin 980 has been known to exhibit some throttling under sustained load, while the Snapdragon 855, though also capable of heating up, generally manages thermals more effectively.
Battery Life
The Honor 20 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating excellent battery life. It also supports 22.5W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The Meizu 16T, in contrast, offers only 18W wired charging. While the Meizu 16T’s battery capacity is unknown, the Honor 20 Pro’s faster charging and proven endurance give it a clear advantage for users who prioritize minimizing downtime. The 22.5W charging on the Honor 20 Pro translates to a significantly quicker top-up compared to the Meizu 16T’s 18W solution.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu 16T if you need a phone primarily for gaming, demanding applications, or prefer a cleaner, less cluttered software experience. The Snapdragon 855 offers a robust performance profile. Buy the Honor 20 Pro if you prioritize camera versatility, slightly faster charging speeds, and a more feature-rich (though potentially bloated) software experience. The Honor 20 Pro’s endurance rating is also a plus for heavy users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 980 in the Honor 20 Pro prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 980, while a capable chipset, has been known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained heavy load, such as prolonged gaming. This means performance may decrease over time as the phone heats up. While not a deal-breaker, it's a factor to consider for avid mobile gamers.
❓ Does the Meizu 16T support popular gaming titles like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (90fps)?
The Snapdragon 855 in the Meizu 16T is more than capable of handling PUBG Mobile at high frame rates, potentially up to 90fps depending on the game settings and optimization. The Adreno 640 GPU provides the necessary graphical horsepower for a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Meizu 16T and the Honor 20 Pro?
Meizu's Flyme OS is known for its minimalist design and focus on customization, offering a relatively clean Android experience. Honor's Magic UI, based on EMUI, tends to be more feature-rich but can also include pre-installed apps and a more cluttered interface. Users who prefer a streamlined experience may lean towards the Meizu 16T.
❓ What type of charging protocol does the Meizu 16T use, and is it compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
The Meizu 16T supports 18W wired charging, but the specific charging protocol isn't explicitly stated. It's likely to support Quick Charge, but compatibility with Power Delivery (PD) chargers is uncertain. Using a PD charger may still work, but at a slower charging speed.
