Released around the same time, the Meizu 16T and Huawei nova 5T represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market. Both aimed to deliver flagship-level performance without the flagship price tag, but they took different approaches. The Meizu 16T leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, while the Huawei nova 5T opts for Huawei’s in-house Kirin 980 chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw processing power and sustained performance, the Meizu 16T emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 855, while older, generally offers a more consistent experience, particularly in demanding tasks. However, the Huawei nova 5T’s faster charging and potentially more refined software experience make it a strong contender for those valuing convenience.
| 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, August 27. Released 2019, September 05 |
| 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) | 154.3 x 74 x 7.8 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 174 g (6.14 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 (~84.2% 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), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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 |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| 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 24 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange, Blue, Green | Black, Crush Blue, Midsummer Purple, Crush Green |
| Models | - | YAL-L21, YAL-L61, YAL-L71, YAL-L61D |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 313024 (v7), 395503 (v8)
GeekBench: 10013 (v4.4), 2504 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu 16T
- Stronger overall CPU and GPU performance with the Snapdragon 855
- Potentially better sustained performance due to Qualcomm’s thermal management
- More consistent gaming experience
- Slower 18W charging
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
Huawei nova 5T
- Faster 22.5W charging with 50% charge in 24 minutes
- Potentially more refined software experience with EMUI
- Strong multi-core CPU performance with the Kirin 980
- Generally lower GPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 855
- Sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display by today’s standards, but both are adequate for their price point. Specifics regarding panel type (AMOLED vs IPS) and resolution are missing, but both likely feature FHD+ displays. The key difference lies in charging; the nova 5T’s 22.5W charging is significantly faster than the 16T’s 18W, impacting daily usability for power users. While display quality is likely comparable, the faster charging of the nova 5T provides a tangible benefit.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are limited, but both phones likely feature multi-camera setups. The focus should be on the main sensor and image processing. Without specific sensor sizes, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, Huawei’s image processing is generally known for its vibrant, sometimes oversaturated, results, while Meizu tends towards a more natural look. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the main sensor would be a significant differentiator, but this information is unavailable. The inclusion of low-resolution auxiliary sensors (often 2MP) on both devices is largely marketing fluff and shouldn’t heavily influence the decision.
Performance
The core of this comparison lies in the chipset battle: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) versus Huawei’s Kirin 980 (7nm). The Snapdragon 855 utilizes a Kryo 485 architecture with a 2.84 GHz prime core, while the Kirin 980 employs a combination of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores, peaking at 2.6 GHz. While clock speeds are close, the Snapdragon 855 generally exhibits superior sustained performance due to Qualcomm’s more mature process optimization and GPU. The Kirin 980’s CPU architecture is strong, but the Snapdragon 855’s Adreno 640 GPU provides a noticeable advantage in graphics-intensive tasks. Thermal management will be crucial; the Snapdragon 855 is known to run warm, but the 7nm process helps mitigate throttling. The nova 5T’s CPU configuration (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) suggests a focus on multi-core performance, but the Snapdragon 855’s single-core performance is typically higher.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely feature batteries in the 3500-4000 mAh range. The critical difference is charging speed. The Huawei nova 5T’s 22.5W charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in 24 minutes, is a substantial advantage over the Meizu 16T’s 18W charging. This faster charging significantly reduces downtime and improves the overall user experience, especially for those who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost. While a larger battery capacity is beneficial, faster charging can often compensate for a slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu 16T if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications with consistent performance, and you don't mind potentially slower charging. Buy the Huawei nova 5T if you prioritize faster charging speeds, a potentially more polished software experience (depending on your preference for EMUI), and are less concerned with absolute peak performance in sustained workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 980 in the Huawei nova 5T overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Kirin 980 is a capable chipset, but it's known to be more susceptible to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 855. While it can handle most games, extended gaming sessions at high settings may lead to reduced performance as the phone attempts to manage heat. The Meizu 16T, with its Snapdragon 855, generally offers better sustained performance in demanding games.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Meizu 16T noticeably slower than the 22.5W charging on the Huawei nova 5T in real-world use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Huawei nova 5T’s 22.5W charging can add a significant amount of battery life in a short period, reaching 50% in just 24 minutes. The Meizu 16T’s 18W charging will take considerably longer to achieve the same level of charge, making the nova 5T a better choice for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does either phone support Game Mode or similar gaming optimization features?
Both Huawei and Meizu typically include gaming modes in their software. Huawei’s EMUI often features a dedicated Game Suite with performance optimization and notification blocking. Meizu’s Flyme OS also includes gaming enhancements, though the specifics may vary. These modes can help improve gaming performance by prioritizing system resources.
