Meizu 17 Pro vs Huawei Mate 30: A Detailed Performance and Feature Comparison

Released in 2020, both the Meizu 17 Pro and Huawei Mate 30 represent a peak in Android flagship design before major supply chain disruptions. While both devices aimed for premium experiences, they took different paths – the Meizu prioritizing raw speed with a Snapdragon 865, and the Huawei focusing on camera innovation with its in-house Kirin 990. This comparison revisits these phones in 2024, analyzing which holds up better for today’s user.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user in 2024, the Meizu 17 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 865 offers a more consistently powerful experience, particularly in sustained workloads, and benefits from wider software support. While the Mate 30’s camera is excellent, the lack of Google Mobile Services remains a significant drawback for many.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 17 Pro Huawei Mate 30
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
5G bands41, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2020, May 08. Released 2020, May 112019, September. Released 2019, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, ceramic frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions160 x 77.2 x 8.5 mm (6.30 x 3.04 x 0.33 in)160.8 x 76.1 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight219 g (7.72 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~389 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 107.6 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ)OLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Kirin 990 (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Mali-G76 MP16
OSAndroid 10, Flyme 8.1Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
Features5-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF 32 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 129˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth)40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.54", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.8µm24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, QC3, 45% in 30 min 27W wireless40W wired 27W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsMint, Black, WhiteBlack, Space Silver, Cosmic Purple, Emerald Green
Models-TAS-L09, TAS-L29, TAS-AL00, TAS-TL00
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 550 EUR

Meizu 17 Pro

  • Superior sustained performance with Snapdragon 865
  • Full Google Mobile Services support
  • Wider 5G compatibility
  • Clean Android experience

  • Slower wired charging (30W vs 40W)
  • Camera not as refined as the Mate 30

Huawei Mate 30

  • Faster wired charging (40W)
  • Excellent camera system with strong low-light performance
  • Reverse wireless charging
  • Huawei’s unique camera processing style

  • Lacks Google Mobile Services
  • Kirin 990 may throttle under sustained load
  • Software ecosystem limitations

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts cutting-edge display technology by 2024 standards, but both offer solid viewing experiences. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits) are unavailable, both utilize 7nm+ fabrication processes which indirectly contribute to power efficiency and potentially better display performance. The focus here is on the overall experience; both likely offer vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The absence of high refresh rate panels (90Hz or 120Hz) is a noticeable omission compared to later flagships, but typical for the 2020 timeframe.

Camera Comparison

The Huawei Mate 30 is renowned for its camera capabilities, though detailed sensor specifications are limited. It excels in low-light photography and offers a versatile zoom range. The Meizu 17 Pro, while capable, doesn’t quite reach the same level of image processing sophistication. The Mate 30’s image processing leans towards vibrant, saturated colors, while the Meizu 17 Pro aims for a more natural look. The absence of detailed sensor size information makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Mate 30’s reputation suggests a larger main sensor and more advanced computational photography algorithms.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Meizu 17 Pro’s Snapdragon 865, built on a 7nm+ process, features an octa-core configuration with a prime Cortex-A77 clocked at 2.84 GHz. This is paired with three more Cortex-A77 cores at 2.42 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.80 GHz. The Huawei Mate 30’s Kirin 990, also on 7nm+, employs a different core arrangement: two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.86 GHz, two more Cortex-A76 cores at 2.09 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.86 GHz. While clock speeds are similar, the Snapdragon 865 generally exhibits superior GPU performance and sustained CPU performance due to Qualcomm’s optimizations and thermal design. The Snapdragon 865 also has a built-in 5G modem, offering broader compatibility than the Mate 30’s 5G implementation (which may require an external modem in some regions).

Battery Life

Both phones offer 27W wireless charging, a competitive feature for the time. The Mate 30 boasts 40W wired charging, providing a faster 0-100% charge compared to the Meizu 17 Pro’s 30W wired charging. However, the actual real-world impact depends on battery capacity (which isn’t specified in the provided data). The Mate 30 also includes reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other devices wirelessly – a feature absent on the Meizu 17 Pro. The faster wired charging of the Mate 30 is a clear advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 17 Pro if you prioritize consistent performance for gaming and demanding applications, and require access to the full Google ecosystem. It’s ideal for users who value a clean Android experience and future-proof 5G connectivity. Buy the Huawei Mate 30 if you are deeply invested in the Huawei ecosystem, prioritize camera versatility above all else, and are comfortable operating without Google Play Services, relying instead on Huawei’s AppGallery.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the lack of Google Play Services on the Huawei Mate 30 significantly impact usability?
Yes, the absence of Google Play Services is a major consideration. While Huawei’s AppGallery has grown, it still lacks many popular apps. Users will need to sideload apps or rely on alternative app stores, which can be inconvenient and pose security risks.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 865 in the Meizu 17 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 865 in the Meizu 17 Pro provides a smooth gaming experience, even with graphically intensive titles. While it may not match the performance of newer chipsets, it’s capable of running most games at high settings with stable frame rates. The improved thermal management of the Snapdragon 865 also helps prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 27W wireless charging on both phones truly fast in 2024?
While 27W wireless charging was competitive in 2020, it’s relatively slow compared to the 50W+ wireless charging available on many modern flagships. Expect a full wireless charge to take around 1.5-2 hours on both devices.
❓ Which phone is better for long-term software support?
The Meizu 17 Pro is likely to receive more consistent software updates, even if they are community-driven. Huawei’s software support for devices without Google Play Services can be limited, and future updates may be less frequent.