The Meizu 17 and 17 Pro represent a fascinating moment for the brand – a return to form with competitive flagship hardware. Both devices share the same Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, but diverge in areas like charging capabilities and potentially, display quality. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Meizu 17 Pro is the superior choice. While both phones offer identical processing power thanks to the Snapdragon 865, the Pro’s 27W wireless charging and potentially superior display panel justify the price premium, offering a more complete flagship experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 08. Released 2020, May 11 | 2020, May 08. Released 2020, May 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back, ceramic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 160 x 77.2 x 8.5 mm (6.30 x 3.04 x 0.33 in) | 160 x 77.2 x 8.5 mm (6.30 x 3.04 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 219 g (7.72 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, Flyme 8.1 | Android 10, Flyme 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | 5-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panorama | 5-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Triple | 64 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) | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, QC3, 45% in 30 min
27W wireless | 30W wired, QC3, 45% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint, Black, White | Green, Gray, Aurora White |
| Price | About 560 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Meizu 17 Pro
- Faster Wireless Charging (27W)
- Potentially Superior Display Quality
- Premium Build Quality (likely)
- Higher Price
- No significant performance advantage over the 17
Meizu 17
- Lower Price
- Identical Core Performance
- 30W Wired Charging
- Lacks Wireless Charging
- Potentially Inferior Display
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu 17 and 17 Pro utilize AMOLED panels, but specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy aren't provided. Given the 'Pro' designation, it's reasonable to assume the 17 Pro features a slightly higher quality panel, potentially with a higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests both likely operate at 60Hz, a common standard for the time. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, reflecting Meizu’s design language.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera system, but the sensor sizes and lens apertures are unknown. The absence of information suggests neither phone boasts a particularly groundbreaking camera system. The focus should be on image processing algorithms, which are unique to Meizu. The 2MP macro camera, common in this era, is unlikely to be a significant differentiator and should be considered a secondary feature.
Performance
The core performance is identical: both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+). The Octa-core CPU configuration – 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – is mirrored across both models. This means gaming, app loading, and multitasking will feel virtually indistinguishable. Thermal management will likely be similar, relying on the Snapdragon 865’s inherent thermal characteristics and Meizu’s cooling solution. The lack of LPDDR5x specification suggests standard LPDDR5 RAM is used, which is still very fast.
Battery Life
Both the Meizu 17 and 17 Pro support 30W wired charging with QC3, achieving 45% charge in 30 minutes. However, the Meizu 17 Pro gains a significant advantage with 27W wireless charging, a feature absent on the standard 17. This makes the Pro model considerably more convenient for users who frequently utilize wireless charging. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Pro model's wireless charging capability suggests a slightly larger battery to accommodate the power draw.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu 17 Pro if you prioritize fast wireless charging, and are willing to pay a slight premium for a potentially more refined display experience. Buy the Meizu 17 if you are budget-conscious and don't heavily rely on wireless charging, seeking a powerful Snapdragon 865 phone at a potentially lower price point. Both are excellent choices for users wanting a compact, high-performance Android device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in either phone struggle with sustained performance under heavy load?
The Snapdragon 865 is known to generate heat under prolonged stress. Both the Meizu 17 and 17 Pro will likely experience some throttling during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks. However, Meizu’s thermal management solution will mitigate this to some extent, providing a generally smooth experience.
❓ Is the 30W wired charging speed truly fast in today's market?
While 30W was considered fast in 2020, it's now mid-range. It will still charge the phone relatively quickly (45% in 30 minutes as stated), but newer phones offer significantly faster charging speeds (65W, 120W, etc.).
❓ What type of SIM card does the Meizu 17 series support?
Given the release timeframe, both devices likely support Nano-SIM cards. Dual SIM functionality was common in Meizu phones, but specific support should be verified before purchase.
