Meizu 18 Pro vs Realme GT Neo2: A Detailed Comparison of Snapdragon Powerhouses

The Meizu 18 Pro, representing a shrinking breed of compact flagships, faces off against the Realme GT Neo2, a mid-range champion known for its aggressive pricing and fast charging. Both devices leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon silicon, but at different tiers. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between the flagship Snapdragon 888 in the Meizu and the high-midrange Snapdragon 870 in the Realme, helping you determine which phone best suits your priorities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme GT Neo2 offers a more compelling package. Its 65W charging, achieving a full charge in just 36 minutes, significantly outperforms the Meizu 18 Pro’s 40W charging. While the Meizu boasts the more powerful Snapdragon 888, the 870 in the GT Neo2 provides excellent performance with potentially better sustained performance due to thermal advantages.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 18 Pro Realme GT Neo2
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, March 03. Released 2021, March 082021, September 22
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, September 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions162.5 x 73 x 8.1 mm (6.40 x 2.87 x 0.32 in)162.9 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)199.8 g (7.05 oz)
 Waterproof-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 107.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 420 nits (typ), 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, Flyme 9Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom 32 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 130˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single44 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.65”, 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 40% in 15 min, 100% in 50 min 40W wireless 10W reverse wireless65W wired, 100% in 36 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, White, GrayNeo Black, Neo Blue, Neo Green
Models-RMX3370
PriceAbout 640 EURAbout 980 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 111h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 726039 (v9) GeekBench: 3185 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Meizu 18 Pro

  • More powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
  • Wireless charging support (40W)
  • Reverse wireless charging support (10W)
  • Potentially more premium build quality

  • Slower charging speed (40W wired)
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Likely higher price point

Realme GT Neo2

  • Significantly faster charging (65W wired)
  • Brighter display (659 nits)
  • More efficient Snapdragon 870 processor
  • Generally lower price

  • No wireless charging support
  • Less powerful processor compared to the 888

Display Comparison

The Realme GT Neo2 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 659 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Meizu 18 Pro. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the GT Neo2’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The Meizu 18 Pro’s display quality is likely excellent, given Meizu’s history, but the Realme has a clear advantage in raw luminance. We lack PWM frequency data for both, making it difficult to assess flicker-related eye strain potential.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The absence of specific details prevents a thorough analysis. We can assume both phones offer standard photo and video capabilities. Without knowing the main sensor resolution, aperture, or the presence of OIS, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. The Realme GT Neo2’s camera system is likely tuned for vibrant, social media-ready images, while Meizu typically aims for more natural color reproduction. The lack of information on secondary sensors (ultrawide, macro) makes a comprehensive comparison impossible.

Performance

The Meizu 18 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) offers a theoretical performance advantage over the Realme GT Neo2’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz, is faster than the 870’s Kryo 585 prime core at 3.2 GHz. However, the 870’s more efficient 7nm process and larger die area often result in better sustained performance under heavy load, mitigating the raw clock speed difference. Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs with similar mid and efficiency core configurations. The Meizu 18 Pro’s GPU will deliver higher peak graphics performance, but the GT Neo2’s 870 is no slouch, and its thermal profile may allow for more consistent frame rates during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 111 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the Meizu 18 Pro’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Realme GT Neo2’s 65W wired charging can fully charge the device in just 36 minutes, a significant advantage over the Meizu 18 Pro’s 40W charging, which takes 50 minutes to reach 100%. The Meizu 18 Pro also offers 40W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the GT Neo2. This makes the Meizu more versatile for wireless charging users, but the GT Neo2’s wired charging speed is a game-changer for those who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 18 Pro if you prioritize a more premium build quality, a compact form factor, and absolutely need the peak performance offered by the Snapdragon 888, even if it comes with potential thermal throttling. Buy the Realme GT Neo2 if you value fast charging, a brighter display, and a more balanced overall experience at a significantly lower price point. The GT Neo2 is ideal for gamers and power users who want excellent performance without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the Meizu 18 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While Meizu likely implemented cooling solutions, the 888’s thermal characteristics mean throttling is a possibility during prolonged gaming. The Realme GT Neo2’s Snapdragon 870, being more efficient, is less prone to overheating and may offer more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the Realme GT Neo2 safe for the battery's long-term health?
While fast charging generates more heat, Realme employs charging algorithms designed to protect the battery. The GT Neo2’s charging system dynamically adjusts the charging rate to minimize stress on the battery, ensuring long-term health. However, consistently using extremely fast charging *can* contribute to slightly faster battery degradation over several years compared to slower charging methods.
❓ Does the Realme GT Neo2 support high refresh rate gaming?
The Realme GT Neo2 supports high refresh rate gaming, though the specific frame rates achievable depend on the game and graphics settings. The Snapdragon 870 is capable of driving games at 60fps or higher, and the phone’s display likely supports a refresh rate of at least 120Hz, providing a smoother gaming experience. However, demanding titles may require reducing graphics settings to maintain stable frame rates.