Meizu 21 Note vs. Google Pixel 8a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term software support and consistent camera performance, the Google Pixel 8a is the better choice. However, users demanding maximum processing power for gaming or demanding tasks will find the Meizu 21 Note’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 a more compelling option, despite its slower charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Meizu 21 Note | Google Pixel 8a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International) |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, May 16 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May 21 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 76.9 x 8.2 mm (6.39 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Flyme OS | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 16mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF | 64 MP (16 MP eff.), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Video | 8K, 4K, 1080p; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, PD3 PPS, QC4+ | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | 5500 mAh | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | - | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | About 330 EUR | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Meizu 21 Note
- Significantly faster charging with 65W support.
- Potentially superior raw processing power with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
- Likely better gaming performance due to the more powerful GPU.
- Unknown battery life and endurance.
- Limited information on camera capabilities.
- Software support and update frequency are uncertain.
Google Pixel 8a
- Exceptional battery life and endurance (40:06h).
- Google’s renowned camera software and AI features.
- Guaranteed software updates and long-term support.
- Slower charging speed (18W).
- Tensor G3 chip may not match Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in raw performance.
- Less powerful GPU compared to the Meizu 21 Note.
Display Comparison
The Pixel 8a boasts a peak brightness of 1508 nits, a significant advantage for outdoor visibility compared to the Meizu 21 Note (brightness data unavailable). While the Meizu’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Pixel 8a’s OLED panel delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 8a’s display is likely to offer a more refined viewing experience, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of LTPO on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for optimal power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8a’s camera system is heavily reliant on Google’s computational photography prowess, though specific sensor details are missing. The Meizu 21 Note’s camera specifications are also unavailable, making a direct sensor comparison impossible. However, Google’s Tensor G3 chip is specifically designed to enhance image processing, delivering consistently excellent results in various conditions. The Pixel 8a’s strength lies in its software algorithms, offering features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. Without detailed specs for the Meizu, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance or dynamic range capabilities.
Performance
The Meizu 21 Note’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a powerhouse, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This contrasts with the Google Pixel 8a’s Google Tensor G3 (4nm) nona-core setup, topped by a 3.0 GHz Cortex-X3. While both chips are built on a 4nm process, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 generally offers superior GPU performance and sustained CPU speeds. The Tensor G3 prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks, excelling in areas like image processing and voice recognition. The Meizu’s LPDDR5x RAM (spec not confirmed for Pixel 8a) further contributes to faster data transfer speeds, potentially improving multitasking performance.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 8a shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 40:06h endurance rating and 11:25h of active use. This is significantly better than what would be expected from a phone with only 18W wired charging. The Meizu 21 Note, with its 65W wired charging (supporting PD3 PPS and QC4+), offers much faster charging speeds, but its battery capacity and overall endurance are unknown. The Pixel 8a’s 18W charging is slower, but its exceptional battery life and 1000 cycle lifespan provide long-term value. The Pixel 8a also offers 7.5W wireless charging and bypass charging, features absent on the Meizu.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu 21 Note if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive tasks and prioritize raw speed over software longevity. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you prefer a seamless software experience, exceptional camera capabilities powered by Google’s AI, and a phone designed to receive updates for years to come. The Pixel 8a is the safer, more well-rounded choice for most users.