Meizu 21 Note vs. vivo iQOO 12 Pro: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon Power and Charging Speed

The Meizu 21 Note represents a compelling value proposition with last year’s flagship silicon, while the vivo iQOO 12 Pro jumps to the cutting edge with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects the differences between these two Android contenders, focusing on performance, charging, and who each phone best serves.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo iQOO 12 Pro is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a noticeable performance uplift, and the significantly faster 120W charging and 50W wireless charging capabilities provide a more convenient experience. However, the Meizu 21 Note remains a strong contender for budget-conscious users prioritizing value.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 21 Note vivo iQOO 12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, May 162023, November 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, May 21Available. Released 2023, November 14
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, plastic back-
Dimensions162.4 x 76.9 x 8.2 mm (6.39 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)164.6 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm or 8.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz)
Display
Resolution1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 750
OSFlyme OSAndroid 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 4 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 16mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, ulti-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video8K, 4K, 1080p; gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3 PPS, QC4+120W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
Type5500 mAh5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhiteBlack, Red, White (BMW M branding)
Models-V2329A
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 650 EUR

Meizu 21 Note

  • Excellent value for money with flagship-level performance.
  • Efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
  • Respectable 65W wired charging.

  • Slower charging compared to the iQOO 12 Pro.
  • Potentially less advanced camera system.

vivo iQOO 12 Pro

  • Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance.
  • Blazing-fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging.
  • Likely superior camera system with advanced features.

  • Higher price point.
  • Potentially more aggressive thermal throttling under sustained load.

Display Comparison

While specific display details are absent, both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels. The iQOO 12 Pro, positioned as a premium device, likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially a more sophisticated LTPO implementation for adaptive refresh rates, improving battery efficiency. Meizu typically focuses on color accuracy, so expect a well-calibrated display, but the iQOO 12 Pro likely has the edge in overall visual fidelity and dynamic range.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the iQOO 12 Pro’s positioning, it likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The iQOO 12 Pro is likely to offer better low-light performance and more versatile zoom capabilities. Meizu typically prioritizes natural-looking images, while iQOO often leans towards more vibrant, saturated colors. The absence of details on OIS is a key missing piece of information.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO 12 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Meizu 21 Note’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). The Gen 3 features the newer Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, compared to the Gen 2’s 3.2 GHz Cortex-X3. Furthermore, the Gen 3 utilizes a revised CPU configuration with more Cortex-A720 cores, offering improved multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and higher sustained frame rates in demanding games. Both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the Gen 3’s improved memory controller will likely yield better bandwidth. The iQOO 12 Pro will also benefit from a more advanced thermal solution to handle the increased power draw.

Battery Life

The iQOO 12 Pro’s charging capabilities are a standout feature. Its 120W wired charging dwarfs the Meizu 21 Note’s 65W, allowing for a significantly faster 0-100% charge time. The addition of 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging further enhances the iQOO 12 Pro’s convenience. While the Meizu 21 Note’s 65W charging is still respectable, the iQOO 12 Pro offers a much quicker top-up. Battery capacity is not specified, but the iQOO 12 Pro’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 21 Note if you need a capable flagship experience without breaking the bank, and are comfortable with slightly slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for everyday users and casual gamers. Buy the vivo iQOO 12 Pro if you prioritize top-tier performance for demanding games and applications, and value the convenience of incredibly fast wired and wireless charging. This phone is geared towards power users and mobile gaming enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the iQOO 12 Pro get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Meizu 21 Note during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is more powerful and generates more heat. While the iQOO 12 Pro will likely have a more robust cooling system, it's reasonable to expect some thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming. The Meizu 21 Note, with its less powerful chipset, will likely maintain lower temperatures but also deliver lower sustained performance.
❓ How much faster is the 120W charging on the iQOO 12 Pro compared to the 65W charging on the Meizu 21 Note in real-world usage?
The iQOO 12 Pro’s 120W charging can potentially charge a phone from 0-100% in around 25-30 minutes, while the Meizu 21 Note’s 65W charging will likely take closer to 45-60 minutes. This difference is particularly noticeable for quick top-ups – a 10-minute charge on the iQOO 12 Pro will provide significantly more power than the same on the Meizu 21 Note.
❓ Is the lack of specific camera details on the Meizu 21 Note a cause for concern?
While the absence of detailed specs is concerning, Meizu generally focuses on delivering accurate and natural-looking images. However, the iQOO 12 Pro, positioned as a premium device, is likely to offer a more versatile and feature-rich camera experience with potentially better low-light performance and zoom capabilities.