Released around the same timeframe, the Meizu E3 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, but diverge in areas like charging speed, display characteristics, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a potentially more streamlined software experience, the Meizu E3 emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones offer identical core performance thanks to the Snapdragon 636, the E3’s 24W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Redmi Note 5 AI’s 18W QC3 charging.
| 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 - China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - Taiwan |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, March. Released 2018, April | 2018, March. Released 2018, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.8 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.17 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) | 158.6 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 509 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), Flyme 7 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), MIUI 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
20 MP, f/2.6, 1/2.8", 1.0µm, PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired, 53% in 30 min | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3360 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Stone, Moonlight Silver, Champagne Gold | Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Blue, Flame Red |
| Models | - | M1803E7SG, M1803E7SH |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -90.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 92h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1893 (nominal), 3.393 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 84dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 115195 (v7)
GeekBench: 4918 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu E3
- Faster 24W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially cleaner software experience (Meizu UI vs MIUI).
- Identical Snapdragon 636 performance.
- Camera details are sparse, making it hard to assess quality.
- Limited information on display technology.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera
- Superior sunlight contrast ratio for better outdoor visibility.
- Established software support and community (Xiaomi).
- Dual camera setup potentially offers enhanced photography features.
- Slower 18W charging compared to the Meizu E3.
- MIUI can be resource-intensive and include bloatware.
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu E3 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI share the same nominal contrast ratio of 1893, but the Redmi Note 5 AI boasts a superior sunlight contrast ratio of 3.393. This suggests better visibility under direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor users. While neither specification details panel technology (like OLED or IPS), the Redmi Note 5 AI’s higher sunlight contrast implies a more effective polarization filter or a panel optimized for outdoor viewing. Bezels and resolution are not specified, making a direct comparison impossible, but both likely target the standard for their price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones advertise 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the 'AI Dual Camera' branding on the Redmi Note 5 suggests a greater emphasis on computational photography. Without specific sensor sizes, apertures, or details on image processing algorithms, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. The Redmi Note 5 AI likely utilizes AI scene detection to optimize settings for different shooting conditions. The presence of a dual camera setup on the Redmi Note 5 AI hints at a depth sensor for portrait mode effects, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the Meizu E3. We can assume both phones will offer acceptable image quality for social media sharing, but serious photographers will likely seek more advanced options.
Performance
The core performance is identical: both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) with an Octa-core CPU configuration (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). This means users can expect similar performance in everyday tasks, multitasking, and even moderate gaming. However, thermal management isn’t detailed, so it’s difficult to predict which phone will sustain peak performance for longer periods. The lack of information on RAM type (LPDDR4 vs LPDDR4X) also prevents a deeper analysis of memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
Both the Meizu E3 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI achieve an endurance rating of 92 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Meizu E3 supports 24W wired charging, claiming a 53% charge in 30 minutes, while the Redmi Note 5 AI offers 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0. This 6W difference translates to a substantially faster charging experience for the Meizu E3, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu E3 if you value quick top-ups and a potentially cleaner Android skin. Its 24W charging is a significant advantage for users who frequently find themselves needing a fast power boost. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera if you prioritize a proven track record of software support and a display with excellent sunlight readability, as indicated by its high contrast ratio of 3.393. The Redmi Note 5 AI also benefits from Xiaomi’s established community and extensive accessory ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 636 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 636 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Neither phone’s thermal management is detailed, so prolonged gaming sessions could lead to throttling and reduced performance. Expect a playable, but not necessarily optimal, gaming experience.
❓ Is the Quick Charge 3.0 support on the Redmi Note 5 AI significantly slower than the Meizu E3’s 24W charging in real-world use?
Yes, the 6W difference in charging wattage is substantial. While Quick Charge 3.0 is efficient, 24W charging on the Meizu E3 will demonstrably reduce charging time, potentially adding hours of usable battery life over the course of a day for frequent users. The 53% charge in 30 minutes claim for the E3 highlights this advantage.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
Xiaomi generally provides more consistent software updates and security patches for its devices compared to Meizu. Xiaomi’s MIUI is actively maintained, while Meizu’s software support can be less predictable. This is a significant consideration for long-term usability and security.
