The Meizu M10 and Oppo A31 represent a segment of the market where value is paramount. Both devices aim to deliver a functional smartphone experience at an accessible price point. However, beneath the similar exterior lies a crucial difference: their chipsets. This comparison dissects the Mediatek Helio P25 in the M10 against the Helio P35 in the A31, revealing which offers a better balance of performance and efficiency for everyday tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and slightly smoother performance in sustained tasks, the Oppo A31 is the better choice. Its Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, offers improved efficiency over the Meizu M10’s 16nm Helio P25. While the raw clock speeds are close, the process node advantage translates to a more consistent user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - LATAM | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, October | 2020, February 13. Released 2020, February 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.49 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6757T Helio P25 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T880MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Flyme 8 | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
2 MP, f/2.2
2 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.86", 1.25µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4230 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black, Purplish Red, Sea Blue | Fantasy White, Mystery Black, Lake Green |
| Models | - | CPH2015, CPH2073, CPH2081, CPH2029, CPH2031 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 490 EUR |
Meizu M10
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Slightly higher CPU clock speeds on performance cores.
- Established Meizu user interface (for existing fans).
- Less efficient 16nm chipset.
- Likely shorter battery life under load.
- Potential for more thermal throttling.
Oppo A31
- More efficient 12nm chipset.
- Improved battery life and sustained performance.
- Better thermal management.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Meizu M10.
- Oppo’s ColorOS may not appeal to all users.
- Likely similar display quality to the M10.
Display Comparison
Neither Meizu nor Oppo provide detailed display specifications in the provided data. Given their market positioning, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The absence of information regarding peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or refresh rates suggests a focus on cost reduction. Users should expect standard viewing experiences, adequate for indoor use but potentially washed out in direct sunlight. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside auxiliary lenses (potentially depth or macro). The image processing capabilities will heavily influence the final image quality. Given the price bracket, expect adequate performance in well-lit conditions, but struggles in low-light scenarios. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software-based stabilization, which may introduce artifacts. The usefulness of any 2MP macro lens is questionable, offering limited detail and often serving as a marketing gimmick.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Meizu M10’s Mediatek MT6757T Helio P25 (16nm) features an octa-core CPU split into 4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Oppo A31 utilizes the Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio P35 (12nm) with a similar octa-core configuration of 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the P25 boasts slightly higher peak clock speeds on its performance cores, the P35’s 12nm fabrication process is a significant advantage. This smaller node allows for greater transistor density and reduced power consumption, resulting in improved thermal efficiency and sustained performance. The P35 will likely exhibit less throttling under prolonged load, making it preferable for gaming or video editing, even if the initial burst performance is comparable.
Battery Life
Again, specific battery capacities are missing. However, the Helio P35’s superior efficiency in the Oppo A31 directly translates to improved battery life. Even with a similar battery capacity to the Meizu M10, the A31 will likely deliver more screen-on time. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both devices likely support standard 10W or 15W charging, resulting in relatively slow 0-100% charge times – likely exceeding 2.5 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu M10 if you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost and are comfortable with potentially shorter battery life during intensive use. It's a viable option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Oppo A31 if you value a more efficient processor, leading to better battery endurance and slightly improved responsiveness, especially when multitasking or running moderately demanding applications. It's the better all-rounder for daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A31 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio P35 in the Oppo A31 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (Balanced or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The 12nm process will help mitigate throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the Meizu M10, but it's not a gaming powerhouse.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speeds between the Helio P25 and P35 noticeable in everyday use?
While the Helio P25 has slightly higher peak clock speeds, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in typical tasks like browsing, social media, or messaging. The 12nm process of the P35 provides a more consistent experience by preventing performance drops due to overheating, which is more impactful than a small clock speed advantage.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos for extended periods?
The Oppo A31 is the better choice for video playback. The more efficient Helio P35 will generate less heat, preventing throttling and ensuring a smoother, more consistent viewing experience. It will also contribute to longer battery life during video streaming.
