The Meizu M3 Note was a popular choice in the budget smartphone space, offering a compelling feature set for its price. The M6 Note arrived later, aiming to improve upon its predecessor. This comparison dissects the key differences between the two, focusing on the shift from MediaTek’s Helio P10 to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 625, and how that impacts real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Meizu M6 Note is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 625 offers a significant performance uplift and improved power efficiency compared to the Helio P10, resulting in a smoother experience and potentially longer battery life despite similar endurance ratings. While both phones share a similar display, the M6 Note’s chipset makes it the better all-rounder.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, September | 2016, April. Released 2016, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 154.6 x 75.2 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 153.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm (6.05 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 163 g (5.75 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Dinorex T2X-1 scratch/shock resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~71.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Mali-T860MP2 |
| OS | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), Flyme 7.3 | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), Flyme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 4GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
5 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Features | quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Gray, White, Gold |
| Models | M6 Note, MZ-M6 Note | m3 note, MZ-m3 note |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.9dB / Crosstalk -91.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 816:1 (nominal), 1.923 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 71dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 852Basemark X: 4567 |
Meizu M6 Note
- Significantly better performance with Snapdragon 625
- Improved power efficiency and thermal management
- Faster 24W charging
- Specific battery capacity unknown
- Camera specs lack detail
Meizu M3 Note
- Solid 93-hour endurance rating
- Good contrast ratio for its price point
- Potentially lower price (depending on current market)
- Less powerful Helio P10 chipset
- Higher power consumption
- Slower charging speeds
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu M6 Note and M3 Note feature displays with a nominal contrast ratio of 816:1 and a sunlight contrast ratio of 1.923. This suggests a similar viewing experience in both indoor and outdoor conditions. However, the context data lacks specifics on panel type, resolution, or brightness. Given the market segment, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The lack of information prevents a definitive statement on display quality beyond the contrast ratios.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. This makes a direct comparison difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature similar mid-range camera setups. The image processing algorithms will likely differ, potentially leading to variations in color accuracy and dynamic range. Without more data, it’s impossible to declare a clear winner in the camera department.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Meizu M6 Note’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, built on a 14nm process, is a clear upgrade over the M3 Note’s MediaTek Helio P10 (28nm). The Snapdragon 625 utilizes an octa-core Cortex-A53 configuration clocked at 2.0 GHz, while the Helio P10 employs a big.LITTLE architecture with 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 625 translates to significantly better power efficiency and thermal management. This means the M6 Note will likely experience less throttling under sustained load, offering more consistent performance during gaming or demanding applications. The Helio P10, while capable, will struggle more with resource-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the M6 Note and M3 Note share an endurance rating of 93 hours. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The Snapdragon 625’s superior power efficiency means the M6 Note can achieve similar endurance with potentially a smaller battery capacity (spec not provided). Furthermore, the M6 Note supports 24W wired charging, a significant improvement over the charging speed likely offered by the M3 Note. This translates to faster top-up times, reducing downtime and improving usability.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu M6 Note if you prioritize consistent performance for everyday tasks, moderate gaming, and future-proofing. The Snapdragon 625 provides a more responsive experience and better longevity. Buy the Meizu M3 Note if you are on an extremely tight budget and primarily need a phone for basic communication and light usage. Its endurance rating is solid, but you'll notice performance limitations with demanding apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 625 in the M6 Note handle modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 625 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers a playable experience, unlike the Helio P10 which would struggle more with consistent performance.
❓ Does the Meizu M6 Note experience overheating during prolonged use, like gaming or video recording?
The Snapdragon 625's 14nm process is known for its thermal efficiency. While some heat is inevitable during demanding tasks, the M6 Note is less prone to overheating and throttling compared to the Helio P10-powered M3 Note, which can get noticeably warm under load.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the two phones noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 625 provides a snappier and more responsive experience when navigating the user interface, opening apps, and multitasking. The Helio P10 can feel sluggish at times, especially with multiple apps open.
