Meizu M6 Note vs. M6s: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Meizu M6 Note and M6s represent a fascinating point in the company's history, offering compelling features at a competitive price point. While both phones target the budget-conscious consumer, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, specifically the chipset. This comparison will dissect those differences, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficiency, the Meizu M6 Note with its Snapdragon 625 is the better choice. While the M6s' Exynos 7872 offers a theoretical CPU advantage, the Snapdragon 625's superior thermal management and optimized power consumption translate to a smoother, more reliable experience in everyday use.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu M6 Note Meizu M6s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 401, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2017, August. Released 2017, September2018, January. Released 2018, January
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions154.6 x 75.2 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)152 x 72.5 x 8 mm (5.98 x 2.85 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)160 g (5.64 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)
Size5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Hexa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm)Exynos 7872 (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 506Mali-G71 MP1
OSAndroid 7.1.2 (Nougat), Flyme 7.3Android 7.0 (Nougat), Flyme 6.2
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal16GB 4GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF 5 MP, f/2.0, AF-
Featuresquad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash
Single-16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0
Video1080p@30fps-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging24W wired18W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, GoldBlack, Silver, Gold, Blue
ModelsM6 Note, MZ-M6 NoteM6s
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 150 EUR

Meizu M6 Note

  • More efficient Snapdragon 625 chipset
  • Faster 24W wired charging
  • Better sustained performance due to thermal efficiency

  • CPU architecture is less modern than the M6s
  • Potentially lower peak performance in single-threaded tasks

Meizu M6s

  • More modern CPU architecture with Cortex-A73 cores
  • Potentially faster single-core performance
  • Slightly newer model

  • Slower 18W wired charging
  • Exynos 7872 prone to more thermal throttling
  • Potentially lower battery life under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both the M6 Note and M6s likely feature similar LCD panels, given their market segment. However, detailed display specs like resolution, brightness, and color gamut are unavailable. The focus here is on the internal hardware. The absence of high refresh rate panels is expected in this price bracket. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the design trends of 2017/2018.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of cameras are lacking. It's safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth sensor. Given the era, image processing would have been relatively basic. The sensor size is unknown for both devices, but the Snapdragon 625’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally well-regarded for its efficiency and image quality. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the Snapdragon 625’s ISP gives the M6 Note a slight edge in potential image processing capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Meizu M6 Note utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625, an octa-core processor built on a 14nm process. This CPU consists entirely of Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The M6s, conversely, employs the Samsung Exynos 7872, also on a 14nm process, but with a hexa-core configuration: four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.6 GHz and two more powerful Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz. While the Exynos boasts the faster A73 cores, the Snapdragon 625’s eight A53 cores provide consistent performance across all tasks. The A73 cores in the M6s will offer a performance boost in single-threaded applications, but the Snapdragon 625’s efficiency is a significant advantage, leading to less throttling under sustained load. This means the M6 Note is likely to maintain higher frame rates for longer periods during gaming.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range, typical for the time. The M6 Note’s 24W wired charging is a clear advantage over the M6s’ 18W charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times, allowing users to quickly top up their battery. While the M6s’ Exynos 7872 might consume slightly more power, the difference is unlikely to be substantial enough to offset the M6 Note’s faster charging and potentially more efficient chipset.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu M6 Note if you need a phone that consistently delivers solid performance without overheating, especially during extended gaming sessions or multitasking. Its efficient Snapdragon 625 chipset and 24W charging make it ideal for users who value battery life and reliability. Buy the Meizu M6s if you prioritize a slightly more modern CPU architecture and are willing to potentially trade some battery life and thermal performance for a marginal boost in peak processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 7872 in the M6s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7872 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 625, especially under sustained load. This means the M6s is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming, leading to reduced performance and potentially a less enjoyable experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Meizu M6 Note compared to the M6s?
The Meizu M6 Note supports 24W wired charging, while the M6s is limited to 18W. This 6W difference translates to a noticeably faster charging speed, potentially reducing 0-100% charge time by 30-45 minutes, depending on battery capacity.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in everyday tasks between the two phones?
For typical daily use like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference will be minimal. Both phones are capable of handling these tasks smoothly. However, the M6 Note’s Snapdragon 625 will maintain that smoothness for longer periods without performance drops due to overheating.