The Meizu M6 Note and Samsung Galaxy A30s represent compelling options in the sub-$250 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid Android experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this. The M6 Note, released earlier, leverages Qualcomm's efficient Snapdragon 625, while the A30s opts for Samsung's in-house Exynos 7904. This comparison dives deep into the nuances of each device to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a slightly more responsive experience and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A30s is the better choice. Its Exynos 7904 chipset, featuring Cortex-A73 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift. However, the Meizu M6 Note’s 24W charging is a significant advantage for those who value quick top-ups.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, September | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154.6 x 75.2 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.8 mm (6.24 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), Flyme 7.3 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 4GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, AF |
| Triple | - | 25 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | M6 Note, MZ-M6 Note | SM-A307F, SM-A307FN, SM-A307G, SM-A307GN, SM-A307GT |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.43 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 194.02 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 269.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 120.00 |
Meizu M6 Note
- Faster 24W charging
- Proven Snapdragon 625 efficiency
- Potentially better battery life due to efficient chipset
- Older chipset architecture
- Less powerful CPU for multitasking
- Potentially less refined image processing
Samsung Galaxy A30s
- More modern Exynos 7904 CPU
- Better single-core performance
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially slightly lower battery life
- Exynos chipsets sometimes have thermal throttling issues (though unlikely severe here)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but both likely feature 1080p+ displays common in this price bracket. The focus here is on processing power, not visual fidelity. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the design trends of their respective release periods. Color accuracy is expected to be standard for the segment, leaning towards Samsung’s typically more vibrant tuning.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but the focus should be on the main sensors. Without specific megapixel counts or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Samsung generally excels in image processing, potentially giving the A30s an edge in dynamic range and color reproduction. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A30s is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant improvements in image quality. The M6 Note’s camera performance will likely be adequate for social media sharing in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Meizu M6 Note’s Snapdragon 625 is an octa-core processor built on a 14nm process, utilizing eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. This is a mature, well-optimized chip known for its efficiency. The Samsung Galaxy A30s, however, features the Exynos 7904, also on 14nm, but with a more modern architecture: two Cortex-A73 cores at 1.8 GHz and six Cortex-A53 cores at 1.6 GHz. The A73 cores offer significantly higher single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both have 4GB of RAM, the Exynos 7904’s architecture will provide a more responsive user experience, especially when switching between applications. Thermal management should be adequate on both, given the 14nm process and relatively modest performance targets.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely fall in the 3500-4000 mAh range. The key differentiator is charging speed. The Meizu M6 Note supports 24W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Samsung Galaxy A30s’ 15W charging. This means the M6 Note can replenish its battery from 0-100% in a shorter timeframe, a crucial advantage for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu M6 Note if you prioritize fast charging and a proven, power-efficient chipset for all-day battery life. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A30s if you prefer a more modern CPU architecture for smoother multitasking and light gaming, and are willing to trade some charging speed for that performance boost. It’s better suited for users who occasionally play mobile games or run more demanding apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7904 in the Galaxy A30s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 7904 isn't a flagship chip, it's generally well-behaved in terms of thermal management. Given the A30s' plastic build and the chip's 14nm process, significant overheating is unlikely during typical gaming sessions. However, extended, graphically intensive games may lead to some throttling to maintain stable performance.
❓ Is the 24W charging on the Meizu M6 Note compatible with Power Delivery (PD) or Quick Charge (QC) standards?
Details regarding specific charging protocol support are unavailable. However, given Meizu's history, it likely utilizes a proprietary fast-charging standard. While it won't necessarily be incompatible with PD or QC chargers, you may not achieve the full 24W charging speed without the included adapter.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 625's efficiency impact real-world battery life on the Meizu M6 Note?
The Snapdragon 625 is renowned for its power efficiency. This translates to longer standby times and more hours of usage on a single charge, especially for users who primarily engage in light tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. You can realistically expect all-day battery life with moderate usage.
