Released around the same time, the Meizu M6 Note and Xiaomi Mi A1 (also known as the Mi 5X) represent a fascinating snapshot of the mid-range smartphone market in 2017/2018. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, but diverge significantly in their approach to battery, charging, and software. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Meizu M6 Note emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones offer comparable performance thanks to the Snapdragon 625, the M6 Note’s 24W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Mi A1’s slower 10W charging, a crucial advantage for modern usage patterns.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| 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 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, September | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154.6 x 75.2 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm (6.12 x 2.98 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~70.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), Flyme 7.3 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 4GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 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 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, AF, 2x optical zoom |
| Features | quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3080 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | M6 Note, MZ-M6 Note | MDG2, MDI2 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.75 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -82.5dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1570:1 (nominal), 2.689 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 74dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 90dB |
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4292 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu M6 Note
- Faster 24W charging for quicker top-ups
- Excellent battery life (87h endurance)
- Snapdragon 625 provides solid performance
- Software experience may be less refined than stock Android
- Specific display details (resolution, panel type) are unknown
Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X)
- Clean Android One software experience
- Good battery life (87h endurance)
- High display contrast ratio for outdoor visibility
- Slower 10W charging
- Software support has ended
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu M6 Note and Xiaomi Mi A1 share similar display characteristics, though specific details beyond contrast ratio (1570:1 nominal, 2.689 in sunlight) are absent in the provided data. The high contrast ratio suggests good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Without knowing resolution or panel type, it’s difficult to assess image quality differences, but the market positioning suggests both likely utilized IPS LCD panels. The lack of information on refresh rates implies both are standard 60Hz displays.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a camera system, but the provided data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is challenging. Given Xiaomi’s historical focus on camera performance, the Mi A1 likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms. However, the absence of information prevents a definitive judgment. The prevalence of dual-camera setups in this era suggests the Mi A1 might have included a secondary sensor for depth information, potentially enhancing portrait mode capabilities.
Performance
At the heart of both devices lies the Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) paired with an octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. This means processing power will be virtually identical for everyday tasks and even moderate gaming. The 14nm manufacturing process contributes to good power efficiency, a key strength of the Snapdragon 625. However, neither phone boasts advanced cooling solutions, so sustained heavy workloads could lead to thermal throttling, impacting performance over extended periods. RAM configurations aren't specified, but this would be a differentiating factor in real-world multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the Meizu M6 Note and Xiaomi Mi A1 achieve an impressive endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the crucial difference lies in charging speed. The Meizu M6 Note supports 24W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Mi A1’s 10W charging. This means the M6 Note can recover a substantial amount of battery life in a shorter time, a critical advantage for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the M6 Note effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu M6 Note if you prioritize faster charging and don't mind a potentially less refined software experience. Its 24W charging is a significant benefit for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day. Buy the Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X) if you value a clean, stock Android experience (Android One) and are willing to trade charging speed for software simplicity and potentially better long-term software support, though that support has now ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 625 still capable of running modern apps on either the Meizu M6 Note or Xiaomi Mi A1?
Yes, the Snapdragon 625 remains surprisingly capable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. While it won't handle demanding games at maximum settings, it can comfortably run most popular apps. However, expect some slowdowns with very resource-intensive applications or heavy multitasking.
❓ Given that the Mi A1 was part of the Android One program, does that mean it received more software updates than the Meizu M6 Note?
Initially, yes. The Mi A1 benefited from guaranteed software updates as part of the Android One program. However, software support for the Mi A1 has now ended. The Meizu M6 Note’s update path was likely less consistent, but the difference is now moot as neither device receives official updates.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Meizu M6 Note with its 24W charger compared to the Xiaomi Mi A1's 10W charger?
While exact times depend on battery capacity (which isn't specified), the Meizu M6 Note's 24W charging will likely take around 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. The Xiaomi Mi A1's 10W charging will likely require 3 to 4 hours, representing a significant difference in charging time.
