Released in 2018, the Meizu M6 Note and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro represented a sweet spot in the budget smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which phone offers the most value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 636 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Meizu M6 Note’s Snapdragon 625, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. However, the M6 Note remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| 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, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, September | 2018, February 14. Released 2018, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154.6 x 75.2 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 158.6 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), Flyme 7.3 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 4GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB 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, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Black, Champagne Gold, Rose Gold, Lake Blue |
| Models | M6 Note, MZ-M6 Note | MEI7S, MEI7 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.33 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107737 (v7)
GeekBench: 4696 (v4.4) |
Meizu M6 Note
- Potentially cleaner software experience (Meizu's Flyme OS was known for its customization)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Efficient Snapdragon 625 chipset
- Less powerful processor compared to the Snapdragon 636
- Slower charging speeds without Quick Charge support
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 636 processor
- Faster charging with Quick Charge 2.0
- Improved camera performance due to better ISP
- MIUI software can be resource-intensive
- Potentially more bloatware
- May experience slightly more thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly groundbreaking display. Both likely feature IPS LCD panels, common for this price point in 2018. While specific resolution and brightness data are unavailable, the focus here is on the internal hardware. The display quality will likely be similar, with the user experience being more impacted by the processor's ability to render graphics smoothly.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Redmi Note 5 Pro likely benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 636. This allows for faster image processing, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance. While both phones likely featured a primary camera and depth sensor, the 636’s processing capabilities would give the Redmi Note 5 Pro an edge in image quality. The inclusion of features like HDR and portrait mode would likely be more refined on the Redmi Note 5 Pro.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 636 (14nm) is a significant upgrade over the Meizu M6 Note’s Snapdragon 625 (14nm). The 636 utilizes Kryo 260 cores – a mix of performance (Gold) and efficiency (Silver) cores – offering a more sophisticated architecture than the 625’s homogenous Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to a roughly 15-20% performance increase in CPU-intensive tasks and a more substantial improvement in GPU performance. This benefits gamers and users running multiple apps simultaneously. The 636’s improved efficiency also contributes to better thermal management under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both phones feature a 14nm process, suggesting similar power efficiency. However, the Redmi Note 5 Pro’s 18W charging with Quick Charge 2.0 support is a clear advantage. While both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000mAh, based on market trends), the faster charging significantly reduces downtime. The M6 Note’s 24W charging, while higher on paper, doesn't necessarily translate to faster *usable* charging without Quick Charge protocol support. The Redmi Note 5 Pro will likely go from 0-100% faster, offering a more convenient experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu M6 Note if you prioritize a clean software experience and are looking for a reliable daily driver for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro if you value performance for gaming and demanding applications, and appreciate the benefits of Quick Charge 2.0 for faster charging times. The Redmi Note 5 Pro is also the better choice for users who frequently use the camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 5 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 636 in the Redmi Note 5 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a playable frame rate. While it won't deliver a flagship-level experience, it's a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 625 in the M6 Note, which would likely struggle with consistent performance.
❓ Does the Meizu M6 Note's Flyme OS offer a better user experience than Xiaomi's MIUI?
This is subjective. Flyme OS was known for its clean interface and customization options, while MIUI offers a wider range of features and a more mature ecosystem. However, MIUI can be more resource-intensive and include more pre-installed apps (bloatware).
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 18W and 24W noticeable in real-world use?
Yes, the Redmi Note 5 Pro's 18W charging *with* Quick Charge 2.0 support will be significantly faster than the M6 Note's 24W charging without the Quick Charge protocol. Quick Charge optimizes the charging process for faster and more efficient power delivery.
