Released around the same time, the Meizu M6s and Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (also known as the Redmi Note 5 in some markets) represented compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone segment. Both aimed to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieve this. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on chipset architecture, display quality, and real-world performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly more refined user experience, the Meizu M6s emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 7872, with its Cortex-A73 cores, offers a noticeable advantage in multi-tasking and demanding applications, despite the Redmi 5 Plus's excellent battery endurance.
| 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, 40 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, January. Released 2018, January | 2018, February. Released 2018, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 152 x 72.5 x 8 mm (5.98 x 2.85 x 0.31 in) | 158.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos 7872 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP1 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), Flyme 6.2 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | 12 MP, f/2.2, 1.25 μm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 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 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Gold, Blue | Black, Gold, Blue, Rose Gold |
| Models | M6s | MEG7, MEI7 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -29.7dB / Crosstalk -91.8dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1431:1 (nominal), 2.913 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4309 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu M6s
- More powerful processor for smoother performance
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better multitasking capabilities
- Battery life likely less than Redmi 5 Plus
- Camera details are unknown, potentially inferior
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5)
- Excellent battery life (104h endurance)
- Efficient Snapdragon 625 processor
- Larger display for media consumption
- Slower processor compared to Exynos 7872
- Slower 10W charging
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu M6s and Redmi 5 Plus share a similar display profile, boasting a contrast ratio of 1431:1 (nominal) and 2.913 under sunlight. This suggests comparable visibility in bright conditions. However, the context data lacks specifics on panel type, resolution, or refresh rate. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The Redmi 5 Plus’s larger 5.99-inch display (versus the M6s’s 5.7-inch) offers more screen real estate, beneficial for media consumption, but may impact one-handed usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the context data provides no specifics on sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the market segment, we can assume both utilize relatively modest camera setups. The absence of details makes a direct comparison difficult. However, Xiaomi’s image processing algorithms were generally considered more refined during this period, potentially giving the Redmi 5 Plus a slight edge in image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant photographic value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Meizu M6s utilizes the Exynos 7872, a hexa-core processor featuring two 2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 cores alongside four 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This architecture provides a significant boost in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus’s Snapdragon 625, which employs an octa-core configuration of 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the Snapdragon 625 benefits from eight cores, the A53 architecture is less efficient than the A73 found in the Exynos chip. This translates to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the M6s. Both chips are fabricated on a 14nm process, suggesting similar power efficiency, but the architectural advantage favors the Meizu.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus boasts an endurance rating of 104 hours, a testament to the Snapdragon 625’s exceptional power efficiency. While the Meizu M6s’s battery life isn’t specified, its Exynos 7872, despite being more powerful, is also built on a 14nm process, mitigating some of the power consumption concerns. The Redmi 5 Plus’s 10W charging is slower than the Meizu M6s’s 18W wired charging, meaning the M6s will replenish its battery faster when plugged in. This trade-off – longer runtime versus faster charging – is a key consideration for potential buyers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu M6s if you need a phone capable of handling more demanding apps and occasional gaming without significant slowdown. Its processor architecture provides a performance edge. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5) if you prioritize maximum battery life and a consistently stable, if less powerful, experience. The Snapdragon 625 is known for its efficiency, making it ideal for users who primarily browse, message, and make calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7872 in the Meizu M6s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 7872 is more powerful, it's built on a 14nm process, similar to the Snapdragon 625. Thermal throttling is possible during extended gaming, but the M6s's architecture should allow for longer periods of sustained performance before significant slowdown occurs compared to the Redmi 5 Plus.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited utility. Image quality is typically low, and the fixed focus distance often results in blurry or underwhelming macro shots. It's best to rely on the main camera for most photography.
❓ Can the Meizu M6s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Meizu M6s should be able to run PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Exynos 7872’s Cortex-A73 cores provide a performance advantage over the Redmi 5 Plus, resulting in a smoother gaming experience.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos?
The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus’s larger 5.99-inch display provides a more immersive viewing experience for videos. However, both phones share similar contrast ratios, so the difference in picture quality will be minimal.
