The Meizu M6s and Xiaomi Redmi 9 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver essential features at a low price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The M6s, released earlier, features Samsung’s Exynos 7872, while the Redmi 9 leverages MediaTek’s Helio G80. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 emerges as the better choice. Its newer Helio G80 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the M6s’s Exynos 7872. While both offer similar battery endurance and 18W charging, the Redmi 9’s slightly brighter display and more modern architecture give it the edge.
| 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, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, January. Released 2018, January | 2020, June 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, June 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 152 x 72.5 x 8 mm (5.98 x 2.85 x 0.31 in) | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7872 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), Flyme 6.2 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 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, BDS |
| Radio | No | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Gold, Blue | Carbon Gray, Sunset Purple, Ocean Green, Pink/Blue |
| Models | M6s | M2004J19G, M2004J19C |
| Price | About 150 EUR | $ 105.77 / £ 196.62 / € 115.51 |
| SAR | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 131h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1624:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 201829 (v8)
GeekBench: 1325 (v5.1) |
Meizu M6s
- Potentially more compact design (based on historical Meizu designs)
- Simple and clean user interface (typical of Meizu)
- Affordable price point
- Older Exynos 7872 chipset offers lower performance
- Less efficient 14nm manufacturing process
- Limited software update support
Xiaomi Redmi 9
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G80 chipset
- More efficient 12nm manufacturing process
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Likely better long-term software support
- May have a larger form factor
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be resource-intensive
- Potential for bloatware
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 boasts a display with a measured peak brightness of 328 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Meizu M6s, which lacks published brightness data. Both displays share a 1624:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. However, the Redmi 9’s larger screen size (not specified in the data, but a common Redmi 9 feature) provides a more immersive viewing experience. The lack of information regarding panel type (IPS vs. AMOLED) for the M6s makes a direct comparison of color accuracy difficult, but the Redmi 9’s specifications suggest a standard IPS panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the budget nature of both phones, it’s reasonable to assume both rely on relatively basic camera systems. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Redmi 9 (a common feature) is unlikely to provide significant photographic value, serving primarily as a marketing feature. Without detailed specifications, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the Redmi 9’s more modern ISP (integrated within the Helio G80) likely offers slightly better image processing capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 9’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) utilizes an octa-core configuration with two Cortex-A75 performance cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts with the Meizu M6s’s Exynos 7872 (14nm) which employs a hexa-core setup: four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.6 GHz and two Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz. The Helio G80’s newer architecture and smaller manufacturing process (12nm vs 14nm) translate to improved power efficiency and sustained performance, particularly in gaming scenarios. The A75 cores in the Redmi 9 offer a significant architectural advantage over the A73 cores in the M6s. While both phones likely have similar RAM configurations (based on market segment), the Helio G80’s superior GPU will deliver a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both the Meizu M6s and Xiaomi Redmi 9 achieve an endurance rating of 131 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. Both also support 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. However, the Helio G80’s 12nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially allowing the Redmi 9 to maintain its battery life for a longer period with heavy usage. The similar endurance ratings suggest that the battery capacity (not specified) is likely comparable between the two devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu M6s if you prioritize a compact form factor and are comfortable with a slightly older chipset. It’s a viable option for basic tasks and light usage. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more modern processor that offers better long-term software support. The Redmi 9 is the superior all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7872 in the Meizu M6s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7872, being a 14nm chip, is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the Redmi 9’s Helio G80. While it won’t necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, expect performance to dip after extended gaming sessions. The Redmi 9’s 12nm Helio G80 manages heat more efficiently.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited practical value. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. It’s more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful photographic tool. You’ll likely get better results cropping into a standard photo taken with the main sensor.
❓ Can the Xiaomi Redmi 9 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The Helio G80 in the Redmi 9 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with reasonably smooth frame rates. While it won’t achieve the 90fps performance of higher-end gaming phones, it provides a playable experience. The Meizu M6s will struggle to maintain consistent frame rates at similar settings.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
Xiaomi generally provides more consistent software updates and security patches for its Redmi series compared to Meizu. Meizu’s update track record is less reliable, meaning the Redmi 9 is likely to remain secure and benefit from new features for a longer period.
