The Meizu M6T and Xiaomi Redmi 5 represent a fascinating intersection of budget smartphone design from 2018. Both aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches. The M6T focused on a streamlined experience with a Mediatek chipset, while the Redmi 5 leveraged Qualcomm's Snapdragon 450, prioritizing efficiency. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term battery life and consistent performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 emerges as the better choice. While the Meizu M6T offers a slightly different software experience, the Snapdragon 450's 14nm process provides superior efficiency, translating to a more reliable and sustained user experience despite both phones having an endurance rating of 83h.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | 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, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, May. Released 2018, June | 2017, December. Released 2017, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum/plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 152.3 x 73 x 8.4 mm (6.00 x 2.87 x 0.33 in) | 151.8 x 72.8 x 7.7 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 157 g (5.54 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~75.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~75.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6750 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), Flyme UI | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo), MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 1.25 μm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Champagne Gold, Coral Red | Black, Gold, Light Blue, Rose Gold |
| Models | M6T | MDG1, MDI1 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -27.7dB / Crosstalk -54.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 83h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1331 (nominal), 2.951 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 82dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4018 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu M6T
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on Flyme OS version)
- Slightly lower price point at launch (historically)
- Compact form factor
- Less efficient Mediatek MT6750 chipset
- Potential for throttling under sustained load
- Limited software support compared to Xiaomi
Xiaomi Redmi 5
- More efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset
- Better sustained performance due to 14nm process
- Wider software support and updates from Xiaomi
- MIUI software can be resource-intensive
- Potentially larger physical size
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu M6T and Xiaomi Redmi 5 share a contrast ratio of 1331 (nominal) and 2.951 (sunlight), suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, detailed panel specifications like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable. Given the era, both likely utilized IPS LCD panels. The Redmi 5's sunlight contrast ratio indicates a decent ability to remain readable under direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor use. Without further data, it's difficult to definitively declare a display winner, but the shared contrast ratios suggest a comparable viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing are absent. In this market segment, camera performance is often heavily reliant on software optimization. Without detailed specifications, it's impossible to determine a clear winner. It's reasonable to assume both phones offer adequate image quality for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low-light scenarios. The absence of information regarding OIS or advanced features suggests a similar level of photographic capability.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Meizu M6T utilizes the Mediatek MT6750 (28nm) with a bifurcated CPU configuration – four cores at 1.5 GHz and four at 1.0 GHz – while the Xiaomi Redmi 5 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14nm) with eight cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. The Snapdragon 450's 14nm fabrication process is a significant advantage, offering superior power efficiency compared to the MT6750's 28nm node. This translates to less heat generation and potentially less throttling under sustained load. While the Redmi 5's CPU clock speed is higher, the architectural efficiency of the Snapdragon 450 likely provides a more responsive experience in real-world usage, especially for multitasking and demanding applications.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Meizu M6T and Xiaomi Redmi 5 boast an endurance rating of 83 hours. However, this rating doesn't tell the whole story. The Snapdragon 450's superior power efficiency, stemming from its 14nm process, means the Redmi 5 can likely achieve this endurance rating with less strain on the battery. The Redmi 5 also supports 10W wired charging, a standard for the time, while charging details for the M6T are unavailable. The Redmi 5's efficiency advantage suggests it will reach a full charge faster and maintain battery health longer.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu M6T if you value a potentially cleaner software experience and are comfortable with the Mediatek chipset's performance profile. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 5 if you prioritize battery efficiency, a more widely supported chipset, and a generally smoother, more consistent experience across everyday tasks. The Redmi 5 is the safer bet for users who intend to use the phone heavily throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6750 in the Meizu M6T struggle with modern app updates?
The MT6750 is an older chipset, and while it can handle basic tasks, newer app updates and more demanding applications may experience performance slowdowns or compatibility issues. Qualcomm typically provides longer software support for its chipsets, giving the Redmi 5 an advantage in this regard.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 450 in the Redmi 5 get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 450's 14nm process helps mitigate heat generation, but prolonged gaming will inevitably cause some warming. However, it's likely to be less pronounced than with the Meizu M6T's MT6750, which is more prone to throttling due to its less efficient manufacturing process.
❓ Is the 83-hour endurance rating realistic for typical usage on either phone?
The 83-hour endurance rating is based on a specific usage model. Real-world battery life will vary significantly depending on factors like screen brightness, app usage, and network conditions. However, the Redmi 5's more efficient chipset will likely result in a longer usable battery life under similar conditions.
