The smartphone landscape is increasingly segmented. The Realme GT5 Pro arrives as a flagship contender, boasting the latest Snapdragon silicon and rapid charging. Conversely, the Meizu mblu 21 aims for a more accessible price point, relying on a Unisoc chipset. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme GT5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides a dramatically superior performance experience, complemented by 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. However, the Meizu mblu 21 presents a viable option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize basic functionality over raw power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 27 | 2023, December 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November | Available. Released 2023, December 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 161.7 x 75.1 x 9.2 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 218 g / 224 g (7.69 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~92.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF
auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 2.7x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74" |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos certified) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 100W wired, 50% in 12 min
50W wireless |
| Type | 4900 mAh | Li-Ion 5400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Black, Silver, Orange |
| Models | M2416 | RMX3888 |
| Price | - | About 430 EUR |
Meizu mblu 21
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- May offer a more compact form factor (speculation)
- Significantly weaker performance
- Inferior camera capabilities
- Slower charging speeds
Realme GT5 Pro
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Ultra-fast 100W wired and 50W wireless charging
- Bright and likely high-quality display
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger and heavier design
- May require more frequent charging with heavy use
Display Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1660 nits. This translates to excellent visibility in direct sunlight, a crucial advantage for outdoor users. While the Meizu mblu 21’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume a lower peak brightness given its price point. The GT5 Pro’s panel likely benefits from advanced technologies like LTPO for adaptive refresh rates, further enhancing power efficiency and smoothness, features likely absent in the mblu 21.
Camera Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro’s camera system is expected to be a key selling point, though specific details are missing. However, given Realme’s history, it likely features a high-resolution main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). The Meizu mblu 21’s camera capabilities are less clear. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess its image quality. It’s probable that the GT5 Pro will offer superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions, and more advanced video recording features.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Realme GT5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) is a flagship-level chipset featuring a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, alongside high-performance Cortex-A720 cores. This architecture delivers a massive leap in CPU and GPU performance compared to the Meizu mblu 21’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The T606, with its Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, is designed for efficiency and basic tasks, not demanding gaming or multitasking. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also contributes to superior thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Realme GT5 Pro excels in charging speed, supporting 100W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 12 minutes, and 50W wireless charging. While the Meizu mblu 21’s battery capacity is not specified, the GT5 Pro’s active use score of 14:16h suggests a well-optimized battery life. The faster charging of the GT5 Pro is a significant convenience factor, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The absence of wireless charging on the mblu 21 further differentiates the two.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu mblu 21 if you need a functional smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are unwilling to spend a significant amount. Buy the Realme GT5 Pro if you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, fast charging, and a premium user experience, and are willing to invest in a higher-tier device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Meizu mblu 21 capable of running modern mobile games?
While the Unisoc T606 can run some mobile games, it will struggle with graphically demanding titles at higher settings. Expect lower frame rates and potentially longer loading times compared to devices with Snapdragon or MediaTek Dimensity chipsets.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the Realme GT5 Pro compare to standard charging speeds?
100W charging is significantly faster than standard charging. The Realme GT5 Pro can reach 50% charge in just 12 minutes, whereas a typical 25W charger might take over an hour to achieve the same result. This is a major convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Realme GT5 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is designed with thermal efficiency in mind. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the 4nm process node and Realme’s cooling system should mitigate throttling and maintain stable performance for extended periods.
❓ Does the Realme GT5 Pro support high refresh rate gaming?
Given the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's capabilities and the likely inclusion of a high refresh rate display, the Realme GT5 Pro should be able to support high refresh rate gaming in many popular titles, providing a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
