The smartphone market presents a stark choice: prioritize raw power and cutting-edge features, or focus on affordability and essential functionality. This comparison pits the Meizu mblu 21, a budget-focused device, against the vivo X100 Ultra, a flagship contender boasting the latest Snapdragon processor and advanced charging capabilities. We’ll dissect their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the vivo X100 Ultra is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and impressive 12:55h battery life significantly outperform the Meizu mblu 21. However, the mblu 21 offers a compelling value proposition for those on a tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 27 | 2024, May 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November | Available. Released 2024, May 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 164.1 x 75.6 x 9.2 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 229 g (8.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 3000 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, OriginOS 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, LED flash, panorama, HDR, 3D LUT import |
| Single | 13 MP, AF
auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/0.98", 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, gimbal OIS
200 MP, f/2.7, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, macro 3.4:1
50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF |
| Video | Yes | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 80W wired, PD, PPS, QC, UFCS
30W wireless
Reverse wired
Reverse wireless |
| Type | 4900 mAh | Si/C Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Titanium, White, Grey |
| Models | M2416 | V2366GA, V2366HA |
| Price | - | About 980 EUR |
Meizu mblu 21
- Significantly more affordable
- Potentially more compact design (speculation based on market segment)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Substantially weaker performance
- Likely inferior camera quality
- Slower charging and shorter battery life
vivo X100 Ultra
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Bright and high-quality display
- Fast and versatile charging options
- Significantly higher price
- Potentially larger and heavier design
- May include features not needed by all users
Display Comparison
The vivo X100 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1801 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the mblu 21’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume a lower peak brightness. The X100 Ultra’s likely use of a higher-quality panel, potentially LTPO for adaptive refresh rates, would also contribute to a smoother and more efficient viewing experience. This benefits users who consume a lot of video content or spend extended periods outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the mblu 21, a direct comparison is limited. However, the X100 Ultra’s likely inclusion of a high-resolution main sensor (often exceeding 50MP in this class) coupled with advanced image processing capabilities powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The X100 Ultra’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) will further enhance image clarity and reduce blur. Users prioritizing photography and videography will find the X100 Ultra a far more capable device.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The vivo X100 Ultra’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) is a flagship chipset featuring a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, designed for peak performance. In contrast, the Meizu mblu 21 utilizes the Unisoc T606 (12nm), an octa-core processor with less powerful Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon offers superior power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and sustained performance during intensive tasks. Gamers and power users will overwhelmingly benefit from the X100 Ultra’s processing capabilities.
Battery Life
The vivo X100 Ultra’s active use battery score of 12:55h demonstrates excellent endurance. Furthermore, its charging capabilities are comprehensive, offering 80W wired charging with PD, PPS, QC, and UFCS standards, alongside 30W wireless and reverse charging options. The mblu 21’s battery capacity and charging speed are unknown, but given its budget positioning, it’s likely to offer significantly less runtime and slower charging. The X100 Ultra’s fast charging is a boon for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu mblu 21 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are unwilling to spend more than $200. Buy the vivo X100 Ultra if you demand top-tier performance for gaming, photography, and demanding applications, and value fast charging and a premium display experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Meizu mblu 21 capable of running demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Unisoc T606 can run some games, Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely require significant graphical settings reductions and may still experience noticeable lag. The chipset's limited processing power and GPU capabilities are not optimized for demanding gaming experiences.
❓ Does the vivo X100 Ultra support all the advertised charging standards (PD, PPS, QC, UFCS) with any charger, or are specific brands required?
The vivo X100 Ultra supports these standards, but optimal performance is achieved with chargers specifically certified for those protocols. While it may work with some third-party chargers, you might not get the full 80W charging speed without a compatible power adapter. UFCS is a proprietary standard, and a UFCS-compatible charger is recommended for the fastest charging.
❓ What kind of thermal throttling can I expect from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the vivo X100 Ultra during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is designed with improved thermal management compared to previous generations. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, intensive gaming, the X100 Ultra’s likely inclusion of a robust cooling system (vapor chamber or similar) should minimize performance drops and maintain a consistently high frame rate for extended periods.
