The Meizu Mblu 22 and Infinix Smart 5 Pro occupy the ultra-budget smartphone segment, a space defined by compromises. Strikingly, both devices utilize the exact same Unisoc SC9863A chipset, making a direct hardware comparison largely redundant. This review focuses on the subtle differences – brand reputation, potential software optimizations, and overall value – to determine which phone offers the better experience for the price-conscious consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro likely represents the better value. While both phones offer identical performance due to the shared Unisoc SC9863A chipset, Infinix has a more established presence in emerging markets and typically offers more aggressive pricing, making it the more practical choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 04 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May 20 | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 170.8 x 77.5 x 8.9 mm (6.72 x 3.05 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 15 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), AF
auxiliary lens | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan Black, Snow White, Sea Blue | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | M2511 | - |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Meizu Mblu 22
- Potential for cleaner software experience (Flyme OS)
- Meizu brand recognition (for some users)
- Identical performance to Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Likely higher price compared to Infinix
- Limited availability in some markets
- 10W charging is slow
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Aggressive pricing and better value
- Wider availability in emerging markets
- Identical performance to Meizu Mblu 22
- XOS software can be bloated with pre-installed apps
- Potential for slower software updates
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu Mblu 22 and Infinix Smart 5 Pro are expected to feature LCD panels, given their price point. Without specific display specs like resolution or brightness, it’s safe to assume both offer a basic viewing experience suitable for casual use. The 28nm Unisoc SC9863A isn’t a power-hungry chipset, so neither display is likely to be particularly energy efficient, but also won’t drain the battery excessively. Expect large bezels and a standard 60Hz refresh rate on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be a weak point on both devices. While details are scarce, budget smartphones in this price range typically feature low-resolution sensors and limited image processing capabilities. Expect passable photos in good lighting conditions, but significant noise and lack of detail in low-light scenarios. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and fixed focus. Without knowing the main sensor resolution, it’s difficult to differentiate camera quality, but it’s unlikely to be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Unisoc SC9863A, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and another four at 1.2 GHz. This architecture is geared towards efficiency rather than raw power. Performance will be adequate for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light messaging, but demanding applications or multitasking will likely result in noticeable slowdowns. The shared chipset means both phones will deliver a very similar user experience in terms of speed and responsiveness. RAM capacity, which is not specified, will be a key factor in multitasking performance.
Battery Life
Both the Meizu Mblu 22 and Infinix Smart 5 Pro support 10W wired charging. Given the likely battery capacities (estimated around 4000-5000 mAh based on market segment), a full charge will take several hours. The efficiency of the Unisoc SC9863A chipset will contribute to reasonable battery life for basic usage, potentially lasting a full day with moderate use. However, heavy usage or prolonged screen-on time will quickly deplete the battery. The 10W charging speed is slow by modern standards, requiring overnight charging to ensure a full battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu Mblu 22 if you prioritize brand recognition and potentially a cleaner software experience, assuming Meizu’s Flyme OS is less heavily customized than Infinix’s XOS. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if you prioritize maximizing value for your money and are comfortable with a potentially more feature-rich, but also more bloated, software experience. Both are suitable for basic tasks, but neither is a performance powerhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Unisoc SC9863A can run apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, expect some lag when switching between them or when loading media-heavy content. The chipset is designed for basic tasks, and these apps can be resource-intensive. Keeping other apps closed will help improve performance.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the battery with the 10W charger?
Expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours with the included 10W charger. The relatively slow charging speed is typical for phones in this price range. It's best to charge the phone overnight to ensure it's fully charged for the next day.
❓ Is the software on the Infinix Smart 5 Pro heavily customized with bloatware?
Infinix's XOS software is known for being heavily customized and often includes pre-installed apps (bloatware). While some of these apps can be uninstalled, others may be system apps that cannot be removed. This can impact storage space and potentially performance.
