Meizu Note 16 Pro vs Realme X2 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Two Performance-Focused Phones

The Realme X2 Pro, released to critical acclaim, represented a peak in value-flagship performance with the Snapdragon 855+. Now, the Meizu Note 16 Pro enters the scene with a newer, more efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. This comparison dissects these two devices, focusing on how their differing chipsets and charging technologies impact the user experience, especially considering the X2 Pro's age and potential price drops.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Meizu Note 16 Pro represents the smarter buy. While the Realme X2 Pro boasts a powerful Snapdragon 855+, the Note 16 Pro’s more efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, coupled with its faster 80W charging, offers a better balance of performance and longevity, especially given the X2 Pro's age and potential battery degradation.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu Note 16 Pro Realme X2 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA
Launch
Announced2025, May 132019, October 15. Released 2019, October
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 16Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.8 x 76.2 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight197.5 g (6.98 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1224 x 2720 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~440 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 700 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak), 4500 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 810Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSFlyme AIOS 2Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -64GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4-
VideoYes4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.116 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 -24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a), GALILEO, QZSS, GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, QC4+, PD3.0, PPS50W wired, 100% in 35 min
Type6200 mAh4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsGray, Blue, WhiteLunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition
Models-RMX1931
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 440 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 94h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8) GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Meizu Note 16 Pro

  • Faster 80W charging significantly reduces downtime.
  • More efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 offers better thermal management.
  • Modern chipset architecture provides potential for longer software support.

  • Potentially less raw CPU power compared to the Snapdragon 855+.
  • Camera specifications are unknown, potentially lagging behind the X2 Pro.

Realme X2 Pro

  • Powerful Snapdragon 855+ delivers high peak performance.
  • Likely a more sophisticated camera system at launch.
  • Potential for lower price due to its age.

  • Slower 50W charging.
  • Less efficient Snapdragon 855+ may lead to throttling and shorter battery life.
  • Older chipset may receive less software support.

Display Comparison

Both the Meizu Note 16 Pro and Realme X2 Pro share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize AMOLED panels. However, specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy are missing. The X2 Pro’s age means potential panel degradation is a factor. The Note 16 Pro’s newer panel likely benefits from advancements in calibration and efficiency, though without specific nit ratings, a definitive advantage is difficult to claim. Bezels are likely comparable given both phones aimed for a premium aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the X2 Pro’s flagship positioning at launch, it likely featured a more sophisticated camera system. The Note 16 Pro, being a mid-range device, may prioritize computational photography to compensate for potentially less advanced hardware. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality and should be considered a marketing feature rather than a core strength.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X2 Pro’s Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) features a Kryo 485 CPU clocked up to 2.96 GHz, offering raw processing power. However, the Meizu Note 16 Pro’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) utilizes a more modern architecture with Cortex-A720 cores, promising improved efficiency. While the 855+ has a higher peak clock speed, the 7s Gen 3’s 4nm process node translates to less heat generation and potentially more sustained performance under load. The 7s Gen 3's CPU configuration (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) is designed for a balance of power and efficiency, while the 855+'s (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) prioritizes outright speed.

Battery Life

Both devices boast an endurance rating of 94 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Realme X2 Pro supports 50W charging, reaching 100% in 35 minutes. The Meizu Note 16 Pro’s 80W charging is significantly faster, offering a substantial convenience advantage. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3’s efficiency further contributes to the Note 16 Pro’s potential for longer battery life, even with similar capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu Note 16 Pro if you prioritize long-term battery health, faster charging speeds, and a more modern chipset architecture for sustained performance. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you absolutely need the peak CPU performance of the Snapdragon 855+ for demanding tasks, and can accept potentially shorter battery life and slower charging, and find it at a significantly discounted price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the Meizu Note 16 Pro handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is a capable chipset, and should handle Genshin Impact at medium settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the peak performance of the Snapdragon 855+, its efficiency will prevent significant throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience.
❓ Is the Realme X2 Pro's battery likely to have degraded significantly given its age?
It's highly probable. Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, and the X2 Pro has been on the market for several years. Expect reduced capacity and potentially shorter battery life compared to a new device. This is a significant factor to consider when evaluating its value.
❓ Does the Meizu Note 16 Pro support fast charging with non-Meizu chargers?
The Meizu Note 16 Pro supports QC4+, PD3.0, and PPS, meaning it should be compatible with a wide range of USB-PD and Quick Charge chargers. However, to achieve the full 80W charging speed, a compatible charger is required.
❓ How does the thermal performance of the Snapdragon 855+ compare to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 under sustained load?
The Snapdragon 855+ is known to generate more heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3’s 4nm process node is significantly more efficient, resulting in lower temperatures and more consistent performance during prolonged tasks like gaming or video editing.