The Meizu Note 8 and Note 9 represent successive generations of Meizu’s budget-focused Note series. While both aim to deliver a compelling experience at an accessible price point, they differ significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on the impact of the chipset upgrade and charging speed changes to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Meizu Note 9 is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 675 offers a noticeable performance boost over the 632, translating to smoother multitasking and improved gaming. While the Note 8 retains a slightly faster 24W charging, the Note 9’s more efficient processor and overall capabilities make it the better all-rounder.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - China | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 3, 5, 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 - China | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, October. Released 2018, November | 2019, March. Released 2019, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 153.6 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm (6.05 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 153.1 x 74.4 x 8.7 mm (6.03 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 96.4 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM632 Snapdragon 632 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), Flyme 7.3 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Flyme 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red, Pink | Black, White, Starlight Blue |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Meizu Note 8
- Faster 24W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point (due to age)
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Less powerful Snapdragon 632 chipset
- Less efficient 14nm process
- Potentially shorter battery life
Meizu Note 9
- More powerful Snapdragon 675 chipset
- More efficient 11nm process
- Improved camera image processing
- Smoother multitasking and gaming
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Potentially higher price point
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, detailed display specifications are unavailable. However, given the market segment, both likely feature LCD panels. The key difference lies in the processing power driving them. The Snapdragon 675 in the Note 9 will contribute to smoother animations and faster response times when navigating the UI, even if the panels themselves are similar in resolution and color accuracy. Bezels were a focus for Meizu, and it's reasonable to expect similar designs between the two.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 675 includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) than the 632. This translates to improved image processing capabilities, including better noise reduction, dynamic range, and color accuracy. While both phones likely feature similar sensor configurations (potentially a primary sensor paired with depth or macro lenses), the Note 9 will likely produce superior photos and videos due to the enhanced ISP. The 675 also supports more advanced camera features, such as AI scene detection.
Performance
The core differentiator is the chipset: the Meizu Note 8 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 632, built on a 14nm process, while the Note 9 boasts the Snapdragon 675, fabricated on a more efficient 11nm node. This process shrink is crucial; the 675’s architecture (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) offers a significant performance uplift compared to the 632’s (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver). The 675’s Kryo 460 cores are a generation newer and more efficient, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 11nm process also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but the Note 9’s more efficient Snapdragon 675 will likely result in longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Note 8. The Note 8 features 24W wired charging, while the Note 9 is limited to 18W. This means the Note 8 will charge faster from 0-100%, but the Note 9’s efficiency may offset this difference in real-world usage, especially if you don’t frequently need to fully charge your phone. The 675’s power efficiency means less energy is wasted during typical use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu Note 8 if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its lower price point (likely now, given its age) makes it attractive for extremely budget-conscious buyers. Buy the Meizu Note 9 if you value performance, smoother app experiences, and a more future-proofed device. The Snapdragon 675 provides a significant upgrade for gaming and demanding applications, making it ideal for users who want a phone that can handle more than just the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Meizu Note 9 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 675 in the Note 9 is significantly more capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile than the 632 in the Note 8. While you may need to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance, the Note 9 should provide a much smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 24W and 18W noticeable in everyday use?
While the Note 8's 24W charging is faster on paper, the difference isn't massive. A full charge will take approximately 30-60 minutes longer on the Note 9. However, the Note 9’s more efficient processor means you may not need to charge as frequently, mitigating the impact of the slower charging speed.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 675 offer any advantages for video playback?
Yes, the Snapdragon 675 supports more advanced video codecs and features, resulting in smoother playback of high-resolution videos and improved video streaming quality. The more powerful GPU also contributes to a better overall viewing experience.
