The Meizu Note 9 and Realme 7 Pro represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Note 9, leveraging the Snapdragon 675, aims for value, while the Realme 7 Pro, with its Snapdragon 720G and blazing-fast 65W charging, targets users prioritizing performance and convenience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 7 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 720G offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Note 9’s Snapdragon 675, and the 65W charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 34 minutes. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the Realme 7 Pro’s faster charging mitigates any potential range anxiety.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, March. Released 2019, March | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 153.1 x 74.4 x 8.7 mm (6.03 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) | 160.9 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 96.4 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Flyme 7.2 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 65W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Starlight Blue | Mirror Blue, Mirror Silver |
| Models | - | RMX2170 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.73 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 3,498,000 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 278414(v8)
GeekBench: 1811 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu Note 9
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Snapdragon 675 chipset for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Slower Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Significantly slower 18W charging
- Likely less vibrant display
Realme 7 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Blazing-fast 65W charging (0-100% in 34 minutes)
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Higher price compared to the Meizu Note 9
- May not offer a drastically different camera experience in ideal conditions
- Potential for software bloat (typical of Realme)
Display Comparison
The Realme 7 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 585 nits, compared to the Meizu Note 9’s unspecified brightness. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the Realme 7 Pro’s superior brightness is a tangible benefit for everyday use. Details regarding panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) and refresh rate are missing for the Note 9, suggesting a more basic display experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the Realme 7 Pro’s likely inclusion of more advanced image processing algorithms, coupled with a potentially larger sensor (typical for devices in this price bracket), suggests superior image quality. The absence of sensor size information for both phones makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the Realme 7 Pro’s chipset is generally paired with more capable camera systems. We can assume the Realme 7 Pro will offer more versatile shooting modes and better low-light performance.
Performance
The Realme 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G, built on an 8nm process, represents a clear architectural advantage over the Meizu Note 9’s 11nm Snapdragon 675. The 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores clock slightly higher at 2.3 GHz versus the Note 9’s 2.0 GHz, and the more efficient 8nm node results in better thermal management and sustained performance. This means the Realme 7 Pro will handle demanding games and applications with less throttling. The 8GB of RAM on the specified Realme 7 Pro configuration further enhances multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme 7 Pro’s 65W wired charging is a massive differentiator. It can charge from 0% to 50% in just 12 minutes and reach 100% in 34 minutes. The Meizu Note 9’s 18W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to fully replenish the battery. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts user convenience and reduces downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu Note 9 if you are on a very tight budget and prioritize a functional, reliable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 7 Pro if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more refined experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 7 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. The 8nm process and improved CPU/GPU architecture provide sufficient power for a smooth gaming experience, though sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling during extended sessions.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the Realme 7 Pro safe for the battery's long-term health?
Realme incorporates several safety mechanisms into its 65W SuperDart Charge technology to protect the battery. These include optimized charging algorithms and temperature control systems. While fast charging can generate more heat, Realme’s implementation aims to minimize any potential long-term degradation.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use, and is a USB-C to USB-A adapter required for older chargers?
Both the Meizu Note 9 and Realme 7 Pro utilize USB-C ports. If you have an older charger with a USB-A connector, you will need a USB-C to USB-A adapter to charge these devices. However, to take full advantage of the Realme 7 Pro’s 65W charging, you must use a compatible 65W USB-C charger.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Meizu's Flyme OS and Realme UI?
Meizu's Flyme OS is known for its customization options and unique aesthetic, but it has historically received less frequent updates compared to Realme UI. Realme UI, based on Android, offers a cleaner, more stock-like experience with a focus on speed and efficiency, and benefits from Realme's commitment to regular software updates.
