Released in 2017, the Meizu Pro 7 Plus and Huawei P10 Plus represented the pinnacle of smartphone technology for their time. Now, as both devices can be found at significantly reduced prices, a comparison is relevant for budget-conscious users seeking a capable, if aging, flagship experience. This analysis will dissect their key differences, focusing on performance, display, battery, and camera capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Huawei P10 Plus emerges as the slightly better choice. Its marginally superior battery endurance (76h vs 70h) and more efficient Kirin 960 chipset translate to a smoother, longer-lasting experience, despite the Meizu Pro 7 Plus’s ambitious deca-core processor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, July. Released 2017, August | 2017, February. Released 2017, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.3 x 77.2 x 7.3 mm (6.19 x 3.04 x 0.29 in) | 153.5 x 74.2 x 7 mm (6.04 x 2.92 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~540 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~72.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 81.5 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS-NEO LCD |
| | Secondary 2" AMOLED display, 240 x 536 pixels | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Deca-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A73, 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A35, 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6799 Helio X30 (10 nm) | Kirin 960 (16 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR 7XTP | Mali-G71 MP8 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), Flyme 7.3 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1, UFS 2.0, or UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF, OIS
20 MP B/W, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.7" |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/1.9 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio
| 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired, 45% in 30 min | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, gold, silver | Ceramic White, Dazzling Blue, Dazzling Gold, Graphite Black, Mystic Silver, Rose Gold, Greenery |
| Models | PRO 7 Plus | VKY-L29, VKY-L09, VKY-AL00 |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -92.8dB |
Noise-93.4dB / Crosstalk -92.9dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 70h |
Endurance rating 76h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.147 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1633 (nominal), 3.456 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 87dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 90dB |
Voice 64dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 82dB
|
| Performance |
GFXBench: 4.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu Pro 7 Plus
- Potentially higher peak performance with the deca-core Helio X30.
- Faster wired charging at 24W.
- Higher nominal contrast ratio on the display (though real-world impact is unclear).
- Helio X30 prone to thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Lower battery endurance compared to the P10 Plus.
- Limited software support and updates.
Huawei P10 Plus
- More efficient Kirin 960 chipset for consistent performance.
- Slightly better battery life (76h endurance).
- Likely superior camera image processing thanks to Leica partnership.
- Slower wired charging at 18W.
- Lower nominal contrast ratio on the display.
- Aging chipset, may struggle with modern apps.
Display Comparison
The displays represent a significant contrast. The Meizu Pro 7 Plus boasts an 'infinite' nominal contrast ratio, though a more realistic 4.147 is measured in sunlight. This suggests deep blacks, but the technology behind this isn't specified. Conversely, the Huawei P10 Plus offers a 1633 nominal contrast ratio and 3.456 in sunlight. While lower on paper, the P10 Plus’s contrast is more consistently achievable. The lack of information on panel type (AMOLED vs IPS) for the Meizu hinders a full assessment, but the higher contrast *potential* is a key differentiator. Both phones lack modern features like high refresh rates.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the era, both likely featured capable dual-camera systems. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The P10 Plus, benefiting from Leica’s collaboration with Huawei, likely prioritizes color accuracy and dynamic range. The Meizu Pro 7 Plus may lean towards a more saturated, vibrant image profile. The absence of details makes it impossible to determine which phone offers superior low-light performance or video stabilization.
Performance
The chipset battle pits MediaTek’s Helio X30 against Huawei’s Kirin 960. The Helio X30, a deca-core processor built on a 10nm process, aims for brute force with its three clusters of cores (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A73, 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A35, 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53). However, the Kirin 960, an octa-core chip fabricated on a 16nm node, benefits from Huawei’s optimization and a more streamlined core configuration (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). The 10nm process of the Helio X30 *should* offer better efficiency, but real-world performance suggests the Kirin 960 delivers a more consistent experience due to superior thermal management. The P10 Plus is likely to exhibit less throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Huawei P10 Plus holds a slight edge in battery endurance with a rating of 76 hours compared to the Meizu Pro 7 Plus’s 70 hours. While the Meizu boasts faster 24W wired charging (45% in 30 minutes), the P10 Plus’s 18W charging is still adequate. The Kirin 960’s greater efficiency likely contributes to the P10 Plus’s longer runtime, offsetting the Meizu’s slightly faster charging speed. The difference of 6 hours in endurance is noticeable for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu Pro 7 Plus if you prioritize raw processing power and are comfortable with potential thermal throttling under sustained load. Its deca-core Helio X30 offers a theoretical performance advantage for multitasking. Buy the Huawei P10 Plus if you value battery life, consistent performance, and a more refined software experience. The Kirin 960 provides a balanced approach, prioritizing efficiency and stability over peak speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the MediaTek Helio X30 still capable of running modern apps smoothly on the Meizu Pro 7 Plus?
While the Helio X30 was a powerful chip in its time, it may struggle with the latest, most demanding applications. Expect some lag and slowdowns, especially with graphically intensive games. The P10 Plus's Kirin 960 is likely to handle these tasks with slightly more grace due to its better thermal management and software optimization.
❓ How does the software support compare between the Meizu Pro 7 Plus and the Huawei P10 Plus?
Software support is a significant concern for both devices. Both are well past their end-of-life for official updates. However, Huawei generally provided more consistent software updates during the phones' lifespan. The Meizu Pro 7 Plus is likely running an older version of Android with limited security patches, posing a potential security risk.
❓ Does the Huawei P10 Plus support fast charging protocols beyond its 18W standard?
The Huawei P10 Plus supports Huawei's SuperCharge protocol, which can deliver faster charging speeds with a compatible charger. However, it's limited to 18W with standard USB Power Delivery chargers. While not as fast as the Meizu Pro 7 Plus's 24W, it's still reasonably quick.
