Released in 2017, the Meizu Pro 7 Plus and OnePlus 5 represented distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The Meizu, with its unique deca-core MediaTek Helio X30, aimed for raw processing power, while the OnePlus 5 leveraged the efficiency and optimization of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835. Today, as these devices find a second life in the used market, understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for potential buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the OnePlus 5 emerges as the more practical choice. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset offers a more consistently smooth experience, coupled with superior battery life (83h endurance vs 70h). While the Meizu Pro 7 Plus boasts a more complex CPU configuration, it doesn't translate to real-world performance gains and suffers from shorter battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, July. Released 2017, August | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| 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) | 154.2 x 74.1 x 7.3 mm (6.07 x 2.92 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 153 g (5.40 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~72.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Optic AMOLED |
| | 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 (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6799 Helio X30 (10 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR 7XTP | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), Flyme 7.3 | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
20 MP, f/2.6, 36mm (standard), 1/2.8", 1.0µm, 1.6x optical zoom, AF |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama, dual-LED flash |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@30/120/480fps, Auto HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p (gyro-EIS) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio
| Dirac HD sound |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired, 45% in 30 min | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, gold, silver | Midnight Black, Slate Gray |
| Models | PRO 7 Plus | A5000 |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -92.8dB |
Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 70h |
Endurance rating 83h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.147 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.914 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 87dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 90dB |
Voice 69dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 77dB
|
| Performance |
GFXBench: 4.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
GeekBench: 6604 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu Pro 7 Plus
- Unique deca-core processor for tech enthusiasts
- Faster wired charging (24W)
- Potentially higher sunlight contrast ratio (4.147)
- Shorter battery life (70h endurance)
- Potentially less optimized software experience
- Complex CPU architecture doesn't guarantee performance gains
OnePlus 5
- Superior battery life (83h endurance)
- More efficient and optimized Snapdragon 835 chipset
- Generally smoother and more consistent performance
- Slightly slower wired charging (20W)
- Lower sunlight contrast ratio (3.914)
- May be harder to find in good condition due to popularity
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu Pro 7 Plus and OnePlus 5 feature displays with an 'Infinite' nominal contrast ratio, a marketing term often used for OLED panels. However, the OnePlus 5 edges out the Meizu in sunlight readability with a contrast ratio of 3.914 compared to the Meizu’s 4.147. While the difference is subtle, it suggests slightly better visibility under direct sunlight for the OnePlus 5. Neither device boasts high refresh rates, a common feature in modern smartphones, limiting their appeal for fast-paced gaming or scrolling.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited in the provided data. Given the era, both likely featured capable sensors for their time. However, the OnePlus 5’s image processing was generally praised for its natural color reproduction and dynamic range. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for the Meizu Pro 7 Plus, it’s difficult to assess its camera performance relative to the OnePlus 5. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many phones of this era is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn't be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Meizu Pro 7 Plus utilizes the MediaTek Helio X30, a deca-core processor built on a 10nm process. Its configuration – 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A73, 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A35, and 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 – aims for a broad range of performance levels. However, this complexity doesn’t necessarily translate to superior performance. The OnePlus 5’s Snapdragon 835, an octa-core processor also on a 10nm process (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo), is known for its efficiency and optimization. The Snapdragon 835 generally delivers smoother, more consistent performance in demanding applications and games due to better software integration and thermal management.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 5 holds a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving 83 hours in testing compared to the Meizu Pro 7 Plus’s 70 hours. While both support wired charging, the OnePlus 5’s 20W charging is slightly slower than the Meizu’s 24W, but the larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset mean it’s less frequently needed. The Meizu Pro 7 Plus’s 45% charge in 30 minutes is respectable, but the OnePlus 5’s overall battery life provides a more practical benefit for daily use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu Pro 7 Plus if you prioritize a unique, albeit potentially less refined, hardware experience and are comfortable with potential software quirks. Its deca-core processor might appeal to tech enthusiasts. Buy the OnePlus 5 if you value a balanced, reliable, and well-supported Android experience with excellent battery life and consistent performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the MediaTek Helio X30 prone to overheating under sustained load?
The Helio X30, with its deca-core configuration, can generate significant heat under prolonged stress. While the 10nm process helps, it's generally less thermally efficient than the Snapdragon 835, potentially leading to throttling during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks. Users should expect some performance degradation after prolonged use.
❓ Does the OnePlus 5 still receive software updates in 2024?
Officially, OnePlus has ended software support for the OnePlus 5. However, the active Android developer community has created custom ROMs like LineageOS, allowing users to keep the device updated with the latest Android versions and security patches. This provides a viable path for continued use and security.
❓ Which phone is better for playing PUBG Mobile?
The OnePlus 5 is the better choice for PUBG Mobile. The Snapdragon 835 provides more consistent frame rates and smoother gameplay, while the Meizu Pro 7 Plus may experience more noticeable throttling due to the Helio X30’s thermal limitations. The OnePlus 5’s optimized software also contributes to a better gaming experience.
