Google Pixel 7 vs. Meizu Pro 7: A Tale of Two Android Philosophies

Released years apart, the Google Pixel 7 and the Meizu Pro 7 represent vastly different approaches to the Android smartphone experience. The Pixel 7 embodies Google’s focus on computational photography and streamlined software, while the Meizu Pro 7, with its innovative dual-screen design and powerful (in its time) Helio X30 option, aimed for a more feature-rich, customizable experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device holds up better today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user in 2024, the Google Pixel 7 is the clear winner. Its superior processing power thanks to the Tensor G2, exceptional camera capabilities, and continued software support outweigh the Meizu Pro 7’s unique dual-screen feature, which feels dated and less practical in modern usage. The Pixel 7 offers a more polished and reliable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu Pro 7 Google Pixel 7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GQML3
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GQML3
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GVU6C
Launch
Announced2017, July. Released 2017, August2022, October 06
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, October 13
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions147.6 x 70.7 x 7.3 mm (5.81 x 2.78 x 0.29 in)155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm (6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight163 g (5.75 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)
Size5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~71.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak)
 Secondary 2" AMOLED display, 240 x 536 pixelsAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)Deca-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A73, 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A35, 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6757T Helio P25 (16 nm) - standard editionMediatek MT6799 Helio X30 (10 nm) - high editionGoogle Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-T880MP2PowerVR 7XTPMali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 7.0 (Nougat), Flyme 7.3Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n or a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging24W wired20W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 20W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4355 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, gold, redObsidian, Lemongrass, Snow
ModelsPRO 7, MZ-PRO 7GVU6C, GQML3, GO3Z5
PriceAbout 400 EUR€ 199.00 / $ 179.26 / £ 189.99 / ₹ 28,499
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 813114 (v9) GeekBench: 3288 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Meizu Pro 7

  • Unique dual-screen functionality
  • Potentially powerful Helio X30 variant
  • Customizable software (for its time)

  • Outdated chipset (Helio P25)
  • Limited software support
  • Dual-screen adds complexity and potential battery drain

Google Pixel 7

  • Powerful Google Tensor G2 chipset
  • Excellent camera with computational photography
  • Long-term software support and updates
  • Fast and versatile charging options

  • No dual-screen functionality
  • May be more expensive than a used Meizu Pro 7
  • Design may not appeal to all

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 974 nits, compared to the Meizu Pro 7’s unspecified peak brightness. While the Pro 7’s secondary e-ink display is a novelty, it’s limited in functionality. The Pixel 7’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) provides a richer viewing experience. The Pixel 7’s display is also likely to have a higher refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations, a feature absent in the Pro 7’s specifications. The Pro 7’s dual-screen approach, while innovative, adds complexity and potential battery drain.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7 excels in camera performance, leveraging Google’s renowned computational photography algorithms. While both devices offer photo and video capabilities, the Pixel 7’s sensor size and image processing are likely far superior. The Meizu Pro 7’s camera specifications are vague, and its image quality likely pales in comparison to the Pixel 7’s consistently excellent results, particularly in low-light conditions. The Pixel 7’s software features, such as Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, provide significant editing capabilities not found on the Pro 7.

Performance

The Google Pixel 7’s Tensor G2, fabricated on a 5nm process, represents a substantial leap in efficiency and performance over the Meizu Pro 7’s MediaTek Helio P25 (16nm) or Helio X30 (10nm). The Tensor G2’s octa-core configuration, featuring Cortex-X1 and Cortex-A78 cores, delivers significantly faster processing speeds and improved AI capabilities. The Helio X30, while a deca-core processor, suffers from the inefficiencies of its 10nm node. The Pixel 7’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, while the Pro 7’s RAM specifications are unknown. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Pixel 7.

Battery Life

Both the Pixel 7 and Meizu Pro 7 achieve an endurance rating of 96 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Pixel 7’s 20W wired charging with PD3.0 and 50% charge in 30 minutes, along with 20W wireless and reverse wireless charging, offers significantly more convenient and versatile charging options than the Meizu Pro 7’s 24W wired charging. The Pixel 7’s more efficient chipset also contributes to better battery management.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu Pro 7 if you are a collector of unique hardware, fascinated by early dual-screen implementations, and willing to accept limited software support and potential performance bottlenecks. Buy the Google Pixel 7 if you prioritize a smooth, modern Android experience, a class-leading camera, and long-term software updates, making it ideal for everyday use and photography enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Meizu Pro 7's secondary e-ink display actually useful for everyday tasks?
While innovative, the e-ink display on the Meizu Pro 7 is limited in its functionality. It's primarily suited for displaying notifications, reading ebooks, and acting as a low-power always-on display. It's not ideal for color-intensive tasks or interactive applications, and its small size limits its practicality.
❓ How does the MediaTek Helio X30 in the higher-end Meizu Pro 7 compare to the Google Tensor G2 in terms of gaming performance?
The Google Tensor G2 significantly outperforms the MediaTek Helio X30 in gaming. The Tensor G2’s more modern architecture, faster CPU and GPU cores, and efficient 5nm process allow for higher frame rates, smoother gameplay, and better thermal management. The Helio X30, while powerful for its time, struggles to keep up with modern demanding games.
❓ Will I receive software updates and security patches for the Meizu Pro 7 in 2024?
It is highly unlikely that the Meizu Pro 7 will receive any further software updates or security patches. Meizu has largely abandoned support for this device, leaving it vulnerable to security risks and lacking the latest Android features. The Pixel 7, on the other hand, continues to receive regular updates from Google.