The smartwatch market is dominated by Apple, but challengers like Meizu are attempting to disrupt the status quo. We pit the Meizu Watch, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 4100, against the latest Apple Watch Series 9, featuring Apple’s proprietary S9 chip, to determine which offers the best blend of features, performance, and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the clear winner due to its seamless integration, advanced features, and optimized software. However, the Meizu Watch presents a compelling alternative for Android users seeking a capable smartwatch at a significantly lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 31. Released 2021, June 01 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), ceramic back, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 46 x 38.4 x 13 mm (1.81 x 1.51 x 0.51 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 43 g (1.52 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | Swimproof | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 368 x 448 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.78 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ) | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 (12 nm) | Apple S9 |
| GPU | Adreno 504 | PowerVR |
| OS | Flyme | watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 64GB |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2, gyro, barometer, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 430 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Azure | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Red |
| Models | - | A2982, A2984, A2983, A2985, Watch7,3, Watch7,4 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 630 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) |
Meizu Watch
- More affordable price point
- Wear OS compatibility with Android
- Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 offers decent performance
- Less optimized software experience
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Lacks the ecosystem integration of Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 9
- Seamless integration with Apple devices
- Advanced health tracking features
- Optimized performance with Apple S9 chip
- Higher price tag
- Limited compatibility with Android devices
- Requires an iPhone for initial setup and full functionality
Display Comparison
The context data lacks display specifics for both devices. However, given Apple’s history, the Series 9 likely features an LTPO display for variable refresh rates and improved power efficiency, potentially reaching 1000+ nits of peak brightness. The Meizu Watch, targeting a lower price bracket, likely utilizes a standard OLED panel. The Apple Watch’s tighter integration with watchOS allows for more precise brightness control and color calibration, resulting in a superior viewing experience, especially outdoors. Bezels are expected to be minimal on the Apple Watch, while the Meizu Watch may have slightly larger bezels to reduce manufacturing costs.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities, and the context data doesn’t provide camera specs for the Meizu Watch. The Apple Watch Series 9 doesn’t have a camera. Therefore, this is a non-factor in the comparison. Both devices focus on health and fitness tracking, notifications, and communication rather than photography.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 9’s dual-core Apple S9 chip represents a significant architectural advantage over the Meizu Watch’s quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 processor built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 (12nm). While the Meizu Watch boasts more cores, Apple’s chip benefits from a more advanced manufacturing process and optimized architecture. The S9’s neural engine likely provides faster machine learning performance for features like Siri and on-device processing of health data. The Snapdragon Wear 4100, while capable, will likely exhibit more noticeable slowdowns during demanding tasks. The Apple Watch’s RAM speed (likely LPDDR5X) is also expected to be faster, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical consideration. The Apple Watch Series 9 offers up to 18 hours of typical use, and the context data states 0-80% charge in 45 minutes. The Meizu Watch’s battery capacity is unknown, but the Snapdragon Wear 4100’s 12nm process, while improved over older generations, is less power-efficient than the Apple S9. The Apple Watch’s optimized software and potentially larger battery capacity will likely translate to longer real-world battery life. The faster charging speed of the Apple Watch is also a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu Watch if you prioritize affordability, prefer the Wear OS ecosystem, and need a smartwatch compatible with Android devices. It’s ideal for users who want core smartwatch functionality without the premium Apple price tag. Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 if you’re an iPhone user, value tight ecosystem integration, advanced health tracking features, and are willing to pay a premium for a polished user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon Wear 4100 in the Meizu Watch struggle with demanding apps or animations?
While the Snapdragon Wear 4100 is a capable processor, it's likely to exhibit some slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or handling graphically intensive tasks compared to the Apple S9. Users should expect a smoother experience on the Apple Watch Series 9, particularly when navigating complex interfaces.
❓ How does the health tracking accuracy compare between the Meizu Watch and the Apple Watch Series 9?
Apple invests heavily in the accuracy of its health sensors and algorithms. The Apple Watch Series 9 likely offers more precise heart rate monitoring, ECG readings, and fall detection. While the Meizu Watch provides basic health tracking, it may not reach the same level of accuracy or offer the same range of advanced features as the Apple Watch.
❓ Is the Meizu Watch a viable option for users who don't own an iPhone?
Absolutely. The Meizu Watch is designed to work seamlessly with Android smartphones, offering full functionality and compatibility. This is a key advantage for Android users who want a smartwatch without being locked into the Apple ecosystem.
