The smartwatch market is heating up, with the Meizu Watch offering a compelling alternative to established players like Google. This comparison focuses on the core performance differences between the Meizu Watch, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100, and the newer Google Pixel Watch 2, utilizing the Snapdragon 5100. We'll dissect how these chipset generations translate into real-world user experience, from app responsiveness to battery efficiency.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smoother, more responsive experience and faster charging, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is the better choice. While the Meizu Watch offers a potentially lower price point, the Snapdragon 5100 provides a noticeable performance uplift and improved power management, justifying the investment.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 31. Released 2021, June 01 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, October 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), ceramic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 46 x 38.4 x 13 mm (1.81 x 1.51 x 0.51 in) | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 43 g (1.52 oz) | 31 g (1.09 oz) |
| | Swimproof | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 368 x 448 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.78 inches | 1.2 inches |
| Type | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | - |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 (12 nm) | Qualcomm 5100 |
| GPU | Adreno 504 | - |
| OS | Flyme | Android Wear OS 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2, gyro, barometer, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2, thermometer (skin temperature), skin conductance |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wired, 80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 430 mAh | Li-Ion 306 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Azure | Polished Silver, Matte Black, Champagne Gold |
| Models | - | G4TSL, GC3G8, GD2WG |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Meizu Watch
- Potentially lower price point
- Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 provides adequate performance for basic tasks
- Established smartwatch functionality
- Older chipset architecture leads to lower performance
- Likely less efficient power consumption
- Charging speed and battery capacity unknown
Google Pixel Watch 2
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 5100 chipset
- 80% charge in 45 minutes with wired charging
- Improved graphics performance for smoother animations
- Higher price point
- Circular display may not appeal to all users
- Relatively small battery capacity (typical of Pixel Watch series)
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications for the Meizu Watch are unavailable. However, given its market positioning, it likely utilizes an AMOLED panel. The Pixel Watch 2 features a circular AMOLED display. The key difference lies under the hood: the Snapdragon 5100 in the Pixel Watch 2 is designed to efficiently drive higher refresh rate displays, potentially offering smoother animations compared to the Meizu Watch’s Snapdragon Wear 4100. The Pixel Watch 2’s display benefits from the newer chipset’s improved graphics processing capabilities.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities, and detailed camera specs are unavailable for the Meizu Watch. Smartwatches generally feature limited camera functionality. Therefore, this comparison point is largely irrelevant, focusing instead on the core processing power needed for image processing and potential camera-related features.
Performance
The core of this comparison rests on the chipsets. The Meizu Watch’s Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 (12nm) is a capable processor, featuring a quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. However, the Google Pixel Watch 2’s Snapdragon 5100 represents a significant architectural leap. While core count isn’t explicitly stated, the 5100 is built on a more efficient process node (likely 4nm, though unconfirmed in provided data), resulting in improved performance per watt. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and reduced thermal throttling during demanding tasks. The 5100’s enhanced GPU will also provide a better experience for any graphically intensive applications or watch faces.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for both devices is not provided. However, the Pixel Watch 2’s Snapdragon 5100’s improved power efficiency is a major advantage. The Pixel Watch 2 supports wired charging, reaching 80% charge in 45 minutes. While the Meizu Watch’s charging speed is unknown, the Snapdragon Wear 4100’s less efficient architecture suggests it will require a longer charging time to achieve a comparable battery level. The 5100’s efficiency allows for potentially longer real-world usage on a single charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu Watch if you're a budget-conscious user who primarily needs basic smartwatch functionality like notifications and fitness tracking, and are willing to accept slightly slower performance. Buy the Google Pixel Watch 2 if you demand a fluid user interface, faster app loading times, and benefit from Google’s integrated services and faster charging capabilities, even at a higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon Wear 4100 in the Meizu Watch struggle with demanding apps like Google Maps or music streaming?
The Snapdragon Wear 4100 is capable, but it will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slower loading times when running resource-intensive applications like Google Maps or streaming music compared to the Pixel Watch 2’s Snapdragon 5100. The 5100’s architectural improvements and potentially higher clock speeds provide a smoother experience.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 5100’s power efficiency impact the Pixel Watch 2’s daily battery life compared to the Meizu Watch?
The Snapdragon 5100 is built on a more efficient process node, meaning it consumes less power for the same level of performance. This translates to potentially longer battery life on the Pixel Watch 2, even with similar usage patterns. While specific battery capacities are unknown, the 5100’s efficiency is a significant advantage.
❓ Is the 45-minute charging time for the Pixel Watch 2 a significant advantage over the Meizu Watch?
Yes, the Pixel Watch 2’s 80% charge in 45 minutes is a substantial convenience. The Meizu Watch, utilizing the older Snapdragon Wear 4100, is likely to require a longer charging time to achieve a comparable charge level due to the chipset’s lower power efficiency.
