Released in different eras, the Meizu X8 and Xiaomi Mi A1 (also known as the Mi 5X) represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Mi A1, part of the Android One initiative, prioritized software purity and battery life, while the Meizu X8 aimed for a more modern design and a significant performance boost with its Snapdragon 710 chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Meizu X8 is the superior choice. While the Mi A1 boasts excellent battery endurance, the Snapdragon 710 in the X8 delivers a substantially faster and more responsive experience, making it better suited for modern app usage and light gaming. The X8’s newer architecture provides a more future-proof platform.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - China | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA - China | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, September. Released 2018, October | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.2 x 74.6 x 7.8 mm (5.95 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) | 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm (6.12 x 2.98 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 97.6 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~70.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), Flyme UI | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
5 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, AF, 2x optical zoom |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3210 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3080 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | X8 | MDG2, MDI2 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.75 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -82.5dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1570:1 (nominal), 2.689 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 74dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 90dB |
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4292 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu X8
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 710)
- More modern architecture for better efficiency
- Likely improved camera image processing
- Battery capacity and charging speed are unknown
- Display specifications are not fully available
Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X)
- Excellent battery life (87h endurance)
- Clean Android One software experience
- Good outdoor display visibility
- Slow processor (Snapdragon 625)
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Slow 10W charging
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar display contrast ratio of 1570:1 (nominal) and 2.689 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the Meizu X8’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison of resolution and panel technology impossible. Given the X8’s later release, it likely benefits from a more modern panel with potentially better color accuracy and viewing angles. The Mi A1’s 5.5-inch display, while adequate, feels smaller and less immersive compared to what the X8 likely offers.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. The Mi A1 gained recognition for its dual-camera setup, but without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The X8, benefiting from a more modern image signal processor within the Snapdragon 710, likely offers improved image processing, better low-light performance, and potentially more advanced features. The absence of details on the X8’s camera prevents a definitive assessment, but the chipset advantage is a strong indicator.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Meizu X8’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm) represents a significant leap over the Xiaomi Mi A1’s Snapdragon 625 (14nm). The 710’s octa-core CPU, with its 2x2.2 GHz 360 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver configuration, offers substantially higher performance than the Mi A1’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The 10nm process node of the SD710 also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained load. This means the X8 will handle multitasking, demanding apps, and even light gaming far more smoothly than the Mi A1.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi A1 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 87 hours, a testament to the power efficiency of the Snapdragon 625 and its 3080mAh battery. However, the Meizu X8, despite lacking a specified battery capacity, benefits from the more efficient 10nm Snapdragon 710. While the X8 may not match the Mi A1’s outright endurance, the performance gains likely outweigh the potential battery life difference for most users. The Mi A1’s 10W charging is significantly slower than what is expected on modern devices, while the X8’s charging speed is unknown.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu X8 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the ability to handle more demanding tasks. It’s ideal for users who frequently multitask or enjoy mobile gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X) if long battery life is your absolute top priority and you prefer a clean, stock Android experience. It’s a good option for basic smartphone users who primarily make calls, send texts, and browse the web.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 625 in the Mi A1 still adequate for everyday tasks in 2024?
While the Snapdragon 625 remains functional for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing, it struggles with modern app bloat and multitasking. Expect noticeable lag and slowdowns when running multiple apps or demanding software. It's increasingly showing its age.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 710 in the Meizu X8 support modern gaming titles?
The Snapdragon 710 can handle many popular mobile games at medium settings. However, it won't deliver the same performance as flagship chipsets. Expect some frame drops in graphically intensive titles, but it's a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 625 for gaming.
❓ How does the Android One software on the Mi A1 impact the user experience?
Android One provides a clean, bloatware-free Android experience with guaranteed software updates for a certain period. This is a major benefit for users who prefer a stock Android interface and timely security patches. However, update support has likely ended for the Mi A1 by now.
❓ What are the potential downsides of choosing the Meizu X8 over the Mi A1?
The primary downside is the lack of detailed information regarding the X8’s battery capacity and charging speed. While the Snapdragon 710 is more efficient, it doesn’t guarantee comparable battery life to the Mi A1. Also, Meizu’s Flyme OS, while feature-rich, isn’t as universally praised as Android One’s simplicity.
