OnePlus Ace 5 vs. Meizu 20 Classic: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon Power

The OnePlus Ace 5 and Meizu 20 Classic represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive Android flagship space. While both leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform, they target slightly different priorities – the Ace 5 prioritizing raw performance with the latest Gen 3, and the Meizu 20 Classic focusing on a refined experience with the still-potent Gen 2. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Ace 5 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers a noticeable performance uplift, and the 80W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Meizu 20 Classic offers a polished experience, the Ace 5’s raw power and faster charging provide a more compelling package.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Ace 5 Meizu 20 Classic
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, December 262023, October 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, December 26Available. Released 2023, October 31
Body
BuildGlass front (Crystal Shield Glass), glass back (Crystal Shield Glass), aluminum frame-
Dimensions161.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.37 x 2.98 x 0.32 in)157.9 x 73.5 x 8 mm (6.22 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g or 223 g (7.27 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCrystal Shield Glass-
Resolution1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 740
OSAndroid 15, ColorOS 15Android 13, Flyme 10
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaRing-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 16mm, 122˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS8K, 4K, 1080p; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EISYes
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, 18W PD, 55% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min67W wired, PD3 PPS, QC4+
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6415 mAhLi-Po 4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, White, GreenGray, Silver, Green
ModelsPKG110-
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 400 EUR

OnePlus Ace 5

  • Significantly faster charging (80W)
  • More powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
  • Likely superior gaming performance

  • Potential for higher thermal throttling
  • Software experience may be less refined than Meizu

Meizu 20 Classic

  • Potentially more refined software experience
  • Likely more compact and ergonomic design
  • Support for PD3 PPS and QC4+ charging standards

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Slower charging speed (67W)

Display Comparison

While specific display specs are missing, both devices likely utilize high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels given their flagship positioning. However, the Ace 5’s focus on gaming suggests a potentially higher peak brightness and more aggressive refresh rate scaling for smoother visuals. The Meizu 20 Classic, leaning towards a more balanced experience, may prioritize color accuracy and viewing angles. Bezels are likely comparable, but Meizu often emphasizes design aesthetics, potentially resulting in slightly slimmer bezels.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, given the market positioning, both phones likely feature multi-camera systems with a primary sensor exceeding 50MP. The Ace 5, targeting gamers, might prioritize video recording capabilities and image stabilization. The Meizu 20 Classic, with its emphasis on overall experience, could focus on computational photography and color science. The absence of information on sensor sizes and lens apertures makes a precise comparison impossible, but we can assume both will offer competitive image quality in good lighting conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus Ace 5 boasts the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with its octa-core configuration peaking at 3.3 GHz, while the Meizu 20 Classic features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) topping out at 3.2 GHz. This generational leap translates to a significant performance advantage for the Ace 5, particularly in sustained workloads. The Ace 5’s CPU architecture – incorporating the Cortex-X4 prime core – offers improved single-core performance, while the Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 is still highly capable. Both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the Ace 5’s superior chipset will better leverage its bandwidth. Thermal management will be crucial; the Gen 3 is known to run warmer, so OnePlus’ cooling solution will be critical to avoid throttling.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Ace 5’s 80W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Meizu 20 Classic’s 67W charging. The Ace 5 claims a 55% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. While the Meizu 20 Classic supports PD3 PPS and QC4+, its slower charging speed means longer periods tethered to a power outlet. Battery capacity is unknown for both, but the faster charging of the Ace 5 mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Ace 5 if you need uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds. Buy the Meizu 20 Classic if you prefer a more refined software experience, appreciate a potentially more compact form factor (based on Meizu’s design language), and are comfortable with slightly slower charging and a less powerful chipset.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the OnePlus Ace 5 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is known to generate more heat than its predecessor. However, OnePlus typically employs robust cooling solutions in their Ace series. The effectiveness of this cooling will determine whether throttling occurs during prolonged gaming. Monitoring temperatures during gameplay is recommended.
❓ Does the Meizu 20 Classic support global ROMs and Google services?
Meizu’s international support has been historically limited. While the Meizu 20 Classic may ship with Google services pre-installed in some regions, users should verify compatibility and ROM availability before purchasing, especially if they require specific language support or access to Google Play Store.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Meizu 20 Classic compare to other phones in its class?
67W charging is still considered fast, but it's becoming increasingly common to see 80W or even 100W+ charging speeds in flagship devices. While the Meizu 20 Classic’s charging isn’t slow, it will take longer to fully charge compared to phones with higher wattage support like the OnePlus Ace 5.