Replacing the popular M2 Note, Meizu M3 Note changed the plastic case to a metal one, got a normal oleophobic coating and pumped out the battery. Despite its appearance almost equal to the iPhone 6s Plus, the device retained an attractive price, but this did not prevent us from finding flaws.
The presentation of the new smartphone Meizu M3 Note, which was held under the slogan "It's time to leave polycarbonate behind", took place in early April in Beijing. In Moscow, this device, along with other products from the line of 2016, The novelty replaced the rather successful model, the sales of which, according to the manufacturer, have made more than two tens of millions of devices since the summer of last year.Meizu, obviously, counts on the fact that the M3 Note smartphone, if not surpassed, then at least repeat the success of its predecessor.
Specifications
- Model: M3 Note (M681H)
- OS: Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with Flyme OS 5.1.3.1G shell
- Processor: 64-bit MediaTek Helio P10 (MT6755), ARMv8 architecture, 8 cores ARM Cortex-A53 (4x1.8 GHz + 4x1.0 GHz)
- Graphics coprocessor: ARM Mali-T860 MP2 (550 MHz)
- RAM: 2 GB / 3 GB LPDDR3 (933 MHz, one channel)
- Storage memory: 16 GB / 32 GB, eMMC 5.1, support for microSD / HC / XC memory cards (up to 128 GB)
- Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 (LE), microUSB (USB 2.0) for charge / synchronization, USB-OTG, 3.5 mm for headphones
- Screen: capacitive touchscreen, IPS LTPS (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon) matrix, GFF (full lamination), 5.5-inch diagonal, resolution 1920 × 1080 pixels, pixel density per inch 403 ppi, brightness 450 cd / sq. m, contrast ratio 1000: 1, protective glass NEG 2.5D T2X-1
- Main camera: 13 MP, PureCel matrix, OmniVision OV13853, optical size 1 / 3.06 inches, pixel size 1.12 microns, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 5-element lens, aperture f / 2.2, phase detection (PDAF) autofocus, dual two-tone flash, video [email protected]
- Front camera: 5 MP, BSI-matrix, Samsung S5K5E8 or OmniVision OV5670 PureCel, optical size (1/5 inch), pixel size 1.12um, 4-element lens, f / 2.0 aperture
- Network: GSM / GPRS / EDGE (900/1800/1900 MHz), WCDMA / HSPA + (900/2100 MHz), 4G FDD-LTE (1800/2100/2600 MHz)
- SIM card format: nanoSIM (4FF)
- Slot tray configuration: nanoSIM + nanoSIM, or nanoSIM + microSD / HD / XC
- Navigation: GPS / GLONASS, A-GPS
- Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, Hall sensor, light and proximity sensors (infrared), fingerprint scanner
- Battery: non-removable, lithium-polymer, 4 100 mAh
- Colors: dark gray, silver, golden
- Dimensions: 153.6x75.5x8.2 mm
- Weight: 163 grams
Design, ergonomics
When creating the M3 Note, the designers seem to have drawn their inspiration from the older Meizu models of last year, in particular smartphones and.
So, for the manufacture of the all-metal body of the novelty, also known as unibody, they chose an aviation aluminum-magnesium alloy of the 6000 series.
To prevent the smartphone's antennas from being shielded by metal, we provided two inserts of radio-transparent material, separating them from the aluminum alloy with relief stripes. The dimensions of the new item have not changed very much compared to that - 153.6x75.5x8.2 mm versus 150.7x75.2x8.7 mm. Well, the weight, due to the more capacious battery, has quite predictably grown - 163 g versus 149 g.
Recall that in the predecessor for the case, they were content with glossy colored plastic, and only for the gray color matte polycarbonate was used.
At the time of testing, there were two color options for the anodized coating of the M3 Note cases on sale: silver (with a black or white bezel) and gray (with a black or white bezel).
The entire front surface of the M2 Note, including the screen, is covered with a protective glass, which was chosen as Dinorex 2.5D T2X-1 from Nippon Electric Glass (NEG).
The 2.5D effect consists in smooth "rounding" of this glass around the perimeter of the front panel.
Above the display, with traditionally narrow side bezels,
the grille of the "spoken" speaker is located, surrounded by the front camera lens (left), light and proximity sensors, as well as an LED indicator (right). The latter does not seem to be used by the standard means of the smartphone.
Below the display is a mechanical key with a built-in mTouch 2.1 fingerprint scanner, which looks very similar to the mBack that first appeared in a smartphone. It also inherited its basic functionality from the latter. So, the usual touch (tap) of this button activates the "Back" function, a short press with a hardware "click" returns to the main screen ("Home"), and a long press (with hold) extinguishes the screen backlight. But the "Recent Apps" button replaces the swipe up from the bottom edge of the display. After a short getting used to, this control scheme becomes very convenient.
A volume rocker and a power / lock button are located on the right edge in a small depression.
The left edge occupies a closed slot with a double tray, which can accommodate either two subscriber identification modules of the nanoSIM format, or a microSD memory expansion card will take the place of the second. A special tool is required to open the combo tray lock. A thin paper clip can still be used as it. Unfortunately, during the production of the device (at least of our test sample), the size of the tray and the slot for it was not adjusted perfectly, as a result of which the tray rattles slightly if you shake the smartphone.
The hole for the second microphone (for noise cancellation and sound recording) and the 3.5 mm audio headset connector remained on the top end.
The microUSB connector is framed by decorative grilles (four round holes in each) at the bottom end between two fastening screws. At the same time, a "conversational" microphone is hidden under the left, and a "multimedia" speaker under the right.
On the back panel, the most striking are the relief stripes separating the metal from the radio-transparent plastic,
The front camera has a 5-megapixel BSI sensor (Samsung S5K5E8 or OmniVision OV5670 PureCel, 1/5-inch optical size) equipped with a wide-angle 4-lens f / 2.0 aperture. But autofocus and flash are absent here. The maximum image size in the classic aspect ratio (4: 3) is 2592x1944 pixels (5 MP).
Both cameras can record video in Full HD quality (1920x1080 pixels) with a frame rate of 30 fps, while the content is saved in MP4 container files (AVC - video, AAC - sound).
The interface of the "Camera" application in the M3 Note, compared to that of its predecessor, has been slightly "refined", but the main features have changed little. The modes "Auto", "Manual", "Portrait", "Panorama", "Change of focus" and "Slow motion" (4 times, resolution 640x480 pixels, up to 60 minutes) remained in place. At the same time, removing the "Scanner", added "Macro" and "GIF" (up to 6 minutes of animation). In the settings, you can select the HDR mode, as well as determine the photo size and video quality. Shooting in manual mode (M) involves adjusting the shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, saturation, white balance, etc. By activating the corresponding option, focus and exposure metering can be performed separately. In addition, nearly a dozen image filters are available. It is convenient to switch the viewfinder from the main camera to the front one and back with vertical swipes. But the volume rocker (both increase and decrease) is also proposed to be used to release the shutter. The manufacturer notes the role of the ISP TrueBright image processor, which allows you to make a picture in low light conditions more bright and clear. Nevertheless, it is difficult to boast of a special quality of shooting in such conditions even with the main camera.
Not only in the placement of the grille of the "multimedia" speaker, but also in its acoustic capabilities, the M3 Note practically does not differ from its predecessor. Standard smartphone tools still allow you to listen to audio files, for example, with FLAC extensions, created by codecs for compressing audio data without losing quality. After connecting an audio headset, it is suggested to use a 5-band equalizer with presets and manual tuning. Unfortunately, there is no built-in FM tuner in the device. A simple "Dictaphone" makes fairly high-quality monophonic recordings (44.1 kHz), which it stores in MP3 files.
But with the playback of music via Bluetooth, a small problem was discovered - clicks that occur when you take the smartphone in your hand or move it across the table. Apparently, the reason is insufficient shielding of the audio path from static electricity on the case.
Filling, performance
If they relied on the 64-bit MediaTek MT6753 platform with eight ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.3 GHz), then for the M3 Note they chose the firstborn from the family of middle-class chipsets MediaTek Helio P10 (aka MT6755), designed, according to the manufacturer , for thin smartphones.
At the heart of this crystal is an 8-core processor, where four ARM Cortex-A53 cores are clocked at up to 1.8 GHz, and four more - up to 1.0 GHz. At the same time, the 2-core architecture ARM Mali-T860 MP2 (550 MHz) with support for OpenGL ES 3.2 and OpenCL 1.2 is used as a graphics accelerator. The MT6755 chip is manufactured using the new TSMC 28HPC + (28 nm) technological process, which, according to the manufacturer, provided a 30-35% reduction in power consumption compared to chips manufactured in compliance with the "old" 28HPC design standards. In addition, an increase in energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient computing power is achieved by automatically adjusting the frequencies of the processor and video accelerator. Helio P10 can work in LTE-TDD, LTE-FDD Cat. 6 (300/50 Mbps), HSPA +, TD-SCDMA, EDGE, etc., and also equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 LE and 2-band Wi-Fi interfaces. Among other proprietary "highlights" of MediaTek MT6755, in addition to MiraVision 2.0, it is worth noting the load optimizer for processor cores CorePilot and the heart rate monitoring system (using a camera built into the smartphone) Heart Rate Monitoring.
The basic configuration of the M3 Note is supplemented with LPDDR3 RAM (933 MHz), which is controlled by a single-channel controller. Note that the versions of the smartphone with 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage (eMMC 5.1) have 2 GB or 3 GB of RAM, respectively. We got a device with a 2 GB / 16 GB combination for the test. Judging by the published data, Helio P10 successfully competes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 615/616 chipsets in terms of performance, which does not contradict the results of the tests performed.
The number of "virtual parrots" obtained on the synthetic benchmark AnTuTu Benchmark was deliberately predetermined by the chosen hardware platform.
The efficiency of using processor cores (Geekbench 3, Vellamo) of the new smartphone looks rather optimistic, but the estimate of the amount of "horsepower" is not so major.
On the Epic Citadel visual test settings (High Performance, High Quality, and Ultra High Quality), the average frame rate changed as follows - 60.1 fps, 59.8 fps and 41.5 fps, respectively.
On the universal gaming benchmark 3DMark, where the Meizu M3 Note was tested on the recommended Sling Shot set (ES 3.1), a rather modest result of 326 points was recorded. If problems with simple games are unlikely to arise, then on "heavy" ones (Asphalt 8: Takeoff, World of Tanks Blitz) it is better to limit yourself to medium settings.
In turn, the total number of points "knocked out" by a smartphone on the Base Mark OS II cross-platform benchmark was 986.
Of the 16 GB of declared internal memory in the tested model, about 14.56 GB is available, and about 9.6 GB is free. At the same time, like in the case of the existing storage, it is possible to install a microSD / HC / XC memory card with a maximum capacity of up to 128 GB. True, the double tray, where the memory card is inserted, is universal, and, having taken one place in it, you will have to sacrifice the installation of a second SIM card (nanoSIM format). By the way, you can also expand the built-in memory thanks to the support of the USB-OTG technology, by connecting an external drive.
Similar to its predecessor, the set of wireless communications in the M3 Note also includes a 2-band Wi-Fi module 802.11 a / b / g / n (2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth 4.0 (LE).
When two nanoSIM cards (4FF format) are installed, one radio channel of the device operates with them in Dual SIM Dual Standby mode, in other words, both SIM cards are active, but when one is busy, the other is also unavailable. Both trays in the slot support 4G, while the SIM card for data transmission, like the priority network mode, is selected in the corresponding menu. Unfortunately, only two "Russian" FDD-LTE bands are available - b3 (1800 MHz) and b7 (2600 MHz). But the most "punchy", low-frequency b20 (800 MHz), as before, remained "overboard". The manufacturer especially emphasizes support for the promising VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology.
The built-in multi-system receiver uses the satellites of the GPS and GLONASS constellations for positioning and navigation, which is confirmed by the results of the AndroiTS GPS Test and GPS Test programs. There is also support for A-GPS technology (coordination over Wi-Fi and cellular networks).
The volume of the lithium-polymer battery, which was equipped with the M3 Note (4 100 mAh), compared to its predecessor (3 100 mAh), has increased quite significantly - by about 32% (1000 mAh). Despite such a margin of capacity, the body of the new smartphone has become 0.5 mm thinner. There is no support for fast charging. A power adapter (5 V / 2 A) is included with the smartphone. It will take about 2 hours to fill the battery to 100% from the 15-20% level.
On battery tests, AnTuTu Tester managed to earn an impressive 8,778 points. While he limited himself to 6 289 points here. With a 100% full battery, the manufacturer promises up to two days of work in active mode, or up to 17 hours of video viewing, or up to 36 hours of listening to music. The test set of videos in MP4 format (hardware decoding) and Full HD quality at full brightness ran continuously for almost 9.5 hours.
In the "Power management" section of the settings, depending on the expected load, you can force the smartphone to switch from the "Balanced" mode to "Energy saving" or "Performance". In addition, in the section "Optimization of energy consumption" offers not only to manage the sleep mode of applications, but also to use flexible settings to save battery power - "Smart", "Super" and "Customizable".
Features of the software
The M3 Note smartphone runs on the Android 5.1 (Lollipop) operating system, the interface of which is hidden under the proprietary Flyme OS 5.1.3.1G shell. It should be noted here that in the latest versions of Flyme firmware, including the one mentioned above, the first launch of the Google Play app store (creating a Google account) must be performed on a smartphone with an installed SIM card. This additional device authorization has become one of the new security requirements.
All program shortcuts, folders and widgets in the Flyme launcher are placed right on the desktops. Swipe down to open the quick settings panel (where there is now a brightness adjustment slider), and swipe up to open recently opened applications.
The "Accessibility" section still contains possible smartphone control gestures, including the SmartTouch control "ring" (not shown in the screenshot) with adjustable transparency.
In the new version of the shell, it became possible to split the screen to simultaneously display the work of two applications, although so far this applies only to the "Settings", "Video" and "Maps" programs.
Using up to five fingerprints from the fast (0.2 seconds) mTouch 2.1 fingerprint scanner, you can lock not only the screen, but also access to files and applications.
The M3 Note has a minimal set of software. From this software, one can single out a collection of utilities for regular smartphone care, collected in the "Security Center" (scanning for viruses, cleaning up "garbage", cleaning memory, managing energy saving, etc.), as well as practical tools from the "Useful" application ( "Mirror", "Flashlight", "Ruler", etc.).
Purchase, conclusions
Improvements in Meizu M3 Note, compared to its predecessor, affected not only the replacement of plastic with an aluminum alloy, but also the functionality of the filling. Now the smartphone, which can be equipped with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory, uses a new processor, significantly increased battery capacity, and also added a fast fingerprint scanner. In addition, both trays in the slot support not only LTE technology, but also VoLTE. At the same time, the price of the M3 Note was kept quite attractive: 16,990 rubles for the 2GB / 16GB version and 18,990 rubles for 3GB / 32GB (RAM / internal memory, respectively).
Unfortunately, some of the disadvantages of its predecessor have migrated to the new model. In particular, the 800 MHz LTE band remained "overboard", the obligatory choice between the second SIM-card and the memory expansion remained, and the built-in FM tuner is still missing.
As for the closest competitors Meizu M3 Note, among them the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, already certified for sale in Russia, looks good. No less metallic than the new product from Meizu, it received a more powerful processor, a 16-megapixel camera and a battery of almost the same capacity. (4000 mAh). At the same time, in large retail chains, its 3 GB / 32 GB configuration is estimated at 17,990 rubles, and 2 GB / 16 GB is another 2 thousand rubles cheaper.
The results of the review of the smartphone Meizu M3 Note
Pros:
- Attractive price
- High autonomy
- LTE and VoLTE support on both SIM trays
- Expandable memory
- Fast fingerprint scanner
Minuses:
- Alternative installation of a second SIM-card or memory card
- Slightly wobbly SIM tray
- Clicks when playing Bluetooth music
- Lack of support for the frequency range LTE Band 20 (800 MHz)
- No FM tuner
Information about the brand, model and alternative names of a specific device, if any.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, offered colors, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 75.5 mm (millimeters) 7.55 cm (centimeters) 0.25 ft (feet) 2.97 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 153.6 mm (millimeters) 15.36 cm (centimeters) 0.5 ft (feet) 6.05 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units. | 8.2 mm (millimeters) 0.82 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.32 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 163 g (grams) 0.36 lbs (pounds) 5.75 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with a rectangular parallelepiped shape. | 95.09 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 5.77 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this unit is offered for sale. | Golden Gray Silver |
| Materials for the manufacture of the case Materials used to make the device body. | Metal |
SIM card
A SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analog mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often referred to as a 2G mobile network. It is enhanced by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies. | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| CDMA CDMA (Code-Division Multiple Access) is a channel access method used in communications in mobile networks. Compared to other 2G and 2.5G standards like GSM and TDMA, it offers faster data transfer rates and the ability to connect more consumers at the same time. | CDMA 800 MHz |
| TD-SCDMA TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) is a 3G standard for mobile networks. It is also called UTRA / UMTS-TDD LCR. It was developed as an alternative to the W-CDMA standard in China by the Chinese Academy of Telecommunication Technologies, Datang Telecom and Siemens. TD-SCDMA combines TDMA and CDMA. | TD-SCDMA 1880-1920 MHz TD-SCDMA 2010-2025 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and refers to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is to provide more speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology. | UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM / EDGE and UMTS / HSPA with the aim of increasing the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent development of technologies is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 1800 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 1900 MHz (B39) LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2500 MHz (B41) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) |
Mobile technology and data rates
Communication between devices in mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data rates.
Operating system
An operating system is the system software that controls and coordinates the operation of the hardware components on a device.
SoC (System on a Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) integrates all the major hardware components of a mobile device into a single chip.
| SoC (System on a Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software required for their operation. | MediaTek Helio P10 (MT6755) |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. The value in nanometers is half the distance between the elements in the processor. | 28 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The main function of the processor (CPU) of a mobile device is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | 4x 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, 4x 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 |
| Processor size The capacity (bits) of the processor is determined by the size (in bits) of registers, address buses and buses for data. 64-bit processors offer better performance than 32-bit processors, which, in turn, are more efficient than 16-bit processors. | 64 bit |
| Instruction set architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets / controls the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv8-A |
| Level 1 cache (L1) The cache memory is used by the processor to reduce the time it takes to access more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (Level 1) cache is small and is much faster than both system memory and other levels of cache. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 256 KB + 256 KB (kilobytes) |
| L2 cache L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1, but instead has a larger capacity, allowing more data to be cached. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in L3 cache memory (if available) or in RAM memory. | 2048 KB (kilobytes) 2 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes program instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to execute in parallel. | 8 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 1800 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics processing unit (GPU) A graphics processing unit (GPU) handles computation for a variety of 2D / 3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most commonly used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, and more. | ARM Mali-T860 MP2 |
| Number of GPU cores Like a processor, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle the graphical computing of various applications. | 2 |
| GPU clock speed Speed \u200b\u200bis the clock speed of the GPU and is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 700 MHz (megahertz) |
| The amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. The data that is saved in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 2 GB (gigabytes) 3 GB (gigabytes) |
| Memory type (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR3 |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels means higher data rates. | Single channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of the RAM determines its speed of operation, more specifically, the speed of reading / writing data. | 933 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) fixed memory.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage space for data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type / technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the image quality of information directly depends. | IPS |
| Diagonal On mobile devices, screen size is expressed in terms of the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 5.5 in (inches) 139.7 mm (millimeters) 13.97 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.7 in (inches) 68.49 mm (millimeters) 6.85 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 4.79 in (inches) 121.76 mm (millimeters) 12.18 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect ratio The aspect ratio of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.778:1 16:9 |
| Resolution Screen resolution shows the number of pixels horizontally and vertically on the screen. Higher resolution means sharper image detail. | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Pixel density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be shown on the screen in clearer detail. | 401 ppi (pixels per inch) 157 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area The approximate percentage of the display area on the front of the device. | 72.14% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other functions and features of the screen. | Capacitive Multitouch Scratch resistant |
| NEG Dinorex T2X-1 Glass 2.5D curved glass screen LTPS (Low Temperature PolySilicon) 1000: 1 contrast ratio 450 cd / m² GFF full lamination |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical metrics into signals that the mobile device recognizes.
Rear camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its rear panel and can be combined with one or more additional cameras.
| Sensor model | OmniVision OV13853 |
| Sensor type | PureCel |
| Sensor size | 4.82 x 3.68 mm (millimeters) 0.24 in (inches) |
| Pixel size | 1.144 μm (micrometers) 0.001144 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor | 7.14 |
| ISO (light sensitivity) The ISO value / speed indicates the sensor's sensitivity to light. Digital camera sensors operate within a specific ISO range. The higher the ISO speed, the higher the sensor's sensitivity to light. | 100 - 1600 |
| Light-strength | f / 2.2 |
| Focal length | 3.5 mm (millimeters) 24.99 mm (millimeters) * (35 mm / full frame) |
| 5 | |
| Flash type The rear (rear) cameras of mobile devices mainly use LED flashes. They can be configured with one, two or more light sources and vary in shape. | Dual LED |
| Image Resolution | 4208 x 3120 pixels 13.13 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| 30 frames / sec (frames per second) | |
| Specifications Information about additional software and hardware features of the rear (rear) camera. | Autofocus Burst shooting Digital zoom Geographic tags Panoramic shooting HDR shooting Touch focus Face recognition Adjusting the white balance ISO setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene selection mode Macro mode Phase detection autofocus (PDAF) |
| Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens protection |
Front-camera
Smartphones have one or more front-facing cameras of various designs - pop-up camera, PTZ camera, notch or hole in the display, camera under the display.
| Sensor model Information about the make and model of the sensor used by the camera. | Samsung S5K5E8 |
| Sensor type Information about the type of camera sensor. Some of the most widely used sensor types in mobile cameras are CMOS, BSI, ISOCELL, and others. | CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) |
| Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photo sensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with a larger sensor and lower pixel density offer higher image quality despite lower resolution. | 2.9 x 2.15 mm (millimeters) 0.14 in (inches) |
| Pixel size Pixels are usually measured in microns. Larger pixels are capable of capturing more light and therefore provide better low-light performance and wider dynamic range than smaller pixels. On the other hand, smaller pixels allow for higher resolution while maintaining the same sensor size. | 1.119 μm (micrometers) 0.001119 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the size of a full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the size of the device's photo sensor. The number shown is the ratio of the diagonals of a full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) to that of a specific device. | 11.99 |
| Light-strength Aperture (also known as aperture, aperture, or f-number) is a measure of the size of the lens aperture, which determines the amount of light entering the sensor. The lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. Usually, the f-number is indicated, which corresponds to the maximum possible aperture of the aperture. | f / 2 |
| Focal length The focal length indicates the distance in millimeters from the sensor to the optical center of the lens. Equivalent focal length (35 mm) is the focal length of a mobile device camera, equated to the focal length of a 35 mm full-frame sensor, which will achieve the same angle of view. It is calculated by multiplying the real focal length of the mobile device camera by the crop factor of its sensor. The crop factor can be defined as the ratio between the diagonals of a 35mm full-size sensor and a mobile device sensor. | 3.5 mm (millimeters) 41.95 mm (millimeters) * (35 mm / full frame) |
| Number of optical elements (lenses) Information about the number of optical elements (lenses) of the camera. | 4 |
| Image Resolution Resolution is one of the main characteristics of cameras. It represents the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. For convenience, smartphone manufacturers often quote resolutions in megapixels, indicating the approximate number of pixels in millions. | 2592 x 1944 pixels 5.04 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum video resolution that the camera can record. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video recording rate (frame rate) Information about the maximum recording rate (frames per second, fps) supported by the camera at maximum resolution. Some of the most basic video recording speeds are 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps. | 30 frames / sec (frames per second) |
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technology supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Locating
Information about the navigation and positioning technologies supported by the device.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a technology that enables wireless communication for transferring data over short distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless transfer of data between different types of devices over short distances.
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, which is also called an audio connector. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by the device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
Video file formats / codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode / decode digital video data.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge required for their function.
| Capacity The capacity of a battery indicates the maximum charge it can store, measured in milliampere-hours. | 4100 mAh (milliampere-hours) |
| A type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, by the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with the most common mobile devices using lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries. | Li-polymer |
| Talk time 2G 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery is completely discharged during continuous 2G talk. | 15 h (hours) 900 min (minutes) 0.6 days |
| Talk time 3G Talk time in 3G is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 15 h (hours) 900 min (minutes) 0.6 days |
| Adapter output power Information about the strength of the electric current (measured in amperes) and the electric voltage (measured in volts) supplied by the charger (output power). Higher power output provides faster battery charging. | 5 V (volts) / 2 A (amps) |
| Specifications Information about some additional characteristics of the device battery. | Non-removable |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body when using a mobile device.
| Head SAR (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that a person's body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W / kg per gram of human tissue. US mobile devices are controlled by CTIA and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values. | 0.417 W / kg (Watts per kilogram) |
| Body SAR (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed if the mobile device is held at hip level. The highest SAR value in the United States is 1.6 W / kg per gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC and CTIA monitors mobile devices for compliance with this standard. | 0.893 W / kg (Watts per kilogram) |
Meizu is releasing new smartphone models with an enviable frequency and, to tell the truth, it seems that the company has not yet decided on some clear strategy and some steps are slightly surprising. For example, the PRO 6, which, unlike its predecessors with large screens and Samsung Exynos processors, received a 5.2-inch screen and a top-end MediaTek processor. Despite this, Meizu smartphones are still extremely interesting in terms of price / quality ratio. And today we have a new M3 Note that will (potentially) become a bestseller just like its predecessors.
What is it?
Meizu M3 Note is a smartphone with a 5.5-inch display, a fresh 64-bit eight-core processor, a metal case, a fingerprint scanner that is not only relevant for flagships and a very attractive price tag.
Why is it interesting?
Standard organization of everything on desktops without a separate application menu. There is support for folders, gestures, wake up with a double tap, unlock with a swipe up, gesture launch of applications. Everything is familiar to Flyme:
The top curtain opens with a swipe down anywhere on the screen. Repeated movement opens the full option with notifications and all switches:
The settings menu is organized in a standard way, much more convenient than in the earlier versions of 4.5:
A separate menu for managing SIM cards with a choice of a card for data transfer by default and the priority of the network used:
And a separate item of security settings with setting up a fingerprint scanner. You can save up to 5 of them. Despite the raw firmware, the scanner works quickly and accurately:
A set of preinstalled applications:
Despite the crude version of the software, the smartphone (for the most part) works properly and quickly. Literally a couple of times there were some brakes, glitches with Wi-Fi and installation of applications. I'm sure they won't be in the final version.
What about the camera?
The main camera is 13 megapixels, phase focus, f / 2.2, dual LED-flash of different tones. Front camera: 5 MP, f / 2.0. The interface has not changed. There is a panel with quick functions and access to settings, a mode switch, access to the previous picture. As usual, there is a separate manual mode:
Video mode, manual mode and other modes are enabled in a separate menu, HDR - in the settings:
Meizu sins on the algorithms for processing photos and videos from the camera. In this case, the situation has not changed, although it is worth waiting for the final version. Examples of pictures:
Video camera shoots in FullHD:
There is a Slow Motion mode, but the resolution is 640x480:
In the dry residue
In the Meizu M3 Note, the company has updated and improved almost everything compared to the M2 Note. The positive changes are really significant: the smartphone received an excellent metal body, a convenient and fast fingerprint scanner, a new platform with higher performance and a more capacious battery. The only thing that is upsetting is the quality of the camera, although it is worth waiting for a commercial sample with the final firmware. There is a suspicion that things will be better there. The smartphone will clearly become very popular in its price range up to UAH 5000 (the older version with 3 GB of RAM will cost exactly that much): competitors have practically nothing to offer for the same money. The closest competitor - Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 boasts higher performance, but lacks a microSD slot and costs more.
4 reasons to buy Meizu M3 Note:
- Excellent metal body;
- very nice display;
- long battery life;
- fast and accurate fingerprint scanner.
1 reason not to buy the Meizu M3 Note:
- sad camera quality.
| Meizu M3 Note specifications and comparison with M2 Note | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Meizu M3 Note | Meizu M2 Note |
| Display | IPS, 5.5 inches, 1920x1080, T2X-1 | IGZO, 5.5-inch, 1920x1080, AGC Dragontrail / NEG T2X-1 |
| Housing | dimensions 153.6x75.5x8.2 mm, weight 163 g | dimensions 150.9х75.2х8.7 mm, weight 149 g |
| CPU | 64-bit MediaTek Helio P10 MT6755M: eight cores ARM Cortex-A53 ( 4x1.8 GHz + 4x1 GHz), graphics accelerator Mali-T860MP2 with a frequency of 550 MHz | 64-bit MediaTek MT6753: eight cores ARM Cortex-A53 (ARMv8), frequency 1.3 GHz, graphics Mali T720MP3 |
| RAM | 2/3 GB, LPDDR3-1600 | 2 GB, LPDDR3-1600 |
| Flash memory | 16/32 GB, microSD up to 128 GB | |
| Camera | 13 MP, autofocus, dual-tone flash, 5 MP front camera | |
| Wireless technology | , Bluetooth 4.0 LE | Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n / ac (dual-band, 2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 LE |
| GPS | GPS, Glonass | GPS, Glonass |
| Battery | 4100 mAh, non-removable | 3140 mAh, non-removable |
| operating system | Android 5.1 Lollipop + Flyme 5.1 | Android 5.1 + Flyme 4.5I |
| SIM card | nanoSIMx2 | nanoSIMx2 |
Chinese shoppers respect the iPhone: I saw an iPhone in the Beijing subway in 7 out of 10 Chinese people. Chinese brands consider it an honor to mold their clone of an American phone, showing their mastery of copying.Meizu has incurred the wrath of Cupertino for daringly outflanking American smartphones before, and every year the Chinese are getting bolder.
Take a look at the 3 smartphones below and try to guess which one is the Meizu M3 Note without using Google. By the way, here is last year's flagship, a mid-range smartphone and the new M3 Note.
The smartphone is made of aluminum, not cheap plastic, and the build is excellent. I like to let people watch the M3 Note and then ask how much it costs. Usually they call an amount of about 25-30 thousand rubles, no one believes that it costs 2 times cheaper.
Convenient management
Besides the physical button located on the right side, the phone can be locked with a button under the screen.
You quickly get used to the smart button and wonder why Apple doesn't have such a feature.
It has a built-in sensor: if you gently touch it, the action imitates the "step back" function, and if you hold it, then you can lock the phone.
Responsive scanner
The Chinese have quickly mastered the production of finger scanners and are actively adding this feature to new phones. You can store 5 different prints in memory, but it would be better if there were 10.
The scanner can protect certain applications so that no one digs into the folder with photos.
Are there any mistakes in your work? I did not notice this, but if you poke your finger after washing your hands, then the phone may not be detected the first time.
Test hero
- smartphone with very good performance
- it has a microSD compartment
- does not overheat in games
Everything else will be told by the dry language of tests, here they are. The phone can handle all modern toys, unless you are a hardcore gamer and put everything on an ultra top high level.
The Android 5.1 version is not that wildly outdated, everything works fast, it's just that it is already a good practice to sell phones running 6.0. But the Chinese are in no hurry to roll out updates, they say, and so cheaply, what else do you need.
There is no FM radio in the phone, USB-OTG works (you can plug in flash drives). I won't say anything bad about the sound in the headphones. It's good, but not as cool as the top-end Pro 5, no amplifiers or bells and whistles to create the perfect sound.
Survivable smartphone
The battery is "fat" - 4100 mAh are hidden in the 8.2-mm case. This is enough for 2 days of work or 17 hours of video watching. For example, on the way back from Beijing to Moscow (which is an 8-hour flight) I watched the series "The Man in the High Castle". On my return, I still had 35% of the battery. And I didn't like the show itself, I thought the plot would be more interesting.
Despite the fact that there is a capacious battery, the phone does not look like a brick and does not stick out of your pocket. The result is not a very thick "shovel", though heavy, but you can get used to it.
Camera software for revision
You can see examples of shooting below. I must say right away that the camera did not impress with its quality, it is normal, but nothing special. Of course, I would like that when using HDR or when shooting in the evening there was not so much noise, to tighten the detail. But the price justifies everything, so I put the credit.
Communication and network
M3 Note works not only with 2.4 GHz, but also 5 GHz networks, in inexpensive phones only the first band is most often available, but there are no restrictions here. LTE in Moscow is working fine, I will also add two SIM cards to the pluses. The only pity is that using a couple of cards and microSD together will not work.
Opinion
Chinese manufacturers set frighteningly low prices for their phones, M3 Note can be ordered from China for 12-13 thousand rubles, the recommended price for Russia is 16,990 rubles for the 2/16 GB version, and 3/32 will cost 2 thousand more.
It's a pity that the new product was released on the old Android 5.1, and I would like to see better quality pictures from the camera. But the rest of the phone I liked: it works for a long time, a good screen with 2.5D glass, a convenient fingerprint scanner, decent performance and a slot for a memory card as a bonus.
From the competitors of Meizu M3 Note, I will single out the more powerful Xiaomi Redmi 3 Note, it also has a better camera. It is not officially delivered to us, in China it costs the same as Meizu. You can look at Honor 5X from Huawei, they ask about 16-17 thousand for it in Moscow. In any case, M3 Note will cost much less than counterparts from famous brands like Samsung's A-series.
Specifications
- Communication: 2 nanoSIM cards with LTE and VoLTE support
- Display: 5.5 "2.5D, 1920 × 1080 pixels (FullHD, 403ppi), brightness 450cd / m2, contrast ratio 1000: 1
- Processor: MediaTek Helio P10, 64-bit, 8 cores, 1.8 GHz
- Graphics: Mali T860 550 MHz
- RAM: 2GB / 3GB
- Internal memory: 16GB / 32GB + microSD
- Camera: 13MP, 5 lenses, phase detection autofocus, f / 2.2, Gorilla Glass 3
- Front camera: 5MP, f2 / 0, 4 lenses, wide angle
- Wi-Fi (802.11 a / b / g / n; 2.4GHz / 5GHz)
- Bluetooth 4.0 + BLE
- microUSB with OTG support, USB-HOST
- MTouch 2.1 Fingerprint Scanner, 0.2 sec recognition, 5-finger support, 360 degree scanning
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, digital compass
- Battery: 4100mAh
- Dimensions: 153.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm, weight 163 g
- Body colors: dark gray, silver and gold
The products of the Chinese company Meizu have always favorably distinguished themselves from competitors with an almost ideal ratio of quality, performance and cost. In Russia, smartphones of this brand began to spread widely after the release of the successful M2 line. And in the spring of last year, the company updated the lineup, presenting a series of devices with the M3 marking. These gadgets have absorbed all the best from their predecessors, received an improved platform and some minor improvements.
What else does a potential sales leader need? The mid-range Meizu M3 Note deserves special attention in the updated line, which is in demand all over the world, even almost a year after it appeared on store shelves. It should be said that this model is available in the younger (2/16 GB) and older (3/32 GB) versions. We have the second option on review. So what is it about this model that attracts modern users?
Meizu M3 Note specifications:
- Screen: 5.5 ″, 1920 x 1080 (FullHD), IPS, PPI (pixels per inch) 403, brightness 450 nits, contrast ratio 1000: 1, LTPS, 2.5D glass, AGC Dragontrail / NEG T2X-1;
- Processor: 8-cores, MediaTek MT6755M (Helio P10), 4 x 1.8 GHz + 4 x 1 GHz, Cortex-A53 core type;
- Graphics accelerator: Mali-T860MP2, 550 MHz;
- RAM: 2/3 GB LPDDR3, 933 MHz;
- Built-in memory: 16/32 GB;
- External memory: microSD up to 128 GB (not included);
- Operating system: Android 5.1 Lollipop;
- Cameras: rear - 13 MP, phase focus, f / 2.2, dual LED flash of different tones, protective glass of Gorilla Glass 3 lens, Samsung sensor, front - 5 MP, OmniVision sensor, f / 2.0, 4 lenses, wide shooting angle, Face AE technology, support for FotoNation 2.0 selfie smart algorithm;
- Battery: non-removable battery (Li-Ion), 4100 mAh;
- Dimensions: 153.6 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm;
- Weight: 163 grams;
- SIM slots: 2 nanoSIM cards with LTE and VoLTE support. The second slot is combined (nanoSIM or microSD);
- Network interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz), Bluetooth: v4.0 + BLE;
- Communication: GSM / GPRS / EDGE (900/1800/1900 MHz), WCDMA / HSPA (900/2100), FDD-LTE (1800/2100/2600 MHz);
- Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS;
- Sensors: mTouch 2.1 fingerprint scanner (recognition in 0.2 sec, support for 5 fingers, 360 degrees of scanning) and light sensor, proximity, accelerometer and digital compass;
- Additionally: microUSB with OTG support, USB-HOST, event indicator, 3.5 mm headset jack;
- Available colors: white, black and gold.
Equipment. Meizu additionally equips some models of smartphones with a headset, but this configuration does not include it.
In the box, along with the smartphone, you will find: a charger, a microUSB cable, a needle for removing the SIM tray and documentation.
Appearance and ergonomics.Meizu M3 Note looks spectacular and fashionable. The gadget is available in three colors: white-gray, black-gray and gold. Its rear panel is made of metal, only the top and bottom on the back side have small plastic inserts for the antenna output. It also houses the camera lens, which protects the third generation Gorilla Glass, and a dual LED flash.
The front side of the smartphone is almost completely occupied by the screen, either Dragontrail from AGC, or its counterpart from another Japanese company - Nippon Electric Glass. In any case, the display is hidden behind a high quality and good one, unlike the M2 line,. There is a small bezel around the screen, but it is so thin that it is only visible on devices with a white front panel.
Below the display is a navigation button that also serves as a fingerprint scanner. When choosing a smartphone, be sure to take a closer look at it. In some batches, this button was installed a little unevenly, which does not strike the eye at first inspection, but it is a little annoying with daily use of the gadget. The upper part of the front panel is decorated with a funny "smiley" consisting of a front camera lens, LED indicator and earpiece.
On the thin right "side" of the smartphone, the designers found a place for the power key and the volume control swing. On the left there is a slot for two SIM cards, one of which can be replaced with a MicroSD memory card. The bottom end of the gadget is decorated with an earpiece covered with a stylish mesh and a connector for a charger or data cable. And on top of the device, it's easy to see a standard 3.5 mm Audio Jack for connecting headphones and an additional microphone for noise cancellation.
The build quality (despite the fact that Meizu M3 Note is positioned as a budget "middle peasant") of the gadget is very pleasing. The case and buttons do not play, and in general it is pleasant to use the smartphone.
Display.The front panel of the gadget is almost entirely occupied by a 5.5-inch Full HD screen. Its brightness, contrast and other settings can be easily varied in such a range that it is very comfortable to read mail in the fresh air on a sunny afternoon or read a book before going to bed in complete darkness from the display.
By default, the picture is juicy and a little warm. This is the merit of the MediaTek MiraVision technology, with the help of which Meizu adjusts the screens in this model.
OS and interface.The first batches of M3 Note came with Android 5.1 Lollipop OS and Flyme proprietary firmware. Later, the manufacturer updated the software and began to install the sixth version of Android on its devices, all with the same own shell.
Traditionally, Flyme differs from competitors in its ease of use, the presence of original and useful functions and a slight emphasis on gesture control. Superfluous and unnecessary programs are practically not installed in the smartphone "at the factory". If desired, the user will do it himself. But everything you need to fine-tune and customize the device is immediately available.
Performance.A smartphone based on an 8-core Octa Core processor and a Mali-T860MP2 graphics chip has been created, which complement three gigabytes of "RAM" and thirty-two (of which the user has a little more than twenty-five) gigabytes of memory on board. For a budget model, the platform is excellent.
If you do not twist the settings to the maximum, then Meizu M3 Note copes well with most games. And even when you run several applications and maximum loads, the gadget practically does not heat up. The 4100 mAh lithium-ion battery deserves special praise, which is enough for the whole day of the most active use of the device. Batteries of this capacity are not always found even on premium smartphones.
Camera.But the main camera (five-element lens, 13-megapixel sensor, dual flash and f / 2.2 aperture) in the Meizu M3 Note was a little upset. The fact is that it has simply not actually been updated since the M1. So the Troika is shooting in the same way as its predecessors. But the presence of a large number of options, automatic modes and manual settings pleased. Such a set is not found in every modern budget "soap box".
The 5MP front camera powered by the OmniVision sensor is enough for taking good selfies and chatting with friends. But you shouldn't expect anything outstanding from her.
Sound.The smartphone does not have any special crystal clear playback of audio files (both in headphones and through an external speaker). In terms of sound, this is a typical "average", nothing outstanding, but there are no particular complaints. The external speaker sounds pretty loud and clear. All frequencies are also clearly reproduced in the headphones. A standard equalizer is enough for fine tuning to the user's musical preferences. But if desired, the playback quality can be slightly improved by installing more advanced players.
Pros:
- Spectacular-looking thin (only eight millimeters) and well-assembled body;
2017-02-10T18: 46: 13 + 00: 00
I believe that today Chinese manufacturers of such a plan as Xiaomi, Honor, Meizu are the best on the market, personally I currently use Honor 8 - Huawei, but since I often change this gadget, now I am looking for a replacement)) Meizu M3 Note first of all attracted me with its design, and even in an aluminum case, I don't play games, but an advanced Internet surfer, so I think he will cope with this task 100% given his battery capacity. And of course the price is very budgetary
2017-02-09T11: 47: 28 + 00: 00
This smartphone will always be a competitor to more expensive flagships. A capacious battery, a powerful processor combined with a graphics accelerator, a large high-quality display, the presence of LTE, a good camera. With such parameters, a smartphone will always be in demand. IMHO.
2017-02-08T14: 57: 28 + 00: 00
I recently bought this device. Pleased, frankly. You here slightly minus the camera in the article, but I will say in defense that it is very good. The video is shot clear, like the photo, even very clear and juicy. Maybe I got this impression after my Samsung smartphone with a 3 megapixel camera, I don't know. The processor in 8 cores allows you to open several applications and not be afraid at all that the phone will dull. I play games that don't go very well on my computer, half life even opened, I was surprised. In general, for this pricing policy, he does what is expected of him.
