Meizu M3 Note is the next handset in the Meizu Mx Note series. This handset is powered by MediaTek Helio P10 octa core processor and is running FlyMe OS 5.1 with 3GB RAM. The handset has been launched in India for a price tag of Rs. 9,999 (3GB RAM/ 32GB ROM).
M3 Note Unboxing
Box pack content : Handset, SIM tray ejector pin, data cable, travel charger (5V / 2A), warranty card and user guide. SAR 0.417w/kg (head) and 0.893w/kg (body).
Design, Display and OS
This handset looks and feels much better when compared with its predecessor the Meizu M2 Note. It’s a curvy design, metal body with a very good build quality and finishing. Feels good to touch and hold.
The front looks really great thanks to the 2.5D curved glass, it also helps get a more smoother touch experience, specially on the side. Rear panel is silver colored with darker shades on the top and bottom. This handset will be available in 3 colour options.
Power button and volume rocker is on the right side, audio jack + secondary mic is on the top, dual SIM tray is on the left side and at the bottom there is microphone, micro USB port and speaker out vent.
Handset weight with battery is 164 grams and dimensions are 75.50 x 153.58 x 8.04 (mm).
This is a dual SIM handset with a hybrid slot – you can either use 2 x nano SIM’s or a nano SIM + micro SD card (128GB max). There is LED notification and following sensors – accelerometer, light, proximity, gyro, hall, step and magnetic.
The display is 5.5 inches supporting 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution and protected with Dinorex T2X-1 scratch and shock resistant glass. Colour reproduction, viewing angles and touch response are very good.
Flyme OS 5.1 based on Android Lollipop 5.1 runs out of the box.
Memory and Storage
This review unit I got is with 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM – Do note that the version launched in India comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM. Micro SD card of up to 128GB is supported. On the first boot you will get around 11GB free space and about 450MB free RAM. OTG is supported.
M3 Note Performance
M3 Note is powered by MediaTek Helio P10 64 bit 1GHz octa core processor coupled with Mali T860 GPU. Performance in general is smooth, but when it comes to gaming it does a decent job though hardware is not that powerful. Heat up is normal well under control – max temperature I encountered was 39 degrees.
M3 Note Benchmark
- Quadrant – 21308
- Antutu (64 bit) – 40486 | 3D score – 5709 2nd time 43656 | 3D score 6069
- Nenamark 2 – 59.9fps
- Internal storage Speed – Read (92MB/s), Write (12MB/s)
- Multi Touch – 10 Point
Gaming
I tried Modern Combat 5, the game played well, was smooth with a minor lag – hardly noticeable, probably it will show up at higher levels. The next game I played was the Asphalt 8 that did well in medium visual quality mode, the game clearly lagged in high visual quality mode with balanced / performance mode.
Camera
On the rear there is a 13MP PDAF camera with dual tone LED flash support and on the front there is a 5MP camera. Camera quality is average, the close-up shots turned out really great but the long shots were blurry (when you zoom in – check on PC). The sample 1080p video however looks much better. Check the sample images and video. There is scope for improvement.
M3 Note rear camera sample
Front camera sample
M3 Note FHD video sample
Others
Speaker sound is loud and clear, in call sound is also great. No issues found with 4G (works on both SIM slot), WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth. I also did not find any issues with network signal and quality. 4G with VoLTE is supported. There is no built in FM radio.
There is only single button (no separate back and context button). The button can be pressed or tapped (capacitive touch). To go back tap the button and to go to home screen press the button. This button also doubles up as finger print scanner. Finger print scanning (with mTouch 2.1) and detection is fast and accurate.
You need to press the button once and then keep the finger on the button to unlock directly (when finger print is enabled) without pressing any other button/s.
Battery
There is a 4100 mAh non-removable battery that does an impressive job. You can expect 5 to 8 hours of continuous moderate to heavy usage on a single charge. I got an easy over one and a half day of battery backup with mixed usage.
Battery Performance (time / battery % drop / battery temperature).
- Running Benchmark app – 20 minutes / 4% / 37 degrees
- Played MC5 + Asphalt 8 – 21 minutes / 6% / 39 degrees
- FHD video playback with full brightness (WiFi /4G on) – 20 minutes / 4% / 38 degrees
It took me 2 hours 15 minutes to charge the handset using wall charger from 20% to 100%.
Verdict
The Meizu M3 Note is more refined when compared with the Meizu M2 Note. For the price the handset does look attractive, specially with 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM. There is scope for improvement when it comes to the camera.
This hardware is not that powerful when compared with the Redmi Note 3, though for most users (non heavy gamers) it would do well. It is a good option for Rs. 9,999.
Meizu M3 Note will be available on Amazon for Rs. 9,999.