The Ultimate Guide to Meizu M1 Specs Prices and Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Meizu M1 features a compact and sleek design that fits comfortably in the hand. With dimensions of 140.2 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm and a weight of 128 g, it strikes a balance between portability and screen size. The phone is presented in a variety of vibrant colors including White, Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink, and Mint, appealing to a wide range of style preferences. The use of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 enhances its durability, providing resistance to scratches and minor impacts.

Display

Equipped with a 5.0-inch TFT display, the Meizu M1 offers a resolution of 768 x 1280 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 300 PPI, which delivers clear and crisp visuals. Although TFT technology may not match the saturation levels of AMOLED screens, it still offers bright and sharp imaging. The screen-to-body ratio of about 69.9% ensures a good viewing area without making the device unwieldy.

Performance

Underpinning the performance of the Meizu M1 is the Mediatek MT6732 chipset built on a 28 nm process. It incorporates a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.5 GHz, coupled with a Mali-T760MP2 GPU. This configuration is sufficient for handling everyday tasks and moderate multitasking, though it may struggle with more demanding applications and games. The device runs on Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), which at the time of its release offered a stable user interface and access to a large library of apps.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. While this config could be limiting by current standards, it was typically adequate for users focused on basic functionality and app usage. Additionally, the Meizu M1 supports microSD cards via a dedicated slot, allowing storage expansion, which is a significant advantage for users needing more space for apps, media, and documents.

Camera

The Meizu M1 is equipped with a 13 MP primary camera featuring an aperture of f/2.2, autofocus, and LED flash. It supports shooting modes like HDR and panorama, and is capable of recording videos at 1080p@30fps. For selfies, the device has a 5 MP front-facing camera, which offers an aperture of f/2.0, delivering satisfactory performance for social media uploads and video calls.

Battery Life

Powering the Meizu M1 is a Li-Ion 2500 mAh non-removable battery, which is fairly standard for smartphones of its era. This capacity provides moderate battery life, usually lasting a full day under average usage conditions, including calls, internet browsing, and light gaming.

Connectivity

The Meizu M1 supports a range of connectivity options, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, providing robust network performance for voice and data services. The device is fitted with a microSIM slot and offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band support, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and LE, and GPS with GLONASS support. It lacks NFC and FM radio, but includes a microUSB 2.0 port with OTG capability, allowing for the connection of additional peripherals.

Additional Features

The phone is equipped with essential sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. This suite of sensors improves the device experience by enhancing features like auto screen rotation and navigation. There is a substantial emphasis on providing a balanced user experience, integrating core smartphone functionalities efficiently.

Price and Availability

At launch, the Meizu M1 was priced at approximately 100 EUR, making it an affordable option in the smartphone market. This pricing strategy positioned it as an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers looking for a functional smartphone with decent specifications. However, as of now, the device has been discontinued, and while it may still be available through third-party sellers, software support and updates are no longer provided.

Conclusion

The Meizu M1 was a commendable device at the time of its release, especially in the budget segment. It offered a well-rounded feature set, delivering on the essential aspects of what a smartphone should provide. While technological advancements have since surpassed its capabilities, the Meizu M1 remains a testament to Meizu's ability to deliver quality devices at competitive prices.