Meizu M3 Complete Specs Prices and Reviews

Overview

The Meizu M3 is a smartphone that was announced in April 2016 and released in May of the same year. It was marketed as a budget-friendly device with impressive features for its price range. Although the device has been discontinued, it remains a subject of interest for those who are fans of Meizu's design philosophy and value propositions. This article will take an in-depth look at the various features, specifications, and user experience of the Meizu M3.

Design and Build

The Meizu M3 has a sleek and modern design that was quite popular during its release period. With dimensions of 141.5 x 69.5 x 8.3 mm and weighing in at 132 grams, it offers a comfortable grip for users. The phone is built with a plastic body, giving it a lightweight feel, yet maintaining durability for everyday use. The device supports a hybrid dual SIM slot (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), which allows users the flexibility to use an additional SIM or expand the storage using a microSD card.

Display

The Meizu M3 features a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, which offers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 70.1%, and a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels (16:9 ratio), this display provides satisfactory sharpness with a pixel density of around 294 ppi. This level of display clarity was quite standard for phones in this price segment at the time.

Performance

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Mediatek MT6750 chipset, built on a 28 nm process technology. It features an octa-core CPU with four cores clocked at 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and another four at 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53, providing a balanced performance for daily tasks. The Mali-T860MP2 GPU handles graphic-intensive activities, which is sufficient for moderate gaming and media playback.

The Meizu M3 comes in two variants: one with 16GB of internal storage and 2GB RAM, and the other with 32GB of internal storage and 3GB RAM. Both versions support storage expansion via a microSD card, although it uses the shared SIM slot, necessitating a choice between dual-SIM functionality and storage expansion.

Operating System and User Interface

This device operates on Android 5.1 Lollipop, with Meizu's Flyme 5.1 user interface layered on top, offering a unique user experience. Flyme OS provides additional features and optimizations, such as intuitive navigation, customizable themes, and a variety of built-in applications that enhance usability.

Camera

Photography is a key aspect of the Meizu M3, featuring a 13 MP rear camera with an f/2.2 aperture and Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), which ensures fast and accurate focusing. The camera setup includes Dual-LED dual-tone flash for improved lighting in dark conditions, and it is capable of recording 1080p videos at 30 frames per second.

The front-facing camera is equipped with a 5 MP sensor and an f/2.0 aperture, designed for selfies and video calls. While it lacks flash, the camera performs adequately in well-lit environments.

Battery Life

The Meizu M3 is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 2870 mAh battery. This capacity, coupled with the energy-efficient components, allows the device to provide sufficient battery life to last a typical day of usage. Whether for browsing, social media, or media consumption, the device delivers reliable battery performance.

Connectivity and Sensors

The smartphone supports a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band support, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and LE, and GPS with GLONASS. However, it lacks NFC and FM radio.

Among the included sensors are an accelerometer, a gyroscope, proximity sensor, and a compass, which contribute to enhanced user interactions and functionalities such as gaming and navigation.

Price and Market Position

At its time of release, the Meizu M3 was priced at approximately 130 EUR, positioning it in the budget smartphone segment. Despite being affordable, it offered many features typical of higher-end models, which made it a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking value for money.

Conclusion

Overall, the Meizu M3 was a well-rounded budget smartphone that offered acceptable performance, a decent camera setup, and a user-friendly interface. Although the device has since been discontinued, it remains a memorable entry in Meizu's lineup for its blend of features and affordability. It serves as a testament to Meizu's ability to provide commendable technology accessibly, maintaining relevance for various users even years after its initial release.