Meizu Zero Unveiling Features Price Pros & Cons

Meizu Zero: The Revolutionary Unreleased Smartphone

The Meizu Zero was a groundbreaking concept from the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, Meizu, introduced in January 2019. Although the device never made it to market, its avant-garde design and technology remain a significant talking point in the tech community. This article delves into the features and specifications that made the Meizu Zero a pioneering device and the reasons behind its unfulfilled journey.

Design and Build

The Meizu Zero was envisaged as the world's first "holeless" phone, emphasizing its commitment to seamless design. This approach was characterized by the absence of any ports, buttons, or physical slots on the device, making it a true unibody design. The smartphone boasted a premium build with a glass front, ceramic back, and ceramic frame, emphasizing durability and aesthetic appeal. The device featured an eSIM instead of traditional SIM card slots, a bold move aiming to future-proof the smartphone while maintaining its minimalistic design.

Display

Equipped with a 5.99-inch AMOLED display, the Meizu Zero promised vibrant colors and deep contrasts. The resolution stood at 1080 x 2340 pixels with a 19.5:9 ratio, offering a pixel density of approximately 430 ppi. This ensured a sharp and clear viewing experience, apt for media consumption and gaming. The AMOLED technology contributed to better battery efficiency and allowed for rich blacks and dynamic color ranges, adding to the immersive display experience.

Performance

At the heart of Meizu Zero was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, a high-performing processor known for its reliability and speed. It featured an octa-core CPU, with a combination of 4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver cores, paired with an Adreno 630 GPU. This configuration was well-equipped to handle demanding applications and multitasking efficiently, making it suitable for both everyday use and intensive gaming.

Memory and Storage

The device offered variations in memory and storage configurations to cater to different user needs. The available options were 64GB of internal storage with either 4GB or 6GB RAM, and 128GB with the same RAM choices. Unfortunately, the Meizu Zero did not include a card slot for expandable memory, which was in line with its portless design philosophy.

Camera Capabilities

In the photography department, the Meizu Zero featured a dual rear camera setup. It included a 12 MP primary sensor with an aperture of f/1.8, a 27mm wide lens, and 1.55µm pixel size, complemented by a 20 MP secondary sensor. This configuration supported features like PDAF for quick focusing and dual-LED dual-tone flash for better low-light performance. The camera system also supported 4K video recording at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps, making it versatile for both still images and videos.

On the front, a 20 MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture was crafted for selfies and video calls, capable of recording video in 1080p at 30fps. This ensured high-quality images with great detail and color accuracy.

Sound and Connectivity

Sound technology in the Meizu Zero eschewed traditional speaker grills. Instead, it reportedly utilized mSound 2.0 screen sound technology, vibrating the screen to produce sound, a move that complemented its seamless design. However, it did not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, which meant reliance on Bluetooth 5.0 or USB Type-C wireless solutions for audio connectivity.

Connectivity features included Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and support for various position systems like GPS and GLONASS, catering to modern connectivity needs.

Battery and Charging

The Meizu Zero was fitted with a non-removable Li-Ion battery, supporting 18W wireless charging. The adoption of wireless charging was necessary due to the absence of a charging port, integrating seamlessly with its holeless design. While detailed battery life metrics weren't disclosed, the efficient power consumption of the Snapdragon 845 and AMOLED display were likely to contribute to reasonable battery performance.

Sensors and Additional Features

The device was equipped with an in-display optical fingerprint sensor, contributing further to the undisturbed aesthetic. Additional sensors included an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, ensuring comprehensive feature support for apps and utilities that require motion-based data.

Status and Conclusion

Announced in early 2019, the Meizu Zero captivated attention with its futuristic design and technology-forward approach. However, despite its cutting-edge features, the smartphone was eventually cancelled. Reports suggest that the cancelation stemmed from a lack of financial backing and possibly market readiness to adopt such radical technology changes.

Although the Meizu Zero never became a reality, it left a lasting impact by pushing the boundaries of smartphone design. It reflected a vision of what smartphones could become, influencing future designs to consider elements like eSIM, wireless audio, and innovative sound delivery methods. The legacy of Meizu Zero is a testament to bold innovation in the smartphone industry, reminding us that progress often starts with daring ideas that pave the way for future advancements.