Meizu 21 Full & True Review: A New "Eye Candy" From Meizu

Summary

The Mao 21 smartphone offers a unique minimalist design, reminiscent of a Samsung and Nothing phone hybrid, with a distinctive white front panel and a smaller front camera. It features a vibration motor, IR blaster, NFC, and an IP54 rating, but lacks an IP68 rating. The device has a 1080p Samsung E6 panel which may disappoint some users due to its lower resolution compared to the prevalent 1200p and 1440p screens. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Mao 21 shows improved gaming performance and thermal management. The camera setup includes a 200MP main camera, but photos appear to be taken at 20MP resolution, lacking sharpness compared to competitors. The front camera supports 4K 60 FPS video recording with stabilization. The battery life and charging are strong points, but the overall appeal of the Mao 21 may be limited to its fan base due to the abundance of more attractive options in the market.

Takeaways

• 📱 The Mao 21 is considered an upgrade from the Mao 20, with a price increase planned for 8 months from now, aiming to justify a $470 price tag.
• 👀 The phone's design is minimalistic, resembling a mix of Samsung and Nothing phone aesthetics, and includes a unique flash RGB feature for music and volume level indication.
• 📳 Mao's renowned vibration motor is retained in the Mao 21, along with the IR Blaster and NFC features, although the phone lacks an IP68 rating, which is a missed opportunity.
• 🔍 The Mao 21's front design is distinctive, with equal-width bezels and a smaller front camera, making it recognizable without needing to light up the screen.
• 🖥 The screen is a 1080p Samsung E6 panel, which may disappoint some users expecting higher resolutions like 1200p or 1440p, and it has a noticeable black matrix issue.
• 🎮 The Mao 21 uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, offering improved performance and thermal management compared to the previous model, enhancing the gaming experience.
• 📸 The phone features a 200-megapixel primary camera, but photos appear to be taken at 20-megapixel resolution, lacking sharpness compared to competitors like the Redmi K70.
• 🔍 The camera performance, especially at 2X and 4X zoom, does not outperform the competition, and the 200-megapixel mode might still need optimization.
• 🔋 The Mao 21 excels in charging and battery life, which are highlighted as strong points of the device.
• 🏆 The phone's unique strengths, such as the white front panel with a home indicator and 3D touch, set it apart, but it may not appeal to everyone.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that while the Mao 21 has its merits, there are many other phones on the market that may be more desirable for purchase.

Q & A

What is the main concern regarding the price increase of the Mao 21 compared to the previous model?

The main concern is whether the Mao 21 offers enough value or features to justify the price increase of $470, especially 8 months after its release.

How does the design of the Mao 21 differ from other phones in the market?

The Mao 21 has a minimalistic design, which makes it stand out among other flashy phones. It also features a unique flash RGB that responds to music and can be used to check the current volume level.

What are the notable hardware features of the Mao 21?

The Mao 21 has a vibration motor that is as good as ever, an IR Blaster, NFC, and a unique front design with an equal-width bezel and a smaller front camera.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the Mao 21's screen quality?

The reviewer is disappointed with the 1080p Samsung E6 panel, as it falls short compared to the 1200p and 1440p screens available in other phones, especially for book lovers due to its lower pixel density and other display limitations.

How does the Mao 21 perform in terms of gaming experience?

The Mao 21 has improved gaming performance and thermal dissipation compared to the Mao 20, allowing for higher frame rates to be maintained for longer periods.

What is the configuration of the Mao 21's camera system?

The Mao 21 has three cameras, but the depth of view camera is considered less useful, leaving the 200-megapixel primary camera and another camera as the main ones for regular use.

Why might the 200-megapixel primary camera not be fully utilized in the Mao 21?

The 200-megapixel mode might not be fully debugged yet, as the photos taken by the Mao 21 appear to be of 20-megapixel quality and not as sharp as expected.

How does the Mao 21 perform in zoomed-in photos compared to the Redmi K70?

The Mao 21 does not outperform the Redmi K70 in zoomed-in photos at 2X or 4X, even when the camera is in focus and the hands are steady.

What are the Mao 21's strengths in terms of charging and battery life?

The script does not provide specific details, but it implies that the Mao 21 has strong points in charging and battery life, which can be seen in the provided graphs.

Would the reviewer recommend the Mao 21 to non-fans?

The reviewer would not recommend the Mao 21 to non-fans due to the availability of many other phones in the market that are more desirable to purchase.

What is the reviewer's final verdict on the Mao 21's front design?

The reviewer finds the Mao 21's front design unique and beautiful, especially the white version, which can be recognized as a Mao phone without lighting up the screen.