As you know, the Chinese are not very fond of the number “4” because of its unfavorable consonance. That is why the Meizu M3 Note and Meizu M3e models were replaced by a smartphone with the M5 Note index.
8 cores
The design of the phone was inherited from his predecessors, as was the hardware. The hardware of the smartphone consists of an 8-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor, 3 GB of RAM and a Mali-T860 graphics accelerator. The processor has its own peculiarity: 4 cores in its design are energy efficient and are used to perform simple tasks, and 4 more are connected when it is necessary to ensure high performance.
Unpretentious
The Meizu M5 Note screen has a 5.5" diagonal, typical for its class, and also has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. There are no complaints about the brightness reserve, color rendering quality, and even more so about the viewing angles of the display. Perhaps the only complaints from users are the camera's operation in insufficient lighting - night shots are spoiled by a significant amount of noise. In daylight, you can count on a better result, especially considering the possibility of installing manual settings.
Fast charging
One of the significant differences from previous models was Smartphone support for fast charging technology. A battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh can replenish its reserves up to 80% in just 1 hour, and up to 100% in 1.5 hours. The built-in battery charge is enough for a day of active use of the smartphone (watching online videos, gaming, communicating on social networks, etc.).
Home key
The model boasts a multifunctional Home key. Firstly, clicking on it returns you to the main desktop. Secondly, there is a touch layer applied to the button, which can be touched to return back. And thirdly, a fast and responsive fingerprint scanner is built into the key.
Maximum convenience
Owners of the M3 Note and M3e models are unlikely to need to upgrade to the “five”. But to get acquainted with the Meizu brand, a smartphone is perfect. It has improved a little bit of everything, thanks to which it was possible to get a convenient device for everyday use, devoid of “childhood sores.”
Sales of Meizu's M3 Note smartphone reached 20 million units last year, making it one of the most successful devices in the company's history. The manufacturer decided to repeat its success in the new M5 Note model.
The Chinese consider the number 4 to be unlucky, which is why the name of the smartphone includes a five. The company said the first million units were sold out in about 21 seconds. In the Meizu M5 Note review, we will tell you why this model is doomed to become a bestseller.
Video review of Meizu M5 Note
Price and main characteristics
Meizu M5 Note comes in three versions of 16/32/64 GB internal memory and 3/3/4 GB random access memory. The cost of copies is $130/$165/$195 respectively. 
Characteristics:
- display: 5.5”, IPS LCD 1920*1080 px, ppi 403;
- processor: eight-core MediaTek MT6755 (1.8 GHz) + Mali-T860 video accelerator;
- RAM: 3/4 GB LPDDR3;
- internal memory: 16/32/64 GB + microSD flash cards up to 128 GB;
- camera: main – 13 MP, front – 5 MP;
- communication: Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.0 (LE), GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSDPA, LTE (TD/FDD-LTE);
- battery: 4000 mAh.
Dimensions - 153.6 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm. The approximate weight of the smartphone is 165 grams. The system runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with proprietary FlymeOS 6.0 shell. IN this version The shell has a built-in One Mind smart assistant.
Design and ergonomics
The smartphone is sold in a white box with a minimalist design. In addition to the M5 Note itself, inside there is a miniUSB cable, a charger unit, documentation and a proprietary clip for opening the tray with SIM cards. 
Externally, Meizu M5 Note is practically no different from the previous model. Changes have affected the material of the case; now it is entirely made of metal, except for thin plastic strips on the back of the device. They perform the functions of antennas, which, according to Meizu, now work almost twice as well. Thanks to the high build quality, the smartphone looks much more expensive than its price. 
The color palette has also been updated. To the three traditional options (dark gray, silver, gold) a blue coloring was added.
The layout of almost all controls is identical to the M3 Note. Below the display is a fingerprint scanner built into a mechanical button. When pressed, it functions as the “Home” key, and when touched, it functions as the “Back” key. 
At the top of the front side there are proximity and light sensors, a speaker grille, a 5-megapixel camera and an LED event indicator. 
On the left is a combined tray for two SIM cards, which opens with a proprietary paper clip. The user can insert microSD into one of the slots to expand the internal memory. 
On the right side there are buttons for volume control and screen activation. 
The 3.5 mm headphone input has moved to the bottom end. There is also a microUSB connector, speaker and microphone. 
At the top is the only hole for an additional microphone. Together with the main one, it forms a noise reduction system. 
On the back panel there is a 13-megapixel camera with a flash, just below the company logo. The cover cannot be removed; the body is monolithic. 
Bottom line: the M5 Note looks more expensive than its predecessor and most competitors in its price category. Its body is slightly thinner, and the headphone jack is now on the bottom edge. But overall, this is still the same recognizable Meizu.
Display
The M5 Note uses a 5.5-inch IPS Full HD display. Pixel density is 403 units per inch. The screen is covered with 2.5D glass with an oleophobic coating. 
The display brightness varies from 5 to 345 cd/m², the reserve is quite enough for comfortable use in direct sunlight. The contrast level is slightly higher than its predecessor. Viewing angles are almost maximum. 
The M5 Note display can operate in a special “eye protection” mode. Once activated, the colors on the screen change to warmer tones. Other display parameters can be adjusted in the device settings. It is possible to unlock using gestures. 
Overall, the M5 Note's screen is slightly better than the M3 Note's. The display is still not up to par flagship smartphones Meizu, but at the same time is in no way inferior, and competes with similar priced solutions from Xiaomi and other manufacturers.
Hardware, performance
The hardware is based on an eight-core MediaTek MT6755 processor with a frequency of 1.8 GHz. The phone comes with three versions of internal storage: 16, 32 and 64 GB. The size of RAM has expanded compared to its predecessor. Now even the cheapest version has 3 GB of RAM. 
The Mali-T860 video accelerator works with graphics. IN Antutu smartphone scored 43429 points. 
The power reserve of the device is almost completely identical to the previous model. In everyday use of the smartphone in the Flyme shell, no lags or slowdowns were noticed. 
To some extent, the M5 Note can be used as a gaming smartphone. World of Tanks Blitz produces about 50-60 frames per second with medium graphics settings, which is a very good result. During the test, the case also did not heat up to more than 40 degrees.
Cameras, picture and video quality
The main drawback of the M3 Note is its weak camera. In this regard, the smartphone was much inferior to its competitor. Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, which also lacked stars from the sky. The next Meizu model was supposed to correct the situation. 
The M5 Note camera almost lived up to the expectations of fans of the brand. The 13-megapixel main lens with phase focusing shows better results than its predecessor. The difference is clearly visible when shooting close-ups. 
Some problems were also noticed. For example, when capturing a frame indoors in low light, there are problems with autofocus; it sometimes selects the wrong objects. Manually specifying the focus point negatively affects the brightness of the resulting photo; problems with exposure occur quite often. 
The front camera shooting algorithm was developed by ArcSoft, which participated in the creation of the camera in the Vivo XShot smartphone. It is considered one of the best camera phones on the market mobile phones. The innovation had a positive impact on the quality of frames from the Meizu M5 front camera.
Speaker and sound quality
The performance of the main speaker did not cause any complaints or admiration. The sound of the phone is at an average level.
During a conversation, the interlocutor can be clearly heard, and thanks to a good microphone, you will also be understood. The noise reduction system works at a high level.
Battery, battery life
A 4000 mAh battery is installed inside the smartphone. This is 100 mAh less than the previous model. Under normal use, the device will last from one to two days. 
The M5 Note comes with MediaTek PumpExpress fast charging technology. With its help, you can charge the battery to 80% in about an hour.
Wireless communications and Internet
The smartphone supports dual-band Wi-Fi, 4G, EDGE, GPRS, HSPA+, LTE, Bluetooth interface with Low Energy energy saving profile. 
Navigation by satellites occurs thanks to GPS, A-GPS and GLONASS. There is a digital compass.
Competitors, conclusions
Meizu M5 Note is the already familiar M3 Note in a slightly different wrapper. The manufacturer did not offer anything revolutionary in the new model. Appeared minor changes in design and performance. Now, even at the lowest price, the buyer receives 3 GB of RAM. Meizu also tried to slightly improve the quality of pictures from the camera - the weakest point of the previous model. Overall, the M5 Note is one of best solutions in its price category.
Users of the top-end M3 Note with three gigabytes of RAM may not upgrade to the M5 Note due to the minimal differences between the devices. If you have not used Meizu technology before, we strongly recommend that you start getting acquainted with the brand with the M5 Note.
Traditional competitor Xiaomi has in its assortment a similar positioning phone, Redmi Note 4x. The only significant advantage of the 4X over the M5 Note is performance; it makes sense to take it if you need a smartphone for toys. In all other cases, we recommend the M5 Note for purchase - it is a high-quality and pleasant-to-use gadget for the right price.
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"Fotosklad.ru"Meizu recently, 10 months ago, presented to the public its budget flagship smartphone M3 Note. Just six months later, the company is releasing an update to the line, jumping over index 4 and immediately releasing the M5 Note. At first glance, they are trying to hand us the same smartphone, but with a different number. Well, let's take a closer look at whether this is really so.
To begin with, here is a table where we compare the two brothers in the line:
| Meizu M3 Note | Meizu M5 Note | |
| Display | IPS, 16 million colors | IPS, 16 million colors |
| Display diagonal | 5.5 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Display resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| operating system | Android 5.1 (Flyme) | Android 6.0 (Flyme) |
| CPU | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 |
| Video accelerator | Mali-T860MP2 | Mali-T860MP2 |
| RAM capacity | 2 / 3 GB | 3 / 3 / 4 GB |
| Volume of permanent memory | 16 / 32 GB | 16 / 32 / 64 GB |
| Memory card slot | Yes, microSD, up to 128 GB, combined with a slot for a second SIM card | |
| Main camera | 13 MP, dual flash | 13 MP, dual flash |
| Front-camera | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video shooting | 1080p at 30 fps | 1080p at 30 fps |
| Number of SIM cards | 2, nano-SIM | 2, nano-SIM |
| Interfaces | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz); Bluetooth 4.0 (A2DP, LE); microUSB 2.0; GPS (A-GPS, GLONASS) | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz); Bluetooth 4.0 (A2DP, LE); microUSB 2.0; GPS (A-GPS, GLONASS); 3.5mm headphone input |
| Fingerprint's scanner | Yes, frontal | Yes, frontal |
| Fast charging | No | Eat |
| Battery | 4100 mAh, non-removable | 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Weight | 163 g | 175 g |
| Dimensions | 154 x 76 x 8.2 mm | 154 x 76 x 8.2 mm |
| Colors | Grey, white, golden | Grey, silver, gold, blue |
As we can see from the table, there are practically no differences. Meizu M5 Note has received an increased size of RAM and permanent memory, a fast charging function, and the weight of the device has also increased slightly. Also, out of the box, the smartphone runs Android 6.0.
Let's look at it up close.
Box and accessories
The smartphone is delivered in a standard white box, in which the device itself, a USB cable, a charger, an extractor for the SIM card tray and instructions are tightly packed. Standard equipment, neither add nor subtract.
Frame
The smartphone body is made of aluminum. There are almost no changes compared to the previous model. Fits well in the hand. No backlash, gaps or creaks were noticed. The design of the M5 Note is practically no different from the M3 Note.
Screen
The Meizu M5 Note screen is made using IPS technology. Nothing new, most smartphones are now produced using this technology. The colors are bright and contrasting. There are no complaints about him.
Operating system and software
As noted above, the smartphone comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow on board and the proprietary Flyme shell from Meizu. The shell is nice, there is little unnecessary software and it does not interfere. There are no lags when navigating to the menu.
Separately, it should be said about the Home button. Control in Meizu M5 Note is carried out, in fact, using this single button. It is both sensory and mechanical. In addition, it has a built-in fingerprint scanner. Pressing the touch button is similar to the “Back” action, pressing the mechanical button is the same as the “Home Screen” action. Long press calls Google Now. To get a list of running applications, you need to swipe your finger from bottom to top from the sub-screen space on the right or left.
Processor and memory
Meizu M5 Note comes in three configurations:
- 3 GB RAM and 16 GB ROM;
- 3 GB RAM and 32 GB ROM;
- 4 GB RAM and 64 GB ROM.
If the RAM is enough for most needs, then the permanent memory in the younger model is still not enough. We recommend that you refrain from purchasing the weakest version. Of course, there is a slot for a microSD card, but when installing it you will have to give up the second SIM card.
The processor in the smartphone is not the newest, Mediatek Helio P10. The frequency of the main processor cores does not exceed 1.8 GHz. In demanding games, its power will not be enough - they will only run on low settings. Picky users will not be happy. However, the performance is quite sufficient for everyday use in the “surfing - social networks - navigator - music” mode.
Fingerprint's scanner
The scanner in Meizu M5 Note is combined with the Home button. When you press the mechanical button and correctly read your finger, the smartphone is unlocked. At correct setting By the way, the scanner almost always works.
Interfaces
The smartphone is equipped with a standard set of interfaces: dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and LE profiles (sorry, not 4.2); equipped with a microUSB 2.0 port supporting OTG and a 3.5 mm headphone jack; There is GPS with support for A-GPS and GLONASS. There is no infrared port and FM radio, NFC, traditionally, too.
Battery
Meizu M5 Note is equipped with a very capacious 4100 mAh battery. The declared capacity should be enough for 1.5-2 days of work. In order to charge such a battery, the mCharge fast charging function is provided. You can charge your smartphone to 90% in just over one hour; the smartphone “catch up” with the remaining 10% in half an hour. The total charging time is therefore about one and a half hours. Charger designed for a current of 3A at a voltage of 5-8 V and 2A at a voltage of 12 V.
Communication and sound
There are no complaints about the quality of communication - the interlocutor hears us well, as do we. The speaker sound is a little quiet, but clear. The vibration is not strong, you may not feel it in your jacket pocket. The sound quality in the headphones is average and the maximum volume is not enough.
Two nanoSIM cards are provided. By the way, Meizu M5 Note began to support the LTE 20 band, which is good news. Now, coupled with bands 7 and 38, the smartphone supports LTE almost throughout Russia.
Camera
The rear camera has a resolution of 13 MP and is equipped with a dual flash, the front one is 5 MP.
There are many shooting modes.
When shooting with the front camera, various enhancements are available, which we believe will be useful for girls:
The main camera takes average pictures. Autofocus occasionally blurs. In good lighting conditions there are no complaints about the camera; even in backlit conditions it takes acceptable pictures, especially if you turn on the HDR mode. When photographing with flash, colors appear almost natural. Examples can be seen below.
Results
To summarize, we can say with confidence that the Meizu M5 Note turned out to be a good update for the M3 Note - fast charging and increased memory are necessary modern smartphone. If you already have an M3 Note, then there is probably no point in buying this device, but as a first device it is quite good.
Among which was the M5 Note - a continuation of one of the most popular smartphones Meizu company, M3 Note. The absence of a fourth version is explained by the fact that among the Chinese the number 4 is considered unlucky, so the new product immediately received the 5th number.
Looking ahead, we will say that in terms of characteristics the device is an almost complete copy of the M3e, and differs, by and large, only in the increased screen diagonal. Is this good or bad? Read our Meizu review M5 Note.
Price and main characteristics
M5 Note is available in 4 body colors: gray with black front panel, silver, blue and gold. The official cost of the gadget in China for the 16/3 GB version is 9 thousand rubles, the older version 64/4 costs 14 thousand rubles. In Russia, the younger modification of the smartphone will have to pay about 16 thousand.
Specifications:
- display: 5.5”, IPS LCD FHD 1920*1080 px, 401 ppi;
- processor: Helio P10 (8*1-1.8 GHz) + Mali T860 video accelerator;
- RAM: 3/4 GB;
- internal memory: 13/32/64 GB + micro SD flash cards up to 128 GB;
- camera: main – 13 MP (f/2.2), front – 8 MP;
- communication: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, LTE;
- battery: 4000 mAh.
The dimensions of the M5 Note are 154*76*8.1 mm, weight – 175 grams.
Equipment and appearance
Traditionally, for all Meizu devices, the smartphone comes in a simple white box made of thick cardboard; the package also includes a USB cable, charging adapter, SIM tray clip and documentation.
In terms of design, the M5 Note is identical to the recently presented M3e; the new product differs only in its greater thickness and dimensions. The monolithic body of the gadget is made of aluminum, there are plastic seams for the antenna on back cover, which harmoniously fit into the design of the smartphone.
The front side is covered with hardened Gorilla glass Glass 3, rounded using 2.5D technology. Below the screen there is a proprietary mTouch key, which combines a mechanical navigation button, a touch pad and a fingerprint scanner.
On the back there is a 13 MP camera module, a flash and the Meizu logo. The aluminum surface of the body has a good finish and feels very nice in the hand.
The side ends of the M5 Note are decorated with a neat chamfer, which looks extremely impressive. The top end is devoid of functional elements; only the second microphone for noise reduction is located on it. At the bottom there is a Micro USB port, a main speaker grille and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. All holes are made carefully, there are no complaints about the build quality.
On the right side there is a volume rocker and a power button.
On the left is a hybrid card tray. In general, like everyone else budget smartphones Meizu, due to the excellent build quality of the M5 Note, it looks much more expensive than its cost.
Screen
M5 Note is equipped with a 5.5-inch IPS matrix with FULL HD resolution and a pixel density of 401 ppi. For the money the screen is good, it has high level contrast and natural color rendition, software adjustment is also provided color temperature and turning on eye protection mode.
The brightness range allows you to comfortably use the smartphone both in a dark room and outdoors; even in bright sunshine, the screen remains clearly readable. The multi-touch display confidently recognizes 10 touches, and the olephobic coating does not disappoint.
Compared to its predecessor, the M3 Note, the quality of the screen in the new product has increased significantly. The only negative is when compared with flagship displays, which makes it clear that the M5 Note displays white with a slight bias towards a pink tint. However, during everyday use this does not cause any discomfort.
Performance
Performance can be called the main Achilles heel of the M5 Note; there is no progress here in relation to its predecessor. The device works on Helio processor P10, which is good in terms of power consumption, but in Benchmark scores a modest 47 thousand parrots.
In practice, the P10 is absolutely enough for smooth operation of the interface, the main set of applications and casual games. Performance is also ensured by a sufficient amount of RAM - 3 or 4 GB, depending on the version. You won’t experience any shortcomings in everyday work, but you won’t be able to play demanding 3D games at maximum graphics settings.
For example, in the same tanks, comfortable gaming at 40-50 FPS is only possible on minimum settings with HD textures disabled. At maximum load, the processor heats up to 40-43 degrees, there is no throttling.
Camera
But the camera in the M5 Note has been significantly improved. The 13 MP sensor with phase detection autofocus takes pictures an order of magnitude better than its predecessor and is superior to most smartphones in this price category. The native camera has a fully manual settings mode, which even in difficult conditions shooting allows you to get decent quality photos.
Separately, let’s cancel the 5 MP front camera, it’s good. The post-processing algorithms in the M5 Note were handled by ArcSoft, a company known for developing camera software for Vivo smartphones.
The M5 Note shoots video in FHD resolution at 60 fps. The recording quality is average, there is some shaking due to the lack of an optical stabilizer. The sound is written well, an order of magnitude better than most budget phones.
Speaker, sound quality
The sound in the headphones, like all Meizu ones, is of decent quality, but the M5 Note is inferior to solutions with a dedicated DAC. The smartphone can play with any vacuum headphones without any problems. The main speaker is also good; it is loud and suffers virtually no distortion at maximum volume.
Battery
The battery capacity of the M5 Note is 4000 mAh, which is 100 mAh less than its predecessor. However, the new product supports MediaTek PumpExpress fast charging technology and can charge from 0 to 100% in 65-70 minutes, which is its undeniable advantage.
With continuous video playback at maximum screen brightness, the M5 Note is completely discharged in 9 hours. When gaming Asphalt 8, 11% of the battery is consumed per hour. The battery life is enough for comfortable work during daylight hours. Even with active use of the smartphone in the evening, about 15-20% of the battery remains. If you don’t play with toys and save the charge a little, then the M5 Note will confidently last two days on a single charge.
Communication and Internet
Reception quality operator network The M5 Note is good, as is the voice transmission of you and your interlocutor during a conversation. The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi and all LTE bands common in the Russian Federation.
The M5 Note quickly finds navigation satellites and maintains stable communication with them. The smartphone is also equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy, which is necessary for connecting smart watches and fitness trackers to the gadget. Instead of USB Type-C The gadget uses a regular Micro-USB.
Video review of Meizu M5 Note
Competitors, conclusion
The M5 Note is a great value for money for those who don't require gaming performance from their smartphone. As for a budget device it strengths is a cool screen, good camera, high build quality and decent autonomy. Meizu has already announced that the M5 Note will be one of the first to receive the Flyme 6 update. However, there are no fundamental improvements in comparison with the M3 Note, which was released at the beginning of 2016, and there is no point in changing one device for another.
For those who want to get acquainted with the products of the Meizu company, we confidently recommend purchasing them. If you want to get a generally similar, but more powerful gadget, then best choice is still Xiaomi's Redmi Note 3 Pro.
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Meizu M5 Note- continuation of the bestseller M3 Note, with slightly modified characteristics. The body is completely metal, streamlined, and the corners are very nicely chamfered. The 5.5-inch FHD matrix has become better, but in terms of color rendering and contrast it almost falls short of the company’s more expensive models. Instead of standard touch buttons, there is a proprietary mBack key with a fingerprint scanner. The audio jack was moved to the bottom edge, to the charging port and speaker. Volume control and “Power” remained in their positions - on right side, a hybrid slot for SIM cards and a flash drive is on the left. For a budget phone, the phone looks great and feels very nice in the hand.
The camera is represented by a 13 MP module. Compared to its predecessor, the photo quality here is better, especially in the dark. But this is still a minor update, which improved the detail of objects, increased dynamic range, however, autofocus sometimes misses, and exposure is sometimes determined incorrectly. In general, the level of photographs is tolerable, but you can find phones that take better photos. The videos are shot in FHD maximum; there is no electronic or, especially, optical stabilization. But there is a “Pro” mode, where shutter speed, ISO, etc. are adjusted. The front camera here is 5-megapixel, the result of its work can be described as “mediocre”.
As for the hardware, unfortunately, everything is the same. The heart of the device is MediaTek's Helio P10 (octa-core) with a dual-core Mali-T860 graphics chip. In synthetic tests, this “couple” scores below average and behaves the same in operation. True, the speed of the system is quite high. But games lag on settings that are higher than the minimum due to a weak video accelerator. The energy efficiency of the processor is not the best. A battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh provides operating time for two days. Added fast charging, now the battery is replenished by a little less than half in half an hour.
The gadget can have 3 or 4 GB of RAM, and permanent memory - from 16 to 64 GB. The fact that the minimum amount of RAM has been increased is a big plus; there is a reserve for the future. Meizu M5 Note turned out to be more interesting, but did not please with dramatic improvements. It lacks cameras and, especially, performance in 3D programs. But good firmware Flyme 6, loud sound, extremely durable battery, decent screen and chic appearance. You can buy a smartphone, however, if you have a little more money, take a closer look at the sixth generation of this model range.
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