Since arriving in the hexagon in March 2014, Meizu has built a pretty good reputation for a rich catalog of 4 Products: MX3, MX4, the MX4 Pro and this new m1 rating, also called Blue Charm Note. Developed to get the Xiaomi Redmi note in the Middle Kingdom, the m1 note is a fairly economical smartphone given its technological proposal with a single weak point. But a huge sore point: MediaTek chipset installed inside is compatible with 4G Telecom Bouygyues only (1800 MHz frequency band). Customers of other operators will have to settle for 3G +.
A data sheet which suffers only 4G compatibility
And that’s a pity, because had he been fully 4G, m1 rating could almost justify its price positioning to 229 euros 16GB version (and 269 euros in 32 GB). Because the screen is good and its chipset is nervous. Is of course FlymeOS and its French translation which were only partially improved the interface and value-added content. Let’s start this test by the technical characteristics of the mobile:
- Dimensions: 150.7 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 145 grams
- Screen Ratio / Size 72.9%
- Full HD LCD IGZO developed by Sharp 5.5 inches with a resolution of 403 dots per pixel. Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- MediaTek MT6752 chipset consisting of eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.7 GHz and a Mali-T760 GPU ARM
- 2 GB RAM
- 16 or 32 GB of internal storage (without extension)
- 3140 mAh non-removable battery
- Dual SIM
- Compatible WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and Glonass 3G + (4G on LV)
- Sensor photo Isocell Samsung 13 megapixel camera with 5-element aperture of f / 2.2. Compatible Full HD video.
- Omnivision OV5670 Webcam 5 megapixel camera with wide-angle lens with 4 units aperture of f / 2.0
- Operating System: Android 4.2 FlymeOS 4.4.4 KitKat
For a mobile 229 euros without subsidy the m1 notes really has a nice data sheet. Few defects to report, except this particularly limited compatibility on 4G networks. What is now a real weakness of 4G mobile, there are less than 100 euros …
A slightly reworked design MX3
On the design side, the smartphone is much like a MX3, tested it a year ago in our columns, which ergonomic MX4 codes have been applied. The result is pretty good, because the Speaker MX3 has been moved to the lower end, as on the MX4. Similarly, the Meizu marking is now located at the bottom, to the horizontal. The flash that accompanies the Samsung sensor is true-tone. Finally, the secondary microphone for active noise reduction is no longer between the NPC and its flash, but next to the 3.5mm jack.
For the rest, everything is obviously quite classic. At the front, a large touch screen with one touch on the screen, which is traditionally round (legacy MX3 and MX4). For the rest, it will rely on the navigation buttons built into the interface. Above the telephone receiver, webcam and standard sensors. At the rear, a non-removable polycarbonate shell, which also covers the edges. The chassis seems quite fragile to shocks, but it should protect the screen, which is the most important
On the left spine, Meizu has placed volume control, while at the opposite is found the hatch for both microSIM cards whose integration into the hull is not perfect (it exceeds a little). No switch-on button, the Chinese brand has a habit of placing it on the top edge with the port for wired headsets. On the lower end, we find the phone microphone, speaker (as noted above) and the microUSB port.
A solid construction and beautiful screen
Note m1 enjoys a fairly solid construction with a grip may be a little less quality than the MX4 and MX4 Pro, printing mainly due to the choice of materials of the hull. We always find surprising positioning the switch-on button on the upper edge as competition deported it on the edge right next to the thumb of right-handers. For it is evidently it is more accessible, especially on phablettes. We appreciate however the presence of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 which provides good slip under the fingers
The screen is one of the strengths of m1 note. Produced by Sharp, it relies on the IGZO LCD technology that offers a beautiful light for reduced energy consumption. If the contrasts are good without being as deep as AMOLED panels from Samsung, colorimetry is less overloaded and respectful. If the resolution of the screen is good, providing good readability of Web pages without having to zoom in, the viewing angles are a bit open, especially in portrait mode.
A few small alterations in FlymeOS
The interface of the mobile is here the same as the Pro MX4, tested in our columns at the end of February. You will find FlymeOS version 4.2, based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. For a comprehensive update on this version, we recommend reading the MX4 and MX4 Pro tests. Very few differences to note on this m1 rating, in addition to the inexplicable absence of SmartTouch, this little virtual button handy and repositionable offering shortcuts to some applications (especially a way to go back when no soft key is proposed ). We note that some menus have been Anglicized. But not all.
FlymeOS and keyboard interface Fleksy
We also note that the m1 rating, like other Meizu smartphone, comes with TouchPal X and Fleksy, both customizable keyboards. Very good news. We also see that Meizu has kept manually managing performance modes (including the highest) with the ability to access a dashboard of the most energy components and applications. The Security Center, the AppCenter and theme manager are also present. Google applications are almost entirely absent: you will only find the Play Store, Search / Vocal Search Now and
Some improvements in translation …
A very fluid interface
The experience offered by the m1 rating is quite nice. The interface appears very fluid, despite some concerns translation and light snags with some applications (including Dead Trigger 2, a case that we will discuss in a few lines). This is mainly due to the excellent performance of the MT6752 which proves to be a very good component for applications. And a little less for games, ARM Mali oblige.
Observe test scores. On AnTuTu, the smartphone gets 40 785 points when his energy profile favors performance. It reached a similar score to smartphones Snapdragon 800. The m1 rating is better than some competitors like HTC Desire 820. It also slightly exceeds the Liquid Jade S Acer. As for the MX3, it is far exceeded …
On 3DMark The difference with the Adreno 405 Snapdragon 615 is less marked, but the Mali T760 manages to take over, certainly by the choice of performance profile that is not available on other smartphones. Here, m1 rating reached 10 714 points. Which is very good for this level range which generally is around 5000 points. On Basemark OS II, the mobile reaches 929 points. Again, a surprising score that places the m1 notes up to the MX4 Galaxy Pro or Alpha.
Best video player portable console
The other side the Medal of MT6752 is a relative volatility vis-à-vis the games. As the Liquid Jade S, we have not been able to launch our standard game Dead Trigger 2. We folded over Minigore 2 Mountain Sheep. The game runs with ease, even when many enemies are present, and all graphics are displayed, which has not always been the case with Meizu. We obviously regret that Dead Trigger 2 may not be compatible, but it seems that the problem with the MT6752
Dungeon Hunter left, right Minigore 2
On the video side, we are, as with the MX4 Pro, very pleasantly surprised. The default video player, a legacy of the historic Meizu is not only compatible with the vast majority of our video files, even to decode AC3 and DTS (which is rare), but it also displays subtitles encapsulated in MKV. Here’s 5-inch Full HD screen offers a good viewing experience. The speaker is however not very powerful. Prefer it a good helmet.
Instead honest photo
In the photo, notes m1 is doing pretty well, even though we had the opportunity to see 13 megapixel sensors get out a little better. On this first day of spring, the Parisian sky is hazy, which greatly increases the ambient brightness. Which complicates the balance of exposure. To ensure visibility of all elements, the sky is reflected overexposed. If it is not, this is the street that is plunged into darkness. However, the contrast is good, colorimetry is respected and the grain is low. In short, this camera is very acceptable.
Photo taken with the Meizu m1 notes
Note m1 photo interface is much like the MX4 Pro, all options and modes of shots being the same places. With one difference: if the interface opted for transparency on the high end, it’s all here in black. A choice that is not happier. However, we find ourselves with pleasure the manual mode and control over the shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, white balance and focal length (for bokeh effects).
A very good proposal but too expensive without 4G
In summary, m1 note could be considered a very good evolution of the MX3 while relatively affordable for the proposed performance. If the MX4 is only 60 euros more expensive, m1 rating was not ashamed and offers an enjoyable multimedia experience, combined with a good quality screen and fluid interface. Putting aside the problems of translation and accessibility of configuration and customization tools (themes and applications), this smartphone is really a good deal. His closest competitor, Jade S Acer has sold 300 euros with a worse display and removal performance.
But this is not the best deal, either. For 229 euros, it compares to all 4G smartphones very good, starting with the new Motorola Moto G 4G and the whole gang of smartphones at very good value for money presented in Barcelona. Without a 4G smartphone to more than 200 euros is it viable in France today? This is a very difficult question to answer. Especially in China, it is sold 40% cheaper (140 euros). What explains this difference? VAT? The price of the Euro? The absence of Xiaomi? Whatever the reason, it might prevent the mobile to shine as he might have been able to do it.
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