Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the Google Pixel XL takes on the Meizu MX6. Google tasked HTC with the building of their latest Nexus replacement. The Chinese company, Meizu is known for giving the customer a great value. The Pixel XL has a combination of polished glass and metal on its back, the Meizu MX6 has a full metal back, and both devices offer a solid build. Which one of these devices gives us the best bang for our buck? Let’s look at just what these two devices have in common, if anything, and then we will take a closer look at each one in hopes that we can determine a winner of this comparison.
The Google Pixel XL and Meizu MX6 do share a few things in common. We can start with the physical size, which is almost identical, although the Pixel XL weighs 13 grams more. This comparison starts with a common display size of 5.5-inches. While the displays are the same size, the Pixel XL uses AMOLED technology while the MX6 uses IPS LCD technology. The resolutions differ with the Pixel XL using the Quad HD resolution and MX6 comes with a Full HD resolution. Both devices use different processors, amounts of RAM, and each offers a 32GB variant of internal storage – neither one provides any memory expansion. The camera areas are different for the both the primary shooter and the front-facing camera (FFC.) Both have non-removable batteries with rapid charge capabilities. Both have a fingerprints sensor to unlock the device, but only the Pixel XL can authorize mobile payments. They have most of the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.2 in the Pixel XL and v4.1 in the MX6), GPS, and a Type-C reversible port for charging and data transfer. Only the Pixel XL comes with an NFC chip.
Please take a thoughtful look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each device in greater depth and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information, we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
Google Pixel XL
Google has moved on from the Nexus period to new Pixel era as Google is working on creating their own Apple-like ecosystem where you purchase several Google products because they all work together. The Google Pixel is the first smartphone to incorporate Goggle Assistant directly onto the device. From your Pixel, you can communicate directly with Google’s new Home products. Google is hoping that if you buy one device, you will want them all. For this comparison, we will be looking at how well the Google Pixel XL with its polished glass and metal construction holds up to the all-metal Meizu MX6.
The Google Pixel XL sports a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels with 531 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) Google used the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor with a dual-core clocked at 1.6GHZ and a dual-core clocked at 2.15GHz. The Snapdragon 821 takes over from the original Snapdragon 820 and is 10-percent quicker. Google wisely kept the powerful Adreno 530 GPU to take on any graphics you can throw its way. It packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB or 128GB of the faster UFS memory, as there are no means to expand the built-in memory. Google did include a large 3450mAh battery for power, and it has rapid charge capabilities.
Even with their price difference, Goggle included the same camera in both Pixel models. The camera specifications seem modest at first glance – with only a 12.3MP sensor for the primary camera along with an aperture of f/2.0, phase detection autofocus (PDAF,) a dual-tone LED flash, and no OIS, instead opting to use EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization.) However, when DxOMark tested the camera it received a score of 89 – the highest rating yet for a smartphone camera. Google also included a large front-facing camera (FFC) with 8MP that comes with a f/2.0 aperture, a 1.4µm pixel size, and 1080p video support. This combination of specs offers up great selfies to share with your friends on social media as well as video chatting.
Google did not include a lot of ‘bells and whistles’ such as heart rate monitor, but the Pixel XL will have Android Pay available, and Google Assistant built in that will work with other Google products such as Google Home. It will be running Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box and receive the fastest updates. The Pixel XL measures in at 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.6mm and weighs in at 168 grams. There are three different colors available: Quite Black, Very Silver, and Really Blue (a limited edition color.) The Pixel XL is IP53 rated against dust and splashing water, and the 32GB model will cost you about $770.
Meizu MX6
Meizu builds a solid device with a nice look and feel to it – much like that of the ‘iPhone 7 look.’ The front is glass, wrapped in a metal frame, metal back, and even the antenna lines are at the top, and bottom of the device, just like the iPhone 7. Many criticize Meizu for copying the iPhone; however, the MX6 came out before the iPhone 7. Does the $350 Meizu MX6 have what it takes to compete against the $770 Google Pixel XL?
The Meizu MX6 sports a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with an FHD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 403 PPI. Meizu turned to the MediaTek MT6797 Helio X20 deca-core processor, with two cores clocked at 2.3GHz, a quad-core clocked at 1.9GHz, and a quad-core clocked at 1.4GHz. It uses a Mali-T880 MP4 GPU for graphics and packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of non-expandable memory. The MX6 uses an excellent processor and GPU, but it is such a shame that there are no other memory options available.
For its primary camera, the MX6 uses a 12MP sensor along with a f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and a dual-tone LED flash. In our review, overall it took great photos. It uses a 5MP FFC with the same f/2.0 aperture for selfies and video chatting. A decent sized 3060mAh battery with rapid charge capabilities supplies the power.
One thing to remember about the Meizu MX6 – this device is not built for the US market, but will run on 3G on either AT&T or T-Mobile. The MX6 comes running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box with Meizu’s Flyme UI on top. The MX6 measures 153.6 x 75.2 x 7.3mm and weighs in at 155 grams. There is no NFC, so you will not be able to use the MX6 for mobile payments of any sort. Available colors are Gray, Silver, Champagne Gold, and Rose Gold, and it will cost you about $350.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
I know that the Google Pixel XL costs twice as much as the Meizu MX6, but it does have the better specifications. It has a better display, a better processor, and GPU, more RAM and you can buy 128GB model if you want. It has a much better camera area – primary and FFC. It is running Android 7.1 Nougat and will receive the fastest upgrades. The Pixel XL has an NFC chip so you can make Android Pay and other mobile purchases. It is IP57 dust and splash resistant, it has a larger battery, and it can use LTE and run on all major US networks.
That being said, are those features worth double the price? Not to everybody. If you are happy with AT&T or T-Mobile, don’t mind using 3G, and you do not want to make mobile payments, then save yourself some money and buy the Meizu MX6. However, the Google Pixel XL is a more robust phone and easier to live with…except for the purchase price.
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