Meizu M6 Note review

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#1973820 13-Mar-2018 10:32

NikT:

Our variant is the M721L. Meizu built it with NZ in mind after (many) requests for a product with 700MHz Band 28. This was their first Band 28 device, and they completely redesigned the antenna from M721H. Software is cross-compatible between the two variants (and we wish we had 50% margin). :)

As this is Meizu's first product in a wee while to launch with full Google GMS certification there's some neat new stuff in the software, like the ability to switch between on-screen navigation buttons and Meizu's one-button mBack solution. Any questions, let me know.

So that means this variant has the 'standard' software and would receive the same updates as any other M6 Note (Hopefully Oreo at some point)?

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

NikT

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#1974044 13-Mar-2018 15:21

Arachan:

Hi NikT,

I appreciate you taking the time to engage. Can you confirm if there are any other differences between L and H variants aside from Band 28 capability? (I have had full bars of 4G since I bought my H, but then I do live in Auckland).

Cheers.

The redesigned antenna should also provide better WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS performance in addition to the different set of 4G bands vs. the H variant. Other than that, no physical changes, accessories et cetera are fully cross-compatible.

gzt:

Is that update availability or local carrier approval?

NZ telcos are not currently involved in Meizu's software. New builds (and beta tests) are often available here on Meizu's site prior to OTA rollout.

robjg63:

So that means this variant has the 'standard' software and would receive the same updates as any other M6 Note (Hopefully Oreo at some point)?

Yep, same build for both - Meizu are pretty good about this kind of cross-compatibility. Saves a lot of time.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

lokhor

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#1974195 13-Mar-2018 20:15

gzt:
lokhor:

I always found the update cycle from Meizu to be pretty abysmal. I still have an M5 Note sitting around that is still running Android 6 and hasn't had a security update since Jan 2017.

Is that update availability or local carrier approval?

Nothing to do with local carriers, it was not carrier branded it came from PBTech

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

skyhigh

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#1982065 23-Mar-2018 13:39

HI all,

I have bought the 3Gb Ram, 32 Gb Storage, M6 Note from PB Tech.

Very happy. I have had it a couple weeks now. Very fast as I am testing it with a lot of multi-tasking.

I am running 2 Sims. Very good as I can set preferences on which Sim to use for calls and data. So far working very well as I would expect.

Quite a noticeable improvement on speed with GPS, WiFi and 4G data. This compared with my M2 Note (which is still running good as new!!!).

I signed up to the Meizu "Find My Phone" feature and tested it. It worked! I had GPS turned off but it remotely enable it to find it!! Cool.

Battery is lasting 3-4 days with me using it constantly!!

Arachan

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#1982362 23-Mar-2018 21:10

skyhigh: Battery is lasting 3-4 days with me using it constantly!!

Nice to hear you're having a good experience as well.

For the battery, I have found that by default EVERY app is set to close once you leave it. This can be frustrating to music, etc, so I have forced ~5 apps to run constantly. Even with this, as long as I disable WiFi/data when not in use, I get a solid 2-3 days usage. If I leave WiFi/data enabled overnight I lose 20% battery.

Skyhigh I'd also recommend Nova Launcher from the appstore to replace the default launcher which is not great.

robjg63

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#1982387 23-Mar-2018 22:15

Good to hear feedback from actual owners.
That battery drain on wifi sounds bad though. Did a quick google and couldn't find anything about that. Odd....

Also - did you both buy from pbtech? Just curious as to what sort of charger it comes with. Looks like ideally it comes with a fast charger. Just wondering what you got and how fast it charges.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Dyson

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Arachan

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#1982390 23-Mar-2018 22:40

robjg63: Also - did you both buy from pbtech?

As mentioned in OP I bought from Aliexpress for $230 vs the ~$350 that PB Tech charges. Mine came with a NZ adapter. I just use my usual generic 2A wall charger and it charges very fast. I only ever charge overnight.

robjg63

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#1982431 24-Mar-2018 09:01

How about you @skyhigh are you getting issues with battery drain on wifi?

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

skyhigh

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#1982519 24-Mar-2018 12:16

robjg63: How about you @skyhigh are you getting issues with battery drain on wifi?

HI Rob,

Consistent with what others say. Overnight is the worst for battery drain, esp on my M2 Note (like 40-50% drain overnight... but battery is probably getting a bit tired).

20% drain overnight is standard on the M6 Note with WiFi on. I put it into supersaver mode usually with DND on, with only family enabled on "Whitelist".

If I leave Wifi on it will still drain a bit more than I would like. Low Power mode with WiFi on overnight is the best I can do. Not sure what the drain is I don't take note... maybe 10% ?

I bought it from PB Tech. I haven't used the NZ plug issued charger yet, I use other ones....

robjg63

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#1982551 24-Mar-2018 14:39

Wow 20% overnight!
That's a shocker. My old galaxy note 2 uses about 1% an hour on standby with wifi on. I never disable wifi.
I have it in power save mode but it usually picks up email and notifies pretty quick as well.
I would get longer battery life out of the note 2 and it has a 3000mah battery!

Was quite keen on these phones until I read this.

EDIT: hmm, reread your post. 10% overnight not quite so bad... Maybe.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

DeepBlueSky

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#1982691 24-Mar-2018 20:21

Picked a 64GB version from PBTech today for my mother-in-law so far really impressed.

Just a couple of questions:

Is there a PDF user manual I can download so she can familiarise herself with the phone.

Are these phone meant to ship with any headphones.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

Arachan

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#1982697 24-Mar-2018 20:41

DeepBlueSky: Are these phone meant to ship with any headphones.

Mine didn't come with headphones.

robjg63: Wow 20% overnight!

I disable WiFi overnight as habit anyway. Given that the phone uses around 30% power per day of normal use I don't mind. The battery really is good, especially on default power saving settings (all apps are killed once you leave them).

TeaLeaf

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#1983385 26-Mar-2018 12:35

Yabanize:

How is the camera?

In this price range and locally up to $600 easily the best imo. Uses the same sony sensor as the HTC u11, different lenses of course is the only reason its not as good, but $230 vs $1200, meh.

TeaLeaf

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#1984260 27-Mar-2018 13:27

I went and had a look today, I see what you mean about the screen UI looking washed out, had no vibrancy. I too bumped up the brightness no change. Does it improve with Nova launcher and does the display look better with actual content? Nice feeling phone though.

Arachan

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#1984448 27-Mar-2018 18:09

TeaLeaf: UI looking washed out, had no vibrancy.

The stock UI with FlyMe OS is a pretty weird iOS clone, I never used it though. The colours feel fine to me (comparable to any non-OLED IMO)

Nova launcher

Yep, one of the first things I did when I got the phone was restoring my Nova Prime + settings from my last phone with Titanium Backup. Made me feel right at home.

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