Meizu M3 Note Owners Thread

Forums › Android › Meizu M3 Note Owners Thread

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ... | 28

some call me @jevvv
658 posts

Ultimate Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1579872 24-Jun-2016 22:00

An additional thought on charging - it does seem to carry a large built in battery

So possibly takes longer because there's more charge to squeeze into it :)

<- don't ask me where I am - I haven't a clue: its a tech thing ;)
Housewife computerer: not particularly great at either.
And don't take me too seriously.

old3eyes

9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1579942 25-Jun-2016 09:18

Does this Note 3 have the ability to run "widgets"?? via the native launcher. I had a look at the wife's Note 2 and I can't see any way of doing it..

Regards,

Old3eyes

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79298 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1579956 25-Jun-2016 09:52

Yes, it does.

old3eyes

9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1579957 25-Jun-2016 09:55

freitasm:

Yes, it does.

Thanx for that . Now a toss up between the Note 3 and Moto G4 plus if it ever gets released here..

Regards,

Old3eyes

pristle

158 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#1580097 25-Jun-2016 13:12

Nice succinct write up Mr. Freitas. You raise a couple of items I noted too. Firstly signing into the Google account without the SIM, I'm glad it wasn't just me and a bad memory. The other was the security app, I didn't give it a second glance until I had a pop-up suggesting I run a cleanup, a-la CCleaner.

My wife (she who now has a shiny red Nexus5) asked me this morning "after a week of use are you happy with your purchase?" In short yes.

The camera notwithstanding, this is a very capable device. As a phone the calls are clear and crisp. As my work is predominantly remote support, I tend to use the speakerphone often (as I struggle to type single handed) and with this phone the other party hasn't really noticed a difference, whereas they do with my desk phone or the Nexus5. This isn't as true when driving, they are aware of road noise but can hear me fine, it's me who struggles to hear them. I haven't tried with my ear phones yet.

A job I have on at the moment is fitting out a rural located house during reno works for CAT6 wiring. Having left my level at home I thought I'd use my SmartTools app. It wouldn't load as I was out of range for any data connection, my frustration was short lived as Meizu's Flyme has their own 'Toolbox' pre-installed, it features a flashlight, mirror, ruler, magnifier, compass and a level!

Charging time, I didn't think it to be too excessive given the heft of the battery. Other factors are the charger being used, get one that is Android specific. The iPhone chargers are different. The Nexus5 would tell me if it was 'charging' or 'charging slowly'. Branded LG, Samsung and Huawei chargers always charge quickly regardless of their amp rating. Whereas iPhone compatibles such as Huntkey, Apple and other generics don't. The other factor is definitely the cable. I have found the PQI and Adata cables from PB Tech to be the most reliable. Not to mention the best value.

As mentioned before, I resolved to 'root' the phone with KingRoot (the native "Root permission" is still having a problem), which allowed me to recover most of the apps I've previously enjoyed and transfer most of the data. Some apps have required manually downloads and install. There are a couple of notable exceptions, as Google Play say that they're incompatible with my device and will not install: Google Phone and Google Contacts. Something I had grown accustomed to on the Google phone app is the ability to search for a phone number online. As for Contacts, there doesn't appear to be a native app equivalent.

Curiosities? 1. The occasional infinity symbol in the notification area. It was only when nodding off last night did it occur to me that it was the Flyme logo. What it means I have no idea, I suspect it's an update check. 2. Whether it ties in with notification pop-up in Chinese script I haven't really considered (ref: http://bit.ly/28VC0Lq).

Attached are two more camera comparisons. Please note the Nexus shot was with HDR at maximum 8Mpixel, whereas the M3 was with a flash at 13Mpixel. Both shots have been cropped to comply with data size. If you zoom in on the artwork on the mug, or even the base, you'll note a fuzziness to it, almost as if a water colour brush has been used. A definite case for the old adage "less is more". But as I discussed with the new owner of the Nexus, I typically use my phone for 'snapshots', for more serious pictures I get the actual camera out.

jevvv

some call me @jevvv
658 posts

Ultimate Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1580209 25-Jun-2016 16:36

Contacts isn't a separate app - I discovered it after being baffled for a while: it's a tab within the phone app.

In other words: click the phone handset icon, then choose Contacts, instead of Dialer.

I remember Nik saying there was a lot of simplicity to working it.

My thing that I haven't discovered yet is a basic on-board phone widget. So I ended up downloading one from the Play store. I was surprised that there wasn't a standard handset one

<- don't ask me where I am - I haven't a clue: its a tech thing ;)
Housewife computerer: not particularly great at either.
And don't take me too seriously.

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#1582452 29-Jun-2016 09:52

A few questions about the Meizu M3 note:

1) Reading and viewing different reviews, there are reviewers saying the speaker is quite quiet and not very clear, is this the case?

2) Again on sound, how is the volume when using headphones?

3) A couple of reviews have said the glass is easily scratched, has anyone found this to be true?

4) For standard games e.g Slots, Angry Birds etc.. is the graphics performance OK? Not worried about games that are graphic intensive like Asphalt etc.

5) How's your battery life?

6) One for PBTech, is the $359 for the 32GB model permanent?

7) How do you feel about the phone now that you have had one for awhile?

I currently have a P8, which was just purchased recently, it's a good phone, but the small storage space(about 9GB usable out of 16GB) is a bit of a let down to me, so I am interested in the 32GB M3 Note.
The only things I would lose would be a decent camera with OIS and NFC, but is NFC really necessary? Same with OIS, especially if you are only using the camera for snapshots?

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

rgoulter

105 posts

Master Geek

#1582498 29-Jun-2016 10:54

semigeek:

A few questions about the Meizu M3 note:

1) Reading and viewing different reviews, there are reviewers saying the speaker is quite quiet and not very clear, is this the case?

2) Again on sound, how is the volume when using headphones?

3) A couple of reviews have said the glass is easily scratched, has anyone found this to be true?

4) For standard games e.g Slots, Angry Birds etc.. is the graphics performance OK? Not worried about games that are graphic intensive like Asphalt etc.

5) How's your battery life?

6) One for PBTech, is the $359 for the 32GB model permanent?

7) How do you feel about the phone now that you have had one for awhile?

I currently have a P8, which was just purchased recently, it's a good phone, but the small storage space(about 9GB usable out of 16GB) is a bit of a let down to me, so I am interested in the 32GB M3 Note.
The only things I would lose would be a decent camera with OIS and NFC, but is NFC really necessary? Same with OIS, especially if you are only using the camera for snapshots?

1) Reading and viewing different reviews, there are reviewers saying the speaker is quite quiet and not very clear, is this the case?

Volume sounds same as my one plus one - not noticably quiet.

2) Again on sound, how is the volume when using headphones?

Fine - I am using with my Panasonic RPBT5 bluetooth headphones and volume is loud enough for me.

3) A couple of reviews have said the glass is easily scratched, has anyone found this to be true?

No scratches so far - but I look after my phones best I can i.e.

4) For standard games e.g Slots, Angry Birds etc.. is the graphics performance OK? Not worried about games that are graphic intensive like Asphalt etc.

Normal games appear to be fine. Im playing clash royale with no issues, i tried dungeon hunter 4 and it was a bit laggy - but thats a graphics intensive game.

5) How's your battery life?

Great! easily get a full day out of it with normal use.

6) One for PBTech, is the $359 for the 32GB model permanent?

7) How do you feel about the phone now that you have had one for awhile?

Overall very happy with it. No issues to date.

jevvv

some call me @jevvv
658 posts

Ultimate Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1582538 29-Jun-2016 12:02

I haven't had any issues so far.

I haven't done any gaming, used normal headphones nor scratched mine yet.

Currently mine has no cover as I haven't purchased one. I'd guess I'll be a little less gentle once I have a cover for it.

I've used it with the Meizu EP51 bluetooth earbuds and the sound is fine on them\

Charge wise: I've been doing quite a bit of wifi when I'm moving around the house and therefore using a bit more battery but so far been getting 1-2 days per charge, depending on how intensive it's been (and if I'm in our mobile signal blind spot - that eats a bit of battery)

<- don't ask me where I am - I haven't a clue: its a tech thing ;)
Housewife computerer: not particularly great at either.
And don't take me too seriously.

NikT

1710 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1582568 29-Jun-2016 12:08

pristle:

Curiosities? 1. The occasional infinity symbol in the notification area. It was only when nodding off last night did it occur to me that it was the Flyme logo. What it means I have no idea, I suspect it's an update check. 2. Whether it ties in with notification pop-up in Chinese script I haven't really considered (ref: http://bit.ly/28VC0Lq)

Infinity symbol is an ongoing notification - hence the infinity symbol. Usually it's media playing, like a Netflix or Spotify notification. :)

semigeek:

A few questions about the Meizu M3 note:

1) Reading and viewing different reviews, there are reviewers saying the speaker is quite quiet and not very clear, is this the case?

2) Again on sound, how is the volume when using headphones?

3) A couple of reviews have said the glass is easily scratched, has anyone found this to be true?

4) For standard games e.g Slots, Angry Birds etc.. is the graphics performance OK? Not worried about games that are graphic intensive like Asphalt etc.

5) How's your battery life?

6) One for PBTech, is the $359 for the 32GB model permanent?

7) How do you feel about the phone now that you have had one for awhile?

I currently have a P8, which was just purchased recently, it's a good phone, but the small storage space(about 9GB usable out of 16GB) is a bit of a let down to me, so I am interested in the 32GB M3 Note.
The only things I would lose would be a decent camera with OIS and NFC, but is NFC really necessary? Same with OIS, especially if you are only using the camera for snapshots?

I've had no issues with volume - but if you'd rather it be louder, there's a service menu in which you can increase the volume for both the speaker and the audio jack. Have a google for "MTK Service Menu" and similar, or use an app like QuickShortcutMaker to access it - the activity you're after is "Engineer Mode".
No issues with scratches on my various test units so far, have been reasonably rough with them too.
Battery life - I get two days after an overnight charge, e.g. take it off the charger Monday morning, pop it back on when I go to bed Tuesday.
$359 is the retail price, not a launch discount or similar.

Hope that helps!

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#1582582 29-Jun-2016 12:33

NikT:

pristle:

Curiosities? 1. The occasional infinity symbol in the notification area. It was only when nodding off last night did it occur to me that it was the Flyme logo. What it means I have no idea, I suspect it's an update check. 2. Whether it ties in with notification pop-up in Chinese script I haven't really considered (ref: http://bit.ly/28VC0Lq)

Infinity symbol is an ongoing notification - hence the infinity symbol. Usually it's media playing, like a Netflix or Spotify notification. :)

semigeek:

A few questions about the Meizu M3 note:

1) Reading and viewing different reviews, there are reviewers saying the speaker is quite quiet and not very clear, is this the case?

2) Again on sound, how is the volume when using headphones?

3) A couple of reviews have said the glass is easily scratched, has anyone found this to be true?

4) For standard games e.g Slots, Angry Birds etc.. is the graphics performance OK? Not worried about games that are graphic intensive like Asphalt etc.

5) How's your battery life?

6) One for PBTech, is the $359 for the 32GB model permanent?

7) How do you feel about the phone now that you have had one for awhile?

I currently have a P8, which was just purchased recently, it's a good phone, but the small storage space(about 9GB usable out of 16GB) is a bit of a let down to me, so I am interested in the 32GB M3 Note.
The only things I would lose would be a decent camera with OIS and NFC, but is NFC really necessary? Same with OIS, especially if you are only using the camera for snapshots?

I've had no issues with volume - but if you'd rather it be louder, there's a service menu in which you can increase the volume for both the speaker and the audio jack. Have a google for "MTK Service Menu" and similar, or use an app like QuickShortcutMaker to access it - the activity you're after is "Engineer Mode".
No issues with scratches on my various test units so far, have been reasonably rough with them too.
Battery life - I get two days after an overnight charge, e.g. take it off the charger Monday morning, pop it back on when I go to bed Tuesday.
$359 is the retail price, not a launch discount or similar.
Hope that helps!

Thanks to all for the answers, one more thing, can you theme it? I believe the Chinese model you can, but International you can't, is this correct?

jevvv

some call me @jevvv
658 posts

Ultimate Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1582584 29-Jun-2016 12:39

NikT:

pristle:

Curiosities? 1. The occasional infinity symbol in the notification area. It was only when nodding off last night did it occur to me that it was the Flyme logo. What it means I have no idea, I suspect it's an update check. 2. Whether it ties in with notification pop-up in Chinese script I haven't really considered (ref: http://bit.ly/28VC0Lq)

Infinity symbol is an ongoing notification - hence the infinity symbol. Usually it's media playing, like a Netflix or Spotify notification. :)

Also: if you use a blue-light filter like Twilight (filters blue light at night so you get to sleep more quickly) then the infinity symbol shows, because Twilight is an "always on" app Twilight, in the Play store

<- don't ask me where I am - I haven't a clue: its a tech thing ;)
Housewife computerer: not particularly great at either.
And don't take me too seriously.

jevvv

some call me @jevvv
658 posts

Ultimate Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1582594 29-Jun-2016 12:46

semigeek:

Thanks to all for the answers, one more thing, can you theme it? I believe the Chinese model you can, but International you can't, is this correct?

Yes! You can theme it- Mine is an International model and I have several themes on it already. There's an inbuilt app for them

<- don't ask me where I am - I haven't a clue: its a tech thing ;)
Housewife computerer: not particularly great at either.
And don't take me too seriously.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79298 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1582692 29-Jun-2016 14:30

Yes you have themes for it.

old3eyes

9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1582889 29-Jun-2016 18:38

Nice to see that they've put the volume and power buttons on the right side this time. The Note 2 has them on the left and is a pain if you need to change volume or power off.

Regards,

Old3eyes

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ... | 28