Meizu M3 Note smartphone

Photo: Ut tbkbob via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Meizu

Meizu M3 Note

April 2016 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Meizu M3 Note is a budget-friendly smartphone released in April 2016, featuring a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a MediaTek Helio P10 processor, and a substantial 4100mAh battery. It offered a metal-like design and a fingerprint sensor, aiming to provide strong value in the mid-range market.
Display5.5-inch Full HD LTPS IPS LCD with 403 ppi. [1, 12]
ChipsetMediaTek Helio P10 octa-core processor. [1, 11]
Main Camera13 MP with PDAF and dual-tone flash. [1, 2]
Battery4100 mAh Li-Ion, non-removable. [1, 2]
Starting from $120

💰 Meizu M3 Note Price

The Meizu M3 Note lowest price is $120, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeLTPS IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
Size5.5 inches
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels (Full HD)
ProtectionT2X-1 Glass
Features403 ppi density, 1000:1 contrast, 450 cd/m² brightness (typical), MiraVision 2.0

Platform

OSAndroid 5.1 (Lollipop), Flyme OS 5.1.3.0G (upgradeable to Flyme OS 6)
ChipsetMediaTek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm)
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPUARM Mali-T860 MP2

Memory

Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot, up to 256GB)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM (LPDDR3)

Main Camera

Single13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
FeaturesDual-tone LED flash, Panorama, Continuous shooting
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Single5 MP, f/2.0
Features4-element lens, FotoNation 2.0, FaceAE
Video1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeLi-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removable
ChargingStandard charging (no fast charging)

Body

Dimensions153.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm (6.05 x 2.97 x 0.32 in)
Weight163 g (5.7 oz)
Build6000 Series Aluminum alloy (frame/back, with metallic finish)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE
PositioningGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
USBmicroUSB 2.0
RadioNo
NFCNo

Launch

AnnouncedApril 6, 2016
StatusDiscontinued

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent battery life [3, 8, 9, 10]
  • Good build quality and design for its price [2, 5, 8]
  • Responsive fingerprint sensor [2, 5]
  • Bright and clear Full HD display [1, 12]
  • Affordable price point at launch [3, 17]

Cons

  • Average camera performance, especially in low light [3, 5, 7]
  • Plastic back scratches easily (despite metallic finish) [5]
  • No fast charging [8, 10]
  • Runs on older Android 5.1 (Lollipop) at launch [1]
  • Software (Flyme OS) might not be fully optimized for international users [8]
  • Shared SIM/microSD slot [8]
★ Our Verdict

The Meizu M3 Note offered exceptional battery life and a solid build for its price, though its camera performance and lack of fast charging were notable drawbacks.

The Meizu M3 Note, released in 2016, was a compelling budget smartphone known for its impressive 4100mAh battery, offering multi-day usage for many users. Its 5.5-inch Full HD display and metal-like design provided a premium feel at an affordable price point. However, potential buyers should be aware of its limitations, such as the average 13MP camera, which struggled in challenging lighting conditions, and the absence of fast charging. Running on an older Android version (Lollipop) with Meizu's Flyme OS, software updates might be limited, and some international versions required manual installation of Google Play Services. While it offered good value in its era, modern alternatives now provide significantly better performance, camera quality, and software support. This phone is primarily for collectors or those seeking a very basic, inexpensive device with long battery life, understanding its age-related compromises.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Meizu M3 Note smartphone
  • USB cable (microUSB)
  • Power adapter
  • SIM ejector tool
  • User manual
  • Warranty card

Warranty information typically varies by region and retailer at the time of purchase.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the release date of the Meizu M3 Note?

The Meizu M3 Note was officially unveiled on April 6, 2016, with sales commencing in mainland China on April 30, 2016. [1]

How good is the battery life of the Meizu M3 Note?

The Meizu M3 Note is highly praised for its excellent battery life, thanks to its large 4100mAh non-removable battery, often lasting up to two days with normal use. [2, 3, 8, 9]

Does the Meizu M3 Note have a good camera?

The Meizu M3 Note features a 13 MP main camera and a 5 MP front camera, both capable of 1080p video recording. While it includes features like PDAF and a dual-tone flash, reviews generally indicate its camera performance is average, especially in low-light conditions, and often lacks detail. [3, 5, 7]

What operating system does the Meizu M3 Note run on?

The Meizu M3 Note launched with Flyme OS 5.1.3.0G, which is based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, and was upgradeable to Flyme OS 6. [1]

Does the Meizu M3 Note support expandable storage?

Yes, the Meizu M3 Note supports expandable storage via a microSDXC card, though it uses a shared slot with the second SIM card. [1, 8]

Is the Meizu M3 Note still a good phone to buy today?

Given its release in 2016, the Meizu M3 Note is outdated by modern smartphone standards. While it offered excellent battery life and a decent display for its time, its performance, camera quality, and software support are significantly surpassed by current budget phones. It might only be suitable for collectors or very basic use cases.