Meizu 21 Note Review: A Middling Mid-Range Debut

As Meizu's first mid-range product after its return to the market, the performance of the Meizu 21 Note is undoubtedly a topic of interest for many Meizu fans.

We got our hands on the "Meizu White" version of the Meizu 21 Note. Next, let’s start with the specifications and see how this mid-range debut performs after Meizu's comeback.

Design
The packaging of the Meizu 21 Note adopts a minimalist design language. Apart from the product name and the slogan "Welcome to the all-new Meizu AI device," there are no extra elements on the front.

Opening the box reveals the phone itself, a clear case, and standard accessories like the 66W power adapter.

Like its packaging, the Meizu 21 Note inherits the minimalist ID design of the Meizu 21 series. The main camera, ultra-wide lens, and flash are aligned on the pure white glass back, with no unnecessary lines or elements.

The main camera of the Meizu 21 Note features a 50MP sensor with a 1.56-inch size. While not outstanding by today's standards, it is sufficient for daily photography and sharing needs.

At the flash area, the Meizu 21 Note integrates the "Aicy Smart Ring" feature, providing a simple yet aesthetically pleasing way to display notifications for calls, messages, charging progress, and more.

Notably, the series' signature right-angled metal frame design is also carried over to the Meizu 21 Note. The transition with the 2.5D curved glass ensures a premium feel without being uncomfortable to hold.

Moving to the front, the Meizu White variant not only features a rare white front panel but also boasts a mere 1.75mm physically symmetrical bezels, offering an excellent visual appeal among mid-range phones.

Performance
While many mid-range phones now use the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the Meizu 21 Note opts for last year's flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

In AnTuTu V10, it scores 1,531,596 points: CPU (390,912), GPU (587,687), MEM (290,480), and UX (262,517).

Although the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's overall score doesn't surpass the 8s Gen 3, a closer look reveals that the 8s Gen 3's advantage lies mainly in CPU performance. For GPU performance—critical for gaming—the 8 Gen 2 actually performs better.

This means that while the 8 Gen 2 may not lead in benchmarks, it delivers superior real-world gaming performance.

To test the Meizu 21 Note's gaming capabilities, we ran Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Honor of Kings to simulate different load scenarios.

In Genshin Impact, with all settings maxed (dynamic blur off), we conducted a 30-minute exploration test in Fontaine, covering traversal, diving, puzzles, combat, and boss fights.

The average frame rate was 59.75 FPS, with stable performance most of the time. However, frame drops occurred during combat, diving, or when loading large environments.

Temperature-wise, after 30 minutes at 26°C ambient, the front reached 45°C and the back 42.1°C—warm but not uncomfortable.

In Honkai: Star Rail (max settings, 30-minute Xianzhou Luofu, the average frame rate was 59.68 FPS, with minor dips only in crowded areas like Xuanye Avenue.

Temperatures were similar: 45.2°C (front) and 43.4°C (back).

For Honor of Kings (Ultra HD, 120 FPS, max settings), the average frame rate was 120.75 FPS, with near-perfect stability.

Temperatures were lower: 43.6°C (front) and 41.1°C (back).

Overall, the Meizu 21 Note excels in gaming, balancing performance and thermals well.

Photography
The 50MP main camera (1.56-inch sensor) delivers decent results for daily use, though it lacks in low-light detail and edge sharpness.

In well-lit scenes, colors are accurate, and even backlit subjects retain detail.

2x digital zoom maintains acceptable quality.

However, the ultra-wide lens shows significant color shifts (e.g., overly blue tones), impacting usability.

Fast Charging
The 5500mAh battery supports 66W charging but is relatively slow: 5% to 100% in 48 minutes (24°C ambient).

Charging curves are conservative, but compatibility with QC4+/PD3.0 is a plus for travelers.

Flyme
Flyme remains a standout feature, but the Meizu 21 Note introduces ads (e.g., 5-second browser splash ads) and removes some functions (e.g., Flyme Link for device connectivity).

Conclusion
The Meizu 21 Note is a mixed bag. It excels in design (metal frame, thin bezels) and gaming but falters in cameras (ultra-wide color issues) and software (ads, missing features).

In today's cutthroat mid-range market, it struggles to compete. But for Flyme enthusiasts or those seeking a sleek, well-built phone, it’s a viable option.