Meizu 21 Pro Review: More Than an AI Phone, It’s a Smart Platform

Back in the day, when we were still playing "Snake" on those basic brick phones, who would’ve thought that one day, smartphones would become this intelligent—capable of chatting with us and helping us get things done?

But the arrival of the Meizu 21 Pro seems to be telling us: "The future you imagined is already here."

Before you scroll down, let’s cover some background. In 2023, as AI large-model technology became a hot topic, the smartphone market—a melting pot of innovation—saw major players rushing to capitalize on the AI wave.

While everyone was busy cramming AI into their phones, Meizu, a veteran smartphone manufacturer, suddenly announced it would halt traditional phone development and fully transition to AI phones.

To make this shift, they made a bold move by releasing an open AI terminal device—the Meizu 21 Pro. In short, they ditched traditional smartphones to aim for something bigger.

1. Unboxing
Starting with the back, three cameras and a flash are aligned in a straight line, resembling bright stars embedded in the phone—a design clearly inspired by a certain Samsung model.

The white color scheme not only gives the phone a minimalist and elegant look, but Meizu 21 Pro’s "Starry Sky" back panel also reflects different shades under varying lighting, resembling a smooth piece of jade. This design undoubtedly makes the Meizu 21 Pro stand out, turning it into a collectible piece of art.

The Meizu 21 Pro follows a "simple yet sophisticated" design philosophy. It retains the classic straight-screen, ultra-thin bezel design of the Meizu 20 Pro, making the display visually pleasing. They also introduced bold innovations in the details. The 21:9 golden-ratio screen not only offers a wider view but also enhances grip comfort.

With a 2K+ resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, every swipe feels buttery smooth. The 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming technology also protects your eyes while delivering an excellent viewing experience.

2. Body Details
The three lenses stand side by side like brothers teaming up to capture stunning visuals. Below them sits the iconic ring flash, which also houses a high-tech dToF laser autofocus sensor, ensuring every shot is precise!

At the bottom, the speaker delivers crisp sound, the microphone stays ready to listen, the Type-C port is always on standby, and the SIM card slot awaits your command.

The top features a secondary microphone and an IR blaster that can remotely control home appliances, turning you into a life hack master anytime.

On the right side are the power and volume buttons, conveniently placed for easy thumb access.

3. Benchmark & Performance
The Meizu 21 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3—a flagship-tier chipset you can count on. Paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, this configuration is among the best in the smartphone market.

In AnTuTu’s performance test, the phone scored a staggering 1,747,247 points, a 25% improvement over the previous generation. Gaming? A breeze. Whether it’s PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, or Honkai: Star Rail, a stable 58 FPS ensures a smooth experience.

4. Camera Test
Now, let’s talk about the Meizu 21 Pro’s imaging capabilities. Honestly, this might be Meizu’s most powerful camera system yet. The main camera features a massive 1/1.3-inch 50MP OV50H sensor with OIS+EIS dual stabilization, delivering sharp and stable photos day or night.

The telephoto lens is no slouch either, offering 3x optical zoom for clear long-distance shots. The 13MP ultra-wide lens handles landscapes and group photos effortlessly. Using the Meizu 21 Pro to take photos gives you the illusion of being a professional photographer.

5. AI Experience
The Aicy Voice Assistant on the Meizu 21 Pro isn’t just any ordinary voice assistant. Backed by AI large-model technology, it understands complex contexts and provides more accurate, personalized responses.

Whether you need weather updates, alarm settings, or meeting summaries, Aicy delivers fast and precise results. Over time, it learns your habits and preferences, becoming even smarter—like a personal secretary on call.

6. Battery Life
The phone packs a 5050mAh battery, supporting 80W ultra-fast charging and 50W wireless charging. How fast is it? A 1% to 100% charge takes just 37 minutes.

Battery life is solid too, lasting around 10 hours on a full charge. Whether you're traveling or outdoors, the Meizu 21 Pro keeps you powered.

7. Verdict
This phone is undoubtedly a major milestone for Meizu’s AI ambitions. It’s not just a smartphone—it’s a new intelligent platform, paving the way for the future of smart devices. So, if you're planning to upgrade and have a keen interest in AI, the Meizu 21 Pro is worth considering.