Currently, all smartphones with a screen of 6″ or larger are already close to the segment of small tablets.

Now handheld devices, whose tasks once included communication, launching media files and Internet surfing, are becoming full-fledged tools for working with documents.

Moreover, unlike tablets, large smartphones can fit into a pocket and are generally equipped with good cameras – front and front.

Although the popularity of such models is not as great as that of models with a 5-inch screen, therefore the choice of phablets is small.

Among the best options on the market there are about a dozen devices.

Xiaomi Mi Max 32Gb – Huge screen and great battery

The Xiaomi Mi Max 32Gb smartphone offers its owner the maximum pleasure from watching movies.

The device with a 6.44″ screen diagonal is almost the same size as a tablet, has FullHD resolution and a six-core processor capable of running any video and application.

At the same time, a memory capacity of 32 GB is enough to record a huge amount of information, and a 4850 mAh battery will extend the operating time of the phablet before recharging to 6–8 hours, even in maximum load mode.

It is worth noting that using a huge smartphone is much more convenient than tablets of similar size - it weighs only 203 g, and 5 and 16 megapixel cameras allow you to shoot both landscapes and selfies.

Technical specifications:

• screen: 6.44″, 1920×1080;
• memory: 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage;
• cameras: front 16 MP, front 5 MP;
• battery: 4850 mAh;
• price: from 13 thousand rubles.

Xperia T2 Ultra Dual – Great sound

The Xperia T2 Ultra Dual model from the famous Sony brand could be considered a good budget tablet with average characteristics, suitable for users for whom the main thing is screen size.

However, the popularity of the smartphone is hampered by the low quality-to-price ratio.

With only 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, 13 and 1.1 megapixel cameras (hardly a sufficient parameter for a normal selfie), the phablet has a cost of 16-18 thousand rubles, forcing many buyers to choose other devices.

Although the T2 Ultra Dual has certain advantages - for example, high build quality, which is far from being achieved by more affordable Chinese brands, and excellent sound - especially in headphones, which most inexpensive tablet phones also cannot boast of.

Device parameters:

• memory: RAM 1 GB, disk 8 GB;
• display 6", 1920×1080;
• battery: Li-Ion, 3000 mAh;
• cameras: main 13 MP, front 1.1 MP;
• cost: from 16,000 thousand rubles.

Sony Xperia XA Ultra – Phablet with the most powerful camera yet

Another model from Sony, the Xperia XA Ultra, will also not be cheap.

However, its advantages are noticeable at first glance - this is a 21.5 megapixel camera (the best choice on the tablet market), and its 16 megapixel front version for high-quality selfies, an eight-core processor, and 3 GB of RAM.

Other advantages include a case with an aluminum frame and impact-resistant glass, thanks to which the phablet is well protected from falls.

The only drawback for such a large smartphone is only 16 GB of storage, with much better offers from other manufacturers.

However, the problem of lack of memory is easily solved by installing a 128 GB card.

Specifications:

• screen: 6", 1920×1080;
• processor: 8 cores, 2 GHz;
• cameras: 21.5 MP and 16 MP;
• memory: 3 and 16 GB;
• price level: from 24900 rub.

Sony Xperia C5 Ultra Dual – Best for Selfies

Despite its external resemblance to small tablets, the Sony Xperia C5 Ultra Dual model differs from them not only in the ability to make calls and send messages (although tablet PCs with a 3G module are capable of this), but also in excellent cameras.

Two identical 13-megapixel devices with Selfie Flash allow you to take clear pictures and selfies at any time of the day.

The screen with high brightness mode will provide high-quality viewing of images, movies, and Internet content.

Despite the fact that the 2930 mAh battery holds a charge for up to 600 hours in standby mode and up to 7 hours in active mode.

Tablet phone parameters:

• screen: 6", 1920×1080;
• cameras: main and front 13 megapixels;
• processor: 8 cores 1.7 GHz;
• price: from 19850 rub.

Lenovo A889 Black – The most affordable phablet

Lenovo, known for its inexpensive smartphones, did not disappoint phablet lovers in this regard.

The Chinese brand offered them the A889 Black smartphone with a 6-inch screen and light weight.

And, although the model's storage capacity and RAM are below average, and the screen resolution is lower than many 5-inch options (960x540), it can compete due to price.

You can buy the A889 online for 7,500–9,000 rubles. At the same time, an 8 megapixel camera is enough for shooting, and a 0.3 megapixel front camera will only allow you to communicate via Skype.

Additional advantages include relatively good sound, and disadvantages include Android 4.2.2 OS, which the user will most likely have to update manually, and a battery of only 2500 mAh.

Device parameters:

• screen: 6", 960×540;
• memory: 1 and 8 GB;
• battery: 2500 mAh;
• cost: from 7500 rub.

Lenovo S930 – Stylish design

The more expensive Lenovo model, the six-inch S930 phablet, looks very stylish, especially for its price (only 10,500 rubles).

Although it still has little internal memory - 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage.

The cameras, compared to other competitors, leave much to be desired - parameters such as 8 MP and 1.6 MP can be found in modern tablets.

The main advantages of the model are good color rendition and a wide viewing angle due to the IPS screen, as well as a weight of 170 g and an LED flash, which, however, according to user reviews, is practically useless when lighting is reduced.

Smartphone parameters:

• screen: IPS, 6", 1280×720;
• battery: lithium-ion, 3000 mAh;
• processor: 4 cores 1.3 GHz;
• cameras: 8 MP and 1.6 MP;
• memory: 1 GB RAM, 8 GB storage;
• price: from 10.5 thousand rubles.

Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro The sharpest screen

The advantage of the Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro model is the ability to run not only any modern application on it, which allows for 3 GB of RAM, but also to watch a movie in FullHD quality.

The screen resolution is 2560x1440 pixels - higher than any affordable phablet and higher than most tablets.

Although the price of the smartphone is at the level of 15,000 rubles - quite a lot for the average model of the brand.

But purchasing such a tablet will allow you to take not only high-quality photos (16-megapixel main camera and 4-megapixel front camera), but also shoot video in UltraHD (4K) format.

The 4000 mAh battery will last for a whole day with constant use of the gadget.

Model characteristics:

• screen: 6" diagonal, maximum resolution 2560×1440;
• cameras: front 4 MP, main 16 MP;
• memory: 3 GB and 32 GB;
• features: no slot for memory expansion cards;
• processor: 4 cores, 2500 MHz;
• battery: 4000 mAh;
• cost: 14.3 thousand rubles.

LeEco Max X900 – A real iPhone competitor

At a fairly high cost (23.8 thousand rubles, at $350), the LeEco (LeTV) Max X900 smartphone has quite decent characteristics, allowing it to become a worthy rival to Apple.

These include an 8-core processor with a core frequency of 2200 MHz, 64 GB memory, 4 GB RAM and a 21 MP camera with autofocus and flash.

At the same time, it will not be possible to install additional memory - the phone does not have a slot for expanding the storage, just like the iPhones that the LeEco brand wants to compete with.

Smartphone characteristics:

• screen: 6.33", 2560×1440;
• cameras: 21 MP and 4 MP;
• memory: 64 GB storage, 4 GB RAM;
• features: no slot for memory cards;
• price: from 23.8 thousand rubles.

Meizu M3 Max – A good replacement for a small tablet

The manufacturers of the Meizu M3 Max model set the main goal of creating a device that could replace both a tablet and a smartphone.

To do this, they installed 3 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal memory and a 4100 mAh battery on their phablet.

At the same time, less attention was paid to the cameras - but still, using a tablet phone, you can both take pictures in front of you and take selfies.

And powerful processors (eight-core MediaTek Helio P10 and Mali-T860 graphics chipset) ensure the operation of any program without the slightest delay.

Smartphone parameters:

• display: IPS, 6", 1920×1080;
• processor: 8 cores: 4 x 1.8 GHz, 4 x 1.0 GHz;
• graphics: Mali-T860;
• memory: 3 GB and 64 GB;
• cameras: front 5 MP (four-element lens), main 13 MP Sony IMX 258 (five-element lens);
• battery: 4100 mAh;
• cost: from 17,100 rub.

HUAWEI Mate8 32GB – Contender for the best phablet

The HUAWEI Mate8 32GB tablet can be called the flagship model of its manufacturer.

After all, in addition to 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of external storage, there is a powerful Mali T880 graphics processor, an eight-core Huawei Kirin 950 chipset and two good cameras (16 and 8 megapixels).

The strength of the screen is increased thanks to special 2.5D glass, which practically does not break as a result of mechanical stress.

And the OS is a modern version of Android 6.0. All this could make the phablet one of the most popular - but it costs as much as 27 thousand rubles.

Specifications:

• screen 6″, 1920×1080;
• Graphics: Mali T880 MP4;
• camera: 16 MP and 8 MP;
• memory 3GB RAM and 32GB storage;
• battery: 4000 mAh;
• weight 185 g;
• prices: from 27,000 rub.

Huawei P8max – The largest phablet

Another Huawei model does not claim to be among the best in terms of performance.

However, the P8max still stands out among all other tablet phones due to its size - a 6.88-inch screen diagonal and a 4360 mAh battery make it practically a tablet PC.

Moreover, with decent cameras (13 and 5 megapixels), and 3 gigabytes of RAM.

Device parameters:

• processor: 8 cores, 1.5–2 GHz;
• main camera: 13 MP, front 5 MP;
• screen: 6.88", 1920×1080;
• battery: 4360 mAh;
• cost: from 29,800 rub.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE601KL – Rugged and reliable

The functional smartphone ZenFone 2 Laser ZE601KL from ASUS is a larger version of the 5-inch model of 2015.

The strength of the model is ensured by a metal case, and ease of use is ensured by a bright IPS screen and an 8-core processor.

The most vulnerable spot of any gadget, the front panel, is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4.

This big brand competes with worthy players with quick firmware changes (developers respond quite quickly with updates to user requests on the official forum).

Tablet phone parameters:

• Dual SIM support
• screen 6″, resolution 1920×1080;
• processor: 8 cores 1.7 MHz;
• cameras: main 13 MP, front 5 MP;
• memory: 32 GB, RAM 3 GB;
• battery: 3000 mAh
• price: from 17500 rub.

Samsung A9000 Galaxy A9 – Good old, big Samsung

Many buyers, when choosing a suitable smartphone, will buy the Samsung A9000 Galaxy A9 simply because it is currently the largest model from this manufacturer.

Moreover, it is not as expensive as some flagships from Samsung, and powerful enough to compete with other phablets.

Running on Android OS, v5.1.1, the device is equipped with a main 13-megapixel camera and another 8-megapixel front camera, which allows you to take good pictures in any mode.

Another plus is the usual Super AMOLED display for flagship Samsung models with good resolution, high brightness and durability.

And the tablet body has a metal frame and a glass back panel.

Phablet parameters:

• screen: 6.0", 1920×1080;
• processor: 8 cores, 1.2 GHz;
• memory: 3 GB and 32 GB;
• cameras: 8 and 13 megapixels;
• weight: 200 g;
• cost: from 26,000 rub.

Let's sum it up

As you can see from the review, not everyone needs to buy a phablet - models with similar characteristics at about the same price, but with increased battery life (due to a smaller screen) can also be purchased in the 5-inch smartphone segment.

Perhaps, when manufacturers take into account that an increase in diagonal should be accompanied by a corresponding increase in charge (from 4000 mAh and above), tablet phones will become more popular.

Although the demand for them is unlikely to ever reach a level comparable to smaller models.

First of all, because of ease of use, and secondly, because 5–5.5 inches is already enough to perform all the tasks for which a smartphone can be used.

At the same time, six-inch and even larger devices have a right to exist, filling the gap between standard touchscreen phones and tablet PCs.

Since 2009, Meizu brand products have been winning the attention of connoisseurs of high-quality digital technology. Today this brand is one of the top five modern gadgets in the world.

Features of high-quality smartphones from Meizu

Despite the fact that this brand has been represented on the modern digital technology market not so long ago, it presented its first smartphone in 2009. But due to the lack of gadgets for consumers in the middle and economy segments in the lineup, the products of this brand were not known to a wide range of potential buyers.

Having introduced devices into the model line that were affordable for many fans, this brand quickly began to conquer the digital market. Today, this company is the best representative of Chinese equipment manufacturers.

Its own Flyme OS operating system has made Meizu brand products much simpler and clearer. The interface of these gadgets allows you to reduce the familiarization time to a minimum and simplify the use of the gadget as much as possible. A wide color palette of devices allows you to choose the right smartphone for everyone.

Choosing the right Meizu smartphone

In our online store Cifrus, customers are presented with a wide selection of Meizu smartphones at the most affordable prices. In addition, if you want to purchase an expensive flagship gadget, but you don’t have the full amount, then you can buy a smartphone from us on credit on favorable terms.

But before that you need to decide on the basic parameters of the device:

• technical characteristics: processor power, amount of RAM and internal memory, battery power, display diagonal, resolution of the main and front cameras;
• external parameters: general appearance, color and material of the case.

The Cifrus assortment allows you to combine aesthetic and technical characteristics in the Meizu model that is most convenient for you.

If you are in Moscow, you can expect prompt delivery of your order, depending on your specific location. For all other residents of Russia, we send orders by postal services. Buy only high-quality Meizu smartphones on our website!

Phones with 5.5-inch screens already somewhat dominate the market. At first, a large display was a sign of expensive smartphones, then it became commonplace. Of course, we cannot forget about an important point - the quality of the image itself - but fortunately, Meizu simply does not have phones with bad displays. Therefore, if you choose one of the models with a large screen, you can’t go wrong. But the difficulty is different: which phone to choose if there are so many of them? So let’s look at the modern line of smartphones to understand it in more detail.

The most affordable

Meizu M3 Note debuted this year, it immediately attracted everyone's attention. Of course, the design is in the spirit of a flagship, and the device costs much less. Yes, this is not the most budget Meizu smartphone on the market and in the lineup, but it is well balanced in terms of characteristics, and the price is very reasonable.

Works for a long time

If one of the main criteria when buying a new smartphone is operating time, then first of all look towards the Meizu M5 Note or Meizu M3 Note. The 4000 mAh battery is great; charging always lasts for a day even under very high load. Of course, if you play on your phone without stopping, it will sit down faster, but this is already an extreme load. And so, if you use the device as usual, the smartphone will work for a day. Which one lasts longer, M5 Note or M3 Note? They have the same characteristics, and therefore the results are identical.

But the Meizu M5 Note now has mCharge fast charging, which the previously presented smartphone does not have. One drawback is that the smartphone is not yet sold in Russia; it will appear here at the beginning of 2017.

The most powerful

Of the entire friendly team of Meizu smartphones with a 5.5-inch screen, the Meizu MX6 boasts the most powerful hardware with a 10-core MediaTek Helio X20 processor with Mali-T880 graphics and 4 GB of RAM. An excellent offer in the middle class in terms of power, but there is a limitation: the phone has 32 GB of internal memory, and there is no slot for a card. Therefore, if you need a lot of space, you will have to use a cloud service, I recommend that you read our material, where we talk about choosing cloud storage.

But for all other Meizu (M3 Note, M3e, U20 and M5 Note) you can put microSD in place of the second SIM card.

With the best camera

If the middle-class Meizu is more or less the same and identifying the leader from the magnificent four M3 Note, U10, M3e and M5 Note is not easy, then the Meizu MX6 stands out sharply from the general background, which is fundamentally different from the rest of the company’s smartphones. The MX series is special, it is for testing new technologies, so the MX6 received a new 12-megapixel camera. There is a Sony IMX 386 module, 6-lens optics, f/2.0 aperture, and phase detection autofocus. The smartphone takes photographs very well, the capabilities built into it became the basis for the new flagship Meizu 6s Plus, which contains the same module, but with modifications such as optical stabilization.

Best screen

Nominally the characteristics are the same in all cases. Choosing a phone with a 5.5-inch screen, we get a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels and a high pixel density of 404 PPI. This exceeds the capabilities of human vision, so the picture will be attractive to the eye in any case.

Also, there will be no air gap in smartphones; the image seems to lie on the surface and looks beautiful. Other advantages include the so-called 2.5D glass curved at the edges with a good oleophobic coating. Color quality may vary slightly depending on the delivery, in my opinion the MX6 has the nicest screen, but this is a subjective opinion.

Most musical

In this category I give the championship to Meizu MX6. It has a loud speaker and high-quality sound through the headphones. So good that it even eclipses the flagship of the first half of the year, Meizu Pro 6. Unexpected? This was a discovery for me, I was surprised when I heard the difference in sound. The MX6 has a large volume reserve and a clear, ear-pleasing sound. One minus is that there is no slot for a memory card, so you will have to limit yourself to the built-in 32 GB.

The most beautiful

This is perhaps a very personal moment. The latest member of the Meizu M5 Note family of 5.5-inch smartphones looks almost exactly like the previously introduced Meizu M3e. They both come in beautiful aluminum cases, with several colors to choose from.

Introduced in the first half of 2016, the Meizu M3 Note looks a little simpler. I will say this, he was very beautiful at the time when he was presented, but the designers did not stop there and finalized the appearance. This is how we got the very nice Meizu M3e and Meizu M5 Note with an all-metal shell, while the Meizu M3 Note has plastic inserts on the body. Compared to the new products, it looks a little simpler, however, it also has its fans and admirers.

The Meizu U20 stands out, having a thin body that combines an aluminum frame and glass panels. It looks unique; there is no other Meizu smartphone like it in the line (if you don’t take into account its younger brother Meizu U10).

And of course we can’t forget about Meizu MX6. It has a thin body and light weight; the smartphone features elegantly designed antennas in the spirit of the top-end Meizu Pro 6 Plus. Beautiful, convenient and small by the standards of devices with such large displays.

Prices

Briefly about smartphones

Meizu M3 Note: appeared at the beginning of 2016, a bestseller in its class.

Meizu U20: like Meizu M3 Note, but with a glass body, smaller battery capacity, thinner and lighter body.

Meizu M3e - a modified Meizu M3 Note, the filling is similar to the U20, the metal body is back, weighs more than the M3 Note, the battery is smaller than the M3 Note, fast charging works.

Meizu M5 Note - design like Meizu M3e, fast charging, large battery like M3 Note, there is a version with 4/64 GB of memory.

Meizu MX6 is almost a top-end solution with an advanced camera and powerful hardware. No memory card slot.

Conclusion

In this material, I have collected all the current Meizu smartphones today, combining them according to one criterion - screen size. Usually, in smartphone comparisons, it is customary to highlight the best device, to show an ideal or close to ideal smartphone. But this is not a comparison, but a selection of models with similar characteristics. As you can see, there is still a difference between them, even if the differences are not always obvious. I hope that Meizu understands this and will think through its path for the coming years, so that not only fans of the brand, but also ordinary buyers can understand at first glance how the new model differs from the old one.

Meizu products were initially in demand among us, when the Russian consumer tried the right Chinese quality and the right prices. Then the company was pushed forward by Xiaomi with its even more attractive pricing policy and Dragon processors. Now Meizu has reconsidered her views on the smartphone industry and is focusing on design, cameras, individual features and convenience achieved by using innovative technologies such as recording the force of pressing or the mBack button.

We have collected for you the best smartphones from Meizu in the budget, mid-range and premium segments. These are proven models that are worth their price.

The best inexpensive Meizu smartphones: budget up to 10,000 rubles.

Despite the fact that Meizu is a Chinese company, its products cannot be called too cheap. Yes, the price/performance ratio is simply excellent, and even top-end devices are relatively inexpensive, but there are no ultra-budget smartphones in the company’s lineup. The cost of phones starts at about 8 thousand rubles.

4 Meizu M6 16GB

Cool screen
Country: China
Average price: 7939 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Chic inexpensive smartphone. For seven thousand rubles you get a 5.2-inch IPS matrix with HD resolution, a 13-megapixel camera, an eight-core processor (yes, on the Media Library), and convenient one-button controls. All necessary sensors are available: light, proximity, gyroscope and compass, fingerprint scanner. This is the best device for those who love Meiza and are looking for something budget-friendly for surfing the Internet, using social networks, casual games and photography.

In reviews, users complain about the quality of photos in poor lighting conditions, especially those taken with the front camera, and also complain about only HD resolution at 5.2 inches. Considering the price, all the shortcomings of the smartphone are natural and forgivable.

3 Meizu M5c

Best price
Country: China
Average price: 8,310 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.4

The M5c model is the most affordable in the class of budget devices. But this accessibility imposes a number of restrictions. First of all, you should pay attention to the plastic case. It gets scratched quite quickly even with careful use. And it doesn't feel so nice in the hand. The second significant drawback is lower productivity. The processor is somewhat weaker than its competitors, the RAM is only 2 GB, the internal memory is 16 GB. Buyers in their reviews claim that the interface works without problems, but it’s better not to think about heavy applications and games. Another disadvantage is the lack of a fingerprint scanner, which the other two participants have.

In the end, is the phone bad? Not really. Considering the price tag, we have an excellent candidate for the role of an inexpensive smartphone. It is worse only when compared with its comrades on the brand.

Advantages:

• Lowest cost
• Good build quality

Flaws:

• All performance indicators are slightly lower than competitors

2 Meizu M5 32Gb

Largest amount of built-in memory
Country: China
Average price: RUB 10,876.
Rating (2019): 4.5

The M5 can hardly be called the best in all respects. The appearance is the same as the M5c discussed above, which means all the shortcomings are the same. The only difference is the slightly increased dimensions due to the screen being increased to 5.2 inches. Although the resolution remains the same - 1280x720 pixels. There are also not many internal differences, but only when compared with the M5s. The processor performance differs little, the amount of RAM is the same 3 GB, but the video processor is somewhat more powerful. Although you can still play either casual games or serious games on minimum graphics settings. Even the amount of built-in storage is the same - 32 GB. Overall, the device is not bad, but the price is higher than the M5s, and the plastic body is a mess...

Advantages:

• Large amount of built-in memory
• Good performance
• Good image quality in normal lighting

Flaws:

• Plastic body that gets scratched quickly

Most often, Meizu products are compared with its fellow countryman – Xiaomi. Both companies quickly gained momentum and gathered a huge army of fans. And, of course, disputes between these armies will never subside over whose idol is better. We will not take the side of one manufacturer or another, but will simply collect the pros and cons of each of them in a table.

	pros	Minuses
	Design. Budget models look slightly better than competitors in the same price range Sales begin on a larger scale, and therefore it is easier to buy a new product at the start of sales Great sound in headphones. Flagship smartphones are equipped with a DAC, which provides excellent sound. Better image quality in budget and mid-range classes Branded mTouch button, combining a fingerprint scanner, physical and touch keys	Chipsets from MediaTek. Top-end Meizu smartphones are equipped with excellent processors from Samsung, but the entry-level and mid-range ones are based on mediocre MediaTek SoCs. Similar models are slightly more expensive than Xiaomi
	Lower prices, better price/performance ratio Own ecosystem. Xiaomi has a huge number of other smart devices, and they work especially well with their smartphones Powerful filling The presence of an infrared port in almost all models	A large number of component suppliers, which is why the quality “dances” a little A large number of flaws in the OS (for example, the well-known problem of notifications not arriving)

What's the result? You cannot choose only Meizu or only Xiaomi. Both companies have successful and failed smartphones, as well as proprietary features and famous shortcomings. As usual, the choice depends more on the buyer's personal preferences.

1 Meizu M5s 16Gb

Best performance in a metal case
Country: China
Average price: 8,500 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

And here is the best Meizu in the budget class. First of all, the M5s model stands out for its metal body, which is good news. This advantage is also mentioned in many customer reviews. Secondly, the filling is pleasing. MediaTek MT6753 can hardly be called a performance monster, but it’s enough for the interface and applications to work quickly. Moreover, the 32GB version has as much as 3GB of RAM installed (in the version with 16GB of RAM there is only 2GB of RAM). The device does not shine in games: casual games run without problems, but serious games can only be played on minimum graphics settings, and sometimes there can be stuttering.

The cameras pleased me. The 5 MP front camera shoots just fine for its price. The main camera performs well only in sufficient light. It remains to add the low cost to the above, and we get an excellent phone.

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Metal body
• Excellent performance for this class
• Good front camera

The best Meizu smartphones with a large screen: budget up to 15,000 rubles.

Large displays in smartphones are all the rage these days. Nowadays no one is surprised that a 5-inch device is called “mini”. And this is quite logical, because in recent years the percentage of people who consume content from a smartphone screen has been growing at an incredible pace. Moreover, the larger the screen, the more comfortable it is to watch videos or play games. Meizu’s assortment, of course, has many large devices, but we have selected for you only relatively inexpensive models.

3 Meizu M6 Note 3/32GB

Powerful battery
Country: China
Average price: 13,751 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Model with Full HD, dual camera and large 4000 mAh battery. In reviews, users express positive impressions of using the camera: the frames come out bright, juicy and clear. Some people are confused by the bokeh effect - it looks strange. Macro photography is fine, autofocus does not fail. The main drawback of the model is the insufficiently bright screen. Out of the box, the phone's display may tend towards warm shades - this can be treated by correcting it with a blue bias in the settings. Smartphone owners are also dissatisfied with the quality of the coating - it quickly collects scratches.

The performance is pleasing - the Meizu company decided to experiment again with the Dragon, so here, to the delight of users, there is a fast eight-core Snapdragon 625. A bonus is fast charging, which charges the smartphone by 50% in half an hour.

2 Meizu M5 Note 32 Gb

Best camera
Country: China
Average price: RUB 15,494.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The M5 Note smartphone is the successor to the previous participant in the rating. And, of course, this model is slightly better. The appearance remains the same down to the smallest detail - even the dimensions differ by only a couple of tenths of a millimeter. The screen is the same 5.5’ display with FullHD resolution, but the contrast is higher, which is noticeable to the naked eye. The cameras have also changed for the better. There are no changes in numbers (13 megapixels, aperture 2.2), but the pictures are much better. In the dark there is not much noise, and in daylight, with straight hands, you get simply excellent pictures.

But in terms of productivity, progress is not noticeable, and this is extremely sad. It is also worth considering that there are several modifications of the smartphone: 16 and 32 GB models are equipped with 3 GB of RAM, the 64 GB version is equipped with 4 GB. Finally, it is worth noting the presence of fast charging, thanks to which a 4000 mAh battery is charged in just 1.5 hours.

Advantages:

• Great camera
• Higher contrast display
• The 64GB version has the largest amount of RAM
• Fast charging

Flaws:

• I would like more performance

1 Meizu M6s 64GB

Large amount of permanent memory
Country: China
Average price: 12,400 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

A device that lures buyers with its convenient virtual mTouch button, replacing three standard Android buttons. Another plus for the M6s is the processor from Samsung, and not the throttling Mediatek. There is a 5.7-inch diagonal with HD+ resolution and a fashionable 18:9 aspect ratio. Both cameras shoot decently for this price segment: both the main one with 16 megapixels and the front one with 8 megapixels. This phone from Meizu has received universal approval from users.

The main complaints in the reviews concern the need to choose between a second SIM card and a memory card. But the quality of the photos, the fast and conveniently located side scanner, the stylish, expensive-looking design and the user-friendly Flyme shell evoke so much delight.

The best flagship smartphones from Meizu

The vast majority of smartphone manufacturers have a clear division of devices into classes. The division is banal, according to cost - budget, middle and top classes. Of course, Meizu is no exception, so let's look at the most powerful, beautiful and expensive models of their production.

3 Meizu Pro 7 64GB

Two screens
Country: China
Average price: 23290 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

On the back of the device there is a small color touch screen. It doesn’t add much functionality; it’s only convenient to look at the time, track notifications and pedometer indicators. But it is unusual, beautiful and show-off. You can also use it to take selfies with the main camera.

In reviews, users note the excellent photo quality (there is a dual-module main camera), luxurious appearance and surprisingly high-quality deep sound. There’s nothing to criticize the screen for – it’s a bright AMOLED, contrasty and clear. Problems - no NFC, no ability to connect a memory card, insufficiently powerful battery (maximum - two days). Some other users also complain about Meizu's rough-hewn Flyme shell and the modest performance of Mediatek's chipset.

2 Meizu 15 4/64GB

Best camera
Country: China
Average price: 31010 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Fans of this smartphone claim that with its dual-module camera of 12 and 20 megapixels, it takes pictures no worse than the iPhone X and the flagship from Samsung. This is quite similar to the truth, since it has cool laser autofocus, optical stabilization and three (!)x optical zoom. A conventionally frameless design with a button under the screen and a body clad in ceramic acts magnetically, attracting customers.

Top processor, water protection, NFC contactless payment module - none of that is here. There is a fast, but not the most productive Snapdragon 660 chipset, 4 GB of RAM, fast charging and a battery with a modest capacity of 3000 mAh, a fingerprint scanner and a facial recognition function. The screen is worthy of praise - it is a Samsung development. It is not clear how the manufacturer “forgot” to install NFC in its flagship - this is a serious mistake. Overall, this is a good alternative for those who don't have enough money for the latest Galaxy or who are fundamentally against Apple.

1 Meizu 16th 6/64Gb

Model for perfectionists
Country: China
Average price: 32,000 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

A smartphone with perfect proportions. “Meizu” did not bend to the trends: it did not attach an “eyebrow” to the screen and did not remove the audio jack. The engineers made equal indentations at the top and bottom, and synchronized the position of the connectors and buttons. A chic 6-inch AMOLED screen with Full HD+ and an aspect ratio of 18 to 9 is equipped with a fingerprint scanner. Yes, the sensor is located directly below the screen. The fly in the ointment is that the finger must be placed in a strictly designated place, and the response speed is lower than that of competitors. But the scanner is accurate. There is also face unlocking, which works even in the dark.

A small but significant plush is a separate vibration motor that works pleasantly and softly. The vaunted mBack button has evolved into an on-screen navigation bar. There are also gestures and standard navigation keys. The performance is excellent, because it has a top-end Snapdragon 845 processor. The main disadvantage of the new product is the lack of NFC. Also, the device is not pleased with its autonomy - with moderate active use it lasts a day on a single charge.

If a microwave oven from 5 years ago is fundamentally no different from a new one (because there is nothing to add to it), and a computer from 2016 is almost equal in power to a computer from 2011 (because Intel is playing the fool in the absence of competitors), then with smartphones this trick is already it won't work. Even if you find a non-damaged Sony Xperia Z Ultra, the 2013 flagship phablet, in perfect condition, it will no longer cause you delight.

Because the display in the smartphone, which cost $680 (40 thousand rubles at the current exchange rate), in brightness barely reaches the “buckets” costing 10 thousand rubles, and in terms of operating speed it is equal to models that the Chinese sell on Aliexpress for 6.5 thousand. This is if you forget that the non-removable battery in an old smartphone is barely alive, the body heats up, and the camera is depressing. At the same time, new “top-class” shovels are no longer produced.

But huge smartphones are very popular in Asia, and progress does not stand still, so a budget “shovel phone” today will turn out to be cooler than the flagships that we dreamed of in the era of “dollars for 32”. And Xiaomi Mi Max 2 is the best “overgrown” budget class, and the best smartphone with a large screen in terms of price/quality ratio.

Not everything in it is made with the latest technology - 1920x1080 pixels on 6.44 inches look... tolerable, no more. And the Snapdragon 625 is the fastest of the cheap processors, lower only are the very “retirement” chips.

But there are stereo speakers and a high-quality IPS matrix! But the case is thin and without consumer-grade plastic inserts on the rear panel. But there is good autonomy and a good (not flagship, as they are trying to advertise it as, but quite on the level of Meizu MX6 or Samsung Galaxy A5 2017) camera! And the price is only 20 thousand rubles, even after “cheating” by the efforts of cell phone stores.

If you dig around Aliexpress properly, you can find slightly more expensive and cooler models. But for everyone who doesn’t want to master the intricacies of flashing the firmware, check whether the Russian 4G Internet is supported by models from Podbenesnaya, or don’t want to deal with Chinese online stores at all, Xiaomi Mi Max 2 is the best phablet, with almost no drawbacks.

Meizu M3 Max - the cheapest of quality

For many Muscovites, it is vitally important to eat “quick response noodles” and at the same time pay off the loan for their broken iPhone, but even 100 km from the capital, other smartphones rule the roost. As a “reviewer,” my eyes widen when in 2017 I see owners of a 7-year-old Samsung Galaxy S or a 6-year-old Sony Xperia Arc on public transport. “How do you use them in general?” I ask guys and girls who are far from retirement age. "And what is wrong? WhatsApp and Viber are working, the music is playing - everything is fine,” they answer me and open the mobile version of “VKontakte” from the built-in browser...

And at such moments it’s like I get an electric shock - here they are, realities! While we cheerfully criticize Samsung for the 1.5 GB of RAM in the Galaxy A3 and are indignant that the Snapdragon 625 will not be replaced by the 660 in the new models, ordinary workers, through pain and suffering, use mobile phones as slow devices for correspondence and music on the go. No selfies, Pokemon or other perversions!

And that’s why I, mentally understanding that the Helio P10 processor is outdated even in comparison with the consumer-grade Snapdragon 625, and realizing that the cameras in the Meizu M3 Max are not pleased with the quality, still recommend it for purchase.

Because the budget Meizu phablet looks great - the “iPhone” design is even prettier than the appearance of the plump Mi Max 2. And 3 GB of RAM + 64 GB of internal storage for 12 thousand is a strong “budget device” for instant messengers, video and music.

Yes, it can barely play games, and Android 6.0 is unlikely to ever be updated to a new version in this model. But the smartphone is durable, has good battery life, is durable and inexpensive - this is enough for all non-enthusiasts. Moreover, the choice of models with a diagonal of “6 inches or more” in the budget class is, to put it mildly, small.

Huawei P8 Max - maximum screen size at the lowest price

Today, manufacturers are trying not to take risks and produce smartphones that fit in a trouser pocket - in the recent past, it was fashionable to “bury” 7-inch tablets with models with a close display diagonal and the ability to make calls. The idea has outlived its usefulness, mass-produced smartphones have stalled for a long time at the “5.5-inch” mark, and only in 2017 did manufacturers begin to “pull” huge displays onto compact bodies (see LG G6, Samsung Galaxy S8+). So, Huawei P8 Max is one of the most famous “dinosaurs” at the intersection of a smartphone and a tablet.

Two years ago, when the P8 Max was just born, it was an expensive toy - they asked for 420 euros (almost 30 thousand rubles) for the new product. For this money, the working people swept the Samsung Galaxy S6 (35 thousand rubles) and LG G4 (30 thousand rubles) off the shelves; no one needed the then unpopular “Chinese” in Russia. They haven't even started selling it officially.

All this is not very important in 2017 (even if the smartphone were sold, it would still not be left in cell stores), but what is important is this - for 18 thousand rubles you get the largest high-quality smartphone that you can buy.

Many of Huawei’s shortcomings of those years “resolved themselves” in the large model. The hot processor is well cooled in a huge case, the gluttony of the filling is compensated by the 4360 mAh battery, and the “so-so camera” by the standards of a 2015 flagship still looks good when we are talking about a smartphone for 18 thousand in 2017.

The main problem with the P8 Max is the software. The smartphone, which the Chinese created for the Chinese, suddenly annoys the Chinese in the firmware. That is, they have learned to implement the Russian language and Google Play into the huge Huawei, but Chinese origin and all sorts of 未知废话 pop up every now and then among menu items and notifications.

But, if you are a fan of extreme tablet phones, it’s worth shelling out for the rare P8 Max - Lenovo Phab Plus is much more budget-friendly, and ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra is not so much better as it is more expensive.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro - a powerful inexpensive Samsung with the most capacious battery

Samsung is sure that Russians do not like smartphones with a large diagonal. Therefore, only one large-sized Galaxy is officially sold in Russia - the flagship S8+ (review). And Samsung sells models with an all-metal case and “shovel phones” to... guess who? That's right - the Chinese!

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro

The smartphone was not designed in the Samsung way with a reserve of power (I will remind you, Korean scoundrels, to the death of Cortex-A7 and 1.5 GB of RAM in models of the end of 2015!). If the battery is of royal capacity, 5000 mAh! If the processor is an 8-core Snapdragon, the only cooler thing in 2016 was the flagships. If the RAM is 4 GB, which is also installed in the newest flagship Galaxy S8, for example. If the front camera is 8 megapixels with good aperture (f/1.9). And there is optical stabilization in the rear camera, as befits older A-series models (2016).

And yes, the rear camera itself is not amazing (better than in most mobile phones costing 10-15 thousand, but nothing more), and the processor is very voracious when working under load. But, I repeat, there is so much in the smartphone that you can use the A9 Pro without denying yourself anything, and without feeling any loss in autonomy or speed.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro

A smartphone is not so easy to buy, because the Chinese also liked it, but if you have been waiting for a good and inexpensive Samsung with a large screen, this is it! If you don’t break it and don’t run into a warranty case (spare parts for a Chinese model - bye bye!) - you will be very satisfied with the purchase.

Huawei Mate 9 - the best cameras among large smartphones

Yes, yes, I also don’t like it when milk producers “steal” 100-150 grams from a liter bag, and the 5.9-inch display in the big Huawei also hurts my eyes. But, if you don’t focus on the idiocy of marketers, Mate 9 is worth buying for the fact that it is the coolest (after the Galaxy S8+) smartphone in the 6-inch league. Very fast, with cameras like the expensive flagships of 2017, but still at a Chinese price.

The Mate 9 has only two disadvantages: firstly, for 27-30 thousand you can buy a 5.5-inch OnePlus 5, which is inferior to the large Huawei flagship in absolutely all respects, except for optical stabilization in the camera. And secondly, the display diagonal has decreased in comparison with the Mate 8, the battery has remained the same, and the battery life has become worse - the processor is quite power-hungry, so the battery life, although not bad, is not impressive.

Without dramatization, for 27 thousand you get a durable smartphone with good cameras, performance at the level of 2017 flagships and a large screen. If you've never turned on manual photo mode and aren't a gaming junkie, the Mate 9 will satisfy you in absolutely everything.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra is the best, but unreasonably expensive smartphone with a diagonal of “almost 7 inches”

The first excuse of manufacturers if they are asked “why don’t you produce smartphones with less than 5”/more than 6” display diagonal?” - “such smartphones will be too expensive, almost no one will buy them.” In response, loyal journalists nod and look at each other, saying that they are hanging noodles on our ears again. And disloyal citizens shout out to manufacturers “first try to release such smartphones, and only then say something for sure!” ASUS, as you can see, tried...

ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra

Is ZenFone 3 Ultra a good smartphone? Not that word! Cooler than any “ultra” made by Sony, better than Xiaomi, LeEco and ZTE models with a large diagonal. Thin, with great sound, good battery life and decent performance. But is it really 2 times better than Huawei P8 Max or Xiaomi Mi Max 2? No! Is it worth paying 30+ thousand rubles for it? No!

That is, yes - if you set a goal and choose the coolest smartphone with a 6.8-7-inch diagonal, there is no alternative to ZenFone 3 Ultra. But the display in it is almost no different from that installed in the cheap Xiaomi, the processor is also from the budget class (LeEco Le 2 with the same chip costs 8 thousand rubles, for example), the camera is praised in theory, but in practice even Samsung for 22 thousand (above in the text) shoots about the same. Only Samsung is also cheaper, which is completely unthinkable.