Measuring in at a similar physical size, boasting high-end hardware and both offering their own versions of an Android experiences, the Meizu MX4 and IUNI U3 have a lot in common, and equally as much that is different. Let’s take a look at these Chinese smartphones side by side for a better understanding.
Meizu MX4 vs IUNI U3
Meizu and IUNI are both competing at the ultra-competitive 1999 Yuan price point in China. That has them competing with the Xiaomi Mi4, Nubia Z7 and the OnePlus One. Each phone has it’s advantages, the MX4 has a slightly lower price, where as the IUNI U3 has a higher resolution display, but both are worthy of the flagship title.
Meizu MX4 vs IUNI U3 – Specifications
[table id=158 /]The Meizu MX4
Meizu have been in the smartphone game for years now and have learned a thing or two about smartphone design. The MX4 represents the latest manufacturing technologies available and sees Meizu dump the use of stainless steel in favour of a lightweight alloy chassis.
Meizu have long been tied to Samsung as the supplier of their processors, but for the MX4 we see a move to a Mediatek processor. The chip in the MX4 is an 8-core 2.2Ghz processor running 4 x little A7 cores and 4 x big A17 cores. This helps the MX4 with horsepower but also allows the phone choose how to use its processor best and help increase battery life.
Another big change for the MX4 is the use of a 20.7 mega-pixel main camera. Sony again have supplied the sensor, and along with the feature rich Flyme 4.0 camera application is flexible and powerful enough to take some stunning photos. Even with an aperture of just F2.2 we have been surprised with the camera quality so far, and a dual tone, dual LED flash help at night.
As already mentioned the MX4 runs Flyme 4.0 which is based on Android 4.4 Kitkat. The ROM is Meizu’s own and really is quite similar to Flyme 3.0 with a few nice improvements such as the camera app, lock screen gestures, and new colours, icons and backgrounds.
In China the Meizu MX4 costs and incredible 1799 Yuan, cheap that the IUNI, Mi3, and OPO, however internationally that price has increased to $449! Still the phone is officially available outside of China and has a warranty! Plus it costs much less than an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC M8.
Gizchina News of the week
The IUNI U3
IUNI are a new kid on the block but in less than 12 months have managed to surprise the Chinese tech world with not one but two Android smartphones featuring killer specifications!
The IUNI U3 is the 2nd phone from the company and uses a magnesium alloy chassis wrapped with a plastic rear shell and sporting a beautiful 5.5-inch 2K display up front! For a phone costing 1999 Yuan to get a screen which such an amazing resolution is just simply incredible! Gaming, videos, movies, the web, reading, photos… Everything looks stunning on the U3.
It’s no slouch either with 3GB RAM, and a powerful Snapdragon 801 processor! That’s the same hardware as the OPO and the Xiaomi Mi4. We also see a similar 3000mAh battery size and a 13 mega-pixel Sony F2.0 camera with OIS on the back too! IUNI have given the U3 an ultra-pixel front camera!
What makes the IUNI so unique is the fact that the LTE phone has room for dual SIM cards (1 x LTE 1x GSM) and runs it’s own unique IUNI OS ROM. Again the ROM is based on Android 4.4 Kitkat, and in our opinion is one of the most beautiful ROMs of any manufacturer, however the polish and look comes at the expense of useful features that really hinder the hardware of the phone.
Meizu MX4 Vs IUNI U3 – And the winner is….
Although very similar the Meizu MX4 and IUNI U3 are very different and really aimed at very different consumers. If you are the type of person who wants a future proof phone with tons of power and is super simple to use then the IUNI U3 would be our choice for you. In fact with an updated ROM with more ‘power’ features, and with network support outside of China, the IUNI would be our overall winner.
As it stands though the Meizu MX4 wins for any customer outside of China. The phone is beautifully made, very light, has great battery life, a feature rich ROM and is officially available outside of China with warranty.
So in our opinion for not is the Meizu MX4, but we will be watching IUNI carefully because as soon as we get a few more options in the ROM, we get Google Play support and there is an FDD-LTE model on sale, our opinion could quickly turn around!
IUNI would have been great for me if they could chip out 1.3mm of it’s thickness.
It’ll be at least another 6 months before iuni add enough features in their rom to compete with flyme but by then it’ll be too old for people to care. Just look at OPO, they were all the buzz 6 months ago but they stuffed their fans around with the invite debacle and now most people have moved on. If they didn’t cancel the swappable back covers they would have regained my interest because the bamboo cover looks really sweet and I really really wanted a wood back cover.
Also, is it just me or do the bezels on the left hand side of the iuni u3 in the pictures seem larger than the bezels on the right hand side. Looks weird.
It’s the 2.5D glass that’s making the bezel look weird. 😛
The Meizu MX2 was released in December 2012 and is scheduled to get Flyme 4 by the end of the year. The MX3 from last year as well. I would call that more “future-proof” than the (to now) unproven IUNI.
Meizu MX4 wins hands down.
IUNI would have been great for me if they could chip out 1.3mm of it’s thickness.
It’ll be at least another 6 months before iuni add enough features in their rom to compete with flyme but by then it’ll be too old for people to care. Just look at OPO, they were all the buzz 6 months ago but they stuffed their fans around with the invite debacle and now most people have moved on. If they didn’t cancel the swappable back covers they would have regained my interest because the bamboo cover looks really sweet and I really really wanted a wood back cover.
Also, is it just me or do the bezels on the left hand side of the iuni u3 in the pictures seem larger than the bezels on the right hand side. Looks weird.
It’s the 2.5D glass that’s making the bezel look weird. 😛
The Meizu MX2 was released in December 2012 and is scheduled to get Flyme 4 by the end of the year. The MX3 from last year as well. I would call that more “future-proof” than the (to now) unproven IUNI.
Meizu MX4 wins hands down.
The bezels on the iuni are definitely winner. Shame though about the 3G not working, that’s a dealbreaker.
Might just be the preview version that Andi recieved, it does have the bands in the spec sheet.
Is there any way to see them both outside in sunlight? The screen brightness/contrast performance? And can you comment on hands-on gaming/3D performance comparison?
:C I prefer the iuni u2 , the iuni u3 is too big for me but the u2 has only 2200 mah !!
The bezels on the iuni are definitely winner. Shame though about the 3G not working, that’s a dealbreaker.
Might just be the preview version that Andi recieved, it does have the bands in the spec sheet.
Is there any way to see them both outside in sunlight? The screen brightness/contrast performance? And can you comment on hands-on gaming/3D performance comparison?
:C I prefer the iuni u2 , the iuni u3 is too big for me but the u2 has only 2200 mah !!
iuni will get international firmware?
yes,it will be soon.
iuni will get international firmware?
yes,it will be soon.
Both Phones are very solid cant go wrong with both.
Andi, Im pretty sure 90% that I would be able to get root and google servies on the iuni u3.
If i could just bloody buy one, that would be a great help.
Does anyone know any place thats selling them yet?
I heard that the 27th was meant to be a release day or something.
Both Phones are very solid cant go wrong with both.
Andi, Im pretty sure 90% that I would be able to get root and google servies on the iuni u3.
If i could just bloody buy one, that would be a great help.
Does anyone know any place thats selling them yet?
I heard that the 27th was meant to be a release day or something.
Looking at them side by side the IUNI looks so boring and dated next to the beautiful MX4. The IUNI looks like any number of phones from 3 years ago when they all had that boring boxy design.
Looking at them side by side the IUNI looks so boring and dated next to the beautiful MX4. The IUNI looks like any number of phones from 3 years ago when they all had that boring boxy design.
Doesn’t the Iuni U3 have a 2.5 Ghz processor?
– 5.5 Inch IPS 2K Screen, 2560×1440 Pixel
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3GHz Quad Core
–
Band: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1900/2100 & FDD-LTE
1800/2600 TDD-LTE 1900/2300/2500/2600 MHz, Support 3G & 4G Network
– 3 GB RAM + 32 GB ROM
– 13MP Back Camera + 4MP Front Camera
– Android 4.4 System
– See more at:
http://www.coolicool.com/iuni-u3-qualcomm-snapdragon-801-23ghz-quad-core-55-inch-ips-qhd-2560-1440-screen-android-44-lte-4-g-34394#sthash.l0z5k3yp.dpuf
– 5.5 Inch IPS 2K Screen, 2560×1440 Pixel
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3GHz Quad Core
– Band: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1900/2100 & FDD-LTE 1800/2600 TDD-LTE 1900/2300/2500/2600 MHz, Support 3G & 4G Network
– 3 GB RAM + 32 GB ROM
– 13MP Back Camera + 4MP Front Camera
– Android 4.4 System
Which have better cam and powerful flash?
Doesn’t the Iuni U3 have a 2.5 Ghz processor?
– 5.5 Inch IPS 2K Screen, 2560×1440 Pixel
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3GHz Quad Core
–
Band: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1900/2100 & FDD-LTE
1800/2600 TDD-LTE 1900/2300/2500/2600 MHz, Support 3G & 4G Network
– 3 GB RAM + 32 GB ROM
– 13MP Back Camera + 4MP Front Camera
– Android 4.4 System
– See more at:
http://www.coolicool.com/iuni-u3-qualcomm-snapdragon-801-23ghz-quad-core-55-inch-ips-qhd-2560-1440-screen-android-44-lte-4-g-34394#sthash.l0z5k3yp.dpuf
– 5.5 Inch IPS 2K Screen, 2560×1440 Pixel
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3GHz Quad Core
– Band: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1900/2100 & FDD-LTE 1800/2600 TDD-LTE 1900/2300/2500/2600 MHz, Support 3G & 4G Network
– 3 GB RAM + 32 GB ROM
– 13MP Back Camera + 4MP Front Camera
– Android 4.4 System
Which have better cam and powerful flash?
Any plans to review the Huawei Mate 7 ?
Any plans to review the Huawei Mate 7 ?
Hello andy! i would like ask one suggestion… i had all my life iphone.. now i decide to pass to android.. not want spend anympre all this money for a phone.. my question is for person that last phone is iphone 5 what u would suggest like phone android?xiaomi, mi4 mezu mx4, oneplusone or nubia z7 mini, i wat the phone it ll be simple as an iphone and make goo photos and selfie so front camera…. i would like too 4g but as i see no one phone support the 800 frequezy of 4g ? why? u know when it will be out the mi4 4g? it will support 800 band?
thank you
my bet would be for meizu. mi4 is quite nice too, miui is quite close to iphone interface.
Hello andy! i would like ask one suggestion… i had all my life iphone.. now i decide to pass to android.. not want spend anympre all this money for a phone.. my question is for person that last phone is iphone 5 what u would suggest like phone android?xiaomi, mi4 mezu mx4, oneplusone or nubia z7 mini, i wat the phone it ll be simple as an iphone and make goo photos and selfie so front camera…. i would like too 4g but as i see no one phone support the 800 frequezy of 4g ? why? u know when it will be out the mi4 4g? it will support 800 band?
thank you
my bet would be for meizu. mi4 is quite nice too, miui is quite close to iphone interface.
meizu really looks much more modern and stylish, especially in details, however black iuni wouldn’t be far beyond. i guess i will wait for the next iteration. maybe iuni will catch up or meizu produce a dual sim version , am quite okay with my e-ceros one for now;)
only dual sim or??then absolutely iuni u3 in efox-shop.com, only 300 euro.
mx4 is also great but i don’t think it’s easy to offer 50 euro more for a smartphone..although efox-shop.com is the official partner of Meizu Mx4…
meizu really looks much more modern and stylish, especially in details, however black iuni wouldn’t be far beyond. i guess i will wait for the next iteration. maybe iuni will catch up or meizu produce a dual sim version , am quite okay with my e-ceros one for now;)
only dual sim or??then absolutely iuni u3 in efox-shop.com, only 300 euro.
mx4 is also great but i don’t think it’s easy to offer 50 euro more for a smartphone..although efox-shop.com is the official partner of Meizu Mx4…
meizu have mediatek possessor seriously?? the GPS doesn’t work properly on those MTK processors
Nope not true. Mediatek GPS is fine, it is the manufacturers fault that GPS does not work on lower-cost Chinese phones as they fit cheap antennas.
Dear Andi you have reviewed all new models such as Mi4,Iuni U3,Meizu Mx4 & Huawei Honour 6,but I still don’t know why you not reviewing the past july released & the most famous model, Nubia Z7 Max?
meizu have mediatek possessor seriously?? the GPS doesn’t work properly on those MTK processors
Nope not true. Mediatek GPS is fine, it is the manufacturers fault that GPS does not work on lower-cost Chinese phones as they fit cheap antennas.
Dear Andi you have reviewed all new models such as Mi4,Iuni U3,Meizu Mx4 & Huawei Honour 6,but I still don’t know why you not reviewing the past july released & the most famous model, Nubia Z7 Max?
I just Pre-ordered the IUNI U3 black version 😀 I was between it and xiaomi mi4, but this U3 is cheaper and liked more the design, i hope it arrives before Christmas.
I just Pre-ordered the IUNI U3 black version 😀 I was between it and xiaomi mi4, but this U3 is cheaper and liked more the design, i hope it arrives before Christmas.
though the 2gb is a bit of a let down as specially beefier apps do bog down my 2gb device so my next will have at least 3gb of ram. xiaomi is out of the race due to the unavailability of a non-white unicom set
though the 2gb is a bit of a let down as specially beefier apps do bog down my 2gb device so my next will have at least 3gb of ram. xiaomi is out of the race due to the unavailability of a non-white unicom set
You know, the MX4 looks a LOT like what people thought the iPhone 6 was going to look like, before it was actually discovered.
Thin, rounded at the corners, tapered back, and a gorgeous display that goes all the way from edge to edge, save for the top and bottom.
The Meizu MX4 did a better job of making the next iPhone than Apple themselves.
You know, the MX4 looks a LOT like what people thought the iPhone 6 was going to look like, before it was actually discovered.
Thin, rounded at the corners, tapered back, and a gorgeous display that goes all the way from edge to edge, save for the top and bottom.
The Meizu MX4 did a better job of making the next iPhone than Apple themselves.
I’ve just made my choice because the iuni u3 have mono speaker.so i goes on the mx4
I’ve just made my choice because the iuni u3 have mono speaker.so i goes on the mx4
mx4 is great but i don’t think the preis is okay…besides, efox-shop.com claims that they are the official partner of Meizu, http://www.meizu.com/de/ but there is no discount for it…(as far as I know the offcial partner will offer customers coupon) Schade..
mx4 is great but i don’t think the preis is okay…besides, efox-shop.com claims that they are the official partner of Meizu, http://www.meizu.com/de/ but there is no discount for it…(as far as I know the offcial partner will offer customers coupon) Schade..