bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Adrian Wan

Chinese smartphone maker Meizu has launched its latest flagship handset and, in keeping with its strategy, aggressively priced the cutting-edge device at 1,799 yuan (US$285).
The MX5 sports a metal build and packs a 20.7-megapixel Sony camera module with a dual LED flash and laser autofocus, along with a 5-megapixel shooter in front.
READ MORE: Xiaomi takes first big step outside Asia with Brazil smartphone
Unlike some top smartphone makers - including Samsung and Xiaomi - that use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipset, the Zhuhai-based company, backed by Alibaba, has adopted MediaTek’s Helio X10 64-bit octa-core processor.
“We’ve done many tests, and found that the Snapdragon 810 indeed has a heating issue, including on [competitor devices],” Meizu chief executive Bai Yongxiang said a launch event in Beijing.

The handset comes with a PowerVR G6200 GPU and 3GB RAM, and in 16, 32 and 64 gigabytes storage variants, with prices starting at 1,799 yuan.
The device runs Meizu's highly customised Flyme 4.5 operating system based on Android 5.0 Lollipop, and has adopted Samsung’s AMOLED tech for the phone’s 5.5-inch full high-definition display. It also supports dual SIM card slots.
The design of the phone - which is 7.6mm thick - does not attempt to depart from its predecessor MX4, but the very aggressive pricing is poised to render the strongly-specced phone competitive when compared with rival firms' flagship handsets, including Xiaomi, Huawei, and ZTE.
The MX5 also features a fingerprint scanner in front, promising fast detection, an improved fingerprint app and Alipay support - a nod to one of its investors Alibaba.

A new fast charging technology would also bring the device to a 25 per cent charge in 10 minutes and a 60 per cent charge in 40 minutes, Bai said.
The MX5 became available for pre-order this week, and will hit retail stores in China on July 5, along with the company's official website and Tmall.
Although unknown overseas, Meizu has built a decent reputation in China for making powerful handsets with very low price tags.
Alibaba announced in February a US$590 million investment in Meizu, giving it an undisclosed minority stake in the smartphone maker.


SenseTime parlays academic bona fides in facial recognition, image processing into world’s largest artificial intelligence platform

Gojek and Tokopedia’s holding group GoTo plans fundraising ahead of blockbuster IPO this year

China’s P2P purge leaves millions of victims out in the cold, with losses in the billions, as concerns of social unrest swirl

The coronavirus pandemic may seed the next big thing in tech – and you’ll never guess what it is

The Next Big Thing

With Xiaomi in its sights, Meizu launches high-spec, low-price MX5 smartphone

The Meizu MX5 will go on sale later this month for 1,799 yuan (US$285). Photo: SCMP Pictures

The device was announced at a glamorous launch event in Beijing. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The MX5 uses MediaTek’s Helio X10 64-bit octa-core processor, rather than the more common Snapdragon processor. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Tech

Smartphones

Xiaomi