Meizu MX2 packs 1.6GHz quad-core chip, 4.4-inch display and Jelly Bean, due mid-December
Amidst the fierce competition in the Chinese mobile market, Meizu has managed to keep up with its annual cycle to unveil its latest flagship device, the MX2. Announced at the launch event in Beijing earlier today, the MX2 comes with a Samsung-made 1.6GHz, Cortex-A9 quad-core SoC dubbed "MX5S," along with 2GB of RAM, a 30-percent faster GPU, a 4.4-inch 347ppi (1,280 x 800) gapless display with 3.15mm bezel and efficient "New Mode 2" technology (the description of which sounds like IGZO to us), an improved eight-megapixel BSI F/2.4 camera and a choice of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of built-in memory. There's also a front-facing camera, dual-mic noise cancellation, MHL video output, S/PDIF audio output, a non-removable 1,800mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.0 and HSPA+ radio at 2,100MHz (2G at 900/1800). As before, the white double injection-molded back cover can be taken off to access the SIM card slot, but there should also be various color options in the near future. Read on for more info, and do also check out the official introduction video after the break.
Update: We now have some hands-on photos courtesy of Stone Ip from Engadget Chinese. They're in the second gallery below.
In terms of software, the Android phone is powered by "Flyme 2.0," which is essentially Meizu's heavily customized Jelly Bean that attempts to bring the best of both worlds. One of the 3,452 enhancements Meizu implemented is the "Smart Bar," where Meizu has somehow merged the app's bottom menu bar and the system's virtual soft key bar for the sake of screen space and intuitiveness. That said, the home button is excluded as the MX2 has a capacitive button for that (as opposed to the old dome-shaped physical button; which also begs the question as to why not just use real buttons for all three soft keys like in the olden days). Another highlight is that in addition to the existing Flyme Cloud backup and phone tracking service, Meizu's also finally launching a much-needed free video and lossless music cloud platform, and this time it's done in collaboration with legit content providers like Sina, Tencent and LeTV. As for the rest, many other old goodies have been preserved, so fans of the original Flyme OS should quickly familiarize themselves with the new phone. For those who are brave enough, the MX2 will be rootable, so feel free to mess about.
The Meizu MX2 will be available in China from mid-December, and the three memory options will be priced at ¥2,499 ($400), ¥2,999 ($480) and ¥3,999 ($640), respectively. It'll sure be a tough fight against the likes of Xiaomi and Huawei, but hey, we won't judge until we get to give the MX2 a thorough test drive.
