Introduction

Do we have a good one for you today – the new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge versus the new Meizu MX4 Pro.  This is the newest twist on the venerable Galaxy Note 4 going up against the revamped Meizu MX4 – which one of these great devices will win this comparison…it may surprise you.

Considering the fact that one is from S. Korea and the other from China, these devices do have a few things in common.  Both devices are using the QHD displays and almost identical in size, even physically.  Both devices, if we talk about the Galaxy Note Edge outside the U.S., use a Samsung Exynos Octa- Core processor, and both come with 3GB of RAM and there is a 32GB internal memory model of each device.  The both have all of the usual suspects – Dual/Band Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, microUSB 2.0, Fingerprint Scanner and Android 4.4.4 KitKat and each with their own overlay.

Please take close look at the detailed Specification listing below where you can see how these two phones are different from one another.  After that, we will look at each device on an individual basis, list some pros and cons and try to make an intelligent selection of a winner for this comparison.

Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is basically a Galaxy Note 4 with a curved side-panel that can be used separately from the main display.  It still has the S-Pen and its own silo, although the curved screen knocked the size of the battery from 3220mAh down to 3000mAh.  The new look of a metal frame and trim, the curved display and the faux leather backing give the look and feel of a premium smartphone.

The Galaxy Note Edge comes with a 5.6-inch display that curves downward on the right size.  It is Samsung’s Super AMOLED QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 x 160 pixels and 524 pixels-per-inch versus the 546 PPI on the 5.5-inch LCD display on the Meizu MX4 Pro.  The U.S. version uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, however, the rest of the world gets the Exynos 5433 64-bit Octa-Core processor, while all of the MX4 Pros use the Samsung Exynos 5430 (32-bit) Octa-Core processor – and the first one to use the 20nm manufacturing process.  They both use 3GB of RAM and they each have a 32GB model…the only size the Note Edge offers, but it does have room to expand that internal memory up to an additional 128GB…something the MX4 Pro does not include.

The Note Edge uses a 16MP main camera with auto-focus, LED Flash, OIS, ISOCELL technology for low-light photos and Live HDR versus the MX4 Pro’s 20.7MP, auto-focus and dual-tone LED flash.  The Note Edge also has a 3.7MP wide-angle front-facing camera (FFC) versus the 5MP on the MX4 Pro.  The 3000mAh battery of the Note Edge goes up against the 3350mAh battery in the MX4 Pro – but the Note Edge will last you the entire day, and Samsung’s Ultra Power Saving Mode (UPSM) will help you extend your time if need be.

The Note Edge and the Meizu MX4 Pro are about the same size – the Note Edge is only slightly bigger, although a little thinner.  The other features of the Note Edge – first and foremost is the S-Pen and the curved display, it also has an IR Blaster, LTE Cat 6 Bands, 3 microphones, download booster, heart rate sensor, UV and Oxygen Saturation sensor.  It can be used on all major U.S. carriers and will cost you $399 – $430 on a two-year contract or about $900 off contract.

Meizu MX4 Pro

The new Meizu MX4 Pro has a full aluminum frame and what looks like an aluminum back with rounded sides – but it is actually a great metallic paint job over plastic (ala LG G3).  It feels solid and well-built with small bezels which make for a nice ‘compact’ size for a 5.5-inch display.

It comes with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD (5:3 aspect ratio) QXGA display with a resolution of 2560 x 1536 pixels and a very generous 546 PPI.  The Note Edge has 524 PPI and is Samsung’s Super AMOLED display that has a slightly better test specs than the MX4 Pro, but that doesn’t distract from its great looking display.  The MX4 Pro comes with the new 32-bit Exynos 5 Octa-Core 5430 processor – the first one to use 20nm processing technology.  It uses 3GB of RAM and the device is offered in 16GB, 32GB or 64GB models with no means to expand the internal memory.

The Meizu MX4 Pro uses the Sony 20.7MP sensor, auto-focus and a dual-tone LED flash for the main shooter and a 5MP FFC for social media selfies and video chatting.  The main camera is going up against the Note Edge’s 16MP shooter with just a single LED flash, but it does have OIS and offers live HDR shooting.  While the 5MP is larger than the 3.7MP found on the Note Edge, the 3.7MP is a wide 120-degree angle for group selfies or boardroom video chats.  The 3350mAh battery will easily give you a full day and then some.

The MX4 Pro has a bottom mounted speaker for great sound – Meizu also included an HD sound circuit and amplifier, so when you plug in a set of headphones or use an external speaker, you will be in for a real treat.  It also sports a fingerprint scanner and comes in three colors – White, gray and Gold – however, only the gray is available at this time.  It runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat with Meizu’s Flyme 4.1 user interface.  It will cost you $549 for the 16GB model and $599 for the 32GB model on OppoMart online – and of course, these are off-contract prices.

…And The Winner Is…

Summary

This was a real tough choice today – I think the Galaxy Note 4 and Noted Edge devices are two of the best phablets, or devices period, on the market today, especially with the addition of the S-Pen and all of its software.  But you cannot argue with the true value you get in the Meizu MX4 Pro when compared to the Note Edge…they both offer high-end specifications, and if you are willing to give up the extra features that the Note Edge offers, then the Meizu MX4 Pro’s pricing is a bargain.

The Meizu MX4 Pro has a beautiful display, fast Octa-Core processor, 3GB of RAM, a great main and FFC camera, a good software experience, a large battery, a sexy metal trim and metallic-like body, some of the smallest bezels you will find, a bottom mounted speaker with HD sound built-in, all for $549…versus the average of $900 for the Galaxy Note Edge.

Yes, the Note Edge has everything the Meizu MX4 Pro has going for it, except maybe the HD sound and bottom mounted speaker, and a few additional goodies, like the S-Pen, the ‘Edge’ itself, Quick Charge, and some additional sensors…but you have to ask yourself, will you really use them and if it is worth the extra $350.

The Note Edge is available on all major U.S. networks and can be purchased on a two-year contract, but will still run you $400.  If you can accommodate the Meizu MX4 Pro’s bands (no U.S. LTE), no S-Pen and no expansion slot – the Meizu MX4 Pro is a beautiful device, well-built, high-end smartphone for an incredible price.

Please hit us up on our Google+ Page and let us know which one of these devices you would pick as the winner of this comparison and WHY…as always, we would love to hear from you.