The Meizu mblu 21: A Budget Phone That Plays It Safe (But Leaves You Wanting)
Let’s get this out of the way first: The Meizu mblu 21 isn’t going to blow your mind. But for €71? It doesn’t have to. This phone feels like a relic from 2020 dressed in 2024 clothing – and that’s both its biggest strength and weakness.
The Screen: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
That 6.79-inch display sounds impressive until you realize it’s stretching a 720p resolution across what’s essentially a small tablet. Text looks slightly fuzzy at arm’s length, like someone smeared Vaseline on your reading glasses. The 90Hz refresh rate? It’s there, but paired with a sluggish processor, scrolling through TikTok feels like pushing a shopping cart with a wobbly wheel – smoother than 60Hz, but you’re constantly aware something’s off.
Here’s the kicker: That “frameless” design? It’s a plastic bezel masquerading as modern minimalism. But hey, watching Netflix in bed? The size works. Just don’t expect OLED blacks – nighttime scenes look more like a grayish soup.
Performance: The “Good Enough” Tightrope
The Unisoc T606 chipset is the automotive equivalent of a 90s compact car – it’ll get you to the grocery store, but merging onto the highway is stressful. Basic apps like WhatsApp and Gmail chug along fine, but open Instagram while playing Spotify and you’ll notice the stutters. That 4GB RAM feels like trying to fit a week’s groceries into a tote bag – functional until it isn’t.
Gaming? Forget Genshin Impact. Even Asphalt 9 stutters during heavy action. The Mali-G57 GPU sweats like a tourist in August Rome, and that 12nm processor? It’s 2024’s version of using a space heater as a CPU cooler.
The Camera Setup: Two Lenses, One Real Sensor
Meizu’s playing a sneaky game here. That “dual camera” is really just a 13MP main shooter plus a decorative 0.8MP depth sensor that might as well be a paperweight. Daylight photos are passable if you’re just uploading to Facebook, but dynamic range collapses faster than a house of cards in a breeze. Night shots? Let’s just say you’ll be texting friends “Let’s meet somewhere brighter.”
The 8MP selfie cam surprised me – it’s serviceable for Zoom calls. But that f/2.0 aperture means indoor video calls require you to sit directly under a light like you’re being interrogated.
Battery Life: The Bright Spot
Here’s where the mblu 21 shines. That 4000mAh battery combined with the low-res screen and inefficient chipset creates a weird paradox – it sips power like a Victorian lady sipping tea. You’ll easily get 1.5 days of moderate use. The 18W charging isn’t fast by today’s standards, but it’s adequate. Just don’t lose the micro-USB cable – yes, they’re still using that port in 2024.
Who’s This For?
Buy it if: You want a cheap backup phone for festivals/construction sites, need something for an elderly relative who just makes calls, or you’re budget-constrained to the point where €70 is a stretch.
Avoid it if: You care about software updates (Android 14 is likely its first and last OS), need decent cameras, or want to future-proof beyond 12 months.
The Jeffrey Verdict
Here’s the thing – I wouldn’t buy this for myself. The lack of USB-C feels archaic, and that storage starts at 64GB without expandable memory. But I’d recommend it to my aunt who still thinks “WhatsApp” is a type of hat. At this price, it’s competing with used phones – and as a new device with warranty, it makes sense for ultra-basic needs.
The mblu 21 is like store-brand cereal: It fills the bowl, but you’ll miss the flavor of name brands. If your phone needs are literally just calls, texts, and the occasional Google Maps check, it’s serviceable. But spend €30 more and you’ll find phones that feel like they’re from this decade.
