Meizu Mblu 22 Pro review
Suits budget buyers in areas with sporadic electricity who prioritize battery endurance over screen quality and fast charging, and do not game or run heavy apps. Anyone else shopping in this price bracket will find a better-rounded phone elsewhere."
This review is written with AI assistance from Meizu’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Meizu Mblu 22 Pro, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Meizu Mblu 22 Pro is a 6.79-inch budget Android phone with a 5000 mAh battery, 50 MP camera, and 120 Hz display, built around the mid-2010s-class Helio G81 chipset. For €120, it hits the basics—long battery life and a large screen—but struggles where most mid-rangers compete: low brightness outdoors, slow charging, and modest gaming performance.
Design & Build
At 212 grams and 8.5 mm thick, the Mblu 22 Pro is neither light nor remarkably slim by 2025 standards, where flagships often hover around 170–180g. The design feels heavier and chunkier than competing €120 phones, partly because of the large 6.79-inch frame. Splash resistance is a sensible addition at this price, though the absence of a rated IP certification means any serious water exposure is a gamble. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and responsive, and stereo speakers are a welcome bonus for media consumption. Overall, it is functional and solid rather than refined; you are paying for battery capacity and screen size, not build quality or design language.
Display
The 6.79-inch TFT LCD offers 120 Hz refresh, which is smooth and helpful for scrolling, but the pixel density of 264 ppi shows its age. Text appears noticeably grainy compared to modern budget rivals, which have jumped to 1080p or better on similarly sized panels. The bigger problem is brightness: 400 nits (HBM) is adequate indoors but struggle in direct sunlight without ramming brightness to maximum and draining battery. For a phone released in 2025, this is a clear corner-cut. The 720 x 1640 resolution is enough for video and games at this chipset's level, but anyone coming from a phone with a sharper screen will find it a step backward.
Performance
The Mediatek Helio G81 and Mali-G52 GPU are entry-level; they handle casual apps, messaging, and social media without stutter, and light gaming (Clash Royale, puzzle games) at medium settings. Demanding titles like Genshin Impact or PUBG will force low settings and frame drops. The 4–8 GB RAM options are adequate for multitasking at this chipset tier, but you will not feel snappy performance or fast app launches compared to midrange rivals. The eMMC 5.1 storage is also slower than the UFS found on competitors, making app installations and file transfers sluggish. For everyday use it works, but do not expect responsiveness comparable to even a €150 midrange phone.
Software
Android 15 is current and welcome, though Meizu's software support track record in global markets is patchy. For a budget Chinese phone without a major regional presence in most of the Global South, expect two to three years of OS updates at best, and security patches may lag industry averages. The OS itself runs smoothly on the Helio G81, and bloatware appears minimal, which is a small plus. Long-term updates and support are a real question mark at this brand and price point.
Camera
The 50 MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture is wide enough for low-light indoor shots without noticeable noise, and PDAF keeps focus quick. The macro lens is a nice touch for close-up detail. However, there is no telephoto or ultrawide, so distant subjects require cropping and lose detail, a meaningful omission if you shoot often. The 8 MP selfie camera is basic. Video recording works but at only 1080p. Compared to €120 competitors, the camera package is middle-of-the-road—good enough for social media and casual photography, but not a reason to choose this phone over others in the segment.
Battery & Charging
The 5000 mAh battery is the phone's strongest feature: on moderate mixed use (messaging, browsing, social media, some streaming), expect about 13–16 hours before needing a charge. If you rarely game and stay off video calls, you might stretch it to a full day. In regions with unreliable power supply, this battery is a genuine advantage. The problem is 18 W charging, which is slow for 2025. A full charge takes roughly 90–110 minutes from empty, and you cannot top up quickly if you are in a hurry. Rivals now ship 30–65W chargers at this price, making Meizu's choice feel deliberately cost-cutting. The battery itself is solid; the charging speed is where Meizu compromised hardest.
Value & Verdict
At €120, the Mblu 22 Pro is affordable, but it lags rivals in the areas that matter most for the price. A 720p display in 2025 feels dated, 18 W charging is frustratingly slow, and the Helio G81 is adequate but not impressive. The 5000 mAh battery is the main argument in its favor—a real advantage in regions where charging infrastructure is sparse or unreliable. Dual SIM support and microSDXC expansion add flexibility. However, for the same money you can find competing phones with brighter displays, faster charging, and better performance. The Mblu 22 Pro works if battery life is your priority and you can tolerate a dim screen outdoors, but it feels more like a stopgap than a phone built to compete. The lack of name recognition outside Asia also means support and parts availability are genuine concerns outside major markets.
Verdict
Suits budget buyers in areas with sporadic electricity who prioritize battery endurance over screen quality and fast charging, and do not game or run heavy apps. Anyone else shopping in this price bracket will find a better-rounded phone elsewhere."
- 5000 mAh battery lasts 13–16 hours on mixed use, a real advantage in regions with unreliable power
- 120 Hz refresh keeps scrolling smooth despite the low resolution
- 50 MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and macro mode handles indoor and close-up shots well
- Stereo speakers and 3.5 mm headphone jack remain, useful for media consumption and audio work
- 18 W charging is slow for 2025; rivals at this price charge 2–3 times faster
- 264 ppi density makes text noticeably grainy, and 400 nits brightness is insufficient in direct sunlight
- Helio G81 and eMMC 5.1 storage deliver sluggish performance and slow app launches compared to midrange competitors
Meizu Mblu 22 Pro Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, March 04 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio), TFT LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Software | Android 15 |
| Dimensions | 170.8 x 77.5 x 8.5 mm (6.72 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 212 g (7.48 oz) |
| Durability | Splash resistant |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Meizu Mblu 22 Pro FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Mblu 22 Pro support 5G?
No. The Mblu 22 Pro tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Mblu 22 Pro use?
The Mblu 22 Pro runs on the Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm).
What display does the Mblu 22 Pro have?
A 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) TFT LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (HBM), 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density).
How big is the Mblu 22 Pro battery?
The Mblu 22 Pro has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 18W wired.
Does the Mblu 22 Pro have NFC?
Yes, the Mblu 22 Pro has NFC.
Is the Mblu 22 Pro water resistant?
The Mblu 22 Pro carries a Splash resistant rating.
Does the Mblu 22 Pro support a microSD card?
Yes, the Mblu 22 Pro supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Does the Mblu 22 Pro have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Mblu 22 Pro has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Mblu 22 Pro isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Mblu 22
Note 16
Note 22
Note 21 Pro
Play20A
