View source for Meizu M9

{{Short description|Chinese smartphone}}
{{Infobox Mobile phone
| name         = Meizu M9
| image         = [[File:Meizu M9.png|150px]]
| caption      =
| slogan       =
| manufacturer = [[Meizu]]
| available    =
| display      = {{convert|3.54|in|mm|abbr=on}} 960x640 [[Pixel|px]]
| ext_screen   =
| camera       = 5 [[pixel#Megapixel|megapixel]]; 720p HD video;
| os           = [[Android (operating system)|Android 2.3.5]] (Gingerbread)<br />[[Android (operating system)|Android 4.0.3]] ([[Flyme OS]] 1.1.5)
| input        = [[Multi-touch]] [[touch screen]]
| cpu          = Samsung Hummingbird S5PC110 (ARM Cortex A8), 1&nbsp;[[Hertz|GHz]]<ref name="engadget specs">{{cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/15/meizu-m9-christens-site-launch-with-full-specs-list/ |title=Meizu M9 christens site launch with full specs list |first=Ross |last=Miller |access-date=22 June 2011|date=27 April 2011 |work=Engadget}}</ref>
| gpu          = [[PowerVR]] SGX 540<ref name="engadget specs"/>
| memory       = 512&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] [[Random-access memory|RAM]]
| storage      = 8 & 16&nbsp;GB ([[NAND flash|NAND flash memory]])
| memory_card  = [[microSD]] (up to 128&nbsp;GB)
| networks     = ([[GSM]]/[[GPRS]]/[[EDGE]]): 900 and 1,800&nbsp;MHz <br />[[UMTS]]: 2,100&nbsp;MHz <br />[[HSPA+]]: 21&nbsp;Mbit/s; [[HSUPA]]: 5.76&nbsp;Mbit/s
| connectivity = [[Wi-Fi]] ([[802.11|802.11a/b/g/n]]); [[Wi-Fi Direct]]; [[Bluetooth]]&nbsp;2.1+EDR;
| battery      = Li-ion 1.37&nbsp;[[ampere hour|Ah]]
| size         = {{convert|113.0|mm|in|abbr=on}}&nbsp;H<br />{{convert|59.8|mm|in|abbr=on}}&nbsp;W<br />{{convert|11.2|mm|in|abbr=on}}&nbsp;D
| weight       = {{convert|123|g|oz|abbr=on}}
| type         = [[Touchscreen mobile device|Touchscreen]] [[smartphone]]
| music        =
| series       =
| predecessor  = [[Meizu M8]]
| successor    = [[Meizu MX]]
| other =
}}
The '''Meizu M9''' (pronounced MAY-zoo M9) is a Chinese [[smartphone]] designed and promoted by the [[Meizu|Meizu Technology Co., Ltd.]] which runs on [[Flyme OS]].  It was launched on January 1, 2011, resulting in buyers lining up overnight to enter stores to purchase the device.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lai|first=Richard|title=Meizu's M9 launch amasses thousands of Jack Wong fans across China (video)|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/01/01/meizus-m9-launch-amasses-thousands-of-jack-wong-fans-across-chi/|access-date=June 22, 2011|newspaper=Engadget|date=January 1, 2011}}</ref>
==History==
[[Jack Wong]], at that time the CEO of [[Meizu]], announced that the Meizu M9 would be released in late 2010. Only 300 copies of the phone were released on the first day of the phone's launch. It was only available in December 2010 if it was pre-ordered in October. The price of the Meizu M9 was set for 2380 [[Chinese yuan|Yuan]] (350 dollars). The phone was originally slated for release in early November. Because of several delays, the phone's release date was delayed to late December. One of the delays in the release of the phone was the company's decision to brand the phone with an ancient Chinese character for a logo.  Another delay was caused by the validation process of the phone by the China Academy of Telecommunication Research. The validation process took two months. Another delay was caused by the arrival of the [[IPhone 4]] to China. Because Meizu Technology Co., ltd wanted to compete with [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], the company had to use the same retina screen as the [[iPhone 4]].
==Specifications==
===Internal hardware===
The Meizu M9 features "[[Exynos|Hummingbird]]" (S5PC110) [[System on a chip|SoC]] with 1&nbsp;GHz [[ARM architecture|ARM]] [[ARM Cortex-A8|Cortex-A8]] [[Central processing unit|CPU]] and [[PowerVR]] 540 [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Samsung Hummingbird S5PC110 / Exynos 3110|url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Samsung-Hummingbird-S5PC110-Exynos-3110-SoC.86964.0.html|website=notebookcheck.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Exynos 3110 - Samsung|url=https://en.wikichip.org/wiki/samsung/exynos/3110#:~:text=Exynos%203110%20(formerly%20S5PC110)%20is,introduced%20by%20Samsung%20in%202010.&text=The%20Exynos%203110%20incorporates%20a,%2D400%20dual%2Dchannel%20memory.|website=wikichip.org}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Exynos 3 Single 3110|url=https://semiconductor.samsung.com/processor/mobile-processor/exynos-3-single-3110/|website=semiconductor.samsung.com}}</ref> along with 512 [[Megabyte|MB]] [[Random-access memory|RAM]], 8&ndash;16 [[Gigabyte|GB]] internal [[flash memory]], a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 3.54-inch capacitive touchscreen display with 640x960 pixels resolution. The display resolution surpasses the resolution of previous Meizu M-series smartphones. The phone also has [[Bluetooth]], [[Wi-Fi]], and TV-out (HDMI 1.3) connectivity options. The [[Samsung]] S5PC110 SoC enables the Meizu M9 to play [[1080p|Full HD]] video.<ref name=":0" />
The Meizu M9 is similar to the iPhone 4 in a number of ways. They both have similar CPUs which are ARM Cortex A8-based; however, the Meizu M9 has the Samsung S5PC1110 SoC while the iPhone 4 has the Apple A4 SoC. Even the clock speed and phone internals are similar between the Meizu M9 and the Apple [[iPhone 4]].
==== Display ====
The Meizu M9 uses a 3.54 inch [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] AVS display with a 640x960 pixels resolution. This offers a [[pixel density]] of 326 ppi, a substantial improvement over most Android phones and a pixel density identical to that of the Apple [[iPhone 4]]. Because of the improved pixel density, text in zoomed-out views of the web browser or other applications can be read, and graphics such as those of games appear sharper.
===Android operating system and Meizu software===
The Meizu M9 runs on [[Android (operating system)|Android]] 2.2, with an upgrade to 2.3 afterwards. With [[Android (operating system)|Android]] [[Android Froyo|2.2]], there is some lag but that is fixed with the new [[Android Gingerbread|2.3]] update with performance updates. The interface is designed by Eico. Eico is a Chinese design firm that has a good reputation because of its good work with [[Google]], [[ASUS]] and [[Creative Technology|Creative]]. Eico have designed a unique user interface for the Meizu M9. A lot of people that have [[HTC]] cell phones have started importing the Meizu M9 interface into their cell phones because of its layout. The Meizu also has its own apps that have been designed by Eic which are designed to work well with the interface. There is also an English version of the phone's software.
The [[Flyme OS]] from the new MX device was backported to M9 with a few features disabled; bringing [[Android (operating system)|Android]] [[Android Ice Cream Sandwich|4.0]] support, increased performance and a new UI.
==Usability==
Meizu M9 has three physical buttons below the screen. The middle button is the “HOME” button; the “BACK” button is on the left and the “KEY” button on the right. On the top of the phone is the “LOCK SCREEN” key and on the left side is the “VOLUME” key. Meizu M9 does not have a physical button on the sides for taking pictures which leaves the right side of the phone without push buttons. The Meizu M9 screen will appear with 3 icons on its lockscreen after turning on the phone. There is a “LOCK” icon in the middle which opens the Home screen, a "PHONE" icon on the left, and a "SMS" icon (for text messages) on the right. These icons can be activated by dragging them upwards.
===Phone calls===
After dragging the phone icon up to unlock the phone a dial pad will appear; this gives the user both the flexibility to dial and access contacts. After dialing one can choose to put the call on speaker, mute, hold, and record, check contacts list or end the call by pressing the orange box at the bottom. All this commands appear on the screen during the time of the phone call.
===Text===
To write a text message first press the “TYPE TO COMPOSE” button and the keyboard will appear. The main difference with Meizu M9 from most smartphones like iPhones is that the keyboard does not rotate to landscape mode when the phone is reoriented. Also it can easily switch from Chinese to English and vice versa simply by pushing the “EN” and “CH” buttons respectively.
===Internet browsing===
Upon pushing the “Home” button on the middle of the screen, the user is immediately connected to the default homepage of the Meizu web browser. The top left button on the screen allows the opening of more than one internet page at the same time. Also at the bottom of the page there are three icons: on the left is the “Refresh” icon on the middle “Bookmark” button and on the right is the “More Options” icon, which allows the user to download list, add to desktop, select text etc. The screen can scroll up, down, left, right and also zoom in and out with just the touch of the finger making it easier to read.
==Criticism==
===Functionality===
The Meizu M9 uses a 5MP front-illuminated [[digital camera]] sensor which has poor low-light capability.
The sound quality is known to be quite cacophonic, especially when the volume is increased to its maximum. Critics have stated that the storage [[Read-only memory|ROM]] for the phone isn't stable enough for full customer reliability.
===Battery life===
The battery life span of the Meizu M9 is comparable to that of most modern smartphones. When fully charged, it can last up to a day with normal usage, and it can last up to two days with minimal usage. There is speculation that the Android 2.3 update will improve the Meizu M9's battery life.
With the Android 2.3 beta firmware, battery life can last up to two days with normal usage and three days with minimal usage. These durations are expected to be higher for the final firmware version.
===Marketability===
Unless one is in China, getting access to the Meizu M9 can prove to be quite an arduous task. The best way to purchase one of these phones is to get it from an online seller; the downside to this is that a warranty is not available and the sellers may be unreliable.
The Meizu M9 was reported to have already hit its total sales target for 2011 in the first quarter. Consequently, the CEO Jack Wong refused to reduce the price of the phone. Its success could be as a result of low project target sales or unexpected popularity of the product. This phone is highly popular in China, and is starting to gain worldwide attention.
==See also==
* '''[[Meizu]]'''
* '''[[Meizu M8]]'''
* '''[[Meizu MX]]'''
* [[Comparison of smartphones]]
* [[Galaxy Nexus]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==References==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHmaXF0LnNg "Meizu M9 English Review Part 1." YouTube. Web. 20 May 2011.]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ens1nibhe7U "How to Use Meizu M9 : Android 2.2, 3.5" Touch Screen, 1GHz CPU, GSM, WCDMA 3G, Smart Cell Phone,." YouTube. Web. 20 May 2011.]
*[http://www.chinitech.com/ ChinITech. Web. 21 May 2011.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110408123052/http://thegadgetsite.com/2011/03/the-meizu-m9-has-already-hit-the-2011-sales-target-in-q1/ Thegadgetside. Web. 22 May 2011.]
*[http://www.meizume.com/general-meizu-m9/13140-m9-vs-sgs-comparative-review.html Meizu Me. Web. 19 May 2011.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110407172457/http://thegadgetsite.com/2011/04/meizu-m9-review/ The gadgetsite. Web. 20 May 2011.]
{{Meizu|smartphones=yes|MP3=yes}}
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[[Category:Android (operating system) devices]]
[[Category:Meizu smartphones]]
[[Category:Mobile phones introduced in 2011]]
[[Category:Discontinued smartphones]]