The Meizu Note 21 is one of Meizu's latest offerings in the mid-range smartphone market, appealing to users with its stylish design, decent performance, and competitive pricing. Meizu has consistently been known for providing solid features at affordable prices, and the Note 21 continues this tradition. However, while it has some appealing features, many users have reported common problems and issues that impact the device’s overall performance and reliability. In this article, we’ll explore the most common issues with the Meizu Note 21, offer troubleshooting tips, and help you decide if this phone is the right choice.
1. Battery Drain and Heating Issues
Despite having a relatively large battery, users often report battery drain issues with the Meizu Note 21. Some also experience overheating during prolonged usage or while charging.
Symptoms:
- Rapid battery depletion, sometimes within a few hours
- Overheating when using apps, especially games or streaming apps
- Noticeable warmth around the camera and back panel when charging
Causes:
- High battery consumption from background apps and processes
- Power-draining apps running continuously
- Lack of optimization in Meizu’s Flyme OS, particularly for battery management
Solutions:
- Close Background Apps: Go to Settings > Battery and turn off background activity for apps that consume a lot of power.
- Battery Saver Mode: Enable Battery Saver in Settings to prolong battery life by limiting background functions.
- Software Update: Check for updates, as Meizu may release patches to improve battery performance and address overheating.
User Feedback: “The battery drains quickly, and it heats up during gaming. Closing background apps helps, but it’s still not ideal.”
2. Display Issues
The Meizu Note 21 offers an impressive display for a mid-range device. However, users have reported certain display issues that can detract from the overall experience.
Common Issues:
- Screen flickering at lower brightness levels
- Touch sensitivity lag, particularly at the screen edges
- Ghost touch issues, where the screen registers unintended touches
Potential Causes:
- Software bugs causing display calibration issues
- Hardware inconsistencies in some units, particularly with touch sensitivity
- Lack of optimization in Flyme OS for the screen’s settings
Suggested Fixes:
- Increase Brightness: Screen flickering tends to be more noticeable at low brightness, so slightly increasing brightness can reduce it.
- Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings > About Phone, tap on Build Number multiple times to enable Developer Options, then reduce Animation Scale settings to improve responsiveness.
- Install Updates: Always keep Flyme OS updated, as Meizu often releases bug fixes to improve touch response and display stability.
User Comment: “The display looks great, but I noticed flickering when I lower the brightness. It’s manageable, but still a little annoying.”
3. Lagging and Performance Issues
Equipped with a mid-tier processor, the Meizu Note 21 is generally fine for everyday tasks, but users have reported occasional lags and performance issues.
Symptoms:
- Slow app loading times and delayed responses
- Freezing or stuttering when switching between apps
- Performance drops during gaming sessions or when multitasking
Possible Causes:
- Limited RAM for handling power-intensive apps or multiple tasks
- Overload of unnecessary apps or bloatware installed on the device
- Software inefficiencies in Meizu’s Flyme OS
Fixes and Workarounds:
- Uninstall Bloatware: Remove or disable pre-installed apps that aren’t necessary to free up memory and improve performance.
- Clear Cache Regularly: Go to Settings > Storage > Clear Cache to free up memory.
- Avoid Heavy Multitasking: Limit multitasking, as the processor and RAM may struggle to handle too many active applications.
User Experience: “The phone is good for basic tasks, but it gets slow if I open too many apps. Clearing cache helps, but it still lags during gaming.”
4. Camera Quality Issues
The Meizu Note 21 has a respectable camera setup for a mid-range phone, but it has received mixed reviews from users, especially regarding camera performance in various lighting conditions.
Reported Issues:
- Low-quality photos in low-light settings, with noticeable grain and blur
- Slow shutter speed, causing blurry images if the phone isn’t held steady
- Color inconsistency, particularly with overly saturated outdoor shots
Potential Causes:
- Limited sensor capabilities in low-light conditions
- Lack of stabilization, causing blurriness
- Over-reliance on software processing for color adjustments
Suggested Solutions:
- Use Manual Mode: Switch to Pro Mode or Manual Mode in the camera settings for better control over lighting and focus in low-light situations.
- Avoid Zooming: Zooming can reduce image quality, so try to get closer to the subject when possible.
- Clean the Camera Lens: Ensure the lens is clean, as dust or smudges can affect image clarity.
User Insight: “The camera is okay in daylight, but low-light photos aren’t great. It’s decent for casual photos, but not for anything professional.”
5. Connectivity Issues (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS)
The Meizu Note 21, like many smartphones, has faced some connectivity issues, including with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.
Common Complaints:
- Weak Wi-Fi signal or frequent disconnections, even in strong Wi-Fi areas
- Bluetooth pairing issues with headphones or car systems
- Inaccurate GPS positioning, affecting navigation
Likely Causes:
- Software bugs affecting network drivers in Flyme OS
- Antenna positioning or hardware limitations in connectivity modules
- Signal interference from other devices or environmental factors
Potential Solutions:
- Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > System > Reset Options and choose Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth to restore default network settings.
- Update Firmware: Keep the device’s firmware updated to ensure the latest network optimizations are installed.
- Reboot the Phone: Sometimes, simply rebooting the phone can help reset and improve connectivity.
User Review: “The Wi-Fi sometimes disconnects on its own, and GPS isn’t always accurate. Restarting helps temporarily, but it’s a recurring issue.”
6. Fingerprint Sensor Malfunctions
The Meizu Note 21 comes with a fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking, but some users report fingerprint recognition issues.
Problems Experienced:
- Fingerprint sensor doesn’t recognize prints consistently
- Slow response time when unlocking
- Occasional failure to register new fingerprints
Causes:
- Sensor sensitivity issues, possibly due to software calibration
- Environmental conditions like moisture or dirt on the sensor
- Software bugs affecting fingerprint recognition
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Clean the Sensor: Keep the fingerprint sensor clean and dry to improve accuracy.
- Re-register Fingerprints: Delete existing fingerprints and re-register them to ensure better recognition.
- Update Software: As with other issues, a software update may resolve fingerprint sensor bugs.
User Insight: “The fingerprint sensor is hit-or-miss. Sometimes it works right away, and other times, I have to try multiple times.”
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Meizu Note 21?
The Meizu Note 21 provides a well-rounded package with a solid design, decent display, and competitive pricing for a mid-range phone. However, it comes with a few notable drawbacks that may affect the user experience, particularly around battery life, connectivity, and display sensitivity.
Who Might Enjoy the Meizu Note 21?
- Budget-conscious users who need a stylish phone for basic tasks and can handle minor performance issues.
- Casual smartphone users who prioritize affordability over high-end features and are not heavy on gaming or multitasking.
Other Options to Consider:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro: Offers better battery life and performance for around the same price point.
- Samsung Galaxy A32: Known for reliable performance and consistent updates in the budget category.
- Realme 9 Pro: Provides better gaming performance, camera quality, and display brightness, making it a solid alternative.
Final Verdict:
The Meizu Note 21 is a good option for those looking for an affordable smartphone with decent aesthetics and basic functionality. However, if you need more reliable performance, connectivity, and camera quality, considering alternative options may be worthwhile. For users willing to troubleshoot minor issues, the Meizu Note 21 remains a viable choice, but those seeking smoother performance might want to explore other devices in the same price range.