The Maizu M5s, introduced as a contender in the budget smartphone category, brings a range of features targeted at users looking for affordability without entirely sacrificing functionality. Maizu has garnered attention in recent years for its low-cost phones that maintain a solid build quality and practical specs. With the M5s, the brand aims to offer everyday performance with a couple of standout features, appealing to users who prioritize value.
Design and Build Quality
The Maizu M5s takes a step forward in design, featuring a premium metal unibody construction that feels sturdy and looks polished. Available in a selection of colors like grey, gold, and rose gold, the M5s brings some style to the budget segment. It’s compact and feels comfortable to hold, even for extended use, and while the bezels are on the thicker side, the display is adequately sized for most everyday needs.
A fingerprint sensor is embedded in the front, doubling as the home button, which is a convenient touch. This sensor is reasonably responsive, albeit not the quickest, aligning with the phone’s budget-focused target.
Display Quality
The Maizu M5s sports a 5.2-inch IPS LCD with an HD resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. While it doesn’t reach Full HD levels, the display is bright and colors are decent, offering a satisfactory experience for casual users. Viewing angles are fair, and the brightness holds up well in indoor environments. Outdoors, however, the screen does struggle under direct sunlight, which may be a downside for users frequently using their phones outside.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the M5s is powered by a MediaTek MT6753 octa-core processor with 3GB of RAM. Although not designed for heavy multitasking or demanding applications, this setup performs decently for standard tasks like browsing, messaging, and media consumption. While the M5s manages light games well, resource-heavy games or apps may face occasional stuttering.
The phone runs on Flyme OS, Maizu’s custom Android skin, based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Flyme OS is user-friendly and packed with features that improve usability, though it does come with some pre-installed bloatware. It’s an intuitive OS, but the dated Android version might limit some users who prefer the latest features and security updates available on newer systems.
Camera Performance
In the camera department, the M5s sports a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Under ideal lighting conditions, the rear camera produces images that are clear, with reasonable color reproduction and detail, though it struggles to capture crisp photos in low light. The camera app is relatively fast, and the added modes like panorama and beauty mode provide some versatility for different shots.
The 5MP front camera, while not a highlight, serves well for occasional selfies and video calls. However, those who enjoy detailed selfies may find it lacking in sharpness and detail compared to other mid-range alternatives.
Battery Life
One of the standout aspects of the M5s is its 3000mAh battery, which, coupled with the phone’s efficient hardware, ensures solid battery life. On average usage, the battery can comfortably last a full day, making it a dependable device for users on the go. Maizu has also incorporated fast charging capabilities, a rarity in this price range, which is a convenient addition for users who need quick power-ups throughout the day.
Verdict: Should You Buy the Maizu M5s?
The Maizu M5s brings a balanced package to the budget market. With its sturdy build, decent display, and reliable battery life, it’s a practical choice for users who want a functional phone without the high cost. The camera and performance are satisfactory for daily tasks, but those looking for more robust camera quality or the latest software might find it limiting.
Overall, the M5s is a solid pick for budget-conscious consumers, offering good value with a few modern features that make it worth considering in the entry-level smartphone space.
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