Testing the new Meizu MX4 Ubuntu Edition

Slim and Sharp

The device makes a good impression in the workmanship department. It is clear that the Meizu MX has adopted style elements of the iPhone. The front consists of robust Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The frame is made from metal. The back plate is made from plastic, which comes across as a bit chintzy when compared with the Aquaris E4.5. It is easy, for example, to make an indentation in the back panel of the Mx4 with relatively little pressure. The capacitive switch under the display screen hosts the notification light. The button also functions as the home button, moves currently executing applications into the background, and displays the application overview.

After using the phone for a while, we found the narrow frame around the phone somewhat impractical (Figure 3). Although frequently criticized, the wider and less visually appealing frame around the Aquaris E4.5 display screen is actually advantageous for the Ubuntu phone operating system. This is because swipe gestures are heavily used in operating the phone. Swiping from the edge of the Meizu MX4 screen feels like you are swiping your fingers across a dull knife blade. Once a protective film is placed over the screen, operating the MX4 becomes a game of patience.

Figure 3: The extremely small screen edge makes operating the device with Ubuntu touch gestures difficult.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that purchasers of the Meizu MX4 Ubuntu Edition get a solid, well-performing device for just under 300 Euro. The optics alone make a good impression. Nonetheless, some details cast a shadow over what is otherwise a bright picture. These include the battery lid, which is easily dented; the camera, which takes noisy pictures; the camera resolution, which can't be utilized due to inadequate software support; and the badly supported graphics processor, which exhibits noticeable stutter in spite of the enormous compute power.

Let's hope that the software will soon catch up with the hardware. Right now, the decision by Meizu to release the Ubuntu phones appears to have been somewhat hasty. Perhaps Canonical and Meizu simply wanted to gain entry into the marketplace. If so, then they are following the well-known banana principle – namely, software ripens once the customer gets it.

Some customers will find consolation in the fact that the Meizu MX4 at first glance has the look and feel of an iPhone. Additionally, the purchaser can be proud to have the best and fastest Ubuntu cellphone to date, at least according to the data sheet. The phone is definitely usable, even though the user experience is not very smooth, especially in light of expectations raised by the technical data.