Umi Iron Pro vs Meizu Metal: Specs Compared
The Umi Iron Pro and Meizu Metal are two 2015-era Android smartphones that often get compared because they sit in the same budget-to-midrange price bracket. The Iron Pro wins on battery capacity and RAM, while the Meizu Metal offers a more polished metal body and a better-known software skin. This comparison breaks down the key specifications so you can see which one fits your needs.
Quick Specs at a Glance
- Display: Both have a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD, but the Meizu Metal uses a 2.5D curved glass panel.
- Processor: Iron Pro uses a MediaTek MT6797 (Helio X10) deca-core; Meizu Metal uses a MediaTek MT6753 octa-core.
- RAM: Iron Pro comes with 3GB; Meizu Metal has 2GB.
- Storage: Both offer 16GB or 32GB options, and both support microSD expansion.
- Rear camera: Iron Pro has a 13MP Sony IMX258 sensor; Meizu Metal has a 13MP sensor with phase-detection autofocus.
- Front camera: Iron Pro has 5MP; Meizu Metal has 5MP.
- Battery: Iron Pro has a 3,000mAh battery; Meizu Metal has a 3,140mAh battery.
- Operating system: Iron Pro runs Android 5.1 with a near-stock UI; Meizu Metal runs Android 5.1 with Flyme 5.
- Build: Iron Pro has a metal frame with a plastic back; Meizu Metal has a full aluminum unibody with a plastic antenna strip.
Design and Build Quality
The Meizu Metal is the more premium-feeling device. Its unibody is carved from a single block of aluminum, with a plastic strip at the top and bottom to allow radio signals through. The back is slightly curved, which makes it comfortable to hold. The Iron Pro, on the other hand, uses a metal frame but a removable plastic back cover. That plastic back feels less solid, but it does allow access to the battery—a feature that was already rare in 2015 and is almost unheard of now.
Both phones have a 5.5-inch screen, so they are similar in size. The Meizu Metal is a bit narrower because it uses an on-screen navigation bar, while the Iron Pro has capacitive buttons below the display. The Meizu Metal also has a fingerprint sensor built into the home button, which the Iron Pro lacks entirely.
Display Quality
Both phones use a 5.5-inch IPS LCD with a 1920×1080 resolution, giving a pixel density of about 401 ppi. That is sharp enough for most people—text is crisp, and 1080p video looks detailed. The Meizu Metal adds a 2.5D curved glass on top, which means the edges of the glass are slightly rounded. That gives a nicer feel when swiping from the edge and makes the phone look a bit more expensive.
Color reproduction is similar on both, but the Meizu Metal tends to be slightly more saturated. The Iron Pro’s display is a bit more neutral. Neither phone gets particularly bright outdoors, but both are usable in direct sunlight if you turn the brightness up.
Performance and Software
The Umi Iron Pro is powered by the MediaTek Helio X10 (MT6797), a deca-core processor with two clusters of four Cortex-A53 cores and one cluster of two Cortex-A72 cores. In practice, the A72 cores give it a noticeable boost in heavy tasks like gaming or video editing. The Meizu Metal uses the MediaTek MT6753, an octa-core Cortex-A53 chip that is more power-efficient but less powerful.
In day-to-day use, both phones feel smooth for basic tasks like messaging, browsing, and social media. But when you push them with a demanding game or multitasking, the Iron Pro holds up better. The extra 1GB of RAM also helps the Iron Pro keep more apps in memory without reloading.
Software is a bigger differentiator. The Iron Pro runs a near-stock version of Android 5.1 Lollipop, with a few Umi additions like gesture controls. It is clean and familiar, but Umi’s software updates were slow and sometimes buggy. The Meizu Metal runs Flyme 5, Meizu’s custom skin, which is heavily inspired by iOS. It has no app drawer, and all apps live on the home screens. Flyme is more polished and visually consistent, but it takes some getting used to if you prefer stock Android.
Camera Performance
Both phones have a 13-megapixel rear camera, but the sensors differ. The Iron Pro uses a Sony IMX258 sensor, which is known for good low-light performance and accurate colors. The Meizu Metal uses a sensor that is also 13MP but is paired with phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), which makes focusing faster in good light.
In daylight, both cameras produce sharp, well-exposed images. The Iron Pro tends to have slightly better dynamic range, while the Meizu Metal produces punchier colors. In low light, the Iron Pro has a slight edge because the Sony sensor gathers more light. Neither phone has optical image stabilization, so you need steady hands or a tripod for night shots.
The front cameras are both 5MP, which is fine for video calls and casual selfies. The Meizu Metal’s front camera has a slightly wider lens, so it’s easier to fit more people in a group selfie.
Battery Life and Charging
The Meizu Metal has a larger battery (3,140mAh vs 3,000mAh), but the Iron Pro’s more efficient processor and lighter software skin often give it better real-world endurance. In a typical day with moderate use—browsing, social media, some video—both phones will easily last a full day. With heavy use, the Iron Pro might last a bit longer because the Helio X10 is more efficient when handling light tasks.
Neither phone supports fast charging out of the box. The Iron Pro does support MediaTek’s Pump Express, but you need a compatible charger to take advantage of it. The Meizu Metal charges at a standard 5V/2A rate, which takes about two hours to go from empty to full.
Connectivity and Extras
Both phones support dual SIM cards (nano-SIM) and have a microSD slot for storage expansion. The Meizu Metal’s SIM tray is hybrid—you can use either two SIMs or one SIM and a microSD card, but not both at the same time. The Iron Pro has a separate microSD slot, so you can use two SIMs and a memory card simultaneously.
Both phones have 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS. Neither has NFC, so mobile payments are not possible. The Meizu Metal has a fingerprint sensor on the front, which works well for unlocking the phone and can be used for app lock. The Iron Pro has no fingerprint sensor.
Price and Value
When they were new, the Meizu Metal was priced slightly higher than the Iron Pro, but both were in the $150–$200 range. Today, you can find both used or refurbished for much less. The Meizu Metal’s build quality and software polish make it a better choice for someone who wants a phone that feels more expensive than it is. The Iron Pro is better for someone who prioritizes raw performance and battery life over aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has a better screen?
Both have the same resolution and size, so the difference is mainly in the glass. The Meizu Metal’s 2.5D curved glass feels nicer and looks more modern, but the actual display quality is nearly identical.
Can I use two SIM cards and a microSD card on both phones?
No. The Meizu Metal has a hybrid SIM tray, so you must choose between a second SIM and a microSD card. The Umi Iron Pro has a dedicated microSD slot, so you can use two SIMs and a memory card at the same time.
Which phone is better for gaming?
The Umi Iron Pro is better for gaming because its Helio X10 processor has two high-performance Cortex-A72 cores and 3GB of RAM. The Meizu Metal’s MT6753 is fine for casual games but will struggle with demanding titles.
Does the Meizu Metal have a fingerprint sensor?
Yes, the Meizu Metal has a fingerprint sensor built into the front home button. The Umi Iron Pro does not have one.
Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives official updates anymore, but the Meizu Metal’s Flyme OS was more polished and received more updates during its active life. The Iron Pro’s stock Android was cleaner but had fewer updates and more bugs.
Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Only if you need a very cheap backup phone or a device for basic tasks. Both are limited to Android 5.1, which means many modern apps will not run properly. Security updates are also long gone, so they are not safe for sensitive activities like online banking.
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