The Meizu U20 is a midrange smartphone released in 2016 as part of Meizu’s U-series. It had an elegant look, good construction, and reasonable tech specs for the time. But also, one of the most crucial things about any smartphone is the operating system which the device runs on. The firmware can be described as an integral part of the device which determines how the devices performs, the stability of the device, and the general experience of the user. In this long read, we will look at the firmware of Meizu U20, its highlights, dividends, problems that may arise, and growth of the software over the years.
1. What is Firmware and Why is it Important?
Firmware is a type of permanent software that is built into a hardware device in order to control certain basic operations of the device. In the case of smartphones like Meizu U20, the firmware is a combination of the operating system (OS) of the device and other firmware which enables the OS as well as the hardware components to work together. It deals with wether and how the internal hardware that that interacts with applications and the user, peripherals and other devices, or processors, cameras and sensors, for example, the workings of one components such as the CPU or camera or sensors or any other apparatus, will work harmoniously with all the pieces of hardware within the phone.
This is especially important as firmware updates help improve a smartphone’s performance in the following ways:
They correct errors or defects in the operating system.
They increase safety by correcting security issues.
They enhance performance and improve power management.
They add new capabilities or revisions to the current Operating System.
They improve the support of new applications and services.
2. A short Firmware description for the Meizu U20
Meizu U20, a smartphone made in 2016, contained a customized Android-based operating system known as Flyme OS. The Flyme OS has been positively commented on due to its uncluttered interface, fast interactivity, and supplementary functions which steel it away from the regular Android mobile operating systems. When it was launched, Meizu U20 was powered by Flyme OS 5, which was based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Applications updates were applied changing the system to Flyme OS 6 versions.
Flyme OS offers well packaged applications, an appealing interface, and most of all, usable applications that work better together creating an ideal operating system. The interface incidence of the Meizu U20 is boosted by the availability of very efficient multitasking features, navigation by usage of hand movements and most importantly the security features of the device.
3. The lightweight Meizu U20 comes with Flyme OS: Detailed Explanation
The experience of the firmware on the Meizu U20 revolves around Flyme OS, which has seen revolution in the years since the phone was launched. Below are some of the key features of Flyme OS on Meizu U20: Some features of the
User Interface (UI)
Flyme is considered as richly designed and interactive user interface which is far different from the typical android view. Some of these are important components of the UI include:
Easier App Management: Flyme OS has completely done away with the app drawer concept and replaces it with a home screen that allows the user to place all his or her applications in the same way that it is done in iOS.
Theme/Icons/ Wallpaper Collection: Every user, in this operating system, can modify the device appearance through different themes, icons as well as wallpapers.
Easy App Switcher Below are several examples of how the Flyme OS implemented gesture usage: namely to activate Switcher one has to swipe up (instead of pressing the home button) and to check notifications the user simply swipes down. These gestures simplify using the device with one hand.
Performance and Optimization
Flyme OS has been purposefully built around Meizu U20’s hardware with intricacies lies in controlling its underlying hardware systems and precipitating mid-range performance. Flyme OS incorporates the following as enhancement facilities;
Intelligent Management of Background Applications: The operating system does not allow the execution of a high number of processes in the background so as to save on the battery and eliminate unnecessary delays.
App Freezing: The operating system allows the user to lock applications that are not in use thus preventing them from using the system resources while not needed.
System Cleaner: An OS has an advantage of its own integrated system cleaner found in Flyme OS that aids in cache clearing and removal of useless files making some space in the storage.
Security Features
The Meizu U20 Flyme OS features certain safety measures to bolster its security and these include:
App Permission Manager: This approach allows the users to manage the app permissions more efficiently by deciding the extent of access to the data.
Restricted Profile: Users can use this feature to create a different profile which is not accessible to other users containing its own apps, data and settings.
Fingerprint Lock: Fingerprint lock offers an additional security level to the Meizu U20 device and its applications through authentication.
Multitasking
Also, Flyme OS enables maintenance and provides support of several applications, for example, a split-screen function that allows users to open and use two applications at once, which is particularly convenient for the larger displays increasing the efficiency of the screen.
Native Applications and Services
As well as that, Flyme OS also comes with some of the applications that Meizu has designed for the improvement of user experience. They include:
Flyme Cloud: This is a cloud service, which in addition to more other data comes with the storage of contacts and messages with their automatic update on all linked devices.
File Explorer: An easy to use file manager application that enables users to view and manage their files.
Music Player: The video music player incorporates advanced offline lyrics, equalizer, and high-definition quality sound.
4. Firmware Updates: Keeping the Meizu U20 Device Updated and Updated
One of the problems with owning an older model like the Meizu U20 is that there is a lack of firmware updates. The phone was launched at the time when Flyme OS 5 was present, however, Meizu did push Flyme OS 6 which was a major upgrade and brought many improvements and changes to the system. Nevertheless, as time passed, the number of firmware refreshes for the U20 has lower, especially with Meizu beginning to concentrate on other devices.
Flyme OS 6 Update
The Flyme OS 6 update without a doubt introduced several additional features and improvements to the Meizu U20.
New User Interface: Flyme OS 6 featured its own Theme and improved UI which supports much smoother animation and customization.
One Mind AI: This feature provided a blend of hardware and software solution as well as optimization of applications as the speed of phone booting and launching of different applications were quicker while there was improved power management and multitasking.
Security into the system: Included in those improvements in Flyme OS 6 were security features which enhanced protections for the users, including secured storage encryption and improved controls of app permissions.
Despite these updates enhancing the experience of owning a Meizu U20, many users have bemoaned the few updates issued after the said ones, particularly regarding the newer Android systems. Understanding the updates and additions that Fellow Meizu U20 users received, it is uncomfortable to note that the device never received an official update to Andriod 7.0 and above. It is no wonder that a number of users are disgruntled as the devices remain in the same version of the operating system while new updates have been manufactured and made available to other devices in different countries.
Custom Software Enhancements
For those who are keen to extend the lifecycle of their Meizu U20, custom ROMs remain an alternative. Custom ROMs allow the users to swap the existing official firmware with one developed by users of the Android community which typically has more features and security updates for older devices.
Some notable custom ROMs that can be used on the Meizu U20 are:
LineageOS: One of the most widespread custom ROMs out there, which provides a nearly all-stock version of Android with consistent up-dates and enhanced speed.
Resurrection Remix: A customizable rom that offers many features not available on the stock android os.
AOSP Extended: A custom ROM available for the Android Open Source Project, that provides a simple experience devoid of bloatware with several enhancements.
5. Common Firmware Issues on Meizu U20
The Meizu U20, like several other smartphones experiences certain collections of challenges related to firmware. Some of the challenges that have been experienced by users include the following:
Excessive Battery Drain
Thanks to the optimizations made in Flyme Os, some users still have complained of battery drain issues especially when certain firmware updates have been applied. In most case this is a result of certain applications unnecessarily utilizing resources via background processes.
Slow Performance
With several users owning a Meizu U20 over a period of time, some have started experiencing the device’s performance drop especially when launching new applications or playing new advancing games. Although device performance can be enhanced through installing firmware updates, the absence of more recent updates has left some users feeling that their phone is performance degrading.
App Compatibility
App Apprehensiveness has proved difficult to the users of Meizu U20 who are already using this device because its help is fundamentally what Android os would use has be upgraded. Thus, as the developers upgrade their applications to work under advanced android systems, some users may be disappointed that some applications have ceased performing their functions when needed.
Flash Stock Firmware on Meizu U20
Flashing stock firmware on the Meizu U20 requires unlocking the respective bootloader and flashing a custom recovery to the device. This is a general overview of the process:
Unlock the Bootloader. The first stage when I want to switch to another ROM is that I have to unlock the bootloader of my Meizu U20. Please, be aware, that this procedure may void the warranty and can even erase all the data stored on your phone. This procedure usually requires ADB Android Debug Bridge from a PC.
In the settings of the phone, tap on the build number for a few times, to enable developer options.
In Developer Options: switch on OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
Once the phone has been connected to a PC, and with the use of the command below, the bootloader will be successfully unlocked:
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem unlock
Install Custom Recovery: After bootloader has been unlocked, there is a need to install custom recovery like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). TWRP is a handy advanced tool that allows the installation of custom ROMs along with backup and restore of the entire operating system.
Get a copy of TWRP img file for Meizu U20 from a n reputable website.
Install TWRP with the aid of ADB fastboot:
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot reboot
Download and Flash the Custom ROM: After flashing TWRP, Find the appropriate custom ROM to install (LineageOS or Resurrection Remix) and download it to the internal storage of the device.
Switch the phone off and then press the Power + Volume Up buttons at the same time to enter in TWRP mode.
In TWRP, perform a data and system wipe on the partitions so that the device can be ready for the new ROM.
Installing the ROM involves select the zip file from storage and following the instructions on the screen.
Alternatively, if the ROM does not contain the Google Apps (GApps) package by default, then it can be flashed separately.
Reboot and savor it: The last step is to install the custom ROM. Therefore, after the installation, the phone should be rebooted and it is expected to go into the custom ROM that has been recently installed.
One of the issues that should be remembered is that flashing custom ROMs is a risky undertaking and in most cases, devices end up being bricked due to one reason or another. Because of this, users will be advised to always back up their data before doing anything and to be very careful with the provided guidelines.
7. Advantages and Disadvantages of Meizu U20 Firmware
The same can be said of any firmware which features both its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to the firmware of Meizu U20 and its updates.
Advantages:
Seamless and User Friendly: The Flyme OS incorporates modern design styles with simple textures and an easily navigable interface.
Customisable: Personalising the device with themes, gesture controls, and privacy options is possible. Above all, Flyme OS is less restrictive on customisations than stock Android.
Performance: Flyme OS has got functions including app killer and a system clean up that are meant to ensure the U20 performs well even with its standard range of hardware.
Safety: With Flyme OS, the user’s data can also be protected from being accessed by the applications using functions like app permission and privacy mode.
Disadvantages:
Minimal Android Improvements: There were major releases of Android versions for the Meizu U20 and thus it remained on outdated versions of Android which curtailed its potential for newer apps and functions.
Battery Related Improvements Have Backfired: Reports have emerged from some users experiencing battery multitasking after updates, particularly firmware ones where background applications are more active than usual.
Application Compatibility: A few applications may no longer be supported on the device due to the obsolete Android version which also restricts what other functionalities the phone can perform.
Slow Performance Over Time: Due to the great hardware constrains of the Meizu U20 device, it may not perform as expected due to the newer applications and services especially considering there are no new firmware optimizations to help.
Conclusion
When it comes to Meizu U20, the firmware has significantly focused on the user interface, providing smooth operations with a Flyme OS that has many functional attributes. However, since the phone has not had firmware updates frequently over the years, the usage of it has become quite difficult especially because new applications and systems are rendered incompatible. For these types of users, that is, those who appreciate the available software support and enhancement of performance, then it would be best to upgrade to a new device. Still, Meizu U20 firmware history illustrates an unfortunate reality, the need for good strong software support in current mobile device marketing for the days to come.