Today, Qualcomm unveiled the latest update, confirming that a special launch event will coincide with the new Snapdragon Summit on September 24 - 25 in China. This move clearly highlights the significance Qualcomm attaches to the Chinese market. Frankly, Qualcomm's strategy comes as no surprise. When it comes to high-end mobile chips, China stands as Qualcomm's most vital consumer market on a global scale (the same holds true for mid-to-low-end chips). The star attraction of this summit will undoubtedly be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 (although this naming convention hasn't been officially confirmed, the majority has embraced this title).

Several domestic mobile phone manufacturers are already ramping up to introduce their latest flagship models, leveraging the formidable performance of this chip. However, Meizu appears to be trailing behind. After multiple delays, the Meizu 22 is finally slated for release on September 15. Yet, the CPU chip it will incorporate is somewhat underwhelming—it is rumored to feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen4, which falls short compared to the new flagships that other manufacturers are on the verge of launching.

The crux of the matter lies in its contentious design. Netizens' initial impression of this phone is that it bears a striking resemblance to the Xiaomi 15, particularly the style of the rear camera module, which is nearly identical. Some might contend that if it feels so akin to a Xiaomi 15, why not simply opt for a Xiaomi phone? Nevertheless, the price disparity between the two is likely to be substantial. The starting price of the Meizu 22 is probably below 3,000 yuan. Indeed, aside from the CPU chip, the exposed features and specifications of the Meizu 22 are quite commendable.

For example, the screen that the official teased today exudes a high-end vibe. With a 94.6% screen-to-body ratio, it is relatively uncommon among domestic mobile phones, instantly creating a favorable first impression in terms of aesthetics. Regarding other screen parameters, it supports an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, a peak brightness of 6,000 nits, hardware-level low blue light eye protection, and full DC dimming. Although these specifications may seem familiar, as long as they ensure a positive user experience, there's no need to delve deeper into other aspects.

The imaging prowess of the Meizu 22 is truly remarkable. It boasts a 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50-megapixel front camera, all at a flagship level. The overall photography performance should be outstanding, which is also a key promotional aspect highlighted by the official. To label it as outdated would be inaccurate given its robust imaging capabilities, but to claim it's not outdated would be debatable due to its less impressive CPU chip. Honestly, pinpointing the positioning of this phone is indeed challenging, but describing it as a mid-to-high-end model seems fitting.

In terms of the system, Meizu's official statement claims it supports six years of seamless use. Although not explicitly stated, it is likely referring to six years of system updates. If they can fulfill this promise, it would be quite commendable. The phone will also feature in-depth optimizations for gaming, eliminating the need for manual frame rate adjustments thanks to an adaptive frame rate mode for gaming, ensuring it can effortlessly handle mainstream games.

However, one perplexing aspect that leaves many scratching their heads is why the Meizu 22 bears such a strong resemblance to the Xiaomi 15 instead of the currently most sought-after iPhone 17?