China’s Meizu unveils first smartphones after acquired by Geely founder last year

Meizu, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, launched its first smartphone products on Thursday since being taken over by the founder of Zhejiang Geely Holding.

During an event on Thursday in Shanghai, Xingji Meizu unveiled its new range of smartphones, which includes three models with prices ranging from 2,999 to 6,299 yuan ($436 to $916). These smartphones run the company’s in-house Android-based operating system FlymeOS.

In addition, Meizu announced Flyme Auto, an operating system it had modified for use in automobiles, while Geely unveiled the Lynk & Co 08 crossover as the first vehicle to use that platform.

Since its inception in 2003, Meizu has produced reasonably priced, stylish Android-based smartphones that have helped it briefly rise to fame both at home and abroad.

However, its smartphone product lagged behind its competitors in terms of both brand recognition and quality.  

Smartphone shipments decreased 14% in 2022, and for the first time in ten years, overall unit shipments went below 300 million.

Apple Inc. , Xiaomi Corp, BBK-owned Oppo and Vivo, and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. spinoff Honor account for about 90% of smartphone sales in China.

Xingji Technology, a smartphone company launched by Geely’s founder and chairman Eric Li, acquired a controlling stake of 79.09% in Meizu last year.

Following the acquisition, Meizu operates as a “independent brand.” Huang Zhang, better known as Jack Wong, the company’s founder, served as the “product strategy advisor” for the company.