Meizu

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Meizu is a Chinese tech company known for smartphones and its Flyme Android-based operating system. Based in Zhuhai, Guangdong, it was founded in 2003 by Huang Zhang (also known as Jack Wong) and began as an MP3 player maker before releasing its first smartphone, the M8, in 2007. The company developed Flyme OS, a distinctive user interface that debuted with the MX series around 2012 and helped Meizu stand out in the crowded Android market.

Over the years Meizu launched several smartphone lines, including MX, PRO, M, and the M-series, and expanded into international markets such as Hong Kong and Russia, with India becoming a notable market in 2015. In parallel, Meizu built a loyal following for Flyme’s design and features, including the popular one-button navigation idea called mBack.

In 2022, Geely Holding Group acquired a controlling stake in Meizu through its DreamSmart unit, and in 2023 the companies merged to form DreamSmart Meizu Group, tying Meizu more closely to Geely’s smart-car and intelligent-ecosystem plans. The group began exploring in-car systems (Flyme Auto) and electric vehicles, announcing the DreamCar MX project in 2023.

In early 2024, Meizu announced a strategic shift away from selling traditional smartphones to an AI-centered approach for the next few years. Flyme OS is shifting toward vehicle infotainment and other AI-enabled devices, as DreamSmart upgrades its ecosystem and plans to launch Flyme AIOS and related AI-powered products, including headphones and AR glasses. While the Meizu brand has a long history of smartphones, the company is now focusing more on AI and smart-device integration within Geely’s ecosystem.