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Auzai ME16Z01 Portable Monitor Review: Lightweight and Flexible

Convenient on-the-go monitor. The 15.6-inch Auzai monitor is easy to carry around, but it doesn't take much to damage the unprotected matte screen and flexible plastic case.

The Auzai ME16Z01 is an inexpensive 1080p 15.6-inch portable monitor designed for smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. Its main selling point is HDR compatibility and a light weight for easy carrying. If your laptop or smartphone supports it, the monitor can run on just a single USB Type-C cable for both data and power.

Amazon is currently selling the Auzai ME16Z01 for $180 USD.

More monitor reviews:

Auzai ME16Z01 Portable Monitor
Display
15.60 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 141 PPI, glossy: no
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 9.4 x 353.7 x 229.5 ( = 0.37 x 13.93 x 9.04 in)
Additional features
12 Months Warranty
Weight
650 g ( = 22.93 oz / 1.43 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Rating
Date
Model
Weight
Height
Size
Resolution
Best Price
01/2020
Auzai ME16Z01 Portable Monitor
,
650 g9.4 mm15.60"1920x1080
12/2019
C-Force CF016xT
,
990 g9.5 mm16.10"1920x1080
08/2019
C-Force CF015C
,
700 g6 mm15.60"3840x2160
06/2019
Odake BladeX 4K UHD
,
853 g10 mm15.60"3840x2160
09/2019
MageDok Atlas Gaming Monitor
,
1 kg8.7 mm15.60"1920x1080

Case

Unlike the recent C-Force we reviewed, the Auzai uses an all-plastic chassis with no front glass reinforcement. Combine this with the very narrow bezels and you have a fragile portable monitor that's similar to the Odake Blade. It may look nice from a distance, but the monitor feels cheap once you have it on hand.

The included case should be on at all times because of how fragile the monitor is
The included case should be on at all times because of how fragile the monitor is
Plastic casing feels thin, flexible, and cheap
Plastic casing feels thin, flexible, and cheap
Identical ports and buttons as on the C-Force CF016xT
Identical ports and buttons as on the C-Force CF016xT
Uncommon mini-HDMI port instead of full-size HDMI
Uncommon mini-HDMI port instead of full-size HDMI
The folio case doubles as a flat table stand for the display
The folio case doubles as a flat table stand for the display
Note that the case allows for only two preset angles
Note that the case allows for only two preset angles
Textured faux leather case hinds fingerprints well
Textured faux leather case hinds fingerprints well
The manufacturer may want to hire some better QA agents for this "protable monitor"
The manufacturer may want to hire some better QA agents for this "protable monitor"
373 mm / 14.7 inch 219 mm / 8.62 inch 9.5 mm / 0.374 inch 990 g2.18 lbs357 mm / 14.1 inch 226 mm / 8.9 inch 8.7 mm / 0.3425 inch 1 kg2.22 lbs353.7 mm / 13.9 inch 229.5 mm / 9.04 inch 9.4 mm / 0.3701 inch 650 g1.433 lbs356 mm / 14 inch 226 mm / 8.9 inch 6 mm / 0.2362 inch 700 g1.543 lbs350 mm / 13.8 inch 224 mm / 8.82 inch 10 mm / 0.3937 inch 853 g1.881 lbs280.6 mm / 11 inch 214.9 mm / 8.46 inch 5.9 mm / 0.2323 inch 633 g1.396 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

All video ports are along the right edge while the buttons are on the left not unlike on the C-Force. While there are two USB Type-C ports, only the center port can be used for both power and data when we tested it with a Huawei Mate 10 Pro smartphone. Meanwhile, the OSD buttons along the left edge are too small and spongy for a frustrating experience when trying to change settings.

Top: No connectivity
Top: No connectivity
Right: 2x USB Type-C w/ DisplayPort and Power Delivery, Mini-HDMI
Right: 2x USB Type-C w/ DisplayPort and Power Delivery, Mini-HDMI
Bottom: Speakers
Bottom: Speakers
Left: OSD button and volume/brightness scroll wheel, 3.5 mm earphones
Left: OSD button and volume/brightness scroll wheel, 3.5 mm earphones

Accessories

The following extras are included in the box:

  • User's manual
  • USB Type-C male to Type-A male cable (for power)
  • USB Type-C male to Type-C male cable
  • Mini HDMI to full-size HDMI cable
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Screen protector

Annoyingly, a proper AC power adapter is not included meaning owners must provide their own power source.

Display

A key drawback to the 60 Hz display is its slow black-white response time of 16 ms. In comparison, most gaming laptops and monitors have response times of 5 ms or faster. Ghosting or blurring is more noticeable on the Auzai as a result which can be potentially distracting when playing fast-paced games like Overwatch or Rocket League. Contrast is also middling at less than 500:1 with just an average brightness distribution of 77 percent. In other words, dark scenes appear muddier and grayer than usual while the edges and corners of the screen will appear slightly dimmer than the center.

Additionally, a low pulse-width modulation frequency of 201.6 Hz is present on brightness levels up to 23 percent. Users sensitive to onscreen flickering may want to avoid low brightness levels or skip the Auzai monitor altogether.

The main selling point of the monitor is that it can be powered by a USB 3.0 port or even a compatible smartphone. Plug in your phone with a USB-C to USB-C cable and you'll suddenly have a 15.6-inch screen for movies, browsing, or word processing — no second cable required for power. Thus, it's easier to forgive some of the display quality shortcomings when the unit is so versatile.

Keep in mind that brightness will be limited to about 40 percent if powered by a smartphone. It's not possible to draw power from one USB-C cable while accepting video data from a second USB-C cable much like what we discovered on the C-Force CF016xT.

The matte panel is very prone to fingerprints
The matte panel is very prone to fingerprints
The included USB-C to USB-A cable can be used for power if you have a USB-A port
The included USB-C to USB-A cable can be used for power if you have a USB-A port
Because the plastic bezels are so narrow on three of the four sides, the monitor is fragile
Because the plastic bezels are so narrow on three of the four sides, the monitor is fragile
Some of the narrowest bezels for any monitor or laptop
Some of the narrowest bezels for any monitor or laptop
Moderate uneven backlight bleeding
Moderate uneven backlight bleeding
Matte subpixel array. Picture is slightly grainy as is common on most matte displays
Matte subpixel array. Picture is slightly grainy as is common on most matte displays
294.2
cd/m²
282.2
cd/m²
283.7
cd/m²
257.9
cd/m²
300.7
cd/m²
255.6
cd/m²
232.2
cd/m²
255.8
cd/m²
242
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 300.7 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 267.1 cd/m² Minimum: 7.35 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 77 %
Contrast: 456:1 (Black: 0.66 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 10.26 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5, calibrated: 5.05
ΔE Greyscale 9.5 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
71.5% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
45.8% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
50.2% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
72% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
48.53% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 1.51
Auzai ME16Z01 Portable Monitor
15.60, 1920x1080
C-Force CF016xT
16.10, 1920x1080
C-Force CF015C
15.60, 3840x2160
Odake BladeX 4K UHD
15.60, 3840x2160
MageDok Atlas Gaming Monitor
15.60, 1920x1080
MSI GE65 Raider 9SF-049US
Sharp LQ156M1JW03, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Display
33%
71%
75%
27%
40%
Display P3 Coverage
48.53
64.2
32%
86.1
77%
90.5
86%
62.1
28%
69.3
43%
sRGB Coverage
72
96.4
34%
99.9
39%
100
39%
90.7
26%
98.9
37%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
50.2
66.3
32%
99
97%
100
99%
64.1
28%
70.7
41%
Response Times
4255%
4%
0%
828%
3835%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
38.8 ?(20.8, 18)
20.4 ?(12, 8.4)
47%
32.4 ?(19.2, 13.2)
16%
40 ?(20.4, 19.6)
-3%
10.4 ?(6.4, 4)
73%
13.2 ?(7.2, 6)
66%
Response Time Black / White *
25.2 ?(16, 9.2)
16.4 ?(10.8, 5.6)
35%
27.2 ?(17.2, 10)
-8%
24.4 ?(12.8, 11.6)
3%
11 ?(7.6, 3.4)
56%
11.2 ?(6, 5.2)
56%
PWM Frequency
201.6 ?(23)
25770 ?(42)
12683%
4950 ?(99)
2355%
23150 ?(19)
11383%
Screen
41%
36%
52%
8%
54%
Brightness middle
300.7
214.3
-29%
205.7
-32%
371.9
24%
144.9
-52%
277.4
-8%
Brightness
267
206
-23%
201
-25%
366
37%
146
-45%
264
-1%
Brightness Distribution
77
90
17%
81
5%
88
14%
91
18%
90
17%
Black Level *
0.66
0.23
65%
0.27
59%
0.31
53%
0.78
-18%
0.24
64%
Contrast
456
932
104%
762
67%
1200
163%
186
-59%
1156
154%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
10.26
4.34
58%
5.61
45%
6.36
38%
5.79
44%
1.51
85%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
22.93
6.45
72%
10.87
53%
10.34
55%
8.43
63%
4.93
78%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
5.05
1.12
78%
5.89
-17%
2.12
58%
1.77
65%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
9.5
5.5
42%
4.1
57%
3.7
61%
6.7
29%
3.7
61%
Gamma
1.51 146%
2.51 88%
2.22 99%
2.19 100%
1.96 112%
2.23 99%
CCT
8200 79%
7115 91%
5904 110%
6474 100%
6295 103%
7061 92%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
45.8
60.6
32%
88
92%
91.7
100%
58.2
27%
65.1
42%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
71.5
96.2
35%
100
40%
100
40%
90.7
27%
99.1
39%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
1443% / 783%
37% / 39%
42% / 50%
288% / 156%
1310% / 719%

* ... smaller is better

Color space is narrow at just 72 percent of sRGB compared to ~95 percent on competing external monitors and most mid-range gaming laptops. This means that colors are not as deep, vibrant, or accurate as the displays on most newer Ultrabooks or flagship smartphones. You wouldn't want to do any professional graphics work on this monitor.

vs. sRGB
vs. sRGB
vs. AdobeRGB
vs. AdobeRGB

The display is poorly calibrated out of the box with horrible RGB balance and a high average grayscale DeltaE value of 9.5. Calibrating the panel ourselves improves grayscale and color balance dramatically, but higher saturation levels are still poorly reproduced because of the aforementioned narrow gamut.

Grayscale before calibration
Grayscale before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
25.2 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 16 ms rise
↘ 9.2 ms fall
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 55 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
38.8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 20.8 ms rise
↘ 18 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 53 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM detected 201.6 Hz ≤ 23 % brightness setting

The display backlight flickers at 201.6 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 23 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting.

The frequency of 201.6 Hz is relatively low, so sensitive users will likely notice flickering and experience eyestrain at the stated brightness setting and below.

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

Viewing angles are typical of an IPS panel. Extreme angles will degrade colors and contrast not unlike most Ultrabooks.

Wide IPS viewing angles
Wide IPS viewing angles
OSD settings appear on the bottom left of the screen
OSD settings appear on the bottom left of the screen
All display measurements were performed on the default settings
All display measurements were performed on the default settings

Temperature

Surface temperatures are warmest towards the bottom right of the monitor where the PCB and ports are located. This spot can be as warm as 36 C after extended use whereas the center of the monitor remains relatively cool at 23 C.

Surface temperature (front)
Surface temperature (front)
Surface temperature (back)
Surface temperature (back)

Speakers

The integrated stereo speakers are not unlike what we experienced on the C-Force CF016xT. In fact, their pink noise graphs are somewhat similar as well with a roll-off beginning at approximately 800 Hz. It's loud enough for personal use when indoors, but we recommend a pair of external headphones or speakers for a better audio experience.

Pink noise at maximum volume
Pink noise at maximum volume
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2044.145.544.12539.939.939.93136.436.936.44035.934.935.95034.835.234.86334.735.434.78037.536.837.510037.133.837.112535.13235.116041.531.541.520043.631.743.625049.331.749.331554.932.654.940058.130.758.15005929.95963062.529.162.580069.128.469.1100069286912506627.966160068.527.668.5200068.527.568.5250069.127.769.1315067.527.467.5400072.927.572.9500069.727.569.7630060.527.360.580005727.3571000051.427.251.41250049.427.149.416000472747SPL79.940.279.9N43.93.843.9median 59median 27.9median 59Delta10.50.910.535.335.132.931.831.83236.535.132.428.93328.936.328.848.32761.52752.924.860.92462.822.763.32269.521.267.82174.82075.919.472.718.97117.770.117.86917.671.817.668.117.671.417.673.717.670.417.571.617.671.617.669.617.459.717.583.630.662.51.5median 69.6median 17.84.72.4hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseAuzai ME16Z01 Portable MonitorApple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
Frequency diagram (checkboxes can be checked and unchecked to compare devices)
Auzai ME16Z01 Portable Monitor audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (79.9 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 15.5% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (11.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 6.3% higher than median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (8% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 7.8% higher than median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (13.4% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(-) | overall sound is not linear (32.7% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 90% of all tested devices in this class were better, 2% similar, 8% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 90% of all tested devices were better, 2% similar, 8% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz audio analysis

(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (83.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 11.3% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (14.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2.4% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (5.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 2% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (4.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (10.2% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 5% of all tested devices in this class were better, 2% similar, 93% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 19%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 3% of all tested devices were better, 1% similar, 96% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Energy Management

Power Consumption

Idling on the lowest brightness setting draws about 2.8 W whereas the maximum brightness setting draws about 7 W. Auzai recommends a 15 W (5 V, 3 A) minimum power supply which most USB Type-C Quick Charge chargers can provide. The monitor can still run on a lower supply, but it will automatically shut off if the brightness setting becomes too high.

Minimum brightness from 0s to 20s and maximum brightness from 30s to 70 seconds. Consumption jumps by about 4 W to 5 W
Minimum brightness from 0s to 20s and maximum brightness from 30s to 70 seconds. Consumption jumps by about 4 W to 5 W

Pros

+ HDR compatible
+ lightweight and portable
+ dedicated power source not required at times

Cons

- moderately slow black-white and gray-gray response times
- thin plastic chassis is flexible and easy to damage
- OSD buttons are spongy and difficult to press
- PWM at low brightness levels
- 60 Hz only; no 144 Hz
- narrow gamut

Verdict

In review: Auzai ME16Z01 portable monitor. Test unit provided by Auzai
In review: Auzai ME16Z01 portable monitor. Test unit provided by Auzai

The most attractive aspects of the Auzai ME16Z01 are its portability and relatively cheap price. You're not going to many of the fancy features as found on the pricier C-Force CF016xT like touchscreen support or the fast 144 Hz refresh rate, but the Auzai works well as a basic monitor for the occasional games and video playback. While there is HDR support, we question the quality of it since the HDR standard requires higher brightness and contrast ratio ratings than what this monitor can offer.

We recommend taking extra care to not damage the fragile display. Potential buyers should also figure out how they plan to power the monitor since the box includes no AC adapter.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Auzai ME16Z01 Portable Monitor Review: Lightweight and Flexible
Allen Ngo, 2020-01- 1 (Update: 2020-01- 1)