Doogee V Max Plus review

When it comes to rugged phones, Doogee's latest update to the V Max tough smartphone is relatively understated in looks but boasts fast 5G networking and a decent amount of power. 

But in the field of best rugged phones and durable devices which makes this a strong option for outdoor and on-site professionals? 

Doogee V Max Plus: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? Starting from £439.99 / $559.99
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? You can get it directly from Doogee Website

The Doogee V Max Plus is widely available either directly from the Doogee website or through other online retailers such as Amazon. It is priced at approximately £439.99 / $559.99. 

Availability and prices may vary based on the retailer and region, but it's currently available on the Doogee website by clicking here. You can also find it on Amazon US, Amazon UK, and other online stores.

• Value: 4 / 5

Doogee V Max Plus: Specifications

Doogee V Max Plus: Design

When you pick up the Doogee V Max Plus, the design and build instantly reflect its nature as a tough smartphone. The slightly angular design and minimal detailing offer better grip in wet conditions. The rubberised port cover on the base helps to keep the USB Type-C port waterproof which is the only opening aside from the SIM slot on the phone. Another interesting physical feature is the lanyard loop so you can attach the phone to a lanyard bag or jacket securing loop, keeping it safe and secure. 

As you'd expect in the hand, the V Max Plus feels larger and heavier than most smartphones. Side-by-side with the Vivo X100, it's about three times thicker but roughly the same height and width, measuring 178.5 x 83.1 x 26.3 mm. This size, combined with the 541g weight, obviously makes it less suitable as a day-to-day phone for casual use. 

However, the additional size reinforces what this phone is about and that additional size houses the massive 22,000mAh battery, allowing the V Max Plus to continue running for days after most other smartphones would have run out of power. The IP68 and IP69K waterproof and dustproof ratings make it ideal for use on sites where weather conditions can never be guaranteed, or where the phone is likely to get wet, dusty, or knocked around. For adventures, this smartphone will last for days between charges, reducing worries about running out of battery power in the middle of nowhere.

Further reinforcing its tough nature, the phone features a Corning Gorilla Glass screen, which offers the best protection against accidental drops and hopefully avoids screen damage. 

The V Max Plus is 5G compatible, providing ultra-fast internet connection as long as 5G coverage is available and supported by your contract. Another great feature, especially for those off the beaten track, is the dual SIM caddy. This enables you to insert SIMs from different mobile providers and switch between them to find the best signal. In this test, switching between EE Mobile and Vodafone was seamless. The same SIM caddy houses a microSD card slot, enabling you to expand internal storage up to 2TB.

Checking over the phone, several design features stand out. For example, on the left, below the dual SIM card slot, is a customizable button that can be pre-programmed using the phone’s settings. The base houses the USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, flanked by two speakers. On the right side are the power button, featuring fingerprint recognition, and the volume buttons.

The phone's back showcases three cameras, including a high-powered 200MP Samsung sensor, a night vision Sony sensor, and an 8MP wide-angle camera. Below the cameras is a shallow V shape that functions as an indicator LED. The LED changes colour and can be pre-programmed to show different colours depending on the phone’s status. For instance, it can glow blue for text messages and red for calls, making it a handy feature for receiving notifications without needing vibration or audio.

Overall, the design is extremely high and reflective of a tough phone. While the thickness and weight are greater than those of most smartphones, the physical dimensions of height and width are similar to those of this style of smartphone.

• Design: 4 / 5

Doogee V Max Plus: Features

• 108MP Camera 
• Android 14

One of the standout features of the Doogee V Max Plus is its massive 22,000mAh battery. This battery can provide up to 1540 hours of standby time, 156 hours of calling, 142 hours of music playing, 45 hours of video watching, or 18 hours of web browsing, which is incredibly impressive. One of the issues with such a large battery is that it could take hours to charge. Thankfully, the V Max Plus supports 33W fast charging, allowing it to reach a full charge in around four hours.

Take a look at the phone's computing credentials and it's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 Octa-Core, 2.6GHz CPU that is partnered with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. This combination offers moderate graphic processing potential. For computing power, the phone includes 36GB of RAM (16GB physical and 20GB virtual) and 512GB of internal storage, expandable up to 2TB using a microSD or TF card. This provides plenty of processing power and storage capacity, depending on your needs.

The display is a large 6.58-inch screen with a full HD resolution of 2408 x 1080 pixels. Notably, the screen brightness is 480 nits, which is enough to see in most bright sunlight conditions, although in the brightest light, you might need a bit of shade. The screen also has a 120Hz refresh rate, making playback footage look smooth and ensuring scrolling through applications and browsing the internet is quick. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which is known for being one of the toughest on the market. The screen has a 20:9 aspect ratio, a colour depth of 16.7 million colours, and a contrast ratio of 1500:1. It is an IPS panel, providing a wide viewing angle.

As previously mentioned, the camera system is another major feature of this rugged smartphone. The main camera uses a 1/1.4-inch 200MP AI ultra-clear Samsung sensor with a 7P lens, an 85° viewing angle, and an F1.95 aperture. The camera supports various modes, including PDAF, Super Resolution, HDR mode, Pro mode, AI camera, Beauty mode, and Bokeh.

Alongside the main camera is the 20MP Sony Night Vision Camera, which is designed for low-light and night photography with infrared support. This is ideal for capturing images in lower light conditions or for photographing wildlife. The 8MP wide-angle camera is perfect for capturing a broader field of view. The front-facing camera, essential for video conferencing and making calls, features a 32MP Sony sensor.

Connectivity options are extensive, with dual SIM support and 5G connectivity, allowing for the best possible signal coverage. The phone also supports Wi-Fi 6, ensuring fast internet connections and Wi-Fi calling capabilities. Bluetooth 5.2 allows for easy connection to accessories such as headphones. Additional connectivity features include NFC support and various navigation systems, including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo.

The phone also includes multiple sensors, such as a gyroscope, compass, proximity, and light sensor, which can be utilized with the handy ToolBag app selection.

In terms of durability and security, the V Max Plus is certified with IP68 and IP69K waterproof and dustproof ratings and MIL-STD-810H certification for ruggedness. For security, it includes a side-mounted fingerprint recognition system, allowing for fast and secure access to the phone.

• Features: 4 / 5

Doogee V Max Plus: Performance

• Will survive in most enviroments
• Good storage options

In use, the Doogee V Max Plus is noticeably larger and heavier than most smartphones, reflecting its rugged design, which will withstand water, dust, and more. However, despite its larger size, the design and grip around the screen make it easy to handle. The phone includes a lanyard loop at the base, which is handy is you want to tether it to a backpack or jacket, although its weight makes it impractical for hanging around your neck.

Even though the V Max Plus is slightly larger and heavier, it feels comfortable in hand, especially if you're wearing gloves or other protective gear. It’s also easy to find in a backpack or protective jacket compared with slimer lighter weight phones.

In use the touchscreen is extremely responsive, even with a light drizzle on the screen. The buttons respond as they should, and it's only when the phone is submerged in water that the screen stops responding until wiped down. The screen’s brightness, at 480 nits isn't overly bright but it is possible to view the monitor in bright conditions, though a little screen shading maybe needed. The screen’s full HD resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, IPS technology and this brightnees all seem to help balance performance with battery life as the phone was usable for a good week between charges.

When running most apps, such as Google Docs, browsing the internet, or making video calls, the phone is fast and responsive. This performance is thanks to the quality of the Android 14 operating system, supported by the relatively decent processor and GPU, which add a bit more power than some other smartphones.

Benchmark tests, including Geekbench CPU and GPU results, show that while the phone may not lead in high-end processing power, it is more than capable of handling large documents and data processing. The storage capacity and performance balance well, enabling the use of high-resolution cameras to capture, manipulate, and upload images and videos when needed.

For light to moderate gaming, the GPU handles 3D graphics relatively well, as highlighted by the Slingshot and Wildlife scores. However, more advanced games can cause the CPU and GPU combo to struggle, as seen in the Steel Nomad Light benchmark test.

The V Max Plus is clearly designed for field use, away from the office and home, and more out in the wild, where exposure to elements is likely. The processing power and battery longevity complement each other well. The 22,000mAh battery kept the review unit charged and ready to go for almost a week between charges, providing plenty of time for browsing the internet, watching presentations, making calls, and capturing high-resolution videos and stills. Connecting to a 33W fast charger enabled a full recharge in a little under four hours. Plugging the phone into a standard USB charger resulted in many hours of charging.

Overall, the V Max Plus works incredibly well. Its design ensures ease of use and good grip in wet conditions. The touchscreen remains responsive even in drizzle, and the apps are quickly accessible. There is enough processing power for all Google apps and many more intensive applications; however, for the latest gaming, it may not be the greatest choice. However, compared to many other tough phones, the V Max Plus has a bit more processing power. While it may not match the outright performance of the iPhone 15 Pro or Vivo X100, it should be more than enough for fieldwork or off-the-beaten-track adventures.

The high-resolution cameras, backed by the 200MP Samsung sensor, capture stunning images with beautiful resolution, tone, and colour and also highlight how much processing power this phone has, as it can not only capture those images but will process them with ease in Adobe Lightroom. The 20MP Sony sensor for low light provides fantastic images that standard sensors can’t match. The 8MP wide-angle camera is perfect for capturing scenic landscapes and documenting work. The V Max Plus stands up to more than most, with many great features and a bit more processing power than your average tough smartphone, making it a great all-around choice for anyone wanting a phone that can stand up to more than most, with excellent imaging capabilities and a high-quality build.

• Performance: 3.5 / 5

Doogee V Max Plus: Final verdict

Ideal for users needing a rugged phone with extensive battery life, the Doogee V Max Plus excels in outdoor activities and harsh environments. Its bulky design may be a downside for some users. Still, its strong camera setup and large storage capacity make it a solid choice for those who prioritize durability and functionality.

Should you buy the Doogee V Max Plus?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

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