TechRadar Verdict
The Doogee V30 Pro stands out as a rugged, durable smartphone, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals in demanding environments. With its superior camera capabilities, it's a dream for those passionate about photography. While it's not the fastest in processing power, its robust build, long battery life, and ample storage make it a reliable choice for those who prioritize toughness and quality imaging in their mobile device.
Pros
- +
Rugged, durable build
- +
High-resolution cameras
- +
Expansive storage options
Cons
- -
Mid-range processor
- -
Average charging speed
- -
Bulkier design
Why you can trust TechRadar
Doogee V30 Pro: 30-second review
In our experience, the Doogee V30 Pro is one of the best rugged smartphones, focusing on being tough and its imaging capabilities.
We were already impressed with the original device (see our Doogee V30 review), so we had high hopes for the V30 Pro. Equipped with a 200MP main camera instantly makes this Smartphone stand out as featuring one of the highest resolution cameras on the market; this is complemented by a 24MP low-light and macro camera and a 32MP front camera, which all help to ensure the high-resolution photo and video whatever the conditions or environment.
The image quality overall is good, although the depth of detail in the high-resolution images could be better. When it comes to creative control, there is a Pro mode, which gives you some creative control, including a focus mode that enables you to adjust the depth of field. While this isn't to the extremes of a high-end smartphone, it will give you a little more creative control than a standard phone. The 200MP images are impressive, with that resolution offering plenty of flexibility when it comes to editing and composing the composition.
Under the hood, the V30 Pro is powered by a Dimensity 7050 5G Chipset with 32GB of RAM. While it's categorized as a mid-range device in terms of processing performance, it manages multitasking and gaming well, although some apps can slow down under load. Internal storage is generous at 512GB, and the fact that you can expand this up to 2TB with a compatible TF card means that it should meet most users' storage needs.
Durability is the main selling point, and it is certified with IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H standards. On paper and when tested, the phone proves more than resilient to harsh conditions, drops, and being submerged in water. All of these make it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and those in demanding professions.
The phone's large 10800mAh battery ensures offers decent longevity of use on a single charge. Although the charging speed is average, the battery life compensates well.
Additional features like Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and the latest Android 13 operating system enhance its overall appeal. These features, combined with the phone's robust construction, make the Doogee V30 Pro a great choice for outdoor tech enthusiasts looking for a smartphone that can withstand pretty much anything and take decent pictures.
Doogee V30 Pro: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? Starting from $455 in US
- When is it out? Available now
- Where can you get it? You can get it directly from the retailer, Amazon, and others
The Doogee V30 Pro is priced at various points depending on the source. It's listed at $455 on the official site, emphasizing its rugged features and high-performance camera. Moreover, it's available for $349.95 on Amazon.
The phone was announced in October 2023 and released on November 1st, 2023, making it currently available for purchase. You can find the V30 Pro for purchase on various online platforms, including the company's official website.
- The Doggee V30 Pro is available from Amazon US by clicking here
- The phone is available from Amazon UK by clicking here - and save £115 with the coupon
- Value: 4 / 5
Doogee V30 Pro: Specifications
Model: | V30 Pro |
CPU: | Dimensity 7050 5G Octa-Core (2 x Cortex A78 2.6GHz, 6 x Cortex A55 2.0GHz) |
GPU: | Arm Mali-G68 MC4 GPU |
RAM: | 12GB (extendable up to 32GB) |
Storage: | 512GB internal, expandable up to 2TB via microSD |
Screen: | 6.58" FHD+ IPS Waterdrop Screen, 120Hz Refresh Rate |
Ports: | USB Type-C, TF/microSD card slot |
Networking: | Dual 5G SIM, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
Camera: | Rear: 200MP Ultra Clear Main Camera Front: 32MP SONY® sensor |
OS: | Android 13 |
Biometrics: | Fingerprint access |
PSU: | Not specified |
Dimensions: | 178 x 80 x 22mm |
Battery: | 10800mAh with 33W Fast Charging |
Weight: | 380g |
Doogee V30 Pro: Design
- Robust
- High resolution camera
- Excellent battery life
With rugged looks and build quality that's designed to withstand the outdoors and everything the elements can throw at it the Doogee V30 Pro stands out. This rugged design is a world apart from the design of standard smartphones being notably larger and more robust and measuring in at 178 x 80 x 22mm and weighing 380g. This heft, however, is all part of the robustness and longevity that no other phones can match.
Checking over the body of the phone and the V30 Pro does feature a standard USB Type-C connection at the bottom, which is securely covered against the elements by a strong rubber flap when the charging wire is removed. In addition, the phone's TF/SIM card slot on the left side can hold two cards side by side.
Usability is a major feature of the V30 Pro's design, with a fast access side-mounted fingerprint sensor that's integrated into the power button. The volume buttons, located above the sensor, are large and tactile, making them easily operable even when wearing gloves in colder weather—a feature that is welcomed for outdoor use. On the opposite side, the phone features a customisable red button. This button can be programmed for various functions, such as quick access to the high-resolution camera. The overall build quality balances toughness and style. Yet, despite its rugged nature, the V30 Pro manages to maintain a degree of aesthetic appeal.
- Design: 4 / 5
DOOGEE V30 Pro: Features
- Dimensity 7050 5G Octa-Core
- Android 13
The V30 Pro is aimed at users who need a phone that can withstand being used outdoors and in harsh environments, with an additional focus on imaging. This makes the V30 a great choice for outdoors types and photography enthusiasts, as well as anyone who just needs a robust phone that can withstand more than most, such as any tradesperson. One of the big features of the V30 Pro is the high resolution 200MP main camera, which is partnered with a 24MP night vision camera and a 16MP ultra wide-angle and macro camera; this combination offers plenty of versatility for capturing different subjects such as landscapes and close-ups, as well as a bit of night photography.
As with most smartphones, the front of the V30 features a large 6.58" FHD+ IPS 120Hz waterdrop screen. Reinforcing the tough nature of this phone, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The Gorillal glass and tough design mean that the V30 has IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certifications, showing that it can withstand harsh outdoor elements like water, dust, and drops.
Powering the processing of the phone's is a Dimensity 7050 5G Chipset and up to 32GB of extended RAM, which has the power to handle multiple apps as well as some light gaming.
When it comes to storage, the V30 Pro features a very decent 512GB internal space, and this is expandable up to 2TB, giving you plenty of room for high-resolution photos, videos, and apps.
Audio quality is less of a prominent feature; however, the V30 Pro still features dual stereo speakers certified by Hi-Res, ensuring decent sound when you're listening to music or taking calls on the go. Keeping the phone running is a 10800mAh battery with 33W fast charging and support for OTG reverse charging. This means that you can charge the phone quickly as well as charge other devices using some of the phone's power, which is handy if you're out in the wilderness.
When it comes to network and connections, the phone features Wi-Fi 6, dual 5G SIM support, and NFC to ensure that you stay connected whether you're streaming, sharing, or navigating. The phone also includes an accurate navigation system with dual-channel positioning, ideal for outdoor explorations.
The phone runs on Android 13, which supports the side fingerprint recognition, enabling quick and secure access, alongside another personalised custom button and smart gesture control.
- Features: 4.5 / 5
Doogee V30 Pro: Performance
- Excellent for photography
- Ultra tough build quality
3DMark: | Wild Life: | 2331 |
Row 1 - Cell 0 | Slingshot: | 5439 |
GeekBench 6: | Single core: | 978 |
Row 3 - Cell 0 | Multi-core: | 2646 |
Row 4 - Cell 0 | Compute: | 2303 |
When it comes to performance, with the Doogee V30 Pro, the main focus has to be on the durability alongside the high-resolution camera.
Starting with the 200MP main camera, which is undoubtedly the standout feature, along with the 24MP night vision and 16MP ultra-wide-angle and macro cameras, all of which give you plenty of options for capturing images when out and about. The standard camera app is flexible with auto and a Pro mode that you can dip into, enabling you to select the camera you need to capture stunning landscapes, detailed close-ups, and night scenes with relative ease.
The overall image quality is good, and the camera app offers just enough flexibility for enthusiasts to have a bit of fun, although this is far from a serious imaging camera. While the headline of 200MP for the main camera will pique the interest of photographers, the image quality isn't up to that of the market leaders; it's good but not outstanding. The detail is high, but you can see the limitations of the camera; likewise, the dynamic range struggles to capture the full spectrum with some burnt out highlights and deep shadow, which you wouldn't expect with a higher performance imaging camera. When it comes to creative control, there is some flexibility in the Camera Pro feature, especially with the Manual Focus control.
The camera's performance in a variety of lighting conditions is decent enough, offering the clarity and colour accuracy that should satisfy photography enthusiasts. While the image resolution is outstanding and offers plenty of flexibility in post-capture as you can crop right into the image due to the resolution, some of the actual detail is limited. As ever with any camera phone, and especially with one that's designed to be tough, you do need to ensure that the lenses remain as clean and clear as possible to ensure the best image quality.
As this phone has been designed for outdoor use, the V30 Pro's durability is a critical consideration when looking at the performance. Its IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certifications should ensure that it can withstand harsh conditions, from water immersion to dust and drops. Sure enough, when dropped from a hight and submerged in water, the phone continues to work without issue after a wipedown. Its worth noting that, as with most waterproof phones, it doesn't function under water. Ultimately, this ruggedness and protection against the elements don't reduce its functionality, making it a great option for anyone wanting a phone that can survive challenging environments when out on an adventure or working on site.
Taking a look at the processing performance of the phone and the Geekbench scores provides a decent insight into the phone's computing performance. A Geekbench single-core score of 978 and a multi-core score of 2646 show a respectable score for the V30 Pro as a tough phone. These scores show that the phone can handle everyday tasks and moderate multitasking, with several apps open well. The compute score of 2303 shows that it can manage some moderate gaming and other demanding applications reasonably well, although it might not match the high-end phones in raw power.
Beyond the benchmark tests, the real-world usage of the V30 Pro meets with its intended purpose of being a rugged outdoor phone that will survive the elements and enable you to take some great, if not outstanding, images. Its capacity to handle multiple apps, combined with its significant storage options (512GB internal and up to 2TB expandable), ensures you have plenty of space and processing power when you need it. The large battery life and fast charging capabilities further enhance its usability, and all help to ensure that the phone keeps up with the demands of outdoor activities or work on site.
- Performance: 4 / 5
Doogee V30 Pro: Verdict
The Doogee V30 Pro is a well-balanced, rugged smartphone with a decent high resolution camera partnered with a robust build and the durability needed for adventure or being used on site. The 200MP main camera instantly makes the phone standout, and this is joined by the impressive 24MP night vision and 16MP ultra-wide-angle camera. It is a great option for photography enthusiasts who want a decent-resolution camera but aren't too bothered about too much creative control. The fact that you have this camera, coupled with its rugged build with the certifications for toughness, makes it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts as well as tradespeople working outdoors or in challenging conditions.
However, it's important to note that the V30 Pro, with its mid-range Dimensity 7050 5G Chipset, is fine for everyday use such as making calls, browsing the internet, and running apps alongside the camera, rather than the high-speed demands that we've seen with the latest consumer models, such as gaming and content creation. Its bulkier design might also be a consideration for those used to the more normal slimline design of consumer models. Additionally, while the 10800mAh battery outlasts most, the charging speed is not the quickest even with it's relatively quick charge rating, which could be a minor setback.
Overall, the Doogee V30 Pro is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a phone with outdoor durability and can take a decent picture. The V30 Pro is less about sleekness or high end processing speed and more about reliability, storage capacity, and capturing life or images on site in detail, no matter where you are. So, for adventurers, professionals in harsh environments, or photography hobbyists who prefer not to carry a separate camera, the V30 Pro is a decent choice.
Should you buy a Doogee V30 Pro rugged smartphone?
Value | Affordable, durable, efficient, practical, budget-friendly, rugged, reliable, worthwhile, cost-effective, accessible. | 4 / 5 |
Design | Sleek, sturdy, slimline, lightweight, ergonomic, stylish, modern, robust, minimalist, functional. | 4 / 5 |
Features | User-friendly, versatile, waterproof, dual-SIM, expandable storage, NFC, fingerprint scanner, long-lasting battery, GPS, simplified. | 4.5 / 5 |
Performance | Adequate, consistent, reliable, functional, sufficient, basic, steady, uncomplicated, solid, straightforward. | 4 / 5 |
Overall | Dependable, practical, straightforward, robust, valuable, efficient, accessible, versatile, functional, satisfactory. | 4 / 5 |
Buy it if...
You're an outdoor enthusiast
Robust build with exceptional camera capabilities makes this perfect for capturing adventures in any environment.
You're a practical professional
This is a durable, high-storage device ideal for handling demanding work conditions and extensive multimedia needs.
Don't buy it if...
You like a sleek design
The V30 Pro's bulky and heavy build might not appeal to those who favour slim, lightweight smartphones.
High-end performance is key
While capable, its mid-range processor may not satisfy users seeking the top-tier speed of premium smartphones.