The most rugged Android phone I’ve tested also has a week’s worth of battery life.

ZDNET’s key findings

• He Doogee V Max Plus It is available for $629 on Amazon
• It’s an exceptionally rugged phone with a strong casing that protects the device from extreme outdoor conditions and a battery that lasts longer than you think possible.
• The V Max Plus dispenses with the usual Android app drawer, the cameras are merely serviceable, and performance is on par with mid-range Android devices.

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Do you spend time in rugged terrain? Maybe you’re a hiking or climbing enthusiast, or maybe your construction job requires you to work in locations far from the power grid with no means to charge your devices. If so, you understand the need for a phone that can not only withstand the elements, but also has enough battery life to go the distance.

You certainly don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you need to communicate with someone and then find out that your battery is too low or dead. I’ve been there. It’s not fun.

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If this sounds like a plausible and realistic situation, the Doogee V Max Plus It could be the ideal phone for you. The company is known for producing devices that can take a beating and still keep going, and the V Max Plus is no exception.

See on Amazon

Let’s state the obvious: this phone is big and heavy. If you put it in your pants pocket, you might find that it’s heavy enough to drag your pants down. Yes, it’s that heavy. The reason for this is the ultra-rugged casing and the gigantic battery. It’s so big that it’s a little off-putting at first, until you realize how long this device lasts.

Doogee V Max Plus technical specifications

• UPC: Dimension 7050 / Octa-core / 5G
• RAM: 16 GB + 20 GB virtual
• Storage: 512GB DDR5
• Show: 6.58″ 120Hz FHD+ IPS display with 480 nits, 16.7 million colors, 1500:1 contrast, and Gorilla Glass Victus
• Rear cameras: 200MP + 20MP + 8MP
• Front camera: Sony 32MP
• Battery: 22,000 mAh with 33W charging
• Operating system: Android 14
• Price: $629 in Amazon

My experience

Every time I get my hands on a Doogee phone, I can’t help but laugh at how big and heavy it is. When you’re used to carrying around a Pixel 8 Pro, the difference in size and weight is considerable. At the same time, I understand why these phones are designed the way they are.

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If it wasn’t obvious by now, it should be clear that the Doogee V Max Plus isn’t aimed at the traditional user. These phones are best suited to rugged terrain, where dropping a regular phone would almost certainly lead to disaster. So, for anyone who spends a fair amount of time around rocks, water, dust, and other less-than-idyllic environments, this phone is for you.

You can drop it and it will laugh at you. You can sandblast a wall and it will keep on doing it. It is sturdy and it means business.

The most impressive feature of the V Max Plus is its battery life. We’re talking about hours that few phones can match:

• 1,540 hours on hold
• 156 hours of call
• 142 hours of music playback
• 45 hours watching videos
• 18 hours of web browsing

After the initial setup, I decided to set the phone aside and see what happened when I left it on. After a week, the battery had barely budged. I understand that during that time I didn’t use the phone and didn’t install any third-party apps running in the background. Still, that’s really impressive. If I tried that with my Pixel 8 Pro, I’d be lucky to get two or three days. That’s what happens when you put a 22,000mAh battery in a phone: it lasts seemingly forever.

As for the phone’s performance (not counting battery), it certainly won’t outperform Google or Samsung’s flagship devices, but it holds its own in the mid-range. Animations were fluid, apps opened quickly, and navigation had very little lag. I will say that the fingerprint scanner isn’t up to par — it’s on the power button, and it’s a little slow at recognizing fingerprints. Face unlock can also be a little inaccurate — sometimes it was quicker to just type in my PIN.

If I had to criticize something about the phone, it would be the fact that its stock Android UI doesn’t come with the app drawer. Because of that, every app you install will add a launcher to your home screen. For those who prefer a minimalist interface, you’ll have to install a third-party home screen launcher (like my favorite, Nova Launcher).

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For photography lovers, the cameras come in handy. With enough light, you can take some nice photos. When the light gets a little dim, make sure you have a very steady hand, otherwise all your photos will come out blurry. Speaking of blur, the main camera does a good job with background blur, so if you like taking more artistic photos, you can do that.

ZDNET’s buying advice

He Doogee V Max Plus is aimed at a specific audience: those who need a phone that will last a long time and rarely run out of battery. If this is you, this phone will not disappoint you. It is a solid model in the mid-range segment, and its durability and battery life make it stand out. If you prefer your phones to be smaller, you should avoid this beast.