ZDNET’s key findings

• The Doogee V500 is available for $629 on Amazon
• It’s an exceptionally rugged phone, with a sturdy chassis that protects the device from extreme weather conditions and a battery that lasts longer than you think possible.
• The V Max Plus does not have the usual Android app drawer, the cameras are merely usable and the performance is comparable to mid-range Android devices.

Do you spend time in rough terrain? Maybe you’re an avid hiker or climber, or maybe your job in construction requires you to work in places that are off-grid and have no way to charge your devices. If so, you know how important it is to have a phone that can not only withstand the elements but also has enough battery power to last long distances.

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

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If that sounds like a realistically plausible situation, then Doogee V500 could be the right phone for you. The company is known for making devices that can take a beating and still keep working, and the V Max Plus is no exception.

View on Amazon

Let’s state the obvious: this phone is big and heavy. If you put it in your pocket, you might find that it’s so heavy that it’s pulling your pants down. Yes, it’s that heavy. The reason for this is the extremely robust chassis and the huge battery. It’s so massive that it’s a bit daunting at first, until you realize how long this thing lasts.

Technical data of the Doogee V Max Plus

• CPUs: Dimension 7050 / Octa Core / 5G
• R.A.M: 16 GB + 20 GB virtual
• Storage: 512GB DDR5
• Advertisement: 6.58″ FHD+ 120 Hz IPS with 480 nits, 16.7 million colors, 1500:1 contrast and Gorilla Glass Victus
• Rear view cameras: 200MP + 20MP + 8MP
• Front camera: Sony 32MP
• Battery: 22,000 mAh with 33 W charging
• Operating system: Android14
• Price: 629 $ on Amazon

My experience

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

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If it wasn’t already obvious, it should be clear that the Doogee V Max Plus isn’t aimed at the traditional user. These phones are more at home in rough terrain, where dropping a regular phone would almost certainly result in disaster. So for anyone who spends a lot of time near 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 going. It’s tough and it means business.

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

• 1,540 standby hours
• 156 hours of conversation
• 142 hours of music playing time
• 45 hours of video playback
• 18 hours of surfing the Internet

After the initial setup, I decided to put the phone aside and see what would happen if I just left it on. After a week, the battery had barely budged. During that time, I didn’t use the phone and didn’t install any third-party apps that ran in the background. Still, that’s really impressive. If I tried that with my Pixel 8 Pro, I’d be lucky if I got two or three days out of it. That’s what happens when you put a 22,000mAh battery in a phone: it seems to last forever.

As for the phone’s performance (battery aside), it certainly won’t beat flagship devices from Google or Samsung, but it can hold its own in the mid-range space. Animations were smooth, apps opened quickly, and navigation had little lag. I must say that the fingerprint scanner isn’t quite up to scratch – it’s located on the power button and is a little slow at recognizing fingerprints. Face unlock can also be a little unreliable; sometimes it was faster to just type in my PIN.

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

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For photography enthusiasts, the cameras are usable. If there is enough light, you can take some good photos. If the light gets a bit dim, make sure you have a very steady hand or all your photos will be blurry. Speaking of blur, the main camera does a pretty good job with the background blur, so if you want to take more artistic shots, you can do that.

Buying advice from ZDNET

The Doogee V500 is aimed at a specific audience: those who need a phone that can take a beating and rarely runs out of battery. If that’s you, this phone won’t disappoint. It’s a solid entry into the mid-range, and its durability and battery life stand out. If you prefer smaller phones, you’ll want to steer clear of this beast.