POPTEL P9000 MAX Review

On this occasion we have received Androidsis another smartphone that joins the increasingly complete catalog of rugged phones, POPTEL P9000 MAX. A rugged phone that has level features, enough to not have to worry about it in any way. 

We are in front of a telephone with a robust physical appearance, designed to resist blows, and perform with ease on any terrain. If the segment of all-terrain phones arouses your curiosity, today we present a new member that will soon be noticed.

POPTEL P9000 MAX, iP68 certified, and much more

When we physically see the POPTEL P9000 MAX, it is clear that we are not looking at just any smartphone. Appearance and size denote a profile clearly oriented to the "outdoor". A phone for which the weather, or the terrain where we are will not be a problem.

The new range of rugged phones continues to grow. There are many firms that have decided to offer a smartphone with robust features. And there are other brands that are born offering a product clearly oriented to satisfy the needs of the more and more users who demand this type of terminals.

POPTEL arrives with a telephone, the P9000 MAX, ready to gain a foothold in a booming sector. The rugged ones are here to stay. We have seen how a range of terminals, which physically differ greatly from the latest market launches, have established themselves in our market.

Apart from the most famous phones in which the design, and other types of benefits are what stand out. The so-called “off-road” smartphones are increasingly important. And this is where virtually unknown firms see the opportunity to make a name for themselves. Competing on an equal footing with others also with less commercial laziness in the market.

The bet of POPTEL P9000 MAX It comes to discover that although it is a sector still with a lot of room for improvement. Every time we see most relevant features and specifications. Bets that make this small segment of the huge smartphone market finally establish itself.

Here you can buy the POPTEL P9000 MAX: Poptel P9000 MAX

Designed to perform in any  element

The POPTEL P9000 MAX is a smartphone designed so that the phone itself is not a concern. We should not fear that it will fall, get wet or suffer some damage. So that none of these circumstances is a problem, we found a phone coated in high resistance hard plastic pleasant to the touch for its edges. 

That a phone carry printed on the words "shock resistant" o "Submersible in H20" says a lot about your intentions. And is that few current smartphones have IP68 certification. Which guarantees resistance to immersion in water up to one and a half meters deep without the terminal suffering any damage. Without a doubt a tranquility, and something more and more sought after.

As with phones designed to withstand submersion, we found that all its ports are protected with a security tab. With them the hermetism of the device is ensured, and the tightness is preserved to the maximum. Although removing these tabs sometimes becomes too difficult a task. 

This is the POPTEL P9000 MAX

In general, we are facing what we call a robust phone. With straight shapes and "sharp" lines the POPTEL P9000 MAX introduces itself full of edges, edges and different textures that make it a device as original as unconventional. Without a doubt, a risky bet for a product that is increasingly in demand.

Starting with your front part, we found a 5,5 inch IPS screen that has protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Something that seems to be out of tune with the rest of the materials and protections it has. The screen occupies only 57,3% of the front Of the device. Too low a percentage compared to the latest “all screen” phones that are flooding the market. But as we say, the "ruged phones" sector is free, at least in terms of design.

At the top of the screen we find the photo camera for selfies. In this case, with a resolution of 5 megapixels. A somewhat discreet resolution, but capable of offering a minimum of quality in good daylight. And above all, fulfill its main tasks without problems, such as a video call, etc. 

If we look at his lower part, we found the charging and data transfer connector, of course, under the liquid protection tab. In this case, POPTEL relies on the connector USB type C. A wise decision, especially when deciding to bet on it does not mean the elimination of another type of port of entry. 

In the upper part of the device we are pleased to find a 3.5 Jack headphone input mm. One more sample that both ports are compatible, and can be combined wonderfully on the same phone. We will also have to remove the liquid protection tab. We like to see how still some manufacturers are reluctant to make the headphone port disappear. In this type of device, it would make much more sense to have wireless technology for charging and for sound. 

El left side of the POPTEL P9000 MAX, in addition to having four screws, something very common in this type of terminals, it has the power button in the lowest part. And at the top it has the SIM card slot, where we can also enter a memory card.

 

We have to say that remove the protection tab to enter the SIM has been much more difficult than we expected, even having to go to a screwdriver to be able to pry. We understand that secrecy is one of the reasons for being of this type of smartphones. But we have seen more practical solutions in terminals of other firms.

At Right side we have the buttons for volume control, and another button that we can configure with a direct access as could be the camera, for example. We have been able to verify that all the buttons have something in common. You have to press them a lot and they are not very comfortable. We have had to apply more pressure than normal to make them work.

La rear The POPTEL P9000 MAX is the most striking for several reasons. To begin with, we see a mix of numerous shapes and different finishes. Some are cosmetic solutions of doubtful taste, and others seem designed to improve the grip of a heavy and large terminal. As we say, a completely heterogeneous rear in which we find several things.

In its upper left part there is a still camera with CMOS sensor offering 13 megapixel resolution. Beside him, we see a huge LED flash with a very new format capable of illuminating the darkest captures. And just below the flash the fingerprint reader. A fingerprint reader that works fast and that in our opinion is located in the right place.

Box contents

As we always do, and we love it, it takes a little inventory of everything we find inside the box of all the phones we test. The POPTEL P9000 MAX comes in a matte black box with gold lettering in square format. When we open it, we find in the foreground the terminal, who highlights in sight by its dimensions. And it also attracts attention when you take it by its high weight.

Inside the box we have two other small boxes They contain everything you need. We have the charging connector, riding a European format. We have the USB cable that as we have already told comes in USB format TYPE C. A cable that transforms USB C to normal USB to connect another device to charge, for example.

And one more thing, which has been a pleasant surprise ...Headphones! A detail by the manufacturer without a doubt. And something that most of the firms have made disappear from their boxes. As we can see, there are still those who believe in using the 3,5mm Jack connector, and it also has the detail of adding headphones. 

POPTEL P9000 MAX datasheet

The POPTEL P9000 MAX screen

As we have said before, we are facing a 5,5-inch diagonal IPS screen. An acceptable size, and within the range of sizes that we see in practically all the devices that dominate the market. Though if we look at the size of this phone, width of 8,65 cm and height of 16,88 cm, these 5,5 inches are somewhat short. As a sample, we see that the percentage of occupation the front panel only reaches a 57,3%, leaving a large part unoccupied by the screen. 

We have 16: 9 format and a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels reaching a density of 441 pixels per inch. Format, resolution and size so that we can comfortably enjoy our favorite multimedia content. But as we say, a few more centimeters of screen would not have been left over.

With regards to protección with which the screen has, we find Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Good protection without a doubt, although a little out of date. Bearing in mind two important things. It is assumed that we are in front of a so-called off-road phone, and that it must be more resistant than another "normal" one. And the Gorilla Glass protection is already in version 6. That is why we believe that this type of protection could be an important Achilles heel for a device of this type.

POPTEL P9000 MAX, rugged and powerful

The POPTEL P9000 MAX is not just a robust and resistant phone. In addition to this, it is able to offer us a good performance. And above all, a very satisfactory user experience. For this, it has features and equipment that are well considered if we compare with what we can find in terminals of the same range.

POPTEL has had MediaTek so that everything works in the best possible way. In this case with the processor MT6750V. A processor with 64-bit architecture, which according to the manufacturer exceeds the previous solutions with major improvements in terms of energy efficiency and performance. It has a Eight core CPU based on the Cortex A53 clocked at 1.5 GHz which makes its operation smooth. For graphic processing, in this package, we have the Dual GPU Mali T860

To accompany this processor, the POPTEL P9000 MAX has a 4GB RAM. Which are completed with a 64GB ROM expandable by micro SD memory card. Undoubtedly a powerful team capable of developing any task with which we do not notice any problem with several apps running in the background. 

Android 7 for a smartphone from the 2nd half of 2.018?

We have already commented on it on occasion, and it is still happening. Terminals that see the light in the second half of the year and that still arrive basing their operating systems on Android 7.0. So once again it's time to put a negative to those responsible for development signature. 

In the first quarter of the year we echoed a news from Google itself. They could supposedly put some conditions on phone manufacturers to offer users the most up-to-date software available. It is a fact that this is not happening at the moment. The result is terminals with outdated software.

Once given the due slap on the wrist we have to recognize that the terminal behaves well. It does not undergo heating or "hangs". And the user experience has been quite positive. It is also a positive vote not to find invasive customization layers. Finding Android the least “touched” possible is always pleasant.

small customization layer with which it counts is mostly aesthetic. And access to settings is fully available. Although we do not like knowing that we are working with an outdated version of the operating system. Therefore, a section that could be improved.

Camera that more than meets the eye

The smartphones that are part of this sector do not have photography as a fundamental section. And even if your main destination is not to take photos, Why can't a "ruged phone" also have a good camera? We see how more and more manufacturers give their relevance to an SUV also has a decent camera. 

This is a case in which a smartphone for other purposes that is also well equipped in other respects. The POPTEL P9000 MAX has a photographic section that is at a good level. Perhaps it is not an aspect in which a smartphone of this type comes to stand out. But a considerable improvement in the quality of the cameras, the lenses and the resolution that they are capable of offering is welcome.

In the POPTEL P9000 MAX we find a camera with CMOS sensor with 2.4 focal aperture providing 13 megapixel resolution. Capable of offering a 1920 x 1080 pixel video resolution. In addition, for worse illuminated captures it has a new large LED flash, capable of giving light to our photos to achieve the best possible results. The selfie camera from the front offers 5 Megapixels. 

With regards to camera app say that we found it so Assessment as easy to use. Far from complicated environments and hidden options, we liked the funality and practicality that presents us. We have multiple focus options, choice of different Scenes, and also with the possibility of making more advanced configurations manually. 

We are happy to say that the section of the photograph of this rugged phone has been a surprise. It has not been the only one, and at the moment neither the best. But having a decent camera to take any good picture with a smartphone in this range is always a good thing.

Autonomy to give and take

This is considered a fundamental aspect in a phone that is within the range of resistant. Having a good battery charge is important when we want a smartphone to accompany us in our outdoor activities. Y the POPTEL P9000 MAX does not disappoint in this regard.

Ignoring that a robust and resistant smartphone like the POPTEL P9000 MAX will not have size problems. It is always to think of batteries much larger than those that we can find in other more commercial devices, or that are aimed at a less specific audience. In addition, that it gains something in weight, already higher than that of conventional smartphones, is not a problem either.

The POPTEL P9000 MAX comes equipped with a generous 9000 mAh battery. More than enough battery so that our smartphone can accompany us at full capacity for up to two days complete. Something that sounds even better knowing that has fast charging.

We found a small problem in the tab that we must remove in order to connect our phone. It was really difficult for us to open, and we had to help ourselves with a pin to exert some leverage. A routine, that of charging the device, that is done almost daily could damage this tab. And having to do this every time we connect the phone to the charger does not seem very practical.

This is where we miss wireless charging. Being able to charge the smartphone without having to remove any security system for its secrecy would make a lot of sense. Unfortunately, this is not the case in the POPTEL P9000 MAX, although there are other devices on the market that already have this technology. 

Sound and safety

These are two of the sections that, as a general rule, we always leave for last. And this is because it is where we have found the least news lately. Although it is true that in terms of safety much progress has been made in recent years, about the POPTEL P9000 MAX we can add that It has a fingerprint reader, in addition to the own security systems offered by Android itself.

From its fingerprint reader we can say that, for our taste, it is located in the best possible place. In the central part of its back, where the index finger rests naturally. Far from experimenting with readers on the side, on the front, or very very close to the camera lens. It also perfectly fulfills its functions and offers a fast and efficient reading.

As for the sound, for the umpteenth more time, we must say that the POPTEL P9000 MAX, like so many others, only has one speaker for output sound. And although we still don't like this, there is something that does deserve special mention and a positive point on our part. From POPTEL they have opted to continue counting on the 3.5mm mini Jack headphone jack. Once again we see that the USB type C connector and the more classic headphone connector are compatible.

To put a but, removing the tab that protects the phone from dives is also more complicated than expected in this case. We understand that they are there so that the legend that reads “submersible in H20” on its back is not a story. But a small investment in wireless headphones would also be interesting to avoid giving a lot of "struggle" to this security lock for hermeticism.

Special mention always deserves that WITH POP, in addition to maintaining the 3.5mm Jack connector, give us some headphones of the brand. A dying detail that is always worth it. So double point that makes the sound look better.

The Pros and Cons of the POPTEL P9000 MAX

Once this smartphone has been thoroughly tested, we have to make our assessment of what we liked the most, and what we consider to have room for improvement. As we always say, this is nothing more than a personal assessment based on a particular experience of use.

Pros

Count on IP68 certification it is not just a peace of mind. In addition to this, it supposes a plus of compatibility of the device with activities related to aquatic environments in which we will not have to fear for the integrity of our phone.

La battery life It is also a positive point to take into account among the benefits offered by the POPTEL P9000 MAX. Count on 9000 mAh at our disposal with a fast charge is fine.

Cons

Despite understanding that tabs that the POPTEL P9000 MAX has are there to protect it from liquids and dust. Removing them costs much more than expected. In particular, the tab where the SIM card is inserted has been an almost insurmountable obstacle. 

The buttons They don't live up to the termination of the phone. Although they integrate perfectly, they are hard to the touch. Y for them to make contact we must press with much more pressure than would be normal. 

The version of Android 7 In a smartphone that has reached the market during the summer of 2.018, it has no excuse.

Although the weight and size of a "ruged phone", as a general rule, are not a problem, the POPTEL P9000 MAX it is especially large and wide. That weighs 334 grams, and that it measures 168 x 86 mm does not make it a very wearable smartphone.

Editor's opinion