Is there a smartphone that’s durable, has a bright screen, and looks good in the office? Now, there is.

With the X80 Pro Max, Honor has a smartphone in its lineup that could easily command a much higher price: Currently, as a Chinese import, it costs less than US$ 500—for example, from TradingShenzhen starting at US$ 463. Nevertheless, it features a high-quality chassis and is very robustly built.

No need to handle it with excessive care

Thanks to IP68/IP69/IP69K certification, you can handle the phone a bit more carelessly without it breaking immediately if, for example, you accidentally drop it in water. Dust and the phone falling from a certain height are also no problem.

You don’t have to worry about bringing the X80 Pro Max to the office: thanks to its attractive case with faux leather or a smooth back in beige, red, or dark gray, it won’t stand out in an unflattering way. And the front also looks very modern thanks to its very narrow screen bezels.

But not ideal for everyone

Now, a Chinese import isn’t for everyone: Although the software supports the vast majority of the world’s languages, you’ll have to do without eSIM support, for example, and there may also be issues with Android Auto. There’s no specific promise of software updates, so you’ll have to rely on the manufacturer’s goodwill.

You also have to put up with fairly low-frequency PWM flickering on the display, which could be uncomfortable for sensitive users. The Wi-Fi is relatively slow, even though the phone actually supports the latest WiFi 7 standard, and the rear camera has to manage on its own, so it can’t offer much in the way of zoom capabilities.

A phone with many strengths

On the plus side, you get excellent battery life, a bright screen, and a very durable smartphone with a slim, lightweight, and stylish design.

If you’d like to learn more about the Honor X80 Pro Max, simply read our in-depth review.