Meet the nubia V70 Max - A step forward, but is it enough?

The nubia V70 Max is here, promising upgrades in design, display size, and camera performance while keeping affordability in mind.

This is the nubia V70 Max

However, with the budget smartphone market becoming increasingly competitive, does this device do enough to stand out? Let's dive in and find out.

Meet the nubia V70 Max - A step forward, but is it enough?

The packaging is clean and nearly identical to its predecessor, the nubia V70 Design. However, right off the bat, you will notice the difference in size.

The V70 Max (left) and the V70 Design (right)

Inside, the V70 Max comes with a silicone case, a user manual, a fast-charging power brick, a USB to Type-C cable, and a SIM ejector pin—a thoughtful set of inclusions at this price point.

Everything you need, fresh outta box

We were able to get our hands on the Lake Green variant of the V70 Max, which features a premium matte finish that feels smooth and refined.

The Lake Green variant. Also comes in Galactic Gray and Coral Pink

Unlike the glossy, glittery finish of the Stone Gray V70 Design we previously reviewed, this version offers a more durable yet lightweight feel.

The V70 Max and the V70 Design: a side-by-side comparison

One of the standout experiences with the V70 Max is enjoying content on its large display. The 6.9-inch HD+ display immediately grabs attention, offering more screen real estate compared to the V70 Design.

The V70 Max (top) offers a larger display and more vibrant colors compared to the V70 Design (bottom)

Watching videos feels immersive, thanks to the reasonably sharp details and vivid colors of the screen display. It would have been better if nubia used a crisper 1080p panel, though.

Enjoyable big screen

I found myself binge-watching some LENIVERSE episodes (because, of course, I need to prepare for the upcoming LE SSERAFIM comeback and world tour!) and was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the viewing experience was.

nubia V70 Max's large screen display: Perfect for binge-watching

The big screen truly shines for entertainment, making it a great option for those who love streaming videos on their phones. Top it all off with a 120Hz refresh rate, and you get a social media companion that provides a smoother scrolling experience while you browse through your FYP compared to most budget smartphones.

Good browsing experience, perfect for scrolling through your FYP

However, the phone still retains the mono stereo speaker and 3.5mm earphone jack at the bottom. While the placement might not be for everyone, the audio quality has been improved—it’s less muffled and delivers a richer sound compared to the previous model.

Despite keeping the mono-stereo feature, the audio quality has significantly improved

The camera module design stands out—it appears to house four lenses but actually features a triple-camera setup, with the fourth slot seemingly added for symmetry. But how does the camera perform in real-world situations?

nubia V70 Max camera module: Triple-camera set-up in a quad-camera design

Camera Samples

During my trip to Art in Island, I tested the 50MP AI triple-camera system in both outdoor and indoor settings. While outdoors, the V70 Max main camera provided good sharpness and detail.

Taken using nubia V70 Max's main camera in an outdoor setting

As for the 8MP front camera, it produces selfie shots that show a bit of noise that's barely noticeable.

Taken using nubia V70 Max's selfie camera in an outdoor setting

Inside Art in Island, where the light is dim, we could see some loss of sharpness, but the main camera still captured decent photos. The AI camera did its best to adapt to the environment, but certain facial features looked a bit processed.

Taken using nubia V70 Max's main camera indoors with low-lighting

Meanwhile, the selfie camera, struggled more in low-lighting, producing noticeably grainy images.

Taken using nubia V70 Max's selfie camera indoors with low-lighting

One standout feature was the AI Eraser, which effectively removed unwanted elements––like people in the background of this shot of the flamingo statue that I took––and worked even without an internet connection, which is a big plus!

Before and After: nubia V70 Max's AI Eraser in action, taking out unwanted people in my flamingo shot

Nonetheless, I was still able to capture some decent photos inside Art in Island using the nubia V70 Max, taking advantage of the museum's impressive lighting and stunning visual effects.

With good lighting, the nubia V70 Max can still take decent shots for a budget phone

nubia V70 Max Specs

Display: 6.9-inch LCD (IPS) screen w/ 120Hz refresh rate, HD+ 1600 x 720 resolution at 254 ppi

CPU: 1.6GHz 12nm UNISOC T606 octa-core processor

GPU: Mali-G57 MP1

RAM: 6GB

ROM: 128GB storage

Back Camera: 50MP + 2MP + AI + LED flash

Selfie Camera: 8MP

Battery: 6,000mAh w/ 22.5W fast charging

OS: Android 15 w/ MyOS 15

Connectivity: WiFi a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), 4G LTE, Bluetooth, OTG, GPS, dual SIM

Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity, light

Others: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, USB-C, Colors: Lake Green, Galactic Gray, Coral Pink

Price: PHP 4,699

Our thoughts

After spending some time with the nubia V70 Max, it's clear that this phone is designed for users who want a big screen, long battery life, and a stylish device—all at an affordable price.

The matte finish feels premium, the 120Hz display adds smoothness, and the battery life is a definite win.

The nubia V70 Max could be the budget-friendly big phone you need

Of course, there are some trade-offs such as occasional lag, low-light camera struggles, and a mono speaker setup, which nubia can improve on in future releases. However, considering its PHP 4,699 price tag, it delivers great value for those looking for a reliable daily device with a large display and solid battery performance.

If you're into smartphone photography, especially in challenging lighting conditions, you may need to manage expectations. But for casual users looking for a stylish, affordable big smartphone with surprising extras like the AI Eraser, the nubia V70 Max is worth considering.

Do you guys agree with us?