Highscreen Power Ice Max Review — A Powerful Budget Smartphone with a Large Battery

Have you ever used a smartphone that was almost perfect except for a few minor issues, only to find a new model that addresses all your concerns? It feels like the manufacturer read your mind. That was exactly the impression the Lifehacker team had when they reviewed the Highscreen Power Ice Max.

Not long ago, Lifehacker compared budget Highscreen models with large batteries. The Power Ice Evo was favored, though some users wished for a more powerful version with a metal body.

"If only they made the Power Ice stronger and with a metal chassis — that would be fantastic."

Well, that wish has come true. Presenting the Highscreen Power Ice Max — the smartphone exactly as users envisioned.

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The plastic body has been replaced by an aluminum frame, and inside you'll find an upgraded processor, enhanced graphics, and an improved camera. The display size has increased, along with both RAM and internal storage. The package includes not only the standard charging cable and adapter but also in-ear headphones, an OTG cable, a transparent silicone case, and an extra protective screen film.

Specifications

Price	$190
Battery	4000 mAh, Li-Pol, non-removable
Body Material	Aluminum
Display	5.3" IPS, HD 1280 × 720, 277 ppi, in-cell, Asahi Glass Dragontail protection
Processor	MediaTek MT6750, Octa-core, 1.5 GHz
Graphics	Mali T-860
RAM	3 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB
Memory Card	Dedicated microSD slot up to 128 GB
SIM	Dedicated dual microSIM slots
Connectivity	GSM / GPRS / EDGE 3G / HSPA+ 4G / LTE Advanced (up to 300 Mbps) Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR GLONASS / GPS IR port
Main Camera	13 MP, autofocus, flash
Front Camera	5 MP
Operating System	Android 6.0
Dimensions	149 × 73.2 × 8.2 mm
Weight	176 g
Color	Gold
Included Accessories	2A adapter USB cable OTG cable In-ear headset Transparent silicone case Screen protector

Performance and Battery Life

Despite remaining in the under $200 category, the Power Ice Max offers specs that surpass typical budget phones. It is a robust mid-range device capable of handling demanding mobile games and multitasking with multiple apps and browser tabs smoothly.

The octa-core MediaTek MT6750 with Mali-T860 graphics and 3 GB RAM delivers a steady 35+ fps in World of Tanks Blitz on medium settings. Asphalt Xtreme runs smoothly on default graphics. Such performance also ensures seamless operation of everyday apps and the system itself.

This balance is likely achieved by the carefully chosen screen resolution and an optimized operating system build.

The HD display with 1280 × 720 pixels is perfectly suited for the 5.3-inch screen, offering a pixel density of 277 ppi, near Retina quality, where pixels become indistinguishable to the human eye.

Moreover, rendering HD content consumes less power and resources than Full HD, resulting in better performance and longer battery life on the same hardware and battery capacity.

The device runs a nearly stock Android 6.0 from Google, with minimal pre-installed apps and wallpapers that hint at the brand's Russian origins.

There’s a rule of thumb: the less bloatware from manufacturers, the better the system performance. Less unnecessary data in memory means more resources for active tasks and lower battery consumption.

Thanks to the sensible screen resolution, adaptive brightness, optimized OS, and a 4000 mAh battery, the Power Ice Max boasts impressive battery endurance:

• HD video playback at maximum brightness — 11.5 hours.
• World of Tanks Blitz with adaptive brightness — 6.5 hours.
• Mixed usage (camera, streaming, messaging, navigation, gaming) with screen always on and adaptive brightness — 7.5 hours.

Under typical usage scenarios, where the screen is not constantly active and heavy apps are infrequent, users can expect two to three days of battery life without recharging.

Display

The Power Ice Max features a 5.3-inch IPS HD display. Pixels are virtually invisible, and color reproduction meets the standards typical of this panel type.

The in-cell touchscreen technology allows for a thinner screen and device profile, mainly to offset the thickness added by the large battery rather than for aesthetic slimness.

There is no 2.5D glass, which actually benefits durability and safety.

In case of a fall, the impact is more likely absorbed by the aluminum frame rather than fragile glass. The screen is protected by Asahi glass, known for its mechanical resistance.

Cameras

The main camera offers 13 MP resolution, autofocus, and a flash. The front camera is 5 MP with fixed focus, optimized for selfies taken at arm's length.

Check out the photo samples below to judge the image quality for yourself.

Here is a selfie taken with the front camera.

The native camera app deserves special mention.

While not as minimalist or intuitive as Google's camera app, it includes several handy features:

• Retouch mode for skin correction.
• Text and business card scanning mode.
• Night mode.
• QR code scanner.
• GIF creation.
• Screen flash for selfies in low light.

The manual shooting mode allows users to adjust every parameter, though it’s best suited for those with some photography knowledge.

The smartphone records video in Full HD at 30 fps and supports a real-time beauty filter with adjustable intensity.

Connectivity

The Power Ice Max supports all current connectivity options, including 5 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/GLONASS, and features an IR port that can be used as a remote control.

Notably, it supports LTE Advanced, offering theoretical download speeds up to 300 Mbps. However, actual speeds depend on carrier support and network congestion, so such speeds may not always be achievable in practice.

True Dual SIM with Memory Card Support

The Power Ice Max accommodates two SIM cards and, unlike many competitors, does so without compromise. It offers dedicated slots for both SIM cards and a microSD card, allowing simultaneous use without having to choose between them.

This design lets you manage your memory card independently from your SIM cards, enhancing convenience.

Final Verdict

With each new device reviewed, Highscreen continues to impress. Remember what this brand offered four years ago? A frankly uncompetitive product. Now, Highscreen delivers balanced, reliable, practical, attractive, modern, and—most importantly—affordable smartphones that satisfy the vast majority of users.

If you want to avoid overpaying for brand names and prefer not to deal with shipping from China, the Highscreen Power Ice Max is an excellent choice.

Learn more about this smartphone and purchase it today.

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