has recently made its international debut, but we have been testing it for a few weeks, so we can help you choose it more consciously. We are talking about CUBOT KingKong Ace 3, a rugged phone that does not want to overdo it, focusing entirely on solid performance and a “questionable” feature. Let's find out together in our complete review.
![[World Premiere] Cubot KingKong ACE 3, Rugged Ultra-thin Android 14 Smartphone, 24GB RAM (8GB + 16GB Extended), 256GB ROM, 6,583-inch FHD+ Screen at 90Hz, Dual Screen, 100MP[Ships from 'EU]](https://www.xiaomitoday.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/anteprimamondialecubotkingkongace3robustoultrasottilesmartphone.png)
[World Preview] Cubot KingKong ACE 3, Ultra-thin Rugged Android 14 Smartphone, 24GB RAM (8GB + 16GB Extended), 256GB ROM, XNUMX-inch FHD+ Display,...
If we once thought of a rugged phone, a robust, ugly and poorly performing device in everyday life came to mind, a sort of muscular monkey with a third grade education. That era is over, however, and CUBOT KingKong Ace 3 is a great confirmation of this. The brand has chosen a 6,583-inch IPS panel, with a FullHD + resolution (1080 x 2408 pixels) in 20: 9 format with a refresh rate of 90 Hz, so as to guarantee great fluidity in all conditions, both in scrolling pages and in games. We also find Corning Gorilla Glass protection, but I do not know which generation it belongs to, while the frames are rather imposing in addition to an out of fashion aesthetic, due to the presence of the drop notch.
CUBOT KingKong Ace3 can also count on the power of the chipset used, a MediaTek G88, 2,0 GHz octa core solution and 12nm production process, as well as an ARM Mali-G52 MP2 GPU, but also on a really good amount of memory. The RAM in fact amounts to 8 GB LPDDR4X, which can reach 24 GB using virtual RAM, while the internal memory amounts to 256 GB, and can be expanded with a microSD with a maximum capacity of 1 TB. Unfortunately, however, the storage is of the eMMC type, therefore at times slow in archiving, reading and launching apps.
The MediaTek chipset guarantees excellent connectivity, although I have never connected the 4G+ signal but only a 4G, dual type on both slots. The rest of the connectivity is guaranteed by the presence of WiFi 2.4/5.0 GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BEIDOU, NFC for mobile payments and a USB-C connector for battery charging with OTG support. With a capacity of 5100 mAh you will have no problems with autonomy, even with particularly intense use, managing to reach around 2 full days of use, as long as you don't stress it with gaming. Fast charging at 33W is supported via the supplied cable and charger but wireless charging is absent, which would have only increased the final sales price.
The photographic sector is not bad, with a 100 megapixel main sensor flanked by a 5 megapixel macro sensor, and a 0,3 megapixel auxiliary sensor while on the front, inside a teardrop notch, we find a 32 megapixel sensor megapixels for quality selfies, at least on paper.
There is a trolley, which allows you to insert two nanoSIMs, or a nanoSIM and a microSD to expand the internal memory while the operating system is Android 14 in stock version with April 2024 patch, with a couple of useful tools but without bloatware. There is a child mode, to limit the applications that can be used and also a pedometer to always know how much you move. We then find a button that can be customized in the choice of actions to be performed, being able to recall all the apps installed on the smartphone with a single/double click or long press or perform a specific action, such as activating the torch etc. The security of the phone is instead entrusted to the biometric sensor integrated in the power button, whose speed of recognition is not to be considered lightning-fast, but at least it is reliable.
The general picture of this rugged phone is completed by the presence of complete sensors, such as proximity sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor and compass, all working perfectly and without hesitation. Finally we find an unexpected gem on a device of this kind, namely a circular display, in smartwatch style, on the 1,32" rear which allows us to have at a glance control over music, notifications, compass, battery and shooting of photos at maximum quality, using him as a viewer of what we are framing. Useful? It depends on the context but personally I found it a disturbing element in rugged optics. In short, the beauty of owning a phone like this is that you don't care how you treat it, while that small display will remain printed in your head as something you need to preserve.
CUBOT KingKong Ace 3 convinces in performance, thanks to a well-balanced technical sheet. The chipset never shows its side, even with the most recent games, and the screen with a 90 Hz refresh rate allows for fluid scrolling and always impeccable animations. Excluding the possibility of extending the RAM virtually (a superfluous function, given that the performance does not change significantly), the 8 GB of RAM allow you to have numerous applications open without there being any slowdown, allowing you to switch between to the other without having to wait for them to be reloaded into memory.
The smartphone is well armored and also enjoys IP68 and IP69K certification with operating temperatures ranging from -35°C to +75°C as well as drop resistance from 1,5 meters and immersion resistance up to 1,5 meters for half an hour. Well protected on the edges and with elevations around the main screen, to reduce risks in the event of a fall, KingKong Ace 3 is an important device in terms of size and weight, i.e. 173.9 x 81.8 x 12.7 mm for 320 grams.
Despite its different nature compared to normal smartphones, CUBOT's solution is also partly aimed at gaming enthusiasts, so much so that we also find a Game mode on board with which it will be possible to deactivate notifications and immerse yourself completely in the game, to be able to isolate yourself without any distractions and concentrate more. Unfortunately the display does not support Widevine L1 nor HDR content, but all in all the colors are well reproduced and viewing multimedia content is decidedly satisfying.
The main camera is also pleasantly surprising, as it manages to give good shots but not in all light conditions, in fact in the evening the sensor demonstrates that the number of megapixels you have available doesn't matter. There remain some doubts about the color rendering, which sometimes seem slightly less vibrant than reality, but overall these are quite valid shots. We also note the absence of a stabilizer, so the videos will be shaky but above all the resolution stops at 1080p 30 fps. We have a single tone LED flash that helps in those situations where it is necessary to photograph some details that are not perfectly illuminated, such as in a workshop or on a construction site.
Even without presenting shocking innovations, this CUBOT KingKong Ace 3 is a decidedly interesting smartphone, especially for the performance that is always up to the task and for the secondary screen, which becomes very useful in many situations, from selfies to multimedia control, allowing you to reduce the consumption. It is configured as an ideal rugged phone for those looking for a resistant, high-performance device with an attractive design. Whether you're a hiking enthusiast, a cyclist or simply need a reliable smartphone for your work, the KingKong ACE 3 is the perfect companion for every adventure.
