A rugged smartphone that doesn't look out of place compared to more expensive models, equipped with IP68/IP69K certification and a truly excellent display in terms of readability under direct sunlight. If you are users who don't handle smartphones with kid gloves, the new Cubot kingKong ES could be for you, because it costs little and overall it is reliable in everyday life. I'll tell you everything in this review.
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[Worldwide]Cubot KINGKONG ES Rugged Smartphone Ultra-thin Rugged Smartphone 16GB+128GB RAM 90Hz 6,56" HD+ Screen Android 14
91,58€ available
Unboxing
Although this smartphone belongs to the entry level range, both in terms of price and technical specifications, Cubot does not miss anything in terms of unboxing experience, equipping the smartphone with a 10W power supply (5V / 2A) with a European plug, the USB-A / Type-C cable for charging and data transfer, a SIM tray removal tool, manuals, a glass film for display protection and a pre-applied film. The quality of the latter is rather questionable, so I recommend removing it and using the glass one provided.
Materials, ergonomics and design
From a rugged you don't expect great portability and ease of use, but Cubot KingKong ES is among the thinnest on the market, in the reference category. In fact, we are talking about 12.8 millimeters thick and 268 grams in weight (H. 172.6 x 81.2 L.). Obviously, the IP68 and IP69K certifications cannot be missing. Clean upper profile while on the lower one we find the main microphone and the Type-C input with OTG support protected by a semi-rigid silicone cover. On the right side we have the volume rocker and the power button while specularly we have the SIM tray, also protected by a semi-rigid silicone cover and a programmable button to recall predefined actions or applications. The entire construction is mainly in polycarbonate with orange rubber reinforcements and metal inserts. The back also integrates a small decoration with a carbon fiber effect in addition to the photographic module that resembles a watch in its design and the second microphone for the reduction of hiss during calls in addition to the speaker. In my opinion, the positioning of the speaker is not suitable for good listening, because with the hand in landscape mode you risk covering it, obtaining a muffled sound.
The ear capsule is slightly off-center in the left position, where the selfie camera is positioned underneath in a drop notch. However, we should point out the presence of a notification LED and the brightness and proximity sensors, the latter physical, so no problem in listening to voice notes and calls when we bring the phone to our ear. The brightness sensor, on the other hand, is a bit too conservative.
Certifications
The current IP68 and IP69K standards provide a high level of protection against dust and water. IP68 guarantees complete resistance to dust and water when immersed up to a depth of 1,5 meters for 30 minutes. IP69K adds protection against high-pressure water and temperatures up to 80°C, making the smartphone resistant to the most demanding operating conditions.
Display
The display is a 6,56″ IPS with HD+ resolution (720X1612 px) and 267 PPI. Considering the technology used, we do not get deep blacks and perfect viewing angles, but the brightness is definitely more than sufficient to allow the readability of the contents on the screen even under direct sunlight. Unfortunately, the Widevine DRMs are L3 and we do not have support for HDR content, although it is recognized on YouTube, but on streaming platforms like Netflix the quality stops at SD without HDR. It should be noted, however, that the panel integrates InCell technology and offers a 90 Hz refresh rate.
Performance and hardware
Under the body of the Cubot KingKong ES beats a UNISOC T606 chip, an octa-core 1.6 GHz solution with a 12 nm production process and ARM Mali G57 MP1 GPU alongside 6 GB of RAM (probably DDR3) expandable by an additional 10 GB virtually and 128 GB of UFS 2.1 internal memory expandable via SD by an additional 1 TB.
It is a phone that is not designed to be very fast in executing the requested tasks, but it completes the operations without hesitation or overheating. We can play some titles from the past, such as Asphalt 8, at maximum graphic details and fixed frame rates. Cubot KingKong ES performs well in basic activities: social networks, internet, messaging, multimedia, etc. It certainly won't be the fastest smartphone I've ever tried, but it can be used. I kept it for two weeks as my main smartphone and had no problems, it proved to be reliable, which is not a given on a rugged device.
In terms of connectivity and sensors, I immediately point out that NFC is missing, but above all a biometric sensor for unlocking the device, relying only on PIN/Pattern or Unlock Face. In short, security is not one of the strong points of this phone. However, we find a good Bluetooth 5.0, Dual 2.8/5.0 GHz WiFi, GPS with rapid fix and support for Galileo satellites and Dual 4G connectivity with support for band 20. I never hooked up to the 4G+ signal but the download and upload browsing speeds were surprising, in relation to the selling price. Also missing is the FM radio and any e-SIM, so if you expand the memory with a micro SD you will have to give up the Dual SIM function.
Battery and autonomy
The battery is a 5100 mAh unit that does not support fast charging and specifically we stop at a power of 10W. Charging therefore occurs slowly but considering the low energy hardware, you will be able to take home two full days of fairly intensive use. Overall in this area the KingKong ES gives great satisfaction.
Software and ecosystem
Another sore point of Cubot KingKong ES is the software. Let me explain: at the moment it comes with Android 14 and security patches updated to July 2024 but probably no major update will arrive on this device. Here Android is practically stock if not some customization, such as the customization of the aforementioned action button. We do not find duplicate apps and this is a good thing, but I must report a controversial request for phone call management when you start the stock camera app, to which if you do not give consent you will not be able to use the app. There is also the possibility of recording calls through the Google dialer.
Photo and video
Cubot KingKong ES is equipped with cameras that include a 48 MP main module, a 2 MP macro and an auxiliary camera for collecting depth data in addition to a 16 MP self-camera. For all lenses the judgment is the same: even with good lighting the colors are too saturated and details are not very defined. Then there is no form of stabilization which leads to results, in the case of moving subjects, always rather blurry. Even the white balance is not at the top but above all the videos, with maximum acquisition resolution at 1080p 30fps, are really shaky and of very poor quality. Needless to say, using this smartphone for night photos is suicide.
Audio
As mentioned above, the speaker is in a rather awkward position, which can cause problems when using it. This arrangement makes the sound flat and indistinct, which affects the overall experience of listening to music or watching videos. In addition, the system only provides mono audio and there are no options for manual adjustment in the parameters. The volume is generous without any particular distortion, but the frequencies are directed towards the highs with little presence of bass tones.
Final verdict and price
The Cubot KingKong ES is a good phone for its price, offering many positive aspects. For example, a smooth and simple software, with the nice touch of the action button to recall, for example, your favorite apps with a click. Excellent resistance in terms of ruggedness, not the most extreme, but super reliable if you are distracted like an elephant in a china shop. The screen, although it does not offer a high resolution, does its job allowing excellent visibility under direct sunlight.
[Worldwide]Cubot KINGKONG ES Rugged Smartphone Ultra-thin Rugged Smartphone 16GB+128GB RAM 90Hz 6,56" HD+ Screen Android 14
91,58€ available
However, it is worth noting some disadvantages, such as the absence of NFC, FM Radio but above all of a biometric sensor for fingerprints. In short, security goes to hell, even in the context of Android updates that will probably never arrive. Aspects that are too important for some. Overall, considering the price, it is still a smartphone to take into consideration, as a second smartphone to take to the beach or to work, ideal for those who are really careless, have no demands on performance and destroy a phone a month.
- Very thin for a rugged phone
- Browsing and download speed
- Prezzo di Vendita
- Physical proximity sensor
- Display clearly visible under sunlight
- It will probably never be updated
- Photos and videos below par
- NFC absence
- No fingerprints
