
Among the reference points in the rugged phone category we find CUBOT which for some time has been distinguishing itself not only for the excellent construction and resistance of its terminals, but also for the fact of equipping them with hardware that allows unparalleled performance. The new KingKong Star 2 is not only armored and beautiful to look at thanks to an iconic secondary display on the back but also a smartphone that will not make you regret the purchase compared to more famous devices. I will tell you the lights and shadows of the new CUBOT KingKong Star 2 in this review.
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[World Premiere] Cubot KingKong Star 2, Ultra-thin and Rugged 5G Smartphone, 4nm 3.1GHz Dimensity 8200, 24GB RAM (12GB+12GB Extended), 256GB ROM, 6.72" 144Hz Large Display, 100MP Camera, Smartphone Phone
236,49€ available
Design and materials
The impeccable construction and the use of ad hoc materials to resist any accident, allow the CUBOT KingKong Star 2 to be used without any additional cover that would unnecessarily weigh down the device. The company has managed to diversify the design of this smartphone from the rest of the rugged world: KingKong Star 2 is made partly of metal, polycarbonate and shockproof TPU along the side edges, a combination of materials that ensure maximum resistance but above all create a good final optical effect.




The rear body features a camera module divided into two sections, as in the center stands out the presence of a secondary display whose usefulness will be described later, where the second microphone for reducing noise during calls is located above. In the lower part of the body we find the mono speaker but which offers a high listening volume, with a prevalence of medium-high tones over low ones. A defect? It depends on your point of view, personally I don't think it is such if we consider that the device will generally be used in open and noisy environments, such as construction sites and therefore it is preferable for the sound to be exposed upwards, for ringtones, speakerphones, listening to voice notes etc.. Also on the back we find a sort of metal plate, to reinforce the body but also as a decoration of the design.


The classic IP68, IP69K and MIL-STD-810H certifications that distinguish a good rugged device that respects itself cannot be missing. On the other hand, CUBOT KingKong Star 2 can withstand immersion in water up to 1,5 meters deep for 30 minutes, as well as accidental falls from a maximum guaranteed height of up to 2 meters. This technological beast is not exactly portable considering its dimensions of 177.7 x 81.8 x 13.5 mm and weight of 305 grams, but apart from this I had no problems taking it with me to work or maybe on a walk.




The left frame of the smartphone houses the hybrid dual-SIM slot, leaving you the choice of using two nano-format SIMs or 1 SIM and a micro SD card with 1 TB support to expand the built-in memory. However, you should know that there is no e-SIM. Under the SIM slot, protected by a silicone cover to ensure waterproofness and dust resistance, we find a small customizable red button that allows you to call up some actions with a single/double click or long press, such as a screenshot, turning on the flashlight or directly starting an application. The right edge houses the volume rocker and the power button with built-in fingerprint reader. Finally, at the bottom there is the main microphone and the USB Type-C port with OTG support, also protected by a silicone cover. I liked the fact that you can use any cable for charging/data transfer, something not so obvious when talking about rugged devices, which generally offer a connector distance that is too deep, so you need a cable with a non-standard pin protrusion. Finally, on the edge there is a slot to insert a strap, in case carrying the device by hand is too tiring.





In terms of security, the phone is unlocked via Unlock Face, which recognizes the face even in low light conditions, or via the biometric sensor inserted in the ON/OFF button, which has proven to be reliable and quite fast.
Display
CUBOT KingKong Star 2 is equipped with a 6,72-inch IPS display with a FHD + resolution and a refresh rate of 144 Hz, all protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass which has guaranteed during my rather reckless user experience, that the panel did not suffer scratches or anything else. The display can also be animated by lifting the smartphone but not by double tapping.




Compared to the average of displays mounted on this type of smartphone, the KingKong Star 2 is among the brightest and most comfortable to use even outdoors in sunlight, counting on a peak of 1500 nits. We do not have support for Widevine L1 which stops at L3, which translates into playback from streaming platforms in SD quality but we do have support for HDR content. The color fidelity is good while the viewing angles are less so but overall it is still a cut above many of its competitors already on the market.

I must also mention the 1,85-inch secondary display which, in addition to giving an elegant and modern look to the super-armored smartphone from CUBOT, also allows you to have some information at a glance, being able to use the remaining battery charge, check notifications, compass, control music, answer calls but above all use it as a monitor to take high-quality selfies, using the rear camera.

Hardware, performance and connectivity
We usually associate a rugged smartphone with a low-performance device but this KingKong Star 2 is definitely a “star” in the firmament, standing out for a good technical sheet but above all for the real performance in the field. Under the armor we find the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset made with a 4 nm production process and an octa-core architecture with a maximum clock of 3.1 GHz accompanied by the ARM Mali-G610 GPU. The smartphone also has 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, further expandable with another 12 virtual GB, obtaining a total of 24 GB of RAM, while the internal UFS 3.1 memory is 256 GB and can be expanded via a microSD card with a capacity of up to 1 TB. This combination of hardware allows it to exceed 980 thousand points on AnTuTu.



I used it for weeks, without depriving myself of any app. I used social media, messaging, email, internet browsing and GPS a lot, also enjoying some long gaming sessions on Asphalt and CoD without ever noticing significant drops in performance or slowdowns of any kind. The smartphone is fluid and can be used for every operation. Reliable and responsive are the first two terms that come to mind if I had to describe this smartphone in two words. The fluidity is dictated not only by the 144 Hz of the screen but also by the liquid cooling technology that prevents overheating and thermal throttling phenomena.

On the connectivity front, as anticipated before, it supports two nano-format SIM cards with compatibility for 5G networks. I personally could not benefit from the speed of this connection but I cannot complain about the results obtained in 4G, for example in the use of video content on Netflix or downloads in general. There is also compatibility with Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO support and GPS with all the main systems including Galileo which is also dual, ensuring signal stability in every corner. No problems even with Google Wallet and payments via NFC in addition to OTG support. The sensors are also quite rich, counting on a gyroscope, compass, accelerometer, light and proximity sensor, the latter of a physical and not virtual type, resulting very reactive and super functional in listening to voice notes and calls in general.


Software
On the software front there is not much to say compared to what has already been seen on other smartphones of the CUBOT brand, except that on this KingKong Star 2 the Android version is 14 but the security patches are currently stuck in August 2024. You have to take into account that this device will probably never receive any major update and probably the security patches will be released with an eyedropper. In any case, the system is practically stock, with the exception of some additions aimed at increasing performance such as the presence of the Game Booster to make the most of the hardware in games, or the cleaning assistant useful for removing temporary files, duplicate files etc. The toolbox with the usual suite of apps such as flashlight, compass, protractor, level, SOS, magnifying glass and so on is essential. However, there is no pre-installed bloatware or duplicate apps.





Camera and video
CUBOT KingKong Star 2 boasts a photographic compartment on the back of 3 lenses, but only one is really up to par. Specifically on the primary camera we find a 100 MP sensor that by default takes photos at 25 MP and offers a dedicated mode to take photos at the full resolution of 100 MP. Then follows a 5 MP macro lens and 0.3 MP auxiliary sensor. It would have been better to equip the device with an ultrawide lens, also considering the possible use in the construction sector. We can shoot videos up to 4K at 30 fps, fixed frame rates on all recording resolutions. There is no real optical stabilization but only digital which overall, with a good steady hand, manages to make us bring home a good video, counting on a PDAF focus with a cinematic effect.














I was actually surprised by the capture of details in low-light conditions, without using the dedicated night shooting mode, which in all honesty does not improve the final result much. At the software level we find the presence of automatic HDR and AI scene recognition, to better balance the automatic shooting settings. On the front, however, a 32 MP lens is hosted, which also allows you to record videos in 4K 30 fps.














The quality of the shots is above average and beyond my expectations; very good during the day where the quality of the photos is high, with a good amount of details captured and a fast focus. Not a camera phone but valid and on par with traditional smartphones costing much more.


Autonomy
The battery is actually not one of the elements that contribute to the considerable size and weight of the smartphone, speaking of a 5100 mAh unit that can guarantee in practical terms almost two full days of hectic use. We do not have wireless charging, but it would also be quite useless on a device of this type. However, we do have support for 33W fast charging and as a gem, when necessary this tech monkey can transform into a powerbank, providing charge to other devices, in wired mode.




Price and considerations
CUBOT KingKong Star 2 can be purchased at a price of around 199 euros including shipping costs directly on the AliExpress store, a figure that considering the product category and its technical characteristics, honestly, I consider more than fair in relation to what is offered. To win it at this price you must click on the BUY NOW button which will automatically give you an additional discount.
[World Premiere] Cubot KingKong Star 2, Ultra-thin and Rugged 5G Smartphone, 4nm 3.1GHz Dimensity 8200, 24GB RAM (12GB+12GB Extended), 256GB ROM, 6.72" 144Hz Large Display, 100MP Camera, Smartphone Phone
236,49€ available
We have an interesting hardware with excellent performance, tank-like resistance and a lot, really a lot of autonomy, without giving up anything in terms of productivity, entertainment and even photography. Probably the chapter updates could discourage the purchase but I know people who after years of use have never felt the need to receive the latest upgrade.