The world of rugged smartphones has been enriched with a stylish new device featuring 5G and an additional display. Introducing the Cubot KingKong Star 2 5G.
We live in fascinating times. Smartphones have become such an everyday item that it’s hard to surprise anyone in this segment. Manufacturers are constantly trying to capture attention, and it’s no wonder, given the intense competition. They need to come up with something new to appeal to potential buyers. Dreaming of a smartphone with a foldable or flexible screen? Here’s a device for you. Want a transparent back panel? We’ve got an option for that too. Even if you want to film videos in the shower or under a waterfall, there are no limits—just choose a rugged device.
Lately, I’ve developed an interest in rugged smartphones. I had a great experience testing the incredible Unihertz 8849 Tank 3S. I always find it intriguing to explore models like these, but personally, I still use a regular smartphone because it’s lighter, and battery life isn’t as crucial for me—I always have a charger at home or in the car. However, some people choose such devices specifically for their high battery capacity and durable design. Everyone decides for themselves what purpose their smartphone serves, but it’s clear that it’s not just for making calls. These devices are meant to fully utilize multimedia functions, capture photos, and record videos.
Typically, all such devices fall into the same price category, which is mid-range. Their internal components reflect this, but it’s important to remember that a rugged casing affects how processors are cooled. In a regular smartphone, cooling is easier since the case itself can act as insulation. Manufacturers avoid equipping these phones with high-performance hardware to prevent overheating during use. This issue also applies to the batteries, as they heat up during fast charging and need some form of cooling. The electronics monitor the temperature, and if any risk is detected, the charging current is immediately reduced to zero until the components cool down. As a result, charging a large battery can take longer.
The rugged smartphone market already has quite a few manufacturers, each trying to impress potential buyers as much as possible. Among them is Cubot, a company that seems to have decided to make their rugged smartphones more stylish. This is evident from their latest releases.
I recently got my hands on a rather interesting rugged smartphone—the Cubot KingKong Star 2. Yes, this is the second version in the series. I was curious to see if this device truly lives up to the hype it received during its presentation. So, let’s break it down step by step.
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What is interesting about Cubot KingKong Star 2
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 is a reliable smartphone designed for people who work in tough and extreme conditions. With 5G support, this rugged phone offers not only durability but also reliability and performance in any situation.
Thanks to its resistance to water, dust, and extreme temperatures, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 can easily handle the challenges that may arise during construction work, expeditions, or travel. This new device from Cubot comes with two protection ratings—IP68 and IP69K. Additionally, it can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -35°C to +75°C. The smartphone is also capable of enduring exposure to water and dust.
Additionally, the KingKong Star 2 boasts a large battery with fast charging capabilities, allowing you to use it all day and recharge quickly. The big screen is useful for both work and leisure. All content looks even better thanks to the 6.72-inch Full HD+ display. Plus, you get a high 144Hz refresh rate, making images smoother, sharper, and free of blur. The display is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, meeting MIL-STD-810H standards. If that’s not enough, there’s an extra 1.85-inch screen on the back. You can customize this smaller display to suit your needs.
It’s also worth mentioning that the KingKong Star 2 features three lenses on the back, giving you even more flexibility when taking photos. Additionally, the smartphone comes with a macro lens, allowing you to capture details that might be easily overlooked. There’s also a 100MP main camera, ensuring that everyday moments recorded in your gallery look sharp and vibrant.
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 isn’t just a phone—it’s a reliable partner that lets you focus on your tasks without worrying about durability or functionality. It could be a game-changer for those who demand more from their mobile devices.
So far, there’s no information on the price, although the smartphone seems to be available on Aliexpress, with its price constantly fluctuating. The first version of the Cubot KingKong Star can be purchased for $220, so it’s reasonable to predict that the second iteration will be priced around $250-300.
Let’s start the review of the KingKong Star 2 with its technical specifications.
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Cubot KingKong Star 2 Specifications
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 (MT6896Z), 8 cores (1× Cortex A78 at 3.1 GHz – 3× Cortex A78 at 3.0 GHz, 4× Cortex A55 at 2.0 GHz), maximum clock frequency 3.1 GHz, 4 nm process technology
- Graphics chip: Mali-G610 MP6, 950 MHz
- RAM: 12 GB, LPDDR5 type, expandable by up to 12 GB more at the expense of storage space
- Storage: 256 GB, UFS 3.1 type
- Main display: IPS, 6.72 inches, resolution 2460×1080, pixel density 392 ppi, refresh rate 144 Hz, screen to body ratio 75%
- The display is optional: 1.85 inches, on the back of the smartphone
- Main camera: 100 megapixel OmniVision OVA0B main lens, f/1.8; 5 megapixel OmniVision OV5670 macro lens with autofocus and 0.3 megapixel depth sensor; maximum video resolution 2K (2560×1440) at 30 frames per second
- Front camera: 32 megapixels, video recording resolution 1920×1080 at 30 frames per second
- Battery: non-removable Li-ion, 5100 mAh, maximum charging power 33 W, with support for fast charging
- Operating system: Android 14
- Communication standards: 2G, 3G, 4G (LTE) with VoLTE support, 5G
- Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11abgn/ac/ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC module, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Hotspot and Cast Display
- Geolocation: A-GPS, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BEIDOU
- SIM card slot: 2×Nano-SIM (2 SIM cards + 1 memory card)
- Memory card support: microSD up to 1 TB
- Sensors and sensors: fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor, magnetometer (digital compass), proximity sensor
- Protection class: IP68, IP69K; MIL-STD-810H certification for protection against moisture, water, dust, shock, low and high temperatures
- Dimensions: 175.70 x 81.74 x 13.54 mm
- Weight: 305 g
- Package contents: smartphone, charger, USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, protective glass, SIM card ejector, user manual
What’s in the package
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 comes packaged in a dark teal branded box, which seems to have become the signature for the company’s smartphones. The presentation is standard: the top of the box typically features a photo of the model along with the brand and model name, while the bottom and sides include details about the smartphone and other information for buyers.
Inside, you’ll find the Cubot KingKong Star 2 itself,
as well as a 12V/2.75A (33W) charger, a USB Type-C cable, a screen protector, a SIM tray ejector tool, and various paperwork including instructions and warranty cards.
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Attractive design
We’re used to rugged smartphones having a bulky design, thick bezels, and a hefty weight due to their large batteries and various rubber inserts. However, that is definitely not the case with the Cubot KingKong Star 2.
Yes, it also features all the characteristics of a rugged smartphone with its toughness and aggressive design. While it’s not lightweight at 305g, which is noticeable in hand, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 has a surprisingly attractive appearance.
I was impressed by the appearance and build quality of the Cubot KingKong Star 2. This time, the manufacturer has opted out of a large glass insert on the back, which has often been used in various models in recent years. This decision likely contributes to the device’s durability.
Now, the smartphone features a textured rubberized body with metal inserts on the back and sides. The corners are reinforced with traditional thickened segments, designed to absorb impacts when dropped on hard surfaces.
On the bottom right, there’s a loop for a lanyard. Wearing the device around your neck or wrist might be uncomfortable, but it’s definitely feasible to attach it to a backpack while hiking.
The edges of the smartphone have a ribbed texture to prevent it from slipping out of your hands, even when wet. Despite its size, it feels very secure and comfortable to hold.
The subject of this review features an additional screen on the back panel. This isn’t the first instance of a supplementary display being used in rugged models. The shape of the extra screen somewhat reminds me of the Cubot X smartwatch.
The rugged screen features a protruding metal frame that provides additional protection for the nearby cameras and flash. Above the camera block, there’s an opening, likely for pressure equalization (I doubt it’s a microphone, and this element isn’t labeled in the user manual). At the bottom, there’s a speaker. The materials have a textured surface that feels pleasant to the touch and are adorned with various lines, patterns, and indentations, which is typical for such models.
At the bottom, there’s a metal insert featuring the manufacturer’s name. Below the insert, you’ll find the speaker opening. The entire body is accentuated with attractive red design elements that match the color of the button.
The SIM card slots and USB-C port are equipped with special seals. Together with the robust casing, these elements enable the KingKong Star 2 to be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. Formally, the smartphone is rated for protection according to IP68/IP69K standards, which also indicates its resistance to high pressure and elevated temperatures.
Additionally, it is claimed to comply with the military protection standard MIL-STD-810H. The manufacturer emphasizes that the device can easily survive drops onto concrete from a height of up to 1.5 meters. It’s hard to disagree with this assessment. The KingKong Star 2 gives the impression of being a very sturdy and resilient device, capable of withstanding significant impacts. I’ve dropped the smartphone a couple of times onto asphalt, and there were no issues at all.
The only concern I had was with the screen. While it has raised corners designed to absorb impact, and it seems to feature Gorilla Glass protection with a pre-applied film, I have a nagging feeling that over time, especially if the smartphone is taken on hikes or handled carelessly, this film might end up covered in scratches.
Despite being a fairly heavy (305 g) and large (175.7 × 81.74 × 13.54 mm) smartphone, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 is surprisingly easy to handle. It looks sleek and even stylish compared to its counterparts in the rugged smartphone category. The device is relatively slim, allowing it to fit comfortably in the hand, and accessing the control buttons is quite convenient.
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Ports and connectors
By the way, regarding the ports and connectors, there’s a lot to discuss because they have some interesting features. As I mentioned, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 has a ribbed texture, but the right and left edges have special metallic inserts where the control elements are located.
On the right side, we have two volume buttons and a power button with an integrated fingerprint scanner. By the way, the reading is fast and accurate, and the tactile feedback from pressing the buttons is pleasant and satisfying.
On the left side, there’s another red button that can be customized to suit your needs. You can assign three actions to it—single press, double press, and long press. This could be for activating the additional screen, launching a specific app, turning on the flashlight, taking a screenshot, or even sending an SOS signal.
Above this button is the slot for the nanoSIM cards, protected by a reliable cover that ensures resistance to moisture and dust.
On the bottom edge, there’s another cover under which you’ll find the USB Type-C port for charging the smartphone or connecting it to a laptop.
The top edge is completely clear, featuring the usual rubberized textured shape.
The KingKong Star 2’s display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass of an unspecified generation and comes with a pre-applied hard protective coating.
The screen features rounded corners and frames with traditional dimensions for a rugged smartphone—3 mm on the sides, 6 mm on the top, and 7 mm on the bottom. There’s a teardrop-shaped cutout for the front camera, and the speaker is located directly below the top bezel. On the upper right, there’s a notification LED indicator.
Unfortunately, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 does not come with a classic 3.5 mm audio jack, which would have been handy for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
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Screens
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 features two screens, which is quite unusual for traditional rugged smartphones, though such innovations are becoming more common in this segment.
Main display
Let’s start with the main screen located on the front panel. The subject of my review has a 6.72-inch display. It’s an IPS panel with a resolution of 1080×2460 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, boasting a screen-to-body ratio of 75% and a pixel density of 392 ppi. In the settings, you can choose a refresh rate of 60 Hz, 90 Hz, or 144 Hz. The maximum refresh rate is supported in any, or almost any, software where the developers have included this option, although some demanding mobile games may be exceptions. Reducing the set refresh rate doesn’t apply to static images, so you won’t save battery life here. As expected, the screen supports up to 10 simultaneous touches, but it lacks HDR technology.
The touch sampling rate remains around 240 Hz across all settings and software when tapping the screen. This is particularly beneficial for gaming, but in other scenarios, I believe it could be lowered to save battery life.
I should note that the device is powered by the Dimensity 8200 chipset, which supports the MediaTek MiraVision 785 display. It employs the dynamic MediaTek Intelligent Display Sync 2.0 technology, which intelligently adjusts the display’s refresh rate according to the frame rate of the game, ensuring smooth viewing in any scenario. Thus, the package of display and video enhancement technologies, MiraVision, is also included and accessible in the settings.
The maximum brightness of the main display, when showing a fully white screen, is about 540 nits. However, in some cases, such as when the image is half white and half black, it can drop to around 422 nits. While it would be nice to have greater brightness for outdoor use, the displayed information is still legible. The minimum brightness is comfortable, just under 4 nits, and can be further reduced using the “extra brightness reduction” feature, although, trust me, there’s really no need for that. The contrast ratio is high, approximately 1500:1.
There aren’t many settings available—the color coverage of the display will always be close to the DCI-P3 color space, with a color temperature around 10,000K. However, precise color reproduction is not the focus here. Even with content designed for high color coverage, the average deltaE deviation in the Color Checker test was 7, while the norm is 3 or lower.
To be honest, the screen on the Cubot KingKong Star 2 is a weak point. I constantly felt it lacked brightness and accurate color reproduction. Not to mention that even the 144 Hz refresh rate didn’t always help the situation. Yes, everything seems to run smoothly, but the display is dull, and there are no standard profiles or temperature settings. I particularly don’t recommend using the “Vivid Colors” mode, as it distorts the image. So, don’t expect anything incredible from the main display—it’s quite an average IPS panel. It’s strange, but that’s the reality.
Additional screen
Now let’s talk about the additional rectangular touchscreen located on the back of the smartphone. It has a diagonal of 1.85 inches and a resolution of 320×386 pixels. It also features protective glass, although I couldn’t find information about the manufacturer. The glass itself feels quite pleasant to the touch. The metal insert also serves as a kind of protection for the additional screen. This insert looks quite stylish and doesn’t detract from the overall impression of the display. By the way, both screens have an oleophobic coating.
I mentioned earlier that its size reminds me of a watch face. Additionally, the screen even functions in a similar way. Information on the display can appear after a double tap or by pressing the additional button, provided the appropriate settings are configured. Alternatively, this can happen when the main screen is turned on.
By swiping in different directions, you can access a simple audio player, a calendar, a battery level display, and notifications. There’s even an option in the settings to change the watch face or insert your own background.
The idea of an additional screen might be good, but I hardly used it. In the first few days, it was somewhat interesting to receive calls on it (the contact information is displayed for incoming calls) and control music from my smartphone. I even checked messages on it. However, over time, the most I used it for was to check the time when I was too lazy to look at the main screen. Is there any practical benefit to the additional screen? For me, it felt more like a stylistic feature of the back panel, nothing more.
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Performance
I had almost no complaints about the performance of the Cubot KingKong Star 2. It runs on the octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 8200 (MT6896Z), which enhances the performance and energy efficiency of 5G smartphones. We’re looking at a 4nm sub-flagship chipset equipped with Mali-G610 MP6 graphics.
By the way, the device comes with 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, while the user storage is represented by 256 GB of UFS 3.1—both very fast and modern options. The RAM can also be virtually expanded by an additional 12 GB, although the usefulness of such a feature is always in question. The existing 12 GB was sufficient for the smooth operation of the mobile device. There’s also a slot for microSDXC cards up to 1 TB.
The results of synthetic tests only confirm that we’re dealing with a fairly decent modern processor. In throttling tests, the device shows stable results, with no noticeable drop in performance.
The smartphone is quite fast and smooth; I would even say it’s nimble. All programs and applications switch fairly quickly. I hardly noticed any lags or issues during operation. Moreover, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 does not heat up significantly during regular tasks. However, the situation changes somewhat during prolonged and intense use. You can feel the heat, but it’s not critical.
When it comes to gaming, the performance is quite good. Out of curiosity, I played a few games. I was pleasantly surprised by the smartphone’s performance in PUBG Mobile. The game offered high graphics settings, and everything ran quite smoothly, giving me a solid 60 FPS. The gaming experience was enjoyable.
In Genshin Impact, the default graphics settings are set to minimum, but it performs reasonably well even on medium settings, maintaining 60 FPS. However, in some cases, you might notice frame drops, so I consider low graphics settings optimal for consistent 60 FPS. The results in other games were also quite decent, leaving no room for disappointment.
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Operating system
Out of the box, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 runs on Android 14. This is the AOSP version with some additions. In some places, it resembles Pixel Launcher, but once you dig in, everything falls into place. After the usual initial setup, the lock screen greets you with a huge clock widget. A small date widget appears in the upper left corner, and these are the only elements. Finger unlocking by default gives you access to the home screen with all the usual elements – the Google search bar with voice search and built-in lens, a combination of date and clock widgets, a row of favorite apps, and a row of pinned apps. Desktop shortcuts are supported.
So, in terms of the user interface, there really isn’t a custom skin—it’s essentially a bare-bones system with a few tweaks. This includes slightly redesigned system settings with modified icons, separate options for the secondary screen, a button on the left side, and even DuraSpeed, which is supposed to enhance the speed of active overlays by optimizing energy consumption of other apps. However, the difference is hardly noticeable in practice.
The home screen settings have been slightly altered, and the multitasking menu has been changed, but these are mostly cosmetic updates. Overall, the experience is very minimalistic and sparse, which can actually be a plus. There’s nothing superfluous, no extra apps, animations, or overlays—just a straightforward interface.
Of course, Android 14 operates quite smoothly and is very intuitive. You shouldn’t encounter any issues with the settings. I was a bit surprised by the amount of English present in the settings, but that might be because I was testing a sample unit.
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Cameras
Let’s talk about the cameras on this device. Rugged phones typically don’t excel in photography, and my review subject is no exception.
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 features a triple-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 100 MP main module, a 5 MP sensor for macro shots, and an additional 0.3 MP sensor.
On the front, there is a single 32 MP selfie module.
The main module, an OmniVision OVA0B40 with 100 MP resolution, requires switching to a specific mode to utilize its full potential. The effect of this high resolution is minimal, and capturing a photo can take a few seconds. The aperture is f/1.9, and the camera features phase detection autofocus. It includes automatic scene recognition, manual HDR, a portrait mode, and manual settings without RAW saving. In good lighting conditions, it produces fairly decent shots with a low defect rate.
For an armored smartphone, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 performs reasonably well in photography, but it pales in comparison to traditional smartphones in the same price range. While the colors in the photos can be good, I found the detail lacking. Additionally, images often come out either too dark or too bright. It’s also a pity that the Cubot KingKong Star 2 lacks an automatic HDR mode; to achieve a broader tonal range, HDR must be activated manually.
Regarding photo quality, the main camera captures bright images, but the detail is lacking. This is especially evident in landscapes with many small elements, like grass, which tend to blend together. The colors lean towards cooler tones; I prefer them to be more saturated, but this cooler palette does look more natural.
The macro module (OmniVision OV5670) has a resolution of 5 MP and an aperture of f/1.9, which are decent specifications for such a camera, and it does feature autofocus. However, you can easily manage without this module by using the main camera for photos. The macro lens on this smartphone doesn’t perform very well, making it challenging to capture clear, non-blurry images.
In the cameras of the Cubot KingKong Star 2, the lack of optical image stabilization is noticeable, particularly in low-light conditions, leading to easily shifted and blurred photos. Nighttime images from this smartphone tend to be less detailed compared to daytime shots, but they do exhibit relatively low noise levels.
Unfortunately, I can’t praise the photos from the front camera in terms of color accuracy or detail saturation. These selfies often exhibit noticeable graininess, which becomes more pronounced in low-light conditions. Given that this smartphone features dual displays, taking selfies with the rear camera is definitely the better option.
ORIGINAL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS CAN BE VIEWED HERE
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 allows video recording at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second with the rear camera. However, the front camera is limited to a maximum recording resolution of 1080p. During recording, the main camera maintains focus reasonably well, but the overall detail in the videos is lacking, and the contrast could certainly be improved.
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Battery life and charging
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 is equipped with a 5100 mAh Li-Polymer battery that supports 33W fast charging. Honestly, I expected a rugged smartphone to have a much larger battery. This choice might have been made to maintain a relatively slim profile for this segment. Therefore, don’t expect your smartphone to last several days without a charge, but it will certainly perform reliably for one or even two days.
It’s good that, as I mentioned, the smartphone comes with a 33W charger. We can charge the smartphone from 0 to 100 percent in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Interestingly, the charging speed is the fastest during the first half-hour, allowing the battery to be replenished up to 80%.
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Conclusions
This model boasts enhanced resistance to drops, water, dust, and other environmental factors, along with a very powerful processor that ensures a good user experience. You will definitely appreciate the fact that a charger is included in the package. Moreover, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 is an armored smartphone that meets the IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H durability standards.
The main downside for me is the main screen, which has a limited number of settings. Out of the three rear cameras, only the main one is really usable, while one of them isn’t used at all. The translation of the interface into Ukrainian could also use some improvement. Other than that, the device is quite interesting.
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 is a smartphone designed for people who prioritize high durability, solid performance, and good features, while other specifications may not be as important. I’m confident that this smartphone will be a reliable companion for travel, extreme adventures, and everyday life.
Read also:
- What is MIL-STD 810H: Standard Characteristics, Testing, and Usage
- Cubot KingKong 8 Review: А Worthy Rugged Budget Phone 3-in-1
- Oukitel WP27 Review: Solid Rugged Budget Phone
Where to buy