CUBOT is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer that has gained popularity by offering devices with good technical specifications at an affordable price. These devices are perfect for users with high demands for build quality and protection standards. Today, we have a true titan for review – the CUBOT KINGKONG X. Whether you plan to hike in the mountains, go for walks, or embark on other outdoor adventures, the CUBOT KINGKONG X will be a reliable companion with its robust, drop-resistant construction.
Positioning and price
We know that CUBOT typically manufactures its gadgets using “armored” technology. They adhere to military standards (MIL-STD-810H) and basic standards that protect smartphones from dust and water (IP68, IP69K). The CUBOT KINGKONG X falls into the category of rugged phones designed for use in extreme conditions.
Who might like this solution? Primarily those who engage in extreme sports, work in harsh conditions, or simply need a reliable phone for everyday use.
Regarding the price, our hero is sold for $270 / €247 for the version with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. On the other hand, the variant with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB costs more, starting at $490 / €449. However, on AliExpress, you can get the smartphone at a discount, starting from $244 / €223.
Read also: CUBOT King Kong Ace 3 Review: Rugged Smartphone with Dual Displays
CUBOT KINGKONG X Specifications
- Screen: IPS, 6.58″, 1080×2408, 120Hz refresh rate, 20:9, 401 ppi
- Additional display: 1.85″, touchscreen
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7050, cores: 8 (2× Cortex-A78 2.6 GHz + 6× Cortex-A55 2.0 GHz), process technology: 6 nm with 64-bit architecture
- Video card: ARM Mali-G68 MC4
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5 with the ability to expand using virtual memory
- Storage capacity: 256 / 512 GB UFS 3.1 + microSDXC memory card support
- Cameras: main 100 megapixel, 5 megapixel macro, 24 megapixel night vision sensor, 32 megapixel front camera
- Battery: Li-lon 10200 mAh with 33W charger
- Protection standards: dustproof, waterproof, IP68, IP69K, screen protection – drop resistance from a height of up to 1.5 m, MIL-STD-810H compliance
- Operating system: Android 14
- Wireless networks: Wi-Fi 6 dual-band, Bluetooth 5.1
- Navigation: GPS, BDS, GALILEO, GLONASS
- Optional: NFC support, additional function key
- Dimensions: 170.9 × 82.2 × 18.7 mm
- Weight: 388 g
Package contents
The KINGKONG X package is extensive and includes everything you need: a screen protector, documentation, a 33W charger, a cable, and a SIM card tray ejector pin. The only thing missing is a case. However, in this particular instance, additional protection isn’t necessary. I should mention that there is a factory-installed screen film, but it’s worth replacing it with the glass protector right away.
Design, layout of elements, additional screen
Our model is a true “armored vehicle” which, despite its characteristic design for such devices, has some unique structural features. But let’s take it step by step. The volume and power buttons (which also function as a fingerprint scanner) are located on the right side.
The fingerprint scanner can play an additional role. For example, a short tap can take you back to the home screen (though I don’t recommend this, as there will be many accidental touches). A long press can answer a call, launch a selected app, or activate the camera.
On the left, we see the SIM card tray and an orange side button. What is it for? In fact, we have some freedom in configuring this button. By default, a single press activates the small screen, a double press does nothing (“brake function” in the screenshot below means “no function,” a peculiar Chinese translation!), and a long press activates the camera.
As I mentioned before, we can customize this functionality to our preference by choosing from several options offered: SOS function, voice recorder, screenshot, game mode, and turning on the flashlight (camera flash). There are also options for third-party apps, allowing you to quickly launch the assistant, browser, USB drive, calendar, calculator, and more.
The entire body is made of plastic combined with rubber, which provides protection for all the components. There are also rubber “protectors” covering the Type-C port and the SIM card slot.
Let’s move on to the design of the back panel. It’s original and fits the concept of rugged smartphones, as it has a robust look. There are rugged inserts, a plastic element that cleverly mimics metal, and cameras surrounded by a mini screen within a metal-plastic frame.
The MiniScreen was a surprise for me in this model. Typically, we see such screens in foldable smartphones, but CUBOT decided to add something unusual to their “armored little guy.”
The screen reminds me of a non-functional smartwatch—it displays notifications and contact names during calls, battery level, date and time, calendar, launches the camera (which can take selfies, but don’t expect good quality as it won’t be great), and allows you to control music. In the settings, you can customize the MiniScreen, choosing watch faces, enabling a step counter, and more. Additionally, you can check notifications by swiping up and battery level by swiping down.
It’s worth mentioning that in the upper left corner of the main screen, there is a red LED that lights up while charging, blinks when you miss a call or have unread messages, and also blinks to remind you of a low battery level. You can turn off these features in the settings if you don’t find them useful. But for me, it’s pretty cool. Gone are the days when such features were standard in every smartphone; now manufacturers offer smartwatches and “Always On” solutions instead.
In summary: the design of the CUBOT KINGKONG X combines the classic look of rugged phones with modern solutions implemented by the manufacturer. The traditional sturdy body ensures durability while maintaining a contemporary appearance for this category.
Read also: Cubot KingKong AX Rugged Smartphone Review: Sturdy Yet Elegant
Ergonomics
The CUBOT KINGKONG X is a bulky phone compared to its competitors—it’s a real brick! It’s heavy (388 g!), but that was the original idea, and the manufacturer has managed to bring the entire KINGKONG line’s concept to life. It’s likely suited for people with large hands, as I personally couldn’t hold or use the gadget with one hand. It’s manageable with two hands, but I quickly felt fatigued. When I picked up my regular smartphone after using the KINGKONG X, it felt thin and light as a feather.
The build quality is excellent, using reliable materials like high-quality plastic to ensure the phone’s durability. Additionally, we won’t have issues with fingerprints—even on a hot day when your hand is sweaty, the back panel doesn’t show signs of use.
Protection standards
The CUBOT KINGKONG X is a model designed with potential hazards in mind, featuring numerous standards for effective device protection. With IP68 and IP69K certifications, the CUBOT KINGKONG X is completely protected against dust and water. Of course, I didn’t swim with it in a pool or ocean, but I did submerge it in the bathtub. And, of course, nothing happened—I just wiped the device with a towel, and that was it. The phone didn’t even “feel” anything and continued to work as if nothing had happened.
There’s no standard Gorilla Glass here, but the manufacturer notes that the screen has been specially reinforced to withstand drops from up to 1.5 meters. I didn’t dare to test this myself, but my cat (who also played a passive role in the review) knocked the phone off my bed, and once again, everything remained intact thanks to the rubberized sides and durable glass.
Additionally, its compliance with the MIL-STD-810H military standard shows that it has undergone rigorous durability testing, including extreme temperatures, shocks, and humidity.
Screen
The CUBOT KINGKONG X features an impressive 6.58-inch display with a resolution of 1080×2408 pixels, providing clear images with a density of 401 ppi. Unfortunately, it’s not AMOLED, but the IPS panel is bright, with good contrast and wide viewing angles, and its high refresh rate adds smoothness. The manufacturer doesn’t provide peak brightness data, but under direct sunlight, the display tends to wash out a bit, so there isn’t much to brag about in that regard. The bezels are quite wide, and the notch for the selfie camera is an outdated teardrop shape, but this can be forgiven for an armored model.
In the settings, you’ll find familiar options for screen customization—dark and light modes, element size, wallpaper changes, and style adjustments. An interesting addition is the “top of the screen” option, which lets you choose how you want your display to appear. For example, you can leave the camera notch visible and increase the area of the screen you can see at once, or make the screen slightly smaller by hiding the selfie camera in a black bar. You can also choose what appears on the screen when it goes into sleep mode—colors, photos from the gallery, or a clock.
There’s also an option to choose the refresh rate—60, 90, or 120 Hz. Unfortunately, there’s no automatic adjustment for this parameter, but if you want to conserve battery life, you can set it to 60 Hz. However, this will make the operation less smooth.
Read also: Expanding RAM in a smartphone: what it is and how it works
Performance
The CUBOT KINGKONG X is equipped with a 64-bit MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset with 8 cores, including 2 Cortex-A78 cores clocked at up to 2.6 GHz and 6 Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, manufactured using a 6nm process, and an ARM Mali-G68 MC4 GPU. It also has 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, expandable up to 16 GB via internal storage (256/512 GB UFS 3.1). In practice, this combination provides smooth app switching with no freezes or delays.
In the settings, there’s a DuraSpeed option that disables unnecessary background apps to speed up the smartphone. If this causes issues, you can add some apps to the exceptions list.
The results of the benchmarks are as follows:
The test model had 256 GB of internal storage, but there’s also a slightly more expensive 512 GB option. Additional storage can be added with a MicroSD card, but you’ll need to choose between the memory card or a second SIM card.
Our model isn’t designed for gaming, but even popular games run at a decent resolution. During gaming and everyday use, the phone doesn’t heat up, or I simply didn’t notice it due to the rugged casing.
Operating system
The KINGKONG X runs on a “clean” version of Android 14. Everything is clear and uncluttered, with individual elements in the operating system easily accessible as they are well-organized into categories.
As we’ve discussed, the settings offer advanced functionality for the additional screen, side button, and LED indicator. There are various manufacturer-added apps (including Toolbox—a compass, level, protractor, and altimeter), but there are no unnecessary pre-installed apps—take note, Realme, this is the way to success! Various gestures are also available.
The only downside is occasional inaccurate translations of the interface into Ukrainian. I hope this will improve with upcoming updates. Overall, don’t expect long-term updates and security patches from Cubot—even Android 15 might not make it. The company releases so many smartphones each year that they probably have little interest in previous models.
Read also: Cubot KingKong 8 Review: А Worthy Rugged Budget Phone 3-in-1
Sound
While the CUBOT KINGKONG X impresses with its durability and performance, it has average sound quality. The built-in speaker provides adequate sound for everyday use, such as phone calls, listening to podcasts, or watching movies. However, for more demanding users expecting deep bass and clear highs, the sound might seem flat and lacking in fullness. Therefore, we recommend using wireless headphones, as the model does not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
There is a Hi-Fi sound mode in the options, but I didn’t see any difference.
Unlocking methods
As always, we have three unlocking methods: PIN code, facial recognition, and the fingerprint scanner located in the power button. In this section, I’ll focus on the latter—the scanner is somewhat inconvenient because the button is raised, which sometimes leads to false touches. However, this doesn’t hinder everyday use, as the device unlocks instantly with proper finger placement. Face ID also works well but only under sufficient lighting conditions.
Wireless connections
The smartphone supports communication standards such as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11/b/a/g/n/ac/ax) and Bluetooth 5.1 for fast and reliable connections. CUBOT also offers various navigation systems—GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO. Additionally, it is equipped with NFC for efficient contactless payments.
CUBOT KINGKONG X cameras
What can I say about the cameras? I suspect that the primary focus in creating this model was on durability standards, so the cameras are not a strong point of the CUBOT KINGKONG X. The cameras (including a 100 MP main module, a 5 MP macro sensor, a 24 MP night sensor, and a 32 MP front camera) are of average quality. Each module takes 3-4 seconds to focus and capture a shot, and post-processing comes into play here. Additionally, considering the phone’s weight, getting a good shot requires patience and staying still, which is challenging. To be honest, it doesn’t always succeed.
The main camera takes standard photos, but I found them lacking in saturation and contrast, and sometimes digital noise appears even in good lighting. When photographing indoors under artificial light, the situation worsens, with frequent focus errors.
At night, the rugged Cubot performs well thanks to its 24 MP dedicated night lens, which creates a distinctive atmosphere in photos by slightly warming the colors. The major issue was with passersby, as the shots appeared blurred due to the sensor struggling to keep up with moving people (remember, I had to stay still for some time).
The special night mode works well with light elements, here’s a comparison:
What can I say about the macro camera? It’s a basic module typically found in budget smartphones. A successful shot can be achieved if there’s enough light and if you manage to get the focus right.
The situation with the front camera is mixed. On one hand, selfies taken in daylight are clear and natural, without distortions. On the other hand, in photos with a white background, my face appeared overly bright, almost like a doll. This effect might not be to everyone’s liking.
Video recorded with the CUBOT KINGKONG X is decent, offering image quality that will satisfy most users (quality significantly drops only in low-light conditions). The model can record in 4K, but in any mode, it is limited to a frame rate of 30 fps.
In conclusion, a potential buyer of the CUBOT KINGKONG X is unlikely to focus on photo quality. This is a large and heavy phone designed for specialized tasks where photography is not a primary concern. However, if you need to capture something in a photo, it can be done with quality that is more or less acceptable.
Read also: Cubot KingKong Star review: A rugged smartphone with an extra screen
Battery life
The tested model features a large 10,200 mAh lithium-ion battery, and it comes with a 33W charger. As we can see, this battery capacity is twice that of typical mid-range models and many other rugged phones.
Of course, the manufacturer will only provide positive feedback, but we want to know the actual battery life. The phone arrived for review with a 98% charge. In the first two days, I was just getting familiar with the device, installing apps, and setting up the system. During this period, the battery only dropped by 25%, which left a good impression. In the following days, I took photos, played games, responded to messages, edited texts, and watched various videos on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The battery then lost another 30%. After that, I only did benchmarks and screenshots to reflect the performance of different components, and the battery drained another 30% or so. So, I didn’t even manage to drain it over 5 days! I think, under normal usage conditions, the CUBOT KINGKONG X will last at least 3-4 days.
It turns out that the CUBOT doesn’t need to be charged daily, as is often the case with other smartphones. I’m very pleased and surprised by this result. As for charging, it could be faster, but it is what it is. Using the included 33W charger, the phone reaches a full charge in just over 2 hours.
Conclusions
The CUBOT KINGKONG X is a smartphone from a Chinese company that stands out from its competitors due to its durability, unique design with additional technological features, and attractive price. Its main advantage is its rugged construction, adhering to IP68 and MIL-STD-810H standards, ensuring resistance to dust, water, drops, and extreme conditions. The model is equipped with a powerful chipset and a 10,200 mAh battery, providing long battery life. The screen is IPS but of very high quality. Additionally, there is a secondary display on the back panel, similar to a smartwatch.
However, the CUBOT KINGKONG X also has its drawbacks: its design may be too bulky for some users, the cameras are nothing to brag about, and the sound is average.
It might seem like such an unusual smartphone has no competitors, but of course, there are quite a few, especially from other Chinese brands. For instance, the Oukitel WP30 Pro looks quite similar and also features a rear display. It’s a sort of flagship model—offering more memory, a more powerful chipset, 120W charging, 5G, and an 11,000 mAh battery, but it starts at around $380. The same manufacturer also offers the Oukitel WP19 with a 21,000 mAh battery for about $240. Or the WP26, priced from $220, with Full HD resolution and a 10,000 mAh battery. Other notable rugged models include the Ulefone Armor 21, Doogee V31GT, and Blackview Bv8900 Pro. I’ve also mentioned that Cubot releases dozens of smartphones each year, so there are other models like the KingKong Power, King Kong 9, King Kong Ace 3, King Kong AX, and more, available at similar prices.
The CUBOT KINGKONG X will be a reliable companion primarily for those who lead an active lifestyle, work in harsh conditions, and seek outdoor adventures. It’s a dependable, durable, and versatile device available at a reasonable price.
Read also:
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