The Cubot KingKong ES, launched in August 2024, is a rugged smartphone designed for users who need durability and performance in demanding environments. With its robust build, water, dust resistance, and modern features, the KingKong ES caters to adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those working in tough conditions.
Design and Durability
The Cubot KingKong ES has a tough exterior, with dimensions of 172.6 x 81.2 x 12.8 mm and a weight of 268 grams, making it a solid and hefty device. It is designed to withstand extreme conditions, boasting IP68/IP69K dust and water resistance, which ensures it can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes without damage. This makes it ideal for those who spend time in rugged environments or need a phone that can handle accidental drops and exposure to the elements.
Display
The phone features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and a more responsive user experience. The 720 x 1612 pixel resolution with a 20:9 aspect ratio offers good clarity and color reproduction for watching videos, browsing the web, or gaming, despite its rugged nature. The screen-to-body ratio is around 73.8%, giving users a decent viewing area while keeping the device sturdy.
Under the hood, the Cubot KingKong ES is powered by the Unisoc T606 chipset built on a 12nm process, which features an octa-core CPU (2×1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6×1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) and a Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. This configuration ensures that the phone can handle day-to-day tasks smoothly, such as browsing, streaming, and light gaming, all while running on Android 14. The phone comes with 128GB of internal storage and 6GB of RAM, providing ample space for apps, media, and files. Additionally, it supports expandable storage via a microSDXC card, although it shares the SIM slot.
Camera
For photography, the Cubot KingKong ES is equipped with a triple-camera setup, led by a 48 MP wide lens with PDAF for fast focusing. It also has a 2 MP macro lens for close-up shots and an auxiliary lens to complete the setup. The camera includes features like an LED flash for low-light environments, and it can record videos, though specific video resolution details are not provided. On the front, there’s a 16 MP selfie camera, perfect for video calls and decent-quality selfies.
Battery and Connectivity
The device is powered by a 5100 mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting usage, especially in outdoor or remote settings where recharging may not be readily available. Charging is done via a USB Type-C port. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band support, Bluetooth 5.0, and various positioning systems like GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, and BDS for accurate navigation. However, it lacks NFC and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Conclusion
The Cubot KingKong ES is a rugged, feature-rich smartphone designed for durability and performance in challenging environments. With its sturdy build, solid performance, and capable camera system, it is an excellent choice for those who need a reliable phone in extreme conditions.