The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Blackview A96, powered by the Mediatek Helio G99, aims to deliver solid gaming performance. However, the Cubot ID206 enters the fray as a potential value alternative. This comparison dissects both devices to determine which offers the best experience for budget-conscious users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and consistent performance, the Blackview A96 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the Cubot ID206, which lacks publicly available specifications, suggesting a less powerful processor. While the ID206 may offer a lower price, the A96’s performance justifies the potential cost difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2023, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, September |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 40 x 40 x 12 mm (1.57 x 1.57 x 0.47 in) | 161.8 x 74.2 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.92 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 193.9 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 280 pixels (~217 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.7 inches | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 13, Doke OS 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, 117˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | - | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | No | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, SpO2 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 300 mAh | 4380 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Pink | Provence Purple, Obsidian Black |
| Price | - | About 190 EUR |
Cubot ID206
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer a simple, uncluttered user experience
- Unknown features could be surprisingly good
- Lack of published specifications raises concerns about performance
- Uncertain camera quality
- Potentially limited software support
Blackview A96
- Powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset
- Good performance for gaming and multitasking
- Reliable 18W charging
- May be slightly more expensive than the Cubot ID206
- LCD display isn't as vibrant as OLED
- Camera performance is likely average for the price
Display Comparison
Without specific display details for the Cubot ID206, a direct comparison is difficult. The Blackview A96 likely features an LCD panel, common in this price bracket. The focus here is on usability; while neither phone is expected to boast high refresh rates or OLED technology, the A96’s display size and resolution will be key to a comfortable viewing experience. The ID206’s display quality is an unknown, making the A96 the safer bet for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Given the lack of camera specifications for the Cubot ID206, assessing its imaging capabilities is impossible. The Blackview A96 likely features a standard camera setup for its price range, potentially including a main sensor and auxiliary lenses. While image quality won't rival flagship phones, the A96’s sensor size and aperture will determine its low-light performance. The absence of information regarding the ID206’s camera system makes the A96 the more predictable option for photography.
Performance
The Blackview A96’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is the defining factor in this comparison. Its octa-core CPU, featuring 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, provides a substantial performance uplift over processors typically found in ultra-budget phones. The 6nm process node also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Cubot ID206, lacking published chipset information, is presumed to utilize a less powerful processor, likely impacting app loading times, multitasking, and gaming performance. This makes the A96 the superior choice for users who demand responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Blackview A96’s 18W wired charging is a standard offering in this segment. While not exceptionally fast, it provides a reasonable charging speed for its battery capacity (assumed to be around 5000mAh, typical for this class). The Cubot ID206’s battery and charging capabilities are unknown. The A96’s charging speed, combined with the efficiency of the Helio G99, suggests a balanced battery life experience, making it a more reliable choice for all-day use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot ID206 if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Blackview A96 if you prefer a device capable of handling mobile gaming, streaming video, and multitasking without significant lag, and you value a more responsive user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Blackview A96 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Mediatek Helio G99 in the Blackview A96 is specifically designed for gaming. While you may need to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance, it should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a playable frame rate. The Cubot ID206, with its unknown chipset, is unlikely to offer a comparable gaming experience.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Blackview A96 fast enough for daily use?
18W charging is standard for phones in this price range. It won't be as fast as the charging speeds found on flagship devices, but it should be sufficient to fully charge the Blackview A96 overnight or provide a significant boost in a short period. The Cubot ID206’s charging speed is unknown, making the A96 a more predictable option.
❓ How does the Blackview A96 handle multitasking with several apps open?
The Helio G99 chipset and likely 4GB or 6GB of RAM in the Blackview A96 allow for reasonably smooth multitasking. You should be able to switch between several apps without significant lag. The Cubot ID206, lacking published RAM specifications and a known processor, is expected to struggle with heavy multitasking.
