Cubot KingKong 11 vs. Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Cubot KingKong 11 and the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro aim to deliver that, but they take different approaches. The KingKong 11 boasts a newer chipset and faster charging, while the XCover Pro leverages Samsung’s brand recognition and established software support. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone truly reigns supreme for demanding users.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing performance and battery longevity, the Cubot KingKong 11 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 7025 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the XCover Pro’s aging Exynos 9611, and the 33W charging is a welcome addition. However, Samsung’s software ecosystem and established reputation for reliability may sway some buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot KingKong 11 Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - Canada
Launch
Announced2025, August2020, January
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, AugustAvailable. Released 2020, January
Body
Dimensions176 x 84.1 x 18.7 mm (6.93 x 3.31 x 0.74 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 10 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-218 g (7.69 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~73.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7025 (6 nm)Exynos 9611 (10 nm)
GPUIMG BXM-8-256Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 15Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 16GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual108 MP, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, (ultrawide), AF25 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, dual infrared LEDDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/k/v/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging33W wired15W wired
Type10200 mAhLi-Po 4050 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Models-SM-G715FN/DS, SM-G715FN, SM-G715F, SM-G715W, SM-G715U, SM-G715U1
Price€ 254.95 / $ 196.64 / £ 265.99About 120 EUR
SAR EU-0.47 W/kg (head)     1.23 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery40:46h endurance, 1400 cycles-
EnergyClass G-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Cubot KingKong 11

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 7025)
  • Superior battery endurance (40:46h)
  • Faster charging (33W)

  • Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
  • Software update support may be less consistent

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

  • Established brand reputation (Samsung)
  • Guaranteed software updates (Samsung)
  • Samsung ecosystem integration

  • Outdated processor (Exynos 9611)
  • Slower charging (15W)
  • Lower performance for demanding tasks

Display Comparison

While both phones likely feature durable displays, the provided data focuses on internal components. The XCover Pro’s display is known to be a 5.65-inch TFT LCD, a technology that typically lags behind modern AMOLED panels in color accuracy and contrast. The KingKong 11’s display specs are not provided, but given its price point, it’s likely a similar LCD. The absence of high refresh rate information on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited, but the focus should be on the primary sensors. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the XCover Pro’s camera system is known to be fairly basic, prioritizing functionality over image quality. The KingKong 11’s camera specs are unknown, but the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) capabilities are likely superior to the older Exynos 9611, potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely irrelevant, offering minimal practical benefit.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Cubot KingKong 11’s Mediatek Dimensity 7025 (6nm) is a modern chipset featuring a Cortex-A78 based core configuration, offering significantly improved CPU and GPU performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Dimensity 7025’s newer architecture and smaller fabrication node translate to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The Exynos 9611, while capable for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding games or multitasking. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 7025 is a key advantage, allowing for higher transistor density and improved performance per watt.

Battery Life

The Cubot KingKong 11’s 40:46h endurance is a standout feature, indicating exceptional battery life. While the battery capacity isn’t specified, the Dimensity 7025’s power efficiency plays a crucial role. The XCover Pro’s battery life is adequate, but falls short of the KingKong 11. The 33W wired charging on the KingKong 11 is a significant advantage over the XCover Pro’s 15W charging, drastically reducing recharge times. This faster charging is particularly beneficial for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot KingKong 11 if you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, offers exceptional battery life with 40:46h endurance, and benefits from faster charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who prioritize raw performance and value. Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro if you prefer a more established brand with a guaranteed software update path, and prioritize Samsung’s ecosystem integration, even if it means sacrificing some processing power and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy XCover Pro tend to overheat during prolonged use, like gaming or video recording?
The Exynos 9611 is known to struggle with thermal management under sustained load. While it won't necessarily shut down, users can expect noticeable performance throttling during extended gaming sessions or when recording high-resolution video. The 10nm process isn't as efficient as the 6nm Dimensity 7025, leading to higher temperatures.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between Cubot and Samsung, and what does that mean for long-term security?
Samsung has a well-defined software update policy, typically offering several years of security patches and OS upgrades. Cubot, as a smaller manufacturer, generally provides less consistent and shorter-term software support. This means the XCover Pro is likely to remain secure for a longer period, while the KingKong 11 may become vulnerable to security threats sooner.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Cubot KingKong 11 compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the KingKong 11 supports 33W charging, whether it utilizes the Power Delivery (PD) standard isn't explicitly stated. It's likely to use a proprietary fast-charging protocol, meaning you'll get the fastest charging speeds with the included charger. Using a standard USB-PD charger will still work, but at a slower rate.