The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Cubot KingKong 6 and Ulefone Armor 11 5G aim to deliver that, but they diverge significantly in their approach to internal hardware. The KingKong 6 focuses on affordability, while the Armor 11 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and a more powerful chipset, creating a clear performance disparity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user needing a reliable, durable phone, the Ulefone Armor 11 5G is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800 chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the Cubot KingKong 6’s Unisoc Tiger T310, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. While the KingKong 6 offers value, the Armor 11 5G delivers a more future-proof and responsive user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2021, February 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2021, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 79 x 13.8 mm (6.50 x 3.11 x 0.54 in) | 163.8 x 81.6 x 14.2 mm (6.45 x 3.21 x 0.56 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 261 g (9.21 oz) | 295 g (10.41 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~70.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G57 MP4 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, (wide), AF
0.3 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Penta | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide)
20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 1/2.78", 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
10W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Orange | Black |
| Price | - | About 480 EUR |
Cubot KingKong 6
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset (depending on capacity)
- Significantly slower performance
- Less future-proof chipset
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Ulefone Armor 11 5G
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Wireless charging convenience
- Higher price tag
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- May be slightly bulkier due to larger components
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 11 5G's higher price point, it likely features a display with better color accuracy and potentially higher brightness. Rugged phones often prioritize durability over display quality, so expect both to have practical, rather than exceptional, screens. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both to contribute to drop protection.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Armor 11 5G’s higher price suggests a more capable camera system. Rugged phones often prioritize practicality over camera excellence, so expect both to offer functional cameras suitable for documenting work or outdoor activities. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Armor 11 5G, if equipped, would be a significant advantage in low-light conditions. The 2MP macro cameras often found on these devices are generally of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7nm) is a significant leap over the Cubot KingKong 6’s Unisoc Tiger T310 (12nm). The Dimensity 800’s octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) provides substantially more processing power than the KingKong 6’s quad-core setup (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). The 7nm process node of the Dimensity 800 also translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, meaning sustained performance will be higher. Users will notice a dramatic difference in app loading times, multitasking, and gaming performance on the Armor 11 5G.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Ulefone Armor 11 5G offers both 18W wired and 10W wireless charging, providing greater convenience. The KingKong 6’s charging capabilities are unknown. While a larger mAh capacity is always desirable, the Dimensity 800’s superior power efficiency in the Armor 11 5G could offset a slightly smaller battery, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The addition of wireless charging on the Armor 11 5G is a notable convenience feature.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong 6 if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light app usage, and 5G isn't a priority. Buy the Ulefone Armor 11 5G if you prioritize performance, 5G connectivity, and a smoother overall experience, even if it means spending a bit more. The Armor 11 5G is ideal for users who want a rugged phone that can also handle demanding applications and games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s Dimensity 800 chipset overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Mediatek Dimensity 800 is known for its relatively efficient thermal management. While some heat generation is inevitable during demanding tasks like gaming, the 7nm process node and the Armor 11 5G’s rugged design (which often incorporates heat dissipation features) should prevent significant overheating and throttling. Expect playable frame rates for most mobile games, but sustained peak performance may be limited.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T310 in the Cubot KingKong 6 sufficient for running popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T310 is capable of running basic applications like Facebook and Instagram without significant issues. However, expect slower loading times and occasional lag when switching between apps. The chipset is geared towards essential functionality rather than demanding performance.
❓ Does the Ulefone Armor 11 5G support all 5G bands available in the US?
5G band support varies by region and carrier. You'll need to verify the specific 5G bands supported by the Ulefone Armor 11 5G against your carrier's network to ensure compatibility. Check Ulefone's official specifications or contact your carrier for detailed information.
