Cubot KingKong Ace 2 vs. Ulefone Armor 11T 5G: A Rugged Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Cubot KingKong Ace 2 and the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G aim to deliver on that promise, but they diverge significantly in their approach to internal hardware. The Ace 2 prioritizes battery longevity and cost-effectiveness, while the Armor 11T 5G pushes for 5G connectivity and a more powerful processor, creating a clear distinction for potential buyers.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 800 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power compared to the KingKong Ace 2’s Helio G85. However, the Ace 2 remains a compelling option for those who value extended battery life and a lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot KingKong Ace 2 Ulefone Armor 11T 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 411, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced20242021, May 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2024Available. Released 2021, June 07
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions173.9 x 81.8 x 12.7 mm (6.85 x 3.22 x 0.5 in)163.8 x 81.6 x 14.2 mm (6.45 x 3.21 x 0.56 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight283 g (9.98 oz)293 g (10.34 oz)
 -IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6Oleophobic coating
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G85 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G57 MP4
OSAndroid 14Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-16 MP, f/2.0
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.0
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired 10W wireless
Type5100 mAhLi-Po 5200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack/Orange, Black/GreenBlack
Price-About 590 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery43:59h endurance, 900 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Cubot KingKong Ace 2

  • Exceptional battery life (43:59h endurance)
  • High battery cycle count (900 cycles)
  • More affordable price point

  • Less powerful processor (Helio G85)
  • Limited to wired charging

Ulefone Armor 11T 5G

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 800)
  • 5G connectivity
  • Wireless charging support

  • Likely shorter battery life
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 11T 5G's positioning as a more premium device, it likely features a higher-quality panel with better color accuracy and potentially higher brightness. Rugged phones often prioritize durability over display excellence, so expect both to have functional, rather than flagship-level, screens. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both to contribute to drop protection.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Armor 11T 5G’s higher processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The presence of a more powerful chipset also suggests a greater ability to handle features like HDR video recording. It's reasonable to assume the Armor 11T 5G will offer a more versatile and capable camera system, even if the main sensor resolution is similar. We can expect both to include a basic macro lens, but its utility will be limited.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 11T 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7nm) represents a significant upgrade over the Cubot KingKong Ace 2’s Helio G85 (12nm). The Dimensity 800 utilizes Cortex-A76 cores, which offer a substantial IPC (Instructions Per Clock) improvement over the Ace 2’s Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The 7nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural differences are key; the Armor 11T 5G is designed for more demanding tasks.

Battery Life

The Cubot KingKong Ace 2 boasts an impressive 43:59h endurance, suggesting excellent power efficiency. While the Armor 11T 5G’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its more powerful Dimensity 800 chipset will inevitably consume more power. However, the Armor 11T 5G compensates with 18W wired *and* 10W wireless charging, offering greater convenience. The Ace 2 is limited to 18W wired charging. The Ace 2’s 900 charge cycles also suggest a focus on long-term battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot KingKong Ace 2 if you need a phone that can reliably last through multi-day use, and your primary tasks are basic communication, navigation, and light media consumption. You'll benefit from its impressive 43:59h endurance. Buy the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G if you prefer a faster, more responsive experience, require 5G connectivity, and enjoy mobile gaming or demanding applications. The Dimensity 800 provides a noticeable performance advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G’s Dimensity 800 chip overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 800’s 7nm process node and the Armor 11T 5G’s rugged design (which typically includes heat dissipation features) should mitigate overheating. While some throttling is possible during extended, graphically intensive gaming, it’s unlikely to be a severe issue. The chipset is designed for efficient performance.
❓ How much does the wireless charging on the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G slow down the charging process compared to the 18W wired charging?
The 10W wireless charging will be significantly slower than the 18W wired charging. Expect a full charge via wireless to take considerably longer – potentially double or triple the time. Wireless charging is primarily for convenience, not speed.
❓ Is the Cubot KingKong Ace 2’s Helio G85 sufficient for playing popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G85 can handle PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. Don’t expect the same level of performance as you’d get on a phone with a more powerful chipset like the Dimensity 800.
❓ Given the rugged nature of both phones, what type of screen protection do they likely use?
Both phones likely utilize Corning Gorilla Glass or a similar hardened glass for screen protection, in addition to the reinforced casing. However, rugged phones often prioritize impact resistance over scratch resistance, so the glass may not be the latest generation or highest hardness.