Cubot KingKong Ace 3 vs. Nokia XR21: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term software support and slightly better performance, the Nokia XR21 is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 695 offers improved efficiency and 5G connectivity, offsetting the similar charging speeds and comparable battery capacity to the Cubot KingKong Ace 3.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot KingKong Ace 3 | Nokia XR21 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, June 28 | 2023, May 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July 23 | Available. Released 2023, June 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 173.9 x 81.8 x 12.7 mm (6.85 x 3.22 x 0.5 in) | 168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 284 g (10.02 oz) | 231 g (8.15 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~73.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | Unspecified |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4 (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, PD2.0, QC3 |
| Type | 5100 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black/Orange | Midnight Black, Pine Green |
| Price | - | About 570 EUR |
Cubot KingKong Ace 3
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Less efficient chipset (Helio G88)
- Limited software update support
- No 5G connectivity
Nokia XR21
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 695)
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Guaranteed software updates from Nokia
- Higher price compared to Cubot Ace 3
- Rugged design may not be as extreme as Ace 3
- Performance gains may not be noticeable for casual users
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. Without specific display specs, we can infer that the XR21's Qualcomm chipset may offer slightly better image processing capabilities. However, the Ace 3's focus on affordability likely means a simpler display configuration, potentially with lower peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role. The Snapdragon 695 includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) than the Helio G88, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The XR21 likely benefits from superior noise reduction and dynamic range. We can assume both phones will include a standard array of cameras, but the XR21’s ISP gives it an advantage in image processing.
Performance
The Nokia XR21’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the Cubot KingKong Ace 3’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm). The 6nm process node inherently delivers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation during sustained tasks. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a performance edge over the Helio G88’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This difference will be noticeable in multitasking and more demanding applications. The XR21 is the clear winner for users who game or run resource-intensive apps.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 33W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – likely around 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. The real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the Snapdragon 695’s superior power efficiency in the XR21 will likely result in longer battery life, even with a similar capacity battery (which is not specified in the provided data). The 6nm process node is a key factor here, minimizing power draw during everyday tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Ace 3 if you need a highly affordable, durable phone primarily for basic tasks and aren't concerned with 5G or extensive software updates. Buy the Nokia XR21 if you prefer a phone with a more efficient processor, 5G connectivity, guaranteed software updates, and a slightly more refined user experience, even at a higher price point.