Cubot KingKong AX vs. Blackview BL8800 Pro: A Rugged Showdown

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding professionals. The Cubot KingKong AX prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the Blackview BL8800 Pro brings 5G connectivity and faster charging to the table. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing all-day (and then some) battery life and aren't heavily reliant on 5G, the Cubot KingKong AX is the clear winner. However, if 5G connectivity and quicker charging are essential, the Blackview BL8800 Pro offers a compelling alternative, despite slightly shorter battery life.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot KingKong AX Blackview BL8800 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2024, March2022, May 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, AprilAvailable. Released 2022, May 09
Body
Dimensions172 x 80.9 x 12.7 mm (6.77 x 3.19 x 0.5 in)176.2 x 83.5 x 17.7 mm (6.94 x 3.29 x 0.70 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight296 g (10.44 oz)367 g (12.95 oz)
 -IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6-
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 480 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 14Android 11, Doke-OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flashThermal imaging, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, thermal assisted camera FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 2x Auxiliary lens
Single-16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
VideoYes1440p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackUnspecifiedNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging33W wired33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min Reverse wired
Type5100 mAh8380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Green
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 300 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery30:30h endurance, 900 cycles-
EnergyClass E-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Cubot KingKong AX

  • Exceptional 30:30h battery life
  • High battery cycle count (900 cycles)
  • Potentially better power efficiency with the 6nm Helio G99

  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Limited camera information available

Blackview BL8800 Pro

  • Integrated 5G modem for faster data speeds
  • Faster charging (100% in 90 minutes)
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Shorter battery life compared to the KingKong AX
  • Potentially less efficient 7nm Dimensity 700

Display Comparison

Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their price points, we can expect IPS LCD panels. The focus here isn't likely on display quality, but rather durability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both to provide impact protection. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent beyond the chipsets. Given the rugged nature of these phones, image processing will likely prioritize practicality over artistic flair. Expect decent performance in good lighting conditions, but limitations in low-light scenarios. The absence of information prevents a meaningful comparison of sensor sizes or optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

Both the Cubot KingKong AX and Blackview BL8800 Pro utilize an octa-core CPU configuration with the same core arrangement (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The key difference lies in the chipset: the KingKong AX features the Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm), while the BL8800 Pro uses the Dimensity 700 (7nm). The 6nm process of the Helio G99 *should* offer slightly better power efficiency, potentially contributing to the KingKong AX’s superior battery life. The Dimensity 700, however, provides integrated 5G modem support, a feature absent in the Helio G99. While CPU performance is similar, the Dimensity 700’s GPU will likely offer a modest advantage in graphically intensive tasks.

Battery Life

The Cubot KingKong AX boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance with a reported 30:30h runtime and an impressive 900 charge cycles. This suggests a larger battery capacity and optimized power management. The Blackview BL8800 Pro, while also offering 33W wired charging (reaching 31% in 30 minutes and 100% in 90 minutes), doesn’t provide endurance figures. The inclusion of reverse wired charging on the BL8800 Pro is a useful feature for topping up accessories, but it comes at the cost of overall battery life compared to the KingKong AX.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot KingKong AX if you need a phone that can reliably last through multi-day expeditions, construction work, or any scenario where access to a charger is limited. Its 30:30h endurance and 900 charge cycles are unmatched in this price bracket. Buy the Blackview BL8800 Pro if you prioritize 5G network speeds for streaming, downloading, or remote work, and appreciate the convenience of faster 33W charging with reverse wired capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the Blackview BL8800 Pro get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 700 is a capable chip, its 7nm process isn't as thermally efficient as newer nodes. Expect some heat buildup during prolonged gaming, but the rugged design of the BL8800 Pro should provide adequate heat dissipation. Performance throttling may occur to manage temperatures.
❓ How does the 900 charge cycle rating of the Cubot KingKong AX translate to real-world battery health over several years of use?
A 900 charge cycle rating indicates the battery is designed to retain at least 80% of its original capacity after undergoing 900 full charge-discharge cycles. This suggests the KingKong AX’s battery will maintain its performance for a significantly longer period compared to phones with lower cycle ratings, potentially lasting 3-5 years with typical usage.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging feature on the Blackview BL8800 Pro useful for charging other devices like earbuds or smartwatches?
Yes, the reverse wired charging feature allows you to use the BL8800 Pro as a power bank for smaller devices. While the charging speed won't be as fast as a dedicated charger, it's a convenient option when you're away from a power outlet and need to top up your accessories.