Cubot KingKong AX vs. Doogee S98 Pro: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding professionals. The Cubot KingKong AX and Doogee S98 Pro both aim to deliver durability and performance, but they take different approaches. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which phone offers the best blend of power, longevity, and value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing battery endurance and efficient performance, the Cubot KingKong AX emerges as the winner. Its newer Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in power efficiency over the Doogee S98 Pro’s 12nm Helio G96, translating to significantly longer usage times.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot KingKong AX Doogee S98 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, March2022, May 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, AprilAvailable. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions172 x 80.9 x 12.7 mm (6.77 x 3.19 x 0.5 in)172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight296 g (10.44 oz)320 g (11.29 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 14Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Thermal imaging camera
VideoYes1440p, 1080p
Selfie camera
Single32 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
VideoYes1080p
Sound
35mm jackUnspecifiedUnspecified
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
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, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired33W wired 15W wireless
Type5100 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 470 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery30:30h endurance, 900 cycles-
EnergyClass E-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Cubot KingKong AX

  • Superior battery life (30:30h endurance)
  • More efficient chipset (Helio G99, 6nm)
  • Longer battery lifespan (900 charge cycles)

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • No display specifications available

Doogee S98 Pro

  • Convenience of 15W wireless charging
  • Established brand in the rugged phone market
  • 33W wired charging

  • Less efficient chipset (Helio G96, 12nm)
  • Inferior battery endurance (estimated)

Display Comparison

Neither device provides display specifications in the provided data. However, given their market positioning, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of details like refresh rate or resolution suggests a focus on durability and cost-effectiveness over premium display features. Users should expect adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences.

Camera Comparison

The provided data lacks camera specifications. Given the rugged nature of these phones, camera performance is likely a secondary consideration. Expect competent, but not flagship-level, image quality. Both devices likely feature multiple rear cameras, but without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to its small sensor size and low resolution.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot KingKong AX’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the Doogee S98 Pro’s Helio G96 (12nm). The 6nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency. While both CPUs feature the same core configuration – Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) – the G99’s architecture benefits from the smaller node, resulting in better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. This means the KingKong AX will likely maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods during demanding tasks. The G99 also boasts an improved GPU, offering a slight edge in gaming performance.

Battery Life

The Cubot KingKong AX boasts a remarkable 30:30h endurance rating, a significant advantage over what can be inferred for the Doogee S98 Pro. While both support 33W wired charging, the S98 Pro adds 15W wireless charging, offering convenience for users who prefer cable-free power-ups. However, the AX’s superior battery life, coupled with its 900 charge cycles, suggests a longer overall lifespan and reduced need for frequent charging. The G99’s efficiency directly contributes to this extended endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot KingKong AX if you need maximum battery life and prioritize sustained performance for tasks like navigation, communication, and light gaming during extended outdoor adventures. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you value the convenience of wireless charging and prefer a slightly more established brand within the rugged phone space, accepting a trade-off in overall battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Cubot KingKong AX’s Helio G99 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset for gaming, and PUBG Mobile should be playable at medium to high settings. The 6nm process and improved GPU compared to the G96 in the Doogee S98 Pro will help maintain stable frame rates for longer periods, minimizing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on both phones, and what’s a realistic 0-100% charge time?
While both phones support 33W wired charging, the Cubot KingKong AX’s more efficient chipset may allow it to utilize the charging wattage more effectively. Expect a realistic 0-100% charge time of around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours for both devices, though the AX may edge slightly faster due to its power management.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Doogee S98 Pro significantly slower than the 33W wired charging?
Yes, the 15W wireless charging on the Doogee S98 Pro is considerably slower than the 33W wired charging. Expect a full charge via wireless charging to take approximately 3-4 hours. It's best suited for overnight charging or topping up the battery when a wired connection isn't convenient.