The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, performance and features vary wildly. We pit the entry-level Cubot KingKong CS against the more ambitious Doogee S96 Pro to determine which offers the best balance of toughness and usability, focusing on the significant chipset disparity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and extreme durability on a tight budget, the Cubot KingKong CS is sufficient. However, the Doogee S96 Pro, powered by the Helio G90, is the clear winner for anyone needing more than essential smartphone capabilities, offering significantly improved performance and faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 153 x 80.2 x 14.9 mm (6.02 x 3.16 x 0.59 in) | 167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 236.5 g (8.36 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~56.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide)
20 MP, f/2.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights
2 MP (macro) |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 24W wired
10W wireless |
| Type | 4400 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 280 EUR |
Cubot KingKong CS
- Extremely affordable price point
- Highly durable and rugged design
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful processor
- Significantly underpowered processor
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Poor gaming performance
Doogee S96 Pro
- Powerful Helio G90 processor for smooth performance
- Fast 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Better suited for gaming and demanding applications
- Higher price compared to the Cubot KingKong CS
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy use
- May experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the KingKong CS's focus on cost-effectiveness, it likely utilizes a lower-resolution panel with standard brightness. The S96 Pro, positioned higher in the market, likely features a brighter, more color-accurate display, potentially with a higher refresh rate, though this is unconfirmed. Bezels are expected to be larger on the CS to minimize production costs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the S96 Pro’s higher processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. It's reasonable to assume the S96 Pro will have a more capable main sensor and potentially offer features like improved HDR and night mode. The KingKong CS will likely focus on basic image capture, prioritizing functionality over quality.
Performance
The performance difference is stark. The Cubot KingKong CS relies on the Mediatek MT6580, a quad-core processor built on a 28nm process. This chipset is designed for basic tasks and will struggle with modern applications and multitasking. Conversely, the Doogee S96 Pro boasts the Mediatek Helio G90, an octa-core processor fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process. The G90’s architecture – featuring two Cortex-A76 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores – provides a substantial performance uplift, making it suitable for gaming and demanding applications. The 12nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Doogee S96 Pro’s 24W wired and 10W wireless charging capabilities offer a significant advantage. The KingKong CS likely supports slower charging speeds. While the CS might have a larger battery capacity to compensate for the less efficient MT6580, the S96 Pro’s faster charging will result in less downtime, making it more convenient for users who rely heavily on their phones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong CS if you need a truly affordable, incredibly durable phone for basic communication, occasional photography, and long battery life in situations where performance isn't critical. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and value faster charging speeds and a more responsive user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro's Helio G90 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G90 is a capable processor, it can generate heat under sustained load. The 12nm process helps mitigate this, but some thermal throttling is possible during extended gaming. The S96 Pro's rugged design may also limit passive cooling compared to phones with larger chassis.
❓ Is the Cubot KingKong CS suitable for running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
The Cubot KingKong CS's MT6580 processor is sufficient for basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, but expect some lag and slowdowns when multitasking or using more demanding features within those apps. It's best suited for single-app usage.
❓ Does the Doogee S96 Pro support fast software updates?
Doogee's update track record is inconsistent. While the S96 Pro benefits from a more powerful processor capable of handling larger updates, timely software support cannot be guaranteed. Expect updates to be less frequent than those offered by major brands.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the KingKong CS compare to the S96 Pro?
Both phones are built to withstand drops, dust, and water. However, without specific IP ratings, it's difficult to say which is more rugged. The KingKong CS likely prioritizes basic shock absorption, while the S96 Pro may offer more comprehensive protection due to its higher price point and potentially more robust construction.
