Cubot KingKong ES 3 vs. Blackview BV8800: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Endurance

The rugged smartphone market caters to users demanding durability and extended battery life. The Cubot KingKong ES 3 and Blackview BV8800 both aim to deliver, but take different approaches. The ES 3 prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the BV8800 focuses on a more powerful chipset for a broader range of tasks. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Cubot KingKong ES 3 is the clear winner. Its astounding 61:01h endurance rating significantly outpaces the Blackview BV8800’s 199h, making it ideal for extended trips or demanding work environments. While the BV8800 offers a more potent processor, the ES 3’s battery life is a game-changer.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot KingKong ES 3 Blackview BV8800
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2025, August2021, December 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, AugustAvailable. Released 2022, January 10
Body
Dimensions177.4 x 83.7 x 15.3 mm (6.98 x 3.30 x 0.60 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
Weight352 g (12.42 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-
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~74.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T615 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 15Android 11, Doke-OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/1.8, (IR camera), 2 IR emitters Auxiliary lens
Single-16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
VideoYes1440p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-CUSB 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
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging33W wired33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min Reverse wired
Type10200 mAh8380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Green
PriceAbout 160 EURAbout 350 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 199h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1348:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -29.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 254849 (v8), 288964 (v9) GeekBench: 1752 (v5.1) GFXBench: 10fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
EU LABEL
Battery61:01h endurance, 1300 cycles-
EnergyClass E-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Cubot KingKong ES 3

  • Exceptional battery life (61:01h endurance)
  • Potentially lower operating temperatures due to efficient chipset
  • 1300 charge cycles suggest long-term battery health

  • Performance may be limited for demanding tasks
  • Display specifications are unknown

Blackview BV8800

  • More powerful processor (Helio G96) for gaming and multitasking
  • Faster charging speeds (100% in 90 minutes)
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Significantly shorter battery life (199h endurance)
  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Blackview BV8800 boasts a measured peak brightness of 501 nits and a 1348:1 contrast ratio, providing a reasonably vibrant viewing experience. However, the Cubot KingKong ES 3’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. Given the BV8800’s contrast ratio is nominal, it suggests the panel isn’t exceptionally tuned. For users who spend significant time outdoors, the BV8800’s brightness is adequate, but the ES 3’s display quality remains an unknown factor.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment suggests both devices likely include one, but its utility is limited due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image quality will likely depend more on software processing than hardware differences.

Performance

The Blackview BV8800’s MediaTek Helio G96 chipset, featuring a 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Cubot KingKong ES 3’s Unisoc T615. The G96’s Cortex-A76 cores are architecturally superior to the T615’s Cortex-A75 cores, resulting in faster application loading and smoother multitasking. However, the Unisoc T615’s 12nm process node is comparable to the G96’s, suggesting similar thermal efficiency. The G96 is better suited for gaming, while the T615 excels at power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Cubot KingKong ES 3’s 61:01h endurance rating is a standout feature, dwarfing the Blackview BV8800’s 199h. This translates to days of use on a single charge for the ES 3, while the BV8800 will likely require daily charging. Both phones support 33W wired charging, but the BV8800 charges to 31% in 30 minutes and 100% in 90 minutes, while the ES 3’s charging speed is not specified. The BV8800 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the ES 3, allowing it to charge other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot KingKong ES 3 if you need a phone that can reliably last for days on a single charge, and your primary use case revolves around communication, navigation, and basic productivity. Buy the Blackview BV8800 if you prioritize gaming, video editing, or other processor-intensive tasks, and are willing to compromise on battery life for increased performance and faster charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio G96 in the Blackview BV8800 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G96 is known to generate more heat than some other mid-range chipsets. While the BV8800’s rugged design may offer some passive cooling, extended gaming sessions could lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance to prevent overheating. The Cubot KingKong ES 3, with its less powerful Unisoc T615, is less likely to experience this issue.
❓ How does the 1300 charge cycle claim of the Cubot KingKong ES 3 translate to real-world battery lifespan?
The 1300 charge cycle claim suggests the ES 3’s battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its capacity even after numerous charge cycles. This means the battery should maintain acceptable performance for a longer period compared to phones with lower cycle counts, potentially extending the device’s overall lifespan.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging feature on the Blackview BV8800 useful for emergency situations?
Yes, the reverse wired charging feature can be invaluable in emergency situations. It allows you to use the BV8800 to top up other devices, such as wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, if they run out of battery when you're away from a power source. However, it will drain the BV8800’s battery faster.