Cubot KingKong ES vs Blackview BV9200: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding work environments. We pit the Cubot KingKong ES, focused on endurance, against the Blackview BV9200, boasting faster charging and a more powerful chipset, to determine which reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and cost-effectiveness, the Cubot KingKong ES is the better choice. However, the Blackview BV9200’s significantly faster charging and superior processing power make it ideal for users who demand more from their device.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot KingKong ES Blackview BV9200
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 411, 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
 -CDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2024, August 202022, December 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, AugustAvailable. Released 2023, January 09
Body
Dimensions172.6 x 81.2 x 12.8 mm (6.80 x 3.20 x 0.50 in)174.5 x 81.8 x 13.6 mm (6.87 x 3.22 x 0.54 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight268 g (9.45 oz)310 g (10.93 oz)
 -IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 14Android 12, Doke-OS 3.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Triple48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/1.8, 120˚, (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens
VideoYes1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
VideoYes1080p
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
ChargingWired66W wired 30W wireless
Type5100 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack/OrangeBlack, Orange, Green
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 200 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery53:11h endurance, 1400 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Cubot KingKong ES

  • Exceptional battery endurance (53:11h)
  • Long battery lifespan (1400 cycles)
  • Cost-effective rugged option

  • Less powerful processor
  • Display specs not provided, likely inferior to BV9200

Blackview BV9200

  • Faster processor (Helio G96)
  • Superior display brightness and contrast
  • 66W wired and 30W wireless charging

  • Potentially shorter battery lifespan compared to Cubot
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Blackview BV9200 takes a clear lead in display quality, offering a measured peak brightness of 481 nits and a 1423:1 contrast ratio. While the KingKong ES’s display specs are not provided, the BV9200’s figures suggest a significantly more visible screen in direct sunlight and richer, more vibrant colors. This benefits users who frequently work or play outdoors. The contrast ratio also indicates deeper blacks, enhancing media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Cubot KingKong ES, a direct comparison is limited. However, the rugged phone market often prioritizes durability over camera prowess. The Blackview BV9200 likely benefits from Mediatek’s image signal processor (ISP) capabilities, potentially offering better image processing and noise reduction. Users seeking high-quality photos should lean towards the BV9200, assuming it features a reasonably sized main sensor (details not provided).

Performance

The Blackview BV9200’s Mediatek Helio G96 chipset, featuring 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a substantial performance upgrade over the Cubot KingKong ES’s Unisoc T606 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55). The G96’s Cortex-A76 cores offer a noticeable improvement in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the higher clock speeds across the board translate to smoother multitasking and gaming. The 12nm process node is shared between both chipsets, so thermal management will likely be similar, but the G96 will still deliver more raw power.

Battery Life

The Cubot KingKong ES boasts impressive battery endurance, achieving 53 hours and 11 minutes of use, and a remarkable 1400 charge cycles. This suggests a focus on long-term battery health and minimizing degradation. The Blackview BV9200, while likely having a competitive battery capacity (spec not provided), is offset by its faster charging capabilities – 66W wired and 30W wireless. This allows for a full charge in significantly less time, a crucial advantage for users who need to quickly replenish their battery. The wireless charging option is a unique benefit of the BV9200.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot KingKong ES if you need a phone that can reliably last through multi-day expeditions or demanding work shifts, and value long-term battery health with its 1400 cycle lifespan. Buy the Blackview BV9200 if you prioritize quick power-ups with 66W wired and 30W wireless charging, and require a more responsive experience for gaming or demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Unisoc T606 in the Cubot KingKong ES struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
The Unisoc T606 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks, but it will likely require reduced graphics settings and frame rates to achieve a playable experience in demanding games like PUBG. The Blackview BV9200’s Helio G96 offers a significant performance boost and will handle these games more smoothly.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Blackview BV9200 with the 66W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, 66W charging typically allows a full charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 45-60 minutes. The 30W wireless charging will take considerably longer, likely around 2-3 hours, but offers convenient top-ups.
❓ Is the 1400 charge cycle rating of the Cubot KingKong ES a significant advantage over typical smartphone batteries?
Yes, absolutely. Most smartphone batteries are rated for around 500-800 charge cycles. The Cubot KingKong ES’s 1400 cycle rating suggests it will maintain a significant portion of its original capacity for a much longer period, delaying battery degradation and extending the phone’s usable lifespan.