The rugged smartphone market offers durability without sacrificing functionality, but performance varies greatly. We pit the compact Cubot KingKong Mini 2 Pro against the more powerful Doogee S96 Pro, analyzing their core components to determine which device delivers the best balance of toughness and usability for demanding users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing affordability and a genuinely pocketable form factor, the Cubot KingKong Mini 2 Pro is a solid choice. However, the Doogee S96 Pro’s significantly more powerful Helio G90 chipset and faster charging capabilities make it the superior option for those needing more processing power and quicker top-ups.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119 x 58 x 12.5 mm (4.69 x 2.28 x 0.49 in) | 167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 122.7 g (4.34 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 540 x 1080 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~302 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 41.3 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB 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, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/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 | 3000 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Red, Black/Orange | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 280 EUR |
Cubot KingKong Mini 2 Pro
- Highly compact and pocketable design
- More affordable price point
- Rugged build quality for basic protection
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely limited gaming capabilities
Doogee S96 Pro
- Much more powerful Helio G90 processor
- Faster 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Potentially better camera system
- Likely larger and heavier than the Mini 2 Pro
- Higher price tag
- May not be as easily pocketable
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Mini 2 Pro’s emphasis on compactness, it likely features a smaller panel. The S96 Pro, positioned as a more feature-rich device, may benefit from a larger display and potentially higher resolution. Both will likely utilize IPS LCD technology common in this price bracket, and color accuracy will be a key differentiator, though unconfirmed. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both to contribute to their ruggedized builds.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the S96 Pro’s positioning suggests a more sophisticated camera system. While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the S96 Pro is more likely to include a higher-resolution main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Helio G90’s image signal processor (ISP) is also more advanced, enabling better image processing and low-light performance. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot KingKong Mini 2 Pro utilizes the Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22, a 12nm processor with an octa-core configuration split between 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This is a capable chip for everyday tasks but will struggle with graphically intensive games. Conversely, the Doogee S96 Pro boasts the Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90, also 12nm, but with a significantly more powerful CPU configuration: two 2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and six 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The A76 cores represent a substantial architectural leap over the A53, offering significantly improved single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience on the S96 Pro. The G90 also features a more capable GPU, further widening the performance gap.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Doogee S96 Pro offers a clear advantage with its 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging capabilities. The Mini 2 Pro likely relies on slower charging speeds. While a larger mAh capacity is always desirable, the S96 Pro’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery, allowing for quicker top-ups and reduced downtime. The inclusion of wireless charging on the S96 Pro is a convenience feature absent on the Mini 2 Pro.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Mini 2 Pro if you need a highly portable, durable phone for basic tasks like communication, navigation, and light media consumption, and are on a tight budget. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a more capable device for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications, and value faster charging speeds and a more responsive user experience, even at a higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90 is known to generate some heat under sustained load. However, the Doogee S96 Pro’s rugged design likely incorporates heat dissipation features to mitigate throttling. While some performance reduction is possible during prolonged gaming, it should remain playable, unlike the Helio P22 in the Mini 2 Pro which would likely struggle significantly.
❓ Is the Cubot KingKong Mini 2 Pro suitable for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Helio P22 in the Cubot KingKong Mini 2 Pro is adequate for basic multitasking, such as switching between messaging apps and web browsing. However, running several demanding applications concurrently may result in noticeable lag and slowdowns due to the processor’s limited resources.
❓ Does the Doogee S96 Pro support fast charging with any specific charging protocol?
The Doogee S96 Pro supports 24W charging, but the specific charging protocol isn't specified. It likely utilizes a standard USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) or Quick Charge (QC) implementation. Using a compatible charger is recommended to achieve the fastest charging speeds.
