Cubot KingKong Star vs. Doogee S99: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users prioritizing raw processing power and future-proofing, the Cubot KingKong Star emerges as the better choice. Its Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, offers a performance edge over the Doogee S99’s 12nm Helio G96, despite a slightly lower clock speed. However, the Doogee S99’s wireless charging and reverse wired charging add convenience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot KingKong Star | Doogee S99 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 19 | 2022, December 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 07 | Available. Released 2022, December 05 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 180.2 x 80.8 x 17.8 mm (7.09 x 3.18 x 0.70 in) | 172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 395 g (13.93 oz) | - |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 24 MP, (night vision camera), 2 IR emitters 5 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights 16 MP, f/1.8, 130˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | Yes | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 45% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wired |
| Type | 10600 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Black/Red | Gold, Black |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Cubot KingKong Star
- More efficient 7nm Dimensity 700 chipset
- Integrated 5G modem for future-proofing
- Potentially better thermal management
- Lacks wireless charging
- No reverse wired charging
Doogee S99
- 15W wireless charging support
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Faster initial charging speed (claimed 45% in 30 min)
- Less efficient 12nm Helio G96 chipset
- Older chipset architecture
- Potentially more thermal throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price points, we can expect both to utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of details like resolution, refresh rate, and peak brightness makes it difficult to assess visual quality. Users should research independent reviews for detailed display analysis, focusing on outdoor visibility and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a comprehensive comparison is impossible. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Dimensity 700’s ISP is likely more advanced, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. Users should focus on independent camera reviews to assess real-world image quality, paying attention to low-light performance and video stabilization. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on rugged phones suggests avoiding reliance on 2MP macro lenses.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot KingKong Star’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) boasts a more modern architecture than the Doogee S99’s Helio G96 (12nm). While the G96 has a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (2.05 GHz vs 2.2 GHz), the 7nm process of the Dimensity 700 generally translates to better power efficiency and sustained performance under load. Both CPUs share the same core configuration (2x Cortex-A76 & 6x Cortex-A55), but the Dimensity 700’s integrated 5G modem is a significant advantage for future-proofing. The 7nm node also implies better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 33W wired charging, with the Doogee S99 claiming a 45% charge in 30 minutes. This suggests a slightly optimized charging curve on the Doogee. However, the Doogee S99 adds 15W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, offering greater versatility. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the Dimensity 700’s superior power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the Cubot KingKong Star, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The addition of wireless and reverse charging on the Doogee S99 is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently travel or rely on wireless accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Star if you need a phone that prioritizes efficient performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, and you value a newer chipset architecture. Buy the Doogee S99 if you frequently utilize wireless charging, need reverse wired charging to power other devices, and are less concerned with having the absolute latest processor technology.