Cubot KingKong Star vs. Motorola Defy 2: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Defy 2 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 930 chipset delivers noticeably better performance than the KingKong Star’s Dimensity 700, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. However, the KingKong Star’s faster 33W wired charging is a significant advantage for those prioritizing quick top-ups.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot KingKong Star | Motorola Defy 2 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 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, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 2, 5, 23, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 255, 256 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 19 | 2023, February 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 07 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 180.2 x 80.8 x 17.8 mm (7.09 x 3.18 x 0.70 in) | 171 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 395 g (13.93 oz) | 268 g (9.45 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | IMG BXM-8-256 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB 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) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| - | Emergency SOS via satellite (Bullitt Satellite Connect service) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 15W wireless |
| Type | 10600 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Black/Red | Black |
| Models | - | BM1S1B |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 570 EUR |
Cubot KingKong Star
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Less powerful Dimensity 700 chipset
- Likely slower performance in demanding tasks
- No wireless charging
Motorola Defy 2
- More powerful Dimensity 930 chipset
- Superior CPU and GPU performance
- Convenient 15W wireless charging
- Slower charging speeds compared to Cubot
- Potentially higher price
- Wireless charging can be less efficient
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: processing power. Display specs are not provided, so we can only assume similar resolutions and refresh rates. The focus here is on the chipset's ability to drive the display smoothly, where the Defy 2 has an edge.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a crucial role in image processing. The Dimensity 930 in the Defy 2 features a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) than the Dimensity 700, enabling faster image processing, better noise reduction, and improved dynamic range. This means photos and videos captured on the Defy 2 will likely exhibit greater detail and clarity, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of information on sensor sizes makes it impossible to definitively declare a winner, but the processing advantage leans towards Motorola.
Performance
The Motorola Defy 2’s Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6nm) represents a significant leap over the Cubot KingKong Star’s Dimensity 700 (7nm). The 6nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency, leading to potentially lower temperatures and sustained performance. Furthermore, the Defy 2 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores in its CPU, a more advanced architecture than the A76 cores found in the KingKong Star. This translates to approximately 15-20% faster CPU performance in benchmarks and real-world applications. While both phones share 6x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Defy 2’s superior CPU and GPU will handle demanding tasks like video editing and gaming with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging capabilities are a clear differentiator. The Cubot KingKong Star’s 33W wired charging is significantly faster than the Motorola Defy 2’s 15W wireless charging. A full charge on the KingKong Star will likely take around 60-75 minutes, while the Defy 2 could require over two hours via wireless charging. While wireless charging offers convenience, the KingKong Star’s faster wired charging is more practical for users who need a quick power boost. The efficiency gains of the Dimensity 930 may partially offset the faster charging, but the KingKong Star still wins on charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Star if you need a highly affordable, durable phone and prioritize fast wired charging over raw processing power. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and need a reliable workhorse. Buy the Motorola Defy 2 if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, especially when multitasking or playing demanding games, and value the convenience of 15W wireless charging.