Cubot KingKong Star vs. Nokia XR20: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Cubot KingKong Star is the better choice. Its Dimensity 700 chipset offers a noticeable speed advantage over the Snapdragon 480 in the Nokia XR20. However, the XR20’s wireless charging and Nokia’s software support make it a compelling option for those valuing convenience and long-term updates.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot KingKong Star | Nokia XR20 |
| 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 19 | 2021, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 07 | Available. Released 2021, August 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 180.2 x 80.8 x 17.8 mm (7.09 x 3.18 x 0.70 in) | 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 395 g (13.93 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 550 nits |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash | Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 24 MP, (night vision camera), 2 IR emitters 5 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 18W wired 15W wireless |
| Type | 10600 mAh | Li-Po 4630 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Black/Red | Ultra Blue, Granite Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1368, TA-1362 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
Cubot KingKong Star
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- Significantly faster 33W wired charging
- Potentially better value for performance-focused users
- Unspecified display quality
- Likely less frequent software updates
Nokia XR20
- Wireless charging for added convenience
- Nokia’s reputation for software updates and security
- More durable display glass (Gorilla Glass Victus)
- Slower processor impacting performance
- Slower 18W wired and 15W wireless charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a flagship-level display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, details like peak brightness and color accuracy are missing. The XR20’s Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior scratch resistance compared to the KingKong Star’s unspecified glass, enhancing its durability. The absence of high refresh rates on both suggests a focus on battery conservation rather than visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature modest camera systems. The focus should be on image processing capabilities. Nokia’s image processing is generally known for natural colors, while Cubot’s tends towards more saturated results. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests low-light performance will be a weakness. The 2MP macro lenses found on many phones in this class are largely marketing gimmicks and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Cubot KingKong Star’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process, demonstrably outperforms the Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 (8nm). The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, provide a significant boost in single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launching and general usability. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores operate at lower frequencies, resulting in a less snappy experience. This translates to faster loading times and smoother multitasking for the KingKong Star, benefiting users who frequently switch between applications or engage in light gaming.
Battery Life
The battery capacity is not specified for either device, making a direct mAh comparison impossible. However, the charging speeds reveal a key difference. The Cubot KingKong Star’s 33W wired charging is significantly faster than the Nokia XR20’s 18W wired and 15W wireless charging. This means the KingKong Star can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. The XR20’s wireless charging is a convenience feature, but the slower charging speeds offset some of its benefits. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 480 *should* offer slightly better power efficiency, potentially mitigating the charging speed difference, but the Dimensity 700’s performance advantage may negate this benefit during heavy usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Star if you need a rugged phone for demanding tasks like mobile gaming, frequent video recording, or running multiple apps simultaneously. Its faster processor and 33W charging will keep you going. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more balanced experience with a focus on software reliability, wireless charging convenience, and a brand known for consistent updates, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power.