Cubot KingKong Star vs. Ulefone Armor 17 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and sustained performance, the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its 66W charging and more efficient Helio G99 chipset offer a tangible advantage over the Cubot KingKong Star's 33W charging and Dimensity 700, despite both phones sharing the same CPU core configuration.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot KingKong Star | Ulefone Armor 17 Pro |
| 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 / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 19 | 2022, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 07 | Available. Released 2022, October 31 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 180.2 x 80.8 x 17.8 mm (7.09 x 3.18 x 0.70 in) | 172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 395 g (13.93 oz) | 290 g (10.23 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% 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-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 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 | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Triple-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| 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 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 8 MP, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights |
| Video | Yes | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording |
| 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 |
| - | MagSafe compatible accessories | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 66W wired, 53% in 15 min 15W wireless Wireless reversed |
| Type | 10600 mAh | Li-Po 5380 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Black/Red | Black |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Cubot KingKong Star
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- Rugged build quality
- Slower 33W charging
- Less power-efficient chipset
- Lacks wireless charging
Ulefone Armor 17 Pro
- Faster 66W wired charging (53% in 15 min)
- More efficient Mediatek Helio G99 chipset
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Potentially higher price
- Rugged design may be bulky
- Software experience may vary
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 Ulefone Armor 17 Pro's potential for a higher peak brightness, common in devices with faster charging and more modern chipsets, could translate to better outdoor visibility. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, prioritizing durability over a sleek aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both will feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially macro/depth sensors. The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro, being positioned as a slightly more premium device, may benefit from a larger primary sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Ulefone would be a significant advantage, but is unconfirmed.
Performance
Both the Cubot KingKong Star and Ulefone Armor 17 Pro utilize an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. However, the chipset difference is significant. The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, offers superior power efficiency compared to the Cubot KingKong Star’s Dimensity 700 (7nm). This translates to less thermal throttling under sustained load, meaning the Ulefone will likely maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods during gaming or video editing. While the CPU cores are identical, the G99’s GPU is also more capable, providing a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging capabilities reveal a key difference. The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro’s 66W wired charging, capable of delivering 53% charge in just 15 minutes, is a substantial upgrade over the Cubot KingKong Star’s 33W charging. Furthermore, the Ulefone adds 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, offering greater versatility. Even with similar battery capacities, the faster charging of the Ulefone significantly reduces downtime. The G99's efficiency also contributes to longer real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Star if you need a reliable, affordable rugged phone for basic tasks and occasional outdoor use, and aren't overly concerned with the fastest charging speeds. Buy the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro if you prioritize quicker top-ups, longer sustained performance during demanding tasks, and the convenience of wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging for accessories.