Cubot KingKong X vs. Blackview BV8800: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding work environments. The Cubot KingKong X, powered by the newer Mediatek Dimensity 7050, challenges the established Blackview BV8800, which relies on the Helio G96. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone delivers the best blend of performance, battery life, and durability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Cubot KingKong X emerges as the superior choice. Its Dimensity 7050 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Blackview BV8800’s Helio G96, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the BV8800 boasts a slightly longer endurance rating, the KingKong X’s faster charging and more modern processor make it the more compelling overall package.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot KingKong X Blackview BV8800
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2024, June 282021, December 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 23Available. Released 2022, January 10
Body
Dimensions170.9 x 82.2 x 18.7 mm (6.73 x 3.24 x 0.74 in)176.2 x 83.5 x 17.7 mm (6.94 x 3.29 x 0.70 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight388 g (13.69 oz)367 g (12.95 oz)
 -IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6-
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~74.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 14Android 11, Doke-OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/1.8, (IR camera), 2 IR emitters Auxiliary lens
Single-16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1440p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackUnspecifiedNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min Reverse wired
Type10200 mAh8380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Green
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 350 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 199h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1348:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -29.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 254849 (v8), 288964 (v9) GeekBench: 1752 (v5.1) GFXBench: 10fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
EU LABEL
Battery15:41h endurance, 1400 cycles-
EnergyClass G-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Cubot KingKong X

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 7050)
  • More efficient 6nm process node
  • Faster charging with PD support

  • Shorter reported battery endurance rating
  • Battery capacity not specified

Blackview BV8800

  • Longer reported battery endurance rating (199h)
  • Measured peak brightness of 501 nits
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Older and less powerful Helio G96 chipset
  • Less efficient 12nm process node

Display Comparison

Both devices share a 1348:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Blackview BV8800 provides a measured peak brightness of 501 nits, a crucial metric for outdoor visibility. While the KingKong X’s brightness isn’t specified, the BV8800’s figure provides a benchmark. Neither device details panel technology (IPS, AMOLED), which impacts color accuracy and viewing angles – a potential area for further investigation. Bezels are not specified, making direct comparison difficult.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the BV8800 is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility. The absence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, potentially impacting low-light video quality. A deeper dive into camera samples is needed to assess image quality.

Performance

The Cubot KingKong X’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the Blackview BV8800’s Helio G96 (12nm). The Dimensity 7050 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, compared to the G96’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05 GHz. This, combined with the smaller 6nm process node, translates to greater efficiency and sustained performance under load. The KingKong X is expected to handle demanding games and multitasking with considerably more ease. The G96 is a capable chip, but is showing its age against newer offerings.

Battery Life

The Blackview BV8800 claims an endurance rating of 199 hours, while the Cubot KingKong X achieves 15:41h (approximately 349 minutes). However, endurance ratings are dependent on testing methodology. The KingKong X compensates with 33W wired charging with PD, offering 31% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 90 minutes on the BV8800. The KingKong X’s 1400 charge cycles suggest a longer lifespan before significant battery degradation. The BV8800 also offers reverse wired charging, a niche feature for powering other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot KingKong X if you prioritize performance for gaming, demanding apps, or future-proofing. Its Dimensity 7050 offers a substantial leap in processing power. Buy the Blackview BV8800 if maximizing battery life is your absolute top priority and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. The BV8800’s endurance rating is impressive, but comes at the cost of processing speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 in the Cubot KingKong X get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7050’s 6nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the Blackview BV8800’s 12nm Helio G96. While heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the KingKong X is expected to manage temperatures more effectively, reducing the likelihood of significant throttling and maintaining consistent performance for longer periods. Rugged phone designs also often incorporate heat dissipation features.
❓ How useful is the reverse wired charging feature on the Blackview BV8800 in real-world scenarios?
Reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches in emergencies. However, the charging speed is typically limited, and it will drain the BV8800’s battery significantly. It’s best considered a niche feature rather than a primary reason to choose this phone.
❓ What type of display technology does the Cubot KingKong X use, and how does it compare to the Blackview BV8800?
Unfortunately, neither manufacturer specifies the display technology (IPS, AMOLED, etc.) used in these devices. This is a significant omission. Without this information, it’s impossible to assess color accuracy, viewing angles, and overall visual quality. The shared 1348:1 contrast ratio suggests similar visual pop, but the underlying panel technology will heavily influence the user experience.