Cubot KingKong X vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Cubot KingKong X emerges as the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90, coupled with faster 33W charging and impressive battery endurance. While both are rugged, the KingKong X offers a more modern and capable experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot KingKong X | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, June 28 | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July 23 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 170.9 x 82.2 x 18.7 mm (6.73 x 3.24 x 0.74 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 388 g (13.69 oz) | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~74.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD | 18W wired |
| Type | 10200 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 15:41h endurance, 1400 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class G | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Cubot KingKong X
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance.
- More efficient chipset for longer battery life.
- Faster 33W charging with PD support.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Armor 9E.
- Rugged design may add bulk.
Ulefone Armor 9E
- Potentially lower price point.
- Durable build quality for rugged environments.
- Adequate performance for basic tasks.
- Older, less powerful chipset.
- Slower charging speeds.
- Likely shorter battery life.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 9E's older chipset, it's likely to feature an LCD panel, while the KingKong X may benefit from a more modern IPS LCD. The KingKong X's newer platform suggests potential for higher peak brightness and improved color accuracy. Bezels are likely comparable given the rugged design focus, prioritizing protection over minimal aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference indirectly impacts camera performance. The Dimensity 7050 includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance on the KingKong X. The Armor 9E’s Helio P90 ISP is older and less capable. It’s reasonable to assume the KingKong X will deliver superior image quality and video recording capabilities. We can expect both phones to include a basic macro lens, but these are typically low-resolution and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot KingKong X’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90 (12nm). The Dimensity 7050’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.6 GHz, offer significantly higher single-core performance than the Armor 9E’s 2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. The 6nm process node also translates to improved power efficiency, meaning less heat generation and potentially better sustained performance. This benefits users who engage in gaming, video editing, or multitasking. The Armor 9E will handle everyday tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Cubot KingKong X boasts a remarkable 15:41h endurance, suggesting excellent battery optimization alongside its efficient chipset. While the Armor 9E’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its older, less efficient Helio P90 will likely result in shorter runtimes. The KingKong X also benefits from 33W wired charging with PD support, allowing for significantly faster charging speeds compared to the Armor 9E’s 18W charging. The KingKong X’s 1400 charge cycles also indicate a longer lifespan for the battery itself.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong X if you prioritize performance for demanding tasks like gaming or running multiple apps, and value faster charging speeds for minimal downtime. It’s ideal for professionals who rely on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you’re on a tighter budget and primarily need a durable phone for basic communication and light use. It’s a solid option for those who don’t require cutting-edge processing power.