Cubot KingKong 9 vs. Cubot P90: A Deep Dive into Battery, Performance, and Value

Cubot offers two compelling options in the budget-to-midrange smartphone space: the Cubot P90, focused on a balance of features, and the Cubot KingKong 9, prioritizing extreme battery life and durability. This comparison dissects their specifications to determine which device best suits your needs, focusing on the core differences in performance and endurance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Cubot KingKong 9 is the clear winner. Its nearly double battery endurance (90:55h vs 37:42h) significantly outweighs the P90’s faster charging. However, users who frequently top up and value a slightly more streamlined experience may find the P90 sufficient.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot P90 Cubot KingKong 9
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, June2023
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, JuneAvailable. Released 2023
Body
Dimensions172.3 x 78.1 x 8.6 mm (6.78 x 3.07 x 0.34 in)172 x 81.6 x 17.7 mm (6.77 x 3.21 x 0.70 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209 g (7.37 oz)390 g (13.76 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6Mohs level 7
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~74.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G100 (6 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 15Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide)-
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Triple-100 MP, (wide), PDAF 24 MP, (night vision camera), 2 IR emitters 5 MP (macro)
VideoYesYes
Selfie camera
Single16 MP32 MP
VideoYesYes
Sound
35mm jackNoUnspecified
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired33W wired
Type5100 mAh10600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, PurpleBlack
Price-About 230 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery37:42h endurance, 1300 cycles90:55h endurance, 1600 cycles
EnergyClass DClass C
Free fallClass A (270 falls)Class A (270 falls)
RepairabilityClass BClass C

Cubot P90

  • Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
  • Potentially more streamlined software experience (speculation).
  • Slightly lower price point (likely, based on positioning).

  • Significantly shorter battery life (37:42h endurance).
  • Fewer battery charge cycles (1300 vs 1600).

Cubot KingKong 9

  • Exceptional battery life (90:55h endurance).
  • Higher battery charge cycle count (1600).
  • Slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G99).

  • Slower 18W charging compared to the P90.
  • Potentially bulkier design due to larger battery.

Display Comparison

Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their price points, we can anticipate both utilizing IPS LCD panels. The focus here isn't display quality, but rather the impact of power draw. A larger, brighter display would negatively impact battery life, but no data is available to assess this.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn't detail camera specifications beyond the chipsets. Given Cubot’s typical approach, we can expect both phones to feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, an ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, the G99’s improved ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the KingKong 9 *could* result in slightly better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions, but this is speculative.

Performance

Both the Cubot P90 and KingKong 9 utilize an octa-core CPU configuration with the same core arrangement (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The key difference lies in the chipset: the P90 features the Mediatek Helio G100 (6nm), while the KingKong 9 boasts the Helio G99 (6nm). While both are 6nm chips, the G99 generally offers a slight performance edge in GPU capabilities, translating to marginally better gaming performance. However, the difference is unlikely to be substantial in real-world usage. The G99’s efficiency improvements contribute to the KingKong 9’s superior battery life.

Battery Life

The battery is where these phones diverge dramatically. The Cubot KingKong 9’s 90:55h endurance, coupled with 1600 charge cycles, is a significant advantage over the P90’s 37:42h and 1300 cycles. This translates to nearly 2.5 times the usage time between charges. While the P90 offers 18W wired charging, the KingKong 9’s 33W charging mitigates the larger battery size, offering a reasonable recharge time. The increased cycle count on the KingKong 9 also suggests greater long-term battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot P90 if you need a phone for moderate daily use, appreciate quicker charging times, and don't require multi-day battery life. It's ideal for users who regularly have access to a charger. Buy the Cubot KingKong 9 if you prioritize uninterrupted usage, frequently travel or work in areas without easy access to power, and need a phone that can reliably last through extended periods without needing a recharge. This is the phone for digital nomads and outdoor enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much faster is the charging on the Cubot P90 compared to the KingKong 9, and does that offset the battery size difference for frequent chargers?
While the P90 charges at 18W versus the KingKong 9’s 33W, the KingKong 9’s larger battery means the P90 won’t reach a full charge significantly faster. For users who charge their phones multiple times a day, the P90’s faster initial charge rate might be noticeable, but the KingKong 9’s vastly superior endurance will likely result in fewer charging cycles overall.
❓ Does the Helio G99 in the KingKong 9 offer a noticeable gaming advantage over the Helio G100 in the P90?
The Helio G99 provides a modest GPU performance uplift over the G100. This translates to slightly higher frame rates in demanding games, but the difference won’t be dramatic. Both chipsets are capable of handling most mobile games at medium settings. The KingKong 9’s superior thermal management, due to the G99’s efficiency, might allow for sustained performance during longer gaming sessions.
❓ What does the 1600 charge cycle rating on the KingKong 9 mean for the average user?
A charge cycle is completed when you’ve used 100% of the battery capacity. The KingKong 9’s 1600 cycle rating indicates that the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity after being fully charged and discharged 1600 times. This translates to several years of reliable use before noticeable degradation, offering better long-term battery health compared to the P90’s 1300 cycles.