The budget Android tablet market is heating up, with the Cubot Tab KingKong 2 and Blackview Tab 13 vying for attention. Both offer large displays and promise solid performance, but they diverge significantly in their core components. This comparison dives deep into the differences between the Mediatek Helio G99 powering the KingKong 2 and the Helio G85 in the Tab 13, focusing on how these impact real-world usage and longevity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and battery life, the Cubot Tab KingKong 2 is the better choice. Its newer, more efficient Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, coupled with impressive 166:39h endurance, provides a smoother experience and reduces the need for frequent charging compared to the Blackview Tab 13.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 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 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, December 01 | 2022, August 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 01 | Available. Released 2022, August 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 273.8 x 181.4 x 16.8 mm (10.78 x 7.14 x 0.66 in) | 238.8 x 157.6 x 7.7 mm (9.40 x 6.20 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 1055 g (2.33 lb) | 450 g (0.99 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass, Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~207 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~70.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 12, Doke OS_P 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP
2 MP |
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 64 MP, PDAF | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM Radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C, 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | - |
| Type | 20400 mAh | 7280 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Twilight Blue, Space Gray, Silver |
| Price | About 220 EUR | - |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 166:39h endurance, 1200 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class F | - |
| Free fall | Class A (208 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Cubot Tab KingKong 2
- Superior chipset efficiency (Helio G99)
- Longer battery life (166:39h endurance)
- Faster charging (33W)
- Potentially higher price point
- Rugged design may not appeal to all users
Blackview Tab 13
- Lower initial cost
- Sleeker, more conventional design
- Adequate performance for basic tasks
- Less efficient chipset (Helio G85)
- Shorter battery life
- Potential for thermal throttling
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature IPS LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in the underlying processing power driving them. Display quality, in terms of nits and color accuracy, will be heavily influenced by the chipset's ability to efficiently render content. Without specific display specs, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the G99's superior GPU should translate to smoother animations and potentially better image processing.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specs are unavailable. However, given the market segment, it’s reasonable to assume both will feature similar sensor configurations focused on basic image capture. Without knowing sensor sizes or lens apertures, it’s impossible to make a meaningful comparison. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G99 *could* offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but this is speculative.
Performance
The Cubot Tab KingKong 2’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Blackview Tab 13’s Helio G85 (12nm). The 6nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency. The G99’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – is also more modern than the Tab 13’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster application loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance for the KingKong 2. The G99’s more efficient architecture also means less thermal throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Cubot Tab KingKong 2 boasts an impressive 166:39h endurance rating, a testament to the efficiency of the Helio G99. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified, this endurance figure suggests a larger battery or significantly better power management compared to the Blackview Tab 13. The KingKong 2’s 33W wired charging is also a plus, allowing for faster top-ups. The G85 in the Tab 13, being a less efficient chip, will likely result in shorter battery life and potentially longer charging times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Tab KingKong 2 if you need a tablet for extended use cases like travel, fieldwork, or long media consumption sessions where battery life is paramount. Its Helio G99 offers a performance edge and superior efficiency. Buy the Blackview Tab 13 if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are willing to compromise on sustained performance and battery endurance, primarily using the tablet for light tasks and shorter periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cubot Tab KingKong 2 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset, but Genshin Impact is notoriously demanding. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings, but don't anticipate a consistently smooth experience at the highest graphical settings. The G99's thermal management will be crucial to prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the 6nm process of the Helio G99 impact the long-term battery health of the Cubot Tab KingKong 2?
The 6nm process is more power-efficient than the 12nm process used in the Helio G85. This means the G99 consumes less power for the same level of performance, resulting in less heat generation and reduced stress on the battery. Over time, this can contribute to slower battery degradation and a longer overall lifespan for the Cubot Tab KingKong 2.
❓ Is the Blackview Tab 13 suitable for video editing or other resource-intensive tasks?
The Blackview Tab 13, with its Helio G85 chipset, is not ideally suited for demanding tasks like video editing. While it can handle basic video playback, rendering and editing will likely be slow and frustrating. The G85 lacks the processing power and efficiency required for smooth performance in these scenarios.
