Cubot Tab KingKong vs. Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance

The rugged phone and tablet market is heating up, offering durable devices for demanding users. We pit the Cubot Tab KingKong, a tablet focused on affordability, against the Doogee S96 Pro, a phone prioritizing gaming and faster charging, to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing gaming and faster charging, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90 chipset and 24W charging significantly outperform the Cubot Tab KingKong’s MT8788 and 18W charging, making it a more responsive and convenient daily driver.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot Tab KingKong Doogee S96 Pro
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, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, July 192020, October 26. Released 2020, November
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, August 07Discontinued
Body
Dimensions251.2 x 170.2 x 15.6 mm (9.89 x 6.70 x 0.61 in)167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight820 g (1.81 lb)310 g (10.93 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT8788 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 13Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/2.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights 2 MP (macro)
Single16 MP, AF-
VideoYes1080p
Selfie camera
Single8 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
VideoYes1080p
Sound
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.25.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyroFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired24W wired 10W wireless
Type10600 mAh6350 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Green
Price-About 280 EUR

Cubot Tab KingKong

  • Larger screen size ideal for media consumption
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Tablet form factor for productivity

  • Older and less powerful MT8788 chipset
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Likely less refined camera system

Doogee S96 Pro

  • More powerful Helio G90 chipset for gaming
  • Faster 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
  • Compact form factor for portability

  • Smaller screen size
  • Potentially higher price point
  • May not be ideal for extensive productivity tasks

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature IPS LCD panels given their price points, specific details like resolution and peak brightness are unavailable. The larger tablet form factor of the Cubot Tab KingKong will offer a more immersive viewing experience for videos and browsing. However, the S96 Pro’s smaller screen may be preferable for one-handed use. Without further data, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles beyond typical IPS LCD performance.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the S96 Pro’s focus on overall performance suggests a more refined image processing pipeline. The Cubot Tab KingKong, being a budget tablet, likely features a simpler camera system geared towards casual snapshots. The absence of OIS or large sensors in either device suggests image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions but struggle in low light. We can assume both devices will include a standard macro lens, but its utility is limited by the likely 2MP resolution.

Performance

The Doogee S96 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G90 chipset represents a significant performance leap over the Cubot Tab KingKong’s MT8788. The G90 utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, while the MT8788 employs four older Cortex-A73 cores and four Cortex-A53 cores. This architectural difference translates to noticeably faster application loading times and smoother multitasking on the S96 Pro. The G90’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also provides a substantial gaming advantage. While both chipsets are fabricated on a 12nm process, the G90’s newer architecture is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load.

Battery Life

The battery capacity of both devices is unknown. However, the Doogee S96 Pro’s 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging provide a significant convenience advantage over the Cubot Tab KingKong’s 18W wired charging. Faster charging reduces downtime and allows users to quickly top up their battery when needed. While a larger battery capacity on the Tab KingKong might offset the slower charging, the S96 Pro’s faster charging speeds will likely result in a more usable experience for power users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot Tab KingKong if you need a larger screen for media consumption and light productivity tasks, and are on a strict budget. Its tablet form factor and lower price point make it ideal for casual users. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance, faster charging, and a more compact form factor. The Helio G90 chipset and wireless charging capabilities cater to users who demand more from their device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G90 chipset in the Doogee S96 Pro is specifically designed for gaming. It should be capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. However, sustained performance may be affected by thermal throttling, especially during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Cubot Tab KingKong slow compared to modern standards?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 24W wired and 10W wireless charging offered by the Doogee S96 Pro. Expect a significantly longer 0-100% charge time on the Cubot Tab KingKong, potentially taking over 3 hours depending on battery capacity.
❓ Can the Doogee S96 Pro be used for basic productivity tasks like email and document editing?
Absolutely. While the Doogee S96 Pro is geared towards gaming, its Helio G90 chipset is more than capable of handling everyday tasks like email, web browsing, and document editing. The smaller screen size might be a limitation for extensive document work, but it's perfectly suitable for quick edits and reviews.
❓ What type of storage does the Cubot Tab KingKong use, and is it expandable?
Unfortunately, the storage type and expandability of the Cubot Tab KingKong are not specified. However, given its price point, it likely utilizes eMMC storage. Expandability via microSD card is probable, but not guaranteed.