Doogee S100 vs Cubot KingKong 8: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering durable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding work environments. The Doogee S100 and Cubot KingKong 8 both aim to deliver on this promise, but they take different approaches to performance and features. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which phone offers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Doogee S100 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Cubot KingKong 8’s 12nm MT8788V, alongside the benefit of faster 66W wired and 15W wireless charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S100 Cubot KingKong 8
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, February 072023, October 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 20Available. Released 2023, October 23
Body
Dimensions178.5 x 83.1 x 17.9 mm (7.03 x 3.27 x 0.70 in)169.9 x 80.2 x 20 mm (6.69 x 3.16 x 0.79 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-382 g (13.47 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass-
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 102.4 cm2 (~75.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek MT8788V/WA (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2-
OSAndroid 12Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights 16 MP, f/2.2, 130˚ (ultrawide)48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) 0.3 MP
Video1440p, 1080pYes
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP
Video1440p, 1080pYes
Sound
35mm jackNoUnspecified
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-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
Charging66W wired 15W wirelessWired Reverse wired
Type10800 mAh10600 mAh
Misc
ColorsIce Blue, Cyber Yellow, Classic BlackBlack, Red, Green
PriceAbout 270 EURAbout 170 EUR

Doogee S100

  • Superior chipset performance with the Helio G99
  • Faster 66W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • More efficient 6nm fabrication process

  • No display specifications provided
  • Camera details are unknown

Cubot KingKong 8

  • Reverse wired charging capability
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Rugged design for durability

  • Less powerful MT8788V chipset
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Less efficient 12nm fabrication process

Display Comparison

Neither device provides display specifications in the provided data. However, given the price points, we can expect both to utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of details like resolution, refresh rate, and peak brightness makes a direct comparison impossible. Users should research independent reviews for detailed display analysis, focusing on outdoor visibility and color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Without sensor details, a precise camera comparison is limited. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature modest camera systems. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) or aperture sizes suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. Users should focus on independent reviews to assess real-world image quality and avoid being misled by megapixel counts, particularly regarding the often-underperforming 2MP macro lenses commonly found in this price range.

Performance

The Doogee S100’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a substantial leap in efficiency and performance compared to the Cubot KingKong 8’s MT8788V (12nm). The G99’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer significantly better single-core performance than the MT8788V’s Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz. The 6nm fabrication process also translates to lower power consumption and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the S100 will handle gaming and multitasking more smoothly. The MT8788V, while capable for basic tasks, will likely struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Doogee S100’s 66W wired charging and 15W wireless charging capabilities are a major advantage. This allows for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Cubot KingKong 8’s unspecified wired charging and reverse wired charging. Reverse wired charging on the KingKong 8 is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories, but the S100’s faster overall charging speeds will be more beneficial for the average user. The efficiency of the Helio G99 may also contribute to better overall battery life despite potentially similar battery capacities.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S100 if you prioritize performance for gaming or demanding applications, and value faster charging speeds, including wireless charging. It’s ideal for users who need a responsive and versatile rugged phone. Buy the Cubot KingKong 8 if your primary concern is basic rugged functionality and you’re on a tighter budget, accepting a trade-off in processing power and charging convenience. It suits users who need a durable phone for essential tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S100’s Helio G99 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings?
The Mediatek Helio G99 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won’t match flagship performance, it should handle PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The 6nm process will help mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience than the Cubot KingKong 8.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Doogee S100 with the 66W charger?
With 66W charging, the Doogee S100 should be able to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 45-60 minutes, assuming a compatible charger is used. This is a significant improvement over the slower charging speeds likely offered by the Cubot KingKong 8.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Cubot KingKong 8 useful for more than just emergencies?
The reverse wired charging on the Cubot KingKong 8 is primarily a convenience feature. While it can be used to top up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches, the charging speed will be limited, making it impractical for quickly charging larger devices like another smartphone.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, should I expect significant differences in photo quality between these two phones?
Based on the market segment and available information, don't expect dramatic differences in photo quality. Both phones likely utilize similar sensor sizes and image processing techniques. Independent reviews are crucial for assessing real-world performance, focusing on dynamic range, color accuracy, and low-light capabilities.