Doogee S118 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 S118 and Cubot KingKong 8 both aim to deliver on this promise, but they take different approaches to performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which phone offers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Doogee S118 emerges as the stronger choice. Its modern Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Cubot KingKong 8’s older 12nm MT8788V, translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming. The S118’s impressive 87-hour endurance further solidifies its position.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S118 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
Announced2024, June2023, October 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JuneAvailable. 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, Mohs level 5-
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 LCD, 120HzIPS 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 14Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF 12 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights 8 MP, f/2.2, 121˚ (ultrawide)48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) 0.3 MP
Video1440p, 1080pYes
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.74"16 MP
Video1080pYes
Sound
35mm jackNoUnspecified
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, 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, 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
Charging33W wired Reverse wiredWired Reverse wired
Type10800 mAh10600 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, RedBlack, Red, Green
Price-About 170 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery87:10h endurance, 1100 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Doogee S118

  • Superior performance with the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset.
  • Excellent battery life with 87-hour endurance.
  • Faster 33W wired charging.
  • More efficient 6nm process node.

  • Potentially higher price point.
  • Rugged design may add bulk.

Cubot KingKong 8

  • Potentially lower price point.
  • Rugged design for durability.
  • Reverse wired charging.
  • Suitable for basic smartphone tasks.

  • Older and less efficient MT8788V chipset.
  • Likely shorter battery life.
  • Slower performance for demanding applications.

Display Comparison

While both phones are likely to feature durable displays given their rugged nature, the provided data focuses on internal components. We can infer that both will prioritize visibility in direct sunlight, a common requirement for outdoor use. However, without display specs like resolution, brightness, or panel type, a direct comparison is impossible. The chipset differences suggest the S118 could potentially drive a higher resolution or refresh rate display without significant performance impact.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn’t offer camera specifics, making a detailed comparison impossible. However, given the market segment, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup geared towards outdoor photography. We can expect a primary sensor, potentially an ultrawide, and possibly a macro lens. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing capabilities, it’s difficult to assess which phone offers superior image quality. The S118’s more powerful chipset *could* enable more sophisticated image processing algorithms.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S118’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Cubot KingKong 8’s MT8788V (12nm). The 6nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, meaning the G99 delivers more performance per watt. The CPU architecture also favors the S118; its Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) are significantly more powerful than the KingKong 8’s Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.0 GHz). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The G99’s integrated GPU will also provide a noticeable advantage in gaming.

Battery Life

The Doogee S118 boasts an impressive 87-hour endurance, a testament to the efficiency of the Helio G99 chipset and likely optimized software. While the Cubot KingKong 8’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its less efficient MT8788V chipset will likely result in shorter battery life. Both phones offer reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories. The S118’s 33W wired charging is faster than the KingKong 8’s unspecified charging speed, reducing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S118 if you prioritize performance for gaming, demanding applications, or future-proofing. Its newer chipset and longer battery life make it ideal for users who push their phones to the limit. Buy the Cubot KingKong 8 if you are on a tighter budget and primarily need a durable phone for basic communication and light tasks. It offers a rugged build at a potentially lower price point, but sacrifices processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S118 handle graphically intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact smoothly?
The Mediatek Helio G99 chipset in the Doogee S118 is capable of running PUBG and Genshin Impact, but you’ll likely need to adjust graphics settings to medium or low for a consistently smooth experience. The G99’s GPU is a significant step up from the MT8788V, offering better frame rates and reduced lag.
❓ Is the MT8788V chipset in the Cubot KingKong 8 sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and calls?
Yes, the MT8788V is adequate for basic smartphone tasks. It can handle web browsing, social media, and phone calls without significant issues. However, it will struggle with demanding applications or multitasking. Expect slower app loading times and occasional lag when switching between apps.
❓ How does the 6nm process node of the Helio G99 impact the Doogee S118's battery life compared to the 12nm process of the MT8788V?
The 6nm process node is significantly more power-efficient than the 12nm node. This means the Helio G99 consumes less power for the same level of performance, resulting in longer battery life. The Doogee S118’s 87-hour endurance is a direct result of this improved efficiency.