Doogee S41 Plus vs Cubot KingKong Star 2: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 8200 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power compared to the Doogee S41 Plus’ Unisoc T606. However, the S41 Plus remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget needing basic rugged functionality.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Doogee S41 Plus | Cubot KingKong Star 2 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, , 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, December | 2024, September 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December | Available. Released 2024, October |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 77.8 x 16.2 mm (6.40 x 3.06 x 0.64 in) | 177.7 x 81.8 x 13.5 mm (7.00 x 3.22 x 0.53 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 262 g (9.24 oz) | 305 g (10.76 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 1500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8200 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro), AF |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF other unspecified cameras | - |
| Video | 1080p | Yes |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, 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/6, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | 6300 mAh | 5100 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 43:41h endurance, 900 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class C |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
Doogee S41 Plus
- Highly affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset (spec dependent)
- Significantly weaker performance
- Outdated chipset architecture
- Likely lower quality display
Cubot KingKong Star 2
- Flagship-level performance with Dimensity 8200
- Fast 33W wired charging
- Excellent battery endurance and longevity (900 cycles)
- Higher price compared to the Doogee S41 Plus
- May be overkill for basic users
- Rugged design may add bulk
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided for the Doogee S41 Plus. Given its price point, we can expect a 720p+ LCD panel. The Cubot KingKong Star 2’s display details are also missing, but its higher overall positioning suggests a higher resolution and potentially better color accuracy. The key differentiator here will be the panel technology and refresh rate, which are unknown for both. The Star 2’s more powerful chipset could support a higher refresh rate, leading to smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Star 2’s overall positioning suggests a more capable camera system. The Unisoc T606 in the S41 Plus has limited image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially resulting in lower image quality, especially in low-light conditions. We anticipate the Star 2 will offer better dynamic range and detail due to its superior chipset and likely larger sensor.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Cubot KingKong Star 2’s Mediatek Dimensity 8200 (4nm) is a flagship-level chipset featuring a 1x3.1 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture, built on a 4nm process, delivers significantly higher CPU and GPU performance compared to the Doogee S41 Plus’ Unisoc T606 (12nm) with its 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The 4nm node of the Dimensity 8200 translates to better thermal efficiency, meaning less throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. Users who play graphically intensive games or use demanding apps will see a dramatic improvement with the Star 2.
Battery Life
The Cubot KingKong Star 2 boasts impressive battery endurance, rated at 43:41 hours, and a claimed 900 charge cycles. This suggests a focus on long-term battery health. The 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the S41 Plus, which lacks charging specifications. While the S41 Plus may have a comparable or even larger battery capacity (spec not provided), the Star 2’s efficient chipset and faster charging will likely result in a more convenient user experience. The 900 cycle claim on the Star 2 indicates a battery designed to withstand years of use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S41 Plus if you need a highly affordable, genuinely rugged phone for basic tasks like communication, light media consumption, and occasional outdoor use where extreme performance isn't critical. Buy the Cubot KingKong Star 2 if you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, and a smoother overall user experience, and are willing to spend more for a flagship-level chipset and faster charging.