Ulefone Armor 28 Pro vs. Cubot KingKong Star 2: A Rugged Smartphone Battle

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, with both Ulefone and Cubot offering compelling options. We pit the newly released Ulefone Armor 28 Pro, boasting incredibly fast charging, against the Cubot KingKong Star 2, powered by a slightly older but still potent Dimensity 8200 chipset, to determine which device delivers the best blend of durability, performance, and longevity.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and charging speed, the Ulefone Armor 28 Pro emerges as the winner. Its 111:30h endurance and 120W charging significantly outperform the KingKong Star 2, despite the latter’s more powerful chipset. However, users focused on raw processing power may find the Star 2 a better fit.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 28 Pro Cubot KingKong Star 2
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, , 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May2024, September 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 12Available. Released 2024, October
Body
Dimensions174.2 x 83.6 x 19.4 mm (6.86 x 3.29 x 0.76 in)177.7 x 81.8 x 13.5 mm (7.00 x 3.22 x 0.53 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight450 g (0.99 lb)305 g (10.76 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2200 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 144Hz, 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 8200 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Mali-G610 MC6
OSAndroid 15Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro), AF
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, 4 infrared lights 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fpsYes
Selfie camera
Single50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm32 MP
Video1080p@30fpsYes
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector pinsUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, PPS, 40% in 10 min 50W wireless, 35% in 30 min 10W reverse wired 5W reverse wireless33W wired
TypeLi-Ion 10600 mAh5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Price$ 399.99 / € 492.56About 250 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery111:30h endurance, 1000 cycles43:41h endurance, 900 cycles
EnergyClass AClass C
Free fallClass A (270 falls)Class A (270 falls)
RepairabilityClass BClass C

Ulefone Armor 28 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (111:30h endurance)
  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging
  • Convenient 50W wireless charging

  • Potentially lower peak CPU performance compared to the Star 2
  • Camera specs not detailed, potential for average image quality

Cubot KingKong Star 2

  • Powerful Dimensity 8200 chipset for demanding tasks
  • Potentially higher single-core performance
  • Likely capable of higher refresh rate display

  • Significantly shorter battery life (43:41h endurance)
  • Slow 33W wired charging
  • No wireless charging support

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature durable displays given their rugged nature, the context data doesn't provide specifics. However, the chipset choice suggests the KingKong Star 2 may be capable of driving a higher refresh rate panel. The Armor 28 Pro’s focus on endurance suggests a potentially more power-efficient display technology, prioritizing longevity over visual flourish. Bezels are likely similar, given the rugged design constraints.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn't detail camera specifications. Given the market segment, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is impossible. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) would be a significant advantage, but is not specified for either device. We can assume both will include standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially macro lenses, but the image processing algorithms will likely differentiate the final image quality.

Performance

The Cubot KingKong Star 2 leverages the Dimensity 8200, featuring a 3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside three additional Cortex-A78 cores, offering a theoretical edge in single-core performance. However, the Ulefone Armor 28 Pro’s Dimensity 7300, built on a more efficient 4nm process, utilizes four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz. This suggests the 7300 may offer better sustained performance due to improved thermal management. The 4nm node of the 7300 will likely result in lower power consumption during intensive tasks. Both devices utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the Armor 28 Pro’s chipset efficiency could translate to smoother multitasking.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 28 Pro’s 111:30h endurance is a standout feature, dwarfing the Cubot KingKong Star 2’s 43:41h. This difference is substantial and translates to significantly longer usage between charges. The Armor 28 Pro’s charging capabilities are equally impressive: 120W wired charging promises a 40% charge in just 10 minutes, while 50W wireless charging offers 35% in 30 minutes. The KingKong Star 2’s 33W wired charging is comparatively slow. The Armor 28 Pro also includes 10W reverse wired and 5W reverse wireless charging, adding to its versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 28 Pro if you need exceptional battery life for extended fieldwork, frequent fast charging to minimize downtime, and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging. Buy the Cubot KingKong Star 2 if you prioritize maximum processing power for demanding applications, gaming, or video editing, and are willing to compromise on battery endurance and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Dimensity 7300's 4nm process affect gaming performance on the Ulefone Armor 28 Pro?
The 4nm process of the Dimensity 7300 results in improved thermal efficiency compared to the 8200's process. This means the Armor 28 Pro is less likely to throttle performance during extended gaming sessions, maintaining higher frame rates for longer periods, even if the raw GPU power is slightly lower.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the Ulefone Armor 28 Pro safe for the battery's long-term health?
Ulefone claims the Armor 28 Pro’s battery supports 1000 charge cycles, suggesting robust battery management to mitigate the effects of fast charging. The inclusion of PPS (Programmable Power Supply) further optimizes the charging process, reducing heat and extending battery lifespan. However, all batteries degrade over time, and fast charging *can* accelerate this process, albeit marginally.
❓ Will the Cubot KingKong Star 2 handle demanding apps like video editing or CAD software effectively?
The Dimensity 8200 in the KingKong Star 2 is a powerful chipset capable of handling demanding applications. Its higher clock speeds and core count provide a performance advantage for tasks requiring significant processing power. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling, especially during prolonged use.