Ulefone Power Armor 14 vs Cubot KingKong 7: A Head-to-Head Rugged Phone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing a device that can withstand drops, dust, and water. Both the Ulefone Power Armor 14 and Cubot KingKong 7 aim to deliver this durability, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dives deep into those differences, focusing on performance and battery life to determine which phone offers the best value for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing a smoother overall experience, the Cubot KingKong 7 emerges as the better choice. While the Ulefone Power Armor 14 offers wireless charging, the KingKong 7’s Helio P60 chipset, featuring Cortex-A73 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage in everyday tasks and light gaming.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Power Armor 14 Cubot KingKong 7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 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, 38, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, October 152022
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 15Available. Released 2022
Body
Dimensions175.6 x 82.5 x 17.2 mm (6.91 x 3.25 x 0.68 in)166.8 x 83.5 x 14 mm (6.57 x 3.29 x 0.55 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight358.2 g (12.63 oz)267 g (9.42 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2300 pixels (~400 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.36 inches, 100.4 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6771V/CA Helio P60 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 11Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Single16 MP, f/2.2-
Triple20 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.78", 1.0µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, (wide), AF 16 MP, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fpsYes
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.232 MP
Video1080p@30fpsYes
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesUnspecified
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingUnspecified
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired 15W wireless-
TypeLi-Po 10000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 230 EUR-

Ulefone Power Armor 14

  • Wireless charging offers added convenience.
  • Rugged design provides excellent drop and water resistance.
  • Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset.

  • Helio G35 chipset offers lower performance than the P60.
  • Limited multitasking capabilities.
  • Camera performance likely to be average.

Cubot KingKong 7

  • Helio P60 chipset delivers smoother performance.
  • More responsive user experience.
  • Better suited for light gaming and multitasking.

  • Lacks wireless charging.
  • Camera performance likely to be average.
  • May not have the same level of battery optimization as the Ulefone.

Display Comparison

Neither Ulefone nor Cubot provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel type. However, the focus on ruggedness suggests both likely utilize IPS LCDs for durability. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is typical in this segment. The real-world impact is similar viewing experiences, but the lack of detailed specs makes precise color accuracy or brightness comparisons impossible. Bezels are likely substantial on both to contribute to drop protection.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, making a direct comparison challenging. However, given the price point and target market, both phones likely feature modest camera setups. The focus is on functionality rather than photographic excellence. It’s safe to assume both will include a primary sensor, potentially a wide-angle lens, and a depth sensor. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will likely prioritize contrast and saturation over natural color reproduction.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot KingKong 7’s MediaTek Helio P60 (MT6771V/CA) utilizes four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside four Cortex-A53 cores. This architecture is demonstrably more powerful than the Ulefone Power Armor 14’s Helio G35 (MT6765G), which features four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. While the G35 has a higher clock speed on some cores, the A73 cores in the P60 offer significantly better single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The P60 also benefits from a more mature process node, potentially leading to better thermal management under sustained load. Users will notice the difference in app responsiveness and gaming performance.

Battery Life

Both phones likely feature large batteries, typical of rugged devices. While specific capacities aren’t provided, the Ulefone Power Armor 14 distinguishes itself with both 18W wired and 15W wireless charging. The Cubot KingKong 7 is limited to wired charging. The convenience of wireless charging is a significant advantage for the Ulefone, but the P60’s more efficient chipset may offset the difference in battery capacity, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. A full charge time on the Ulefone will be faster with wired charging, but the wireless option provides added flexibility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 14 if you absolutely require wireless charging in a rugged package and are willing to trade some processing power for that convenience. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic communication and media consumption. Buy the Cubot KingKong 7 if you prioritize responsiveness and a more fluid user experience, especially if you occasionally engage in gaming or multitasking. This phone is better suited for users who demand more from their device beyond basic functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Cubot KingKong 7 struggle with demanding apps like Asphalt 9 or PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio P60 can handle some gaming, don't expect flagship-level performance. Asphalt 9 should be playable at medium settings, but PUBG Mobile may require lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a smooth experience. The Ulefone Power Armor 14's G35 will likely perform even worse in these scenarios.
❓ How effective is the ruggedization on both phones? Can they survive a significant drop onto concrete?
Both phones are built to withstand drops, dust, and water. They likely meet IP68 or IP69K standards, meaning they can survive submersion in water and are dust-tight. However, 'significant drop' is subjective. While they'll survive more than a typical smartphone, repeated or extreme impacts can still cause damage. The rubberized corners and reinforced chassis are designed to absorb shock, but aren't indestructible.
❓ Does the Ulefone Power Armor 14's wireless charging work with any Qi-compatible charger?
Yes, the Ulefone Power Armor 14 supports the Qi wireless charging standard, meaning it will work with any Qi-compatible wireless charger. However, charging speeds may vary depending on the charger's output wattage. Using a 10W or 15W charger is recommended for optimal charging speeds.