Cubot KingKong ES review
The KingKong ES is built for outdoor workers and rugged-use buyers who will trade sharp screens and raw speed for genuine water and dust protection. If your phone sits in an office or a clean pocket, look elsewhere; if it lives on a construction site or in wet climates, the durability justifies the cost."
This review is based on Cubot’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Cubot KingKong ES, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The KingKong ES is a tough, water-resistant work phone built for builders and field workers, not enthusiasts. It survives submersion and high-pressure jets, has a solid 5100 mAh battery, and costs around 120 EUR—but the 720p screen and entry-level Unisoc chip mean you accept real compromises on sharpness and speed.
Design & durability
At 268g and 12.8mm thick, the KingKong ES is a solid, chunky phone that feels made to take hits. The IP68/IP69K rating is the real draw here: it survives full submersion to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes and endures high-pressure water jets. That matters if you work on a construction site, fish, or simply live somewhere rain is heavy and relentless. Most rivals at this price offer no water resistance or only IP53, so this is a genuine advantage if durability is why you bought it. The trade-off is heft and a frame that looks industrial rather than refined, but that is the point.
Display
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD panel runs at 90Hz, which keeps scrolling through apps and web pages smooth and responsive. The problem is resolution: 720 x 1612 pixels works out to just 269 pixels per inch, which is noticeably soft. Text on web pages, fine detail in maps, and small fonts in games or productivity apps will look blurry compared to phones with 300+ ppi at this price. The 20:9 aspect ratio is narrow and useful for one-handed work, and the ~74% screen-to-body ratio is reasonable for a budget device. For a construction phone, it is adequate; for reading small text or photo editing, it will frustrate.
Performance
The Unisoc T606 is an entry-level chipset aimed at basic smartphones and feature phones, not competitive flagships. With an octa-core CPU at 1.6 GHz and a Mali-G57 GPU, it handles light productivity, messaging, calls, and video playback without strain. Light gaming runs acceptably, but demanding titles or heavy multitasking will cause lag and stuttering. The 6GB of RAM helps with app switching, but do not expect fluid performance on intensive tasks. Against rivals at 120 EUR, an older Snapdragon 680 or MediaTek G85 offer better real-world speed; the KingKong ES trades processing power for durability and battery efficiency.
Software
Android 14 ships with the device, and Cubot has kept bloat minimal, which is good. Updates and long-term support are not Cubot's strength—expect 1 or 2 major OS updates and 2 to 3 years of security patches if you are lucky. For a work phone, this is acceptable as long as you do not expect it to age gracefully or receive regular feature upgrades. The software is straightforward and does not interfere with the phone's core job.
Camera
The 48 MP main sensor has autofocus and a 2 MP macro module for close-up work. In daylight, the 48 MP sensor delivers acceptable detail, and the macro is useful for inspecting small objects on a job site. There is no telephoto zoom, no ultra-wide, and no night mode worth mentioning, so framing and low-light capability are limited. The 16 MP selfie camera is basic and fine for video calls. For a work phone, the setup is adequate for site documentation and photos; for anything beyond that, you will want a camera-focused device.
Battery & charging
The 5100 mAh battery is substantial and will carry you through a full day of moderate to heavy use on a single charge. The Unisoc T606's efficiency helps; light users may stretch it to 1.5 days. Charging speed is not specified in Cubot's official data, which is a red flag: rivals at this price often offer 18W to 33W charging, and the lack of any mention suggests this phone either uses an older standard or keeps it vague. Expect slow charging; budget 2 to 3 hours to refill from empty.
Value & verdict
At around 120 EUR, the KingKong ES targets a specific buyer: someone who works outdoors or in wet conditions and needs a phone that survives those environments without fuss. For that person, the water and dust resistance justify the asking price. For general use, however, the 720p screen and entry-level chipset are compromises that competitors handle better at the same money. If durability is not your priority, spend 20 to 30 EUR more and get a phone with a sharper screen and faster processor. If you need a phone that survives a muddy job site and can take a hit, this is it.
Verdict
The KingKong ES is built for outdoor workers and rugged-use buyers who will trade sharp screens and raw speed for genuine water and dust protection. If your phone sits in an office or a clean pocket, look elsewhere; if it lives on a construction site or in wet climates, the durability justifies the cost."
- IP68/IP69K rating survives 1.5m submersion and direct water jets, a genuine edge in outdoor and construction work
- 5100 mAh battery lasts a full day of moderate use without babying settings, and the T606 chipset is efficient enough to stretch it further on light tasks
- 90Hz LCD screen scrolls smoothly and the 6.56-inch size is usable for maps and work apps despite the low pixel density
- 720p resolution at 269 ppi looks visibly soft—text on web pages and in photos is noticeably less sharp than rivals at this price
- Unisoc T606 is entry-level and will lag on heavy multitasking or any demanding app; older mid-range chips offer faster processing at the same cost
- No USB fast charging specs listed; charging speed is not competitive with phones at this price point in 2024
Cubot KingKong ES Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, August 20 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | 5100 mAh |
| Charging | Wired |
| Software | Android 14 |
| Dimensions | 172.6 x 81.2 x 12.8 mm (6.80 x 3.20 x 0.50 in) |
| Weight | 268 g (9.45 oz) |
| Durability | IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C |
Cubot KingKong ES FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the KingKong ES support 5G?
No. The KingKong ES tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the KingKong ES use?
The KingKong ES runs on the Unisoc T606 (12 nm).
What display does the KingKong ES have?
A 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density).
How big is the KingKong ES battery?
The KingKong ES has a 5100 mAh battery. Charging is rated at Wired.
Does the KingKong ES have NFC?
No, the KingKong ES does not list NFC support.
Is the KingKong ES water resistant?
The KingKong ES carries a IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) rating.
Does the KingKong ES support a microSD card?
Yes, the KingKong ES supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the KingKong ES have a headphone jack?
No, the KingKong ES does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the KingKong ES isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
KingKong ES 3
KingKong Star 2
KingKong Ace 3
A10
Galaxy M06 5G
