Cubot KingKong Power 3 review
This phone is built for people who work outdoors or in harsh conditions and need a phone that survives the environment, not for anyone prioritizing speed or camera finesse. If durability and two-day battery life align with your life, the KingKong Power 3 delivers genuine value; if you want a quick, responsive everyday phone, the weak chipset and dated OS will frustrate you quickly.
This review is based on Cubot’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Cubot KingKong Power 3, 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 Power 3 is a genuinely rugged phone aimed at harsh environments: IP68/IP69K rated, with a 10,600 mAh battery and bright flashlights, but hamstrung by a slow MediaTek chipset and a display that won't wow anyone. It's honest about what it is—a workhorse for outdoor jobs and budget buyers who value durability over speed.
Design & Build
At 382g and 20mm thick, this is a chunk of phone designed to survive. The IP68/IP69K rating—immersible to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes and rated for high-pressure water jets—puts it in genuine industrial territory, well beyond the basic splash-proofing that passes for durability on most mid-range phones. The body feels built to last, and Cubot adds a 5000 lumen flashlight and an infrared emitter, both useful if you work outdoors or in the field. The Mohs level 6 display glass resists scratches but is not sapphire, so it will pick up marks over time. Dual Nano-SIM means you can run two numbers on one device. The weight and thickness are noticeable in hand—this is not a phone you forget you're carrying—but that heft comes with the structural integrity needed to survive drops and impacts.
Display
The 6.5-inch IPS LCD is adequate and nothing more. At 1080 × 2400 pixels, the 405 ppi density is sharp enough for reading text at normal distance, and the 20:9 aspect ratio gives you a tall screen. The panel supports smooth scrolling, but the spec sheet does not list peak brightness, which is a red flag for outdoor work—if this phone is meant for field use, brightness matters, and Cubot's silence on it suggests it may not deliver. For a phone marketed toward durability, an LCD at this price is standard; it's more robust than AMOLED in bright sun, but you won't get the vibrancy or contrast that would make this screen genuinely pleasant to use for hours.
Performance
The MediaTek MT8788V is a budget octa-core chip from 2023, and it shows. This chipset handles messaging, calling, video playback, and casual browsing without hiccup, but anything demanding—modern games, video editing, heavy multitasking—will slow it down noticeably. With 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (expandable via microSDXC, though it shares the SIM slot), you have enough breathing room for everyday apps. Cubot lists Android 13 out of the box, which is dated for a 2023 release. Battery life is where the hardware shines: the massive 10,600 mAh cell should carry moderate users through two days comfortably, and even heavy users will likely see a full day.
Camera
The camera setup leans toward versatility rather than excellence. A 48MP main sensor with PDAF handles daylight shots competently, capturing fine detail in good light. The 20MP night vision camera is a gimmick name—it is really a low-light mode, boosting sensitivity at the cost of detail. The 2MP macro lens rounds out the trio, useful for close-ups but limited in quality. The 16MP selfie camera works fine for video calls but is nothing special. In real-world use, this setup will produce acceptable photos for social media and memory-keeping, but don't expect the sharpness, color accuracy, or low-light performance of a proper flagship. Reverse wireless charging is listed but seems to serve little purpose on a phone built for fieldwork.
Battery & Charging
The 10,600 mAh battery is the KingKong Power 3's strongest asset. In moderate use, expect to stretch this to two days; heavy users will comfortably see a full day and a half. That's exceptional and exactly what a rugged phone should deliver—you want to minimize stops to charge when you're on a job site or in the field. The 33W charging speed is modest by modern standards. From zero to full likely takes between 60 and 90 minutes, which is not fast, but acceptable given the large capacity. For a workphone, the battery endurance matters far more than charging speed.
Software & Connectivity
Android 13 is becoming dated in 2024, and there's no guarantee of timely updates. The phone supports LTE across 16 bands, covering most regions worldwide, but there is no 5G. For a budget phone targeting workers in developing markets, this is less of a penalty than it might seem—LTE still handles video streaming and downloads adequately in most of the world. Dual-SIM support is practical for people juggling work and personal numbers or operating across borders. Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2 are standard, NFC is present, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive. The 123-decibel loudspeaker is the loudest you'll see on any phone and serves its purpose in loud environments; there is no headphone jack, which is standard by now.
Value & Verdict
At around €210, the KingKong Power 3 occupies a specific niche: buyers who need genuine durability and two-day battery life over processing power and camera quality. The IP68/IP69K rating and ruggedness are not padding—they are real selling points for construction workers, outdoor guides, farmers, and others whose phones face abuse. The MediaTek chipset and modest display are honest trade-offs for that durability and battery. If your phone needs to survive dust, drops, and water, this delivers. If you spend most of your time indoors and value responsiveness or camera quality, look elsewhere. The phone knows its lane and executes it without pretense.
Verdict
This phone is built for people who work outdoors or in harsh conditions and need a phone that survives the environment, not for anyone prioritizing speed or camera finesse. If durability and two-day battery life align with your life, the KingKong Power 3 delivers genuine value; if you want a quick, responsive everyday phone, the weak chipset and dated OS will frustrate you quickly.
- 10,600 mAh battery provides genuine two-day endurance, rare in this price bracket
- IP68/IP69K rating and industrial design withstand submersion, high-pressure jets, and drops—built for outdoor and construction work
- Dual-SIM flexibility and wide LTE band coverage suit international and multi-role use
- 5000 lumen flashlight and infrared emitter add practical field utility beyond typical phone features
- MediaTek MT8788V is slow by 2023 standards; expect lag in games, video editing, and heavy multitasking
- 33W charging is sluggish; a full charge takes 60–90 minutes, slow even for the price tier
- Android 13 is outdated and update support is uncertain, raising long-term security and feature concerns
Cubot KingKong Power 3 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~74.9% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8788V/WA |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, (night vision camera), 2 IR emitters 2 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | 10600 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wiredReverse wired |
| Software | Android 13 |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 80.2 x 20 mm (6.69 x 3.16 x 0.79 in) |
| Weight | 382 g (13.47 oz) |
| Durability | IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) 5000 lumens flashlight Infrared flashlight |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG |
Cubot KingKong Power 3 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the KingKong Power 3 support 5G?
No. The KingKong Power 3 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the KingKong Power 3 use?
The KingKong Power 3 runs on the Mediatek MT8788V/WA.
What display does the KingKong Power 3 have?
A 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~74.9% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density).
How big is the KingKong Power 3 battery?
The KingKong Power 3 has a 10600 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 33W wiredReverse wired.
Does the KingKong Power 3 have NFC?
Yes, the KingKong Power 3 has NFC.
Is the KingKong Power 3 water resistant?
The KingKong Power 3 carries a IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) 5000 lumens flashlight Infrared flashlight rating.
Does the KingKong Power 3 support a microSD card?
Yes, the KingKong Power 3 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the KingKong Power 3 have a headphone jack?
No, the KingKong Power 3 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the KingKong Power 3 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
KingKong Power 5
KingKong Ace 3
KingKong AX
KingKong Star 2
Y100 5G
