Cubot KingKong Star 2 review
This phone suits someone who works outdoors or travels rough terrain and prioritizes durability and battery life over speed and image quality. Workers, construction crews, and extended travelers will appreciate the two-day endurance and ability to survive drops and water. Anyone chasing gaming performance, fast charging, or a competitive camera should look at a conventional midrange phone instead.
This review is based on Cubot’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Cubot KingKong Star 2, 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 Star 2 is a rugged, long-battery phone built for durability and two-day endurance rather than speed or camera prowess. At €280, it appeals to workers and travelers who need a phone that survives rough conditions, not a daily-driver flagship.
Design & Build
At 395 grams and 17.8 mm thick, the KingKong Star 2 is a proper brick—heavy and substantial. That bulk serves a purpose: IP68/IP69K certification means it survives immersion to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes and resists high-pressure jets, and the Gorilla Glass (Mohs 6) won't scratch in your pocket. The trade-off is obvious—this phone feels like industrial equipment, not a fashion accessory. The secondary 1.85-inch display on the back is a neat touch, showing time, notifications, and media controls without waking the main screen; it justifies some of the rear real estate. If you work outdoors, in construction, or travel constantly in rough conditions, this durability is real value. If you want a phone that slides into a jeans pocket comfortably, look elsewhere.
Display
The 6.78-inch IPS LCD runs at 90 Hz and hits 1080 x 2460 pixels, which is tall and narrow—good for reading and scrolling, less so for video. At 396 ppi, it's sharp enough at arm's length. The 75% screen-to-body ratio reflects the thick bezels typical of rugged phones. IPS won't match the contrast and blacks of an OLED, and there's no mention of peak brightness figures, which is a red flag for a €280 rugged device; in bright sunlight, you'll likely squint. The 90 Hz refresh is smooth but not the 120+ Hz rivals offer at this price. This is competent, not impressive—it does the job without calling attention to itself.
Performance
The Dimensity 700 is mainstream midrange for its era, capable enough for messaging, video calls, and light browsing, but it shows strain under load. Gaming at high settings will disappoint; expect frame drops in Genshin Impact or heavy apps during multitasking. The Mali-G57 GPU is two generations old by 2023 standards. 12 GB of RAM helps, but it can't fully offset the aging silicon. Daily use won't stall, but anyone jumping from a more recent budget flagship will notice the slowdown. For the price, Cubot should have paired this with a newer or faster midrange chip; competitors at €280 had better silicon even in 2023.
Software
Android 13 ships on this device, which was already a year old at launch in mid-2023. No word on how long Cubot will support it with updates—Cubot's track record on software longevity is patchy. The rear display integration depends entirely on how well the OS layer works, and that's often where budget phones stumble. You'll likely get basic Android with Cubot's minimal overlay, which is fine, but don't expect three years of major version upgrades or timely security patches. The microSD slot mitigates storage anxiety, but system updates will need the phone's own 256 GB, which limits room if you fill it.
Camera
The 100 MP main sensor is a flagship-spec number on a midrange phone, a classic case of marketing over substance. In daylight, the wide lens crops and zooms decently, and PDAF helps with focus speed. The 24 MP night vision sensor is the gimmick here; a dedicated sensor doesn't guarantee good low-light shots—software matters far more, and Cubot's processing is competent at best. The 5 MP macro is borderline useless for everyday shots. The 32 MP selfie front camera is overkill for video calls on a 6.78-inch phone. Overall, expect solid midday shots and mediocre low-light, in line with the class. The rear display won't help you frame better photos.
Battery & Charging
The 10,600 mAh cell is the real star here. In moderate use—browsing, calls, some video—you'll comfortably hit two days, maybe closer to 40 hours before hitting single digits. Heavy gaming or video streaming will burn it faster, closer to one day, but for most people this is a genuine weekend trip phone that won't nag you for a charger. Charging at 33 W is the weak point: expect 50–65 minutes to a full fill, which is acceptable but slow for 2023. Rivals at this price often hit 65–100 W, cutting that time roughly in half. Fast charging isn't critical when battery life this large, but it does feel behind. You'll also need to supply your own 33 W USB-C adapter.
Value & Verdict
At €280, the KingKong Star 2 targets someone with specific needs: durability, battery life, and practicality over performance or imaging. The IP68/IP69K rating, weight, and 10,600 mAh are genuine strengths for field workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and frequent travelers. Against that, the Dimensity 700 is old for its release year, charging is slow, and the night vision camera is marketing noise. The secondary rear display is clever but won't move many sales. If your phone spends half its life in a backpack or on a construction site, this is a credible choice. If you want snappy performance, fast charging, or a camera that competes with flagship-lite phones at the same price, save harder or look at mainstream brands' rugged lines. The KingKong Star 2 is not a value phone trying to do everything; it's a specialist.
Verdict
This phone suits someone who works outdoors or travels rough terrain and prioritizes durability and battery life over speed and image quality. Workers, construction crews, and extended travelers will appreciate the two-day endurance and ability to survive drops and water. Anyone chasing gaming performance, fast charging, or a competitive camera should look at a conventional midrange phone instead.
- Massive 10,600 mAh battery easily delivers two days of moderate use, solving the daily-recharge anxiety many people face
- IP68/IP69K certification and thick 17.8 mm chassis handle drops, dust, and immersion to 1.5 meters, a real advantage for field work or outdoor use
- Dedicated microSD slot and dual SIM let you expand storage and run two numbers without carrier compromise
- Secondary 1.85-inch rear display is genuinely useful for quick glances and screen-off notifications without flipping the phone
- Dimensity 700 is entry-level midrange—it handles everyday tasks but lags visibly in demanding games and heavy multitasking compared to phones at this price
- 33W charging is slow by 2023–24 standards; rivals at this price often hit 65–100W, cutting charge time in half
- Night vision camera is a gimmick—a 24 MP dedicated sensor doesn't replace good night mode software, and real low-light quality depends on aperture and processing, not sensor name
Cubot KingKong Star 2 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, July 19 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 24 MP, (night vision camera), 2 IR emitters 5 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP |
| Battery | 10600 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired |
| Software | Android 13 |
| Dimensions | 180.2 x 80.8 x 17.8 mm (7.09 x 3.18 x 0.70 in) |
| Weight | 395 g (13.93 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 / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG |
Cubot KingKong Star 2 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the KingKong Star 2 support 5G?
Yes. The KingKong Star 2 supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the KingKong Star 2 use?
The KingKong Star 2 runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm).
What display does the KingKong Star 2 have?
A 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density).
How big is the KingKong Star 2 battery?
The KingKong Star 2 has a 10600 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 33W wired.
Does the KingKong Star 2 have NFC?
Yes, the KingKong Star 2 has NFC.
Is the KingKong Star 2 water resistant?
The KingKong Star 2 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 Star 2 support a microSD card?
Yes, the KingKong Star 2 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the KingKong Star 2 have a headphone jack?
No, the KingKong Star 2 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the KingKong Star 2 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
KingKong Power 5
KingKong Star
KingKong 11
KingKong Ace 3
Galaxy M16 5G
