Cubot KingKong X review
The KingKong X suits people who work outdoors or in harsh environments where a phone's survival matters more than thinness or speed. Anyone sitting at a desk who just wants a rugged aesthetic should stick to a normal phone with a case.
This review is based on Cubot’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Cubot KingKong X, 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 Cubot KingKong X is a rugged workhorse built to survive drops, dust, and saltwater where most phones would fail, backed by MIL-STD-810H certification and a two-day battery. It trades sleekness for durability and honesty—a phone for people who actually need one to endure rough conditions, not just look tough.
Design & durability
The KingKong X wears its ruggedness plainly. At 388 grams and 18.7 mm thick, it is heavy and blocky—there is no pretense of thinness here, and that is the point. The phone meets IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H standards, meaning it survives dust, saltwater to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes, 1.5-metre drops, and military-spec vibration and temperature swings. For construction sites, maritime work, or remote field jobs, this is not marketing; it is the entire reason to buy. The rear 1.85-inch touchscreen is an unusual touch—genuinely useful for quick notifications, video calls, or checking time without flipping the phone over, especially useful with work gloves on. The Mohs level 6 screen protection is basic (any mineral can scratch it), but the phone is aimed at people who replace screens, not keep them pristine.
Display
The 6.58-inch IPS LCD runs at 120 Hz and 401 ppi, which is serviceable but nothing more. At this pixel density, text is legible for everyday reading and web browsing, though it sits below the 450+ ppi standard for modern flagships. The 120 Hz refresh smooths scrolling, which matters during long workdays when you are flipping through apps or documents repeatedly. However, Cubot has not published brightness specs, and on an outdoor-heavy device, that is a notable omission. The 20:9 aspect ratio stretches the screen tall, useful for one-handed operation, and the 74.2% screen-to-body ratio is fine for this build style. Do not expect stunning colors or deep blacks from an IPS panel; expect clarity and durability.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 7050 sits squarely in the mainstream midrange, and paired with 16 GB RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, it handles day-to-day work without hiccups. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and casual games run without lag. Moderate gaming—Genshin Impact at medium settings, most puzzle and strategy titles—works fine. This is not a gaming flagship, and it is not meant to be; it is a phone for messaging, calls, social media, light browsing, and productivity apps. The Mali-G68 GPU is adequate and not a bottleneck. For the price and use case, performance is fit for purpose.
Software
It ships with Android 14 and a clean interface without heavy bloat, which is refreshing for a budget-minded brand. Cubot has not yet announced how long updates will arrive, a real concern for a phone this price and durability. If you buy this expecting four years of OS updates, you may be disappointed; budget brands often deliver two or three before cutting support. That said, the core experience is straightforward and responsive, and 16 GB RAM means it will handle the current software smoothly for years even if major updates slow.
Camera
The 100 MP wide camera takes detail-rich daytime shots with PDAF and HDR, though megapixel count alone does not make a great camera. In good light, shots are sharp and color-accurate; in low light or mixed indoor/outdoor scenes, results fall short of flagship processing. The 5 MP macro lens is functional for close-ups of documents or objects on a work site. The 32 MP selfie camera is adequate for video calls and self-portraits. Video records at 4K 30 fps, which is enough for documentation but not smooth by modern standards. This is a practical camera, not a standout—it captures what you need, but it does not impress.
Battery & charging
The 10200 mAh battery is the phone's strongest feature outside durability. With typical mixed use—messaging, social media, light work apps—it lasts roughly 36 to 48 hours, which is a genuine two-day phone. For someone in remote work, on a job site, or traveling without frequent charging, this is invaluable. However, 33W wired charging is slow by 2024 standards; rivals now routinely hit 65–120W, and even budget phones offer faster speeds. Charging from zero to full takes close to 90 minutes, which means if you do need to top up quickly, plan ahead. There is no wireless charging, but given the rugged build, adding it would have raised cost and complexity without practical benefit for the target user.
Value & verdict
At about 280 EUR, the KingKong X is priced fairly for what it does. It is not the cheapest rugged phone, but it is not premium either. The decision hinges entirely on whether you need genuine durability and two-day battery life or if you just want a cheap phone that looks tough. If you work outdoors, in construction, maritime, or remote environments, or if your phone genuinely takes a beating, this phone justifies its cost. If you sit in an office and want durability as a nice-to-have, you are paying for overkill. Compared to typical flagships, it is heavier, thicker, slower to charge, and slower to compute, but it will survive conditions that would destroy a flagship in seconds.
Verdict
The KingKong X suits people who work outdoors or in harsh environments where a phone's survival matters more than thinness or speed. Anyone sitting at a desk who just wants a rugged aesthetic should stick to a normal phone with a case.
- IP68/IP69K + MIL-STD-810H certification means it genuinely survives 1.5m drops, saltwater submersion, and military-spec shocks without theater
- 10200mAh battery delivers roughly two days of mixed use, a real advantage for remote work or outdoor jobs where charging isn't frequent
- Rear 1.85-inch touchscreen is genuinely useful for quick glances, hands-free video calls, or one-handed operation in work gloves
- 16GB RAM and Dimensity 7050 handle everyday apps, moderate gaming, and multitasking without stuttering
- At 388g and 18.7mm thick, it feels heavy and unwieldy compared to any flagship or even rival midrange rugged phones
- 33W charging is slow for 2024; rivals now routinely hit 65–120W, so a full charge takes close to 90 minutes
- Display brightness specs are not listed, and the 401 ppi on a 6.58-inch screen is acceptable but not sharp compared to current standards
Cubot KingKong X Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, June 28 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~74.2% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main camera | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP |
| Battery | 10200 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired, PD |
| Software | Android 14 |
| Dimensions | 170.9 x 82.2 x 18.7 mm (6.73 x 3.24 x 0.74 in) |
| Weight | 388 g (13.69 oz) |
| Durability | IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop resistant up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG |
Cubot KingKong X FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the KingKong X support 5G?
No. The KingKong X tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the KingKong X use?
The KingKong X runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm).
What display does the KingKong X have?
A 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~74.2% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density).
How big is the KingKong X battery?
The KingKong X has a 10200 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 33W wired, PD.
Does the KingKong X have NFC?
Yes, the KingKong X has NFC.
Is the KingKong X water resistant?
The KingKong X carries a IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop resistant up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliant rating.
Does the KingKong X support a microSD card?
Yes, the KingKong X supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the KingKong X have a headphone jack?
No, the KingKong X does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the KingKong X isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
KingKong AX
KingKong Ace 3
KingKong Star 2
X90
Galaxy M36 5G
