Cubot KingKong Star 2: A Rugged Powerhouse With 144 Hz Display And 100 MP Camera

Body: Durability Meets Modern Aesthetics

With dimensions of 177.7×81.8×13.5 mm and weighing 305 g, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 is undeniably bulky. This is expected in rugged devices, as extra bulk equals better protection. The phone is wrapped in Corning Gorilla Glass to protect its display. The KingKong Star 2 only comes in Black, which keeps the design clean and understated - perfect for those who want a professional look. Here are the relevant specs:

The body of the Cubot KingKong Star 2 is a mix of rugged toughness and bulky design, which is common for smartphones built to withstand harsh conditions. With those dimensions and weighing in at 305 grams, this phone is definitely on the larger and heavier side. For comparison, most regular smartphones today weigh around 170 - 230 grams, so this is nearly 1.5 times as heavy. This weight and size are mainly due to the reinforced materials used to make the phone as durable as possible - sacrificing slimness for strength.

Holding this phone for long periods - whether gaming, texting, or reading - will be more tiring than using a typical smartphone. Its extra weight could cause hand fatigue during prolonged use, especially if you're used to lighter devices. The thickness also means it's not as ergonomic or easy to grip, particularly for extended one-handed use.

Given the large 6.72-inch display and its dimensions, one-handed use will be a challenge for most people. Unless you have particularly large hands, you'll struggle to reach across the screen easily. The phone's rugged design - while offering protection - also adds extra width and thickness, making it harder to manage with one hand. On the plus side, the phone's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is accessible with one hand, so unlocking it should still be a breeze.

While carrying the KingKong Star 2, you'll feel the bulk in your pocket, especially if you like wearing slim-fit clothing. This is more of a "throw it in your backpack or work belt" kind of phone, and not one that fits comfortably into skinny jeans. If you're used to carrying large phones in your pockets, it may not be a dealbreaker, but it's definitely not subtle.

The use of Corning Gorilla Glass on the display is a smart choice for a rugged phone. This material is highly resistant to scratches and minor dings that can occur in everyday use. This is crucial for a phone designed to be used in rough environments - whether it's keys in your pocket or tools in a worksite bag, the screen is protected from surface damage.

While not indestructible, Gorilla Glass significantly improves the phone's resistance to drops and impacts. It works alongside the phone's rugged frame to give you peace of mind that even if you drop the phone from a reasonable height (or fumble it on a rocky path), the screen is less likely to crack compared to standard glass.

In rugged environments - where dust, water, and sharp objects could easily damage the phone - the Gorilla Glass layer provides an additional buffer that ensures the display remains functional and clear over time.

Overall, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 is not a device designed for people looking for lightweight, one-handed convenience. It's bulky, heavy, and clearly built for people who prioritize toughness over sleekness. If you're someone who needs a phone that can survive drops, dust, and water while still offering high-end specs, the KingKong Star 2 will suit you well. Just be prepared for the bulk that comes with that level of durability!

If we compare the KingKong Star 2 with the predecessor KingKong Star, it's slimmer and considerably lighter. The KingKong Star was 180.2×80.8×17.8 mm and 395 g.

IP Rating and MIL-STD Compliance

(Related: IP ratings and MIL-STD explained.)

The Cubot KingKong Star 2's IP68/IP69K certification ensures it can survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. Dust? No problem - it's completely sealed. For comparison, the predecessor KingKong Star came with the same IP rating.

However, the KingKong Star 2 goes beyond basic waterproofing with MIL-STD-810H compliance (absent in the predecessor KingKong Star), meaning it's resistant to extreme temperatures, shocks, vibrations, and more. In short, it can take the kind of abuse that would destroy most conventional phones.

The IP68 and IP69K ratings of the Cubot KingKong Star 2 are a testament to its durability. In the world of electronics, IP stands for Ingress Protection, and it's followed by two digits. The first digit (6 in this case) refers to the device's protection against solid objects like dust. An IP rating of 6 means the KingKong Star 2 is dust-tight, ensuring no harmful particles can infiltrate its internals.

The second digit (8 in IP68) signifies its resistance to water. An IP68 rating indicates that the phone is capable of withstanding immersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. So, whether it accidentally takes a plunge into a puddle or gets caught in a rainstorm, your KingKong Star 2 will emerge unscathed, ready for action.

The digit 9 and the letter K in IP69K hold special significance. The combination 9K means the device has undergone high-pressure, high-temperature water spray tests. In the case of the Cubot KingKong Star 2, it can withstand powerful, high-temperature water jets (up to 80 °C) aimed at it from different angles. This rating ensures that even in the most intense conditions, where water jets resembling a strong, focused steam of water are present, the phone remains resilient and functional.

The MIL-STD-810H compliance takes the Cubot KingKong Star 2's durability to a whole new level. This standard, established by the US Department of Defense, outlines a series of stringent tests that a device must pass to be deemed 'military-grade' tough.

To achieve MIL-STD-810H compliance, the KingKong Star 2 underwent a battery of tests that simulate the harshest conditions it might encounter in real-world scenarios. These tests include the following:

• High-Temperature Test: The phone was exposed to scorching temperatures to ensure it doesn't falter even in the hottest environments.
• Low-Temperature Test: On the flip side, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 was subjected to freezing temperatures to guarantee it remains operational in icy conditions.
• Drop Test: The phone faced drops from heights, simulating real-world accidents. Its ability to survive these falls showcases its durability, protecting it from everyday slips and tumbles.
• Vibration Test: The KingKong Star 2 was shaken vigorously to mimic the vibrations it might endure during transportation, ensuring its internal components remain intact and functional.
• Humidity Test: Humidity can be a silent killer for electronics. The Cubot KingKong Star 2 was tested in high humidity environments to guarantee it won't succumb to moisture, even in tropical climates.
• Salt Fog Test: This test replicates exposure to salty sea air, making sure the KingKong Star 2 won't corrode when used near the ocean or in coastal areas.

By passing these tests, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 has proven its mettle, assuring users that it can withstand the toughest challenges thrown its way. So, whether you're scaling mountains, working on a construction site, or embarking on wild adventures, this phone has proven it can handle the pressure, literally! It's not just a smartphone; it's a robust, battle-tested device ready for any mission you undertake.

Display

(Related: Know more about the various kinds of displays and screen specs.)

The 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 144 Hz refresh rate is one of the standout features of the KingKong Star 2. Combine that with 1500 nits peak brightness, and you have a screen that's visible even in harsh sunlight. The phone also sports a secondary, always-on display on the back, measuring 1.85 inches - a small but handy addition for checking date and time, notifications, changing tracks, and other quick glances without unlocking the device.

Cubot KingKong Star 2 display. Image credit: Cubot

Here are the relevant specs:

The main display of the Cubot KingKong Star 2 is one of the highlights of this rugged smartphone, combining high-end features with durability. It uses an IPS LCD panel, which, although not as vibrant as OLED displays, has its own strengths that make it suitable for a rugged device like this.

IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCDs are known for providing better color accuracy and wider viewing angles compared to other LCD types. While IPS displays lack the deep blacks and ultra-high contrast found in OLED screens, they excel in producing natural-looking colors and maintaining brightness consistency even when viewed from different angles.

For a rugged phone like the KingKong Star 2, an IPS display is a solid choice as IPS panels tend to perform better under direct sunlight than OLED displays, which can suffer from reflections and brightness issues. The KingKong Star 2 is designed for outdoor use, so this makes the display much more readable in bright conditions. Secondly, IPS panels are generally more robust than OLEDs when it comes to handling impacts, which fits well with the rugged nature of the device.

A refresh rate of 144 Hz is a major advantage for the display, especially in this class of smartphones. Many standard phones have a refresh rate of 60 Hz, while many high-end devices offer 90 Hz or 120 Hz. With 144 Hz, the KingKong Star 2 offers ultra-smooth scrolling and animations, which is a significant boost, especially for gaming.

High refresh rates are prized in mobile gaming because they offer faster response times and make fast-moving action feel much smoother. If you're a gamer, you'll definitely appreciate the fluidity this screen offers.

Even when navigating through menus or scrolling through social media, the higher refresh rate makes the experience feel more responsive and seamless. This makes tasks like browsing and watching fast-paced videos more enjoyable.

With a 1080×2400 pixel resolution, this display hits that sweet spot for sharpness on a 6.72-inch screen. At about 392 PPI (pixels per inch), the visuals are crisp, making it perfect for a variety of tasks like media consumption. Whether you're watching videos, scrolling through high-resolution photos, or reading text, the Full HD+ resolution ensures that everything looks sharp and detailed.

The 20:9 aspect ratio of the display is particularly beneficial for watching widescreen content without much cropping. It also allows for a slightly more elongated screen, which fits more content vertically when scrolling through apps and websites.

The peak brightness of 1500 nits is another standout feature of the Cubot KingKong Star 2's display. For context, many regular smartphones cap out around 600 - 800 nits, while high-end flagships might reach 1000 - 1200 nits. With 1500 nits, this display ensures excellent visibility even under harsh sunlight.

Since this is a rugged phone likely to be used in outdoor environments, such as construction sites or during hikes, the high brightness ensures that the screen is easily readable even in bright daylight. Such high brightness typically also enhances the viewing experience when watching HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, making highlights pop and ensuring deeper contrasts in bright scenes.

Overall, the Cubot KingKong Star 2's display is designed to offer both performance and practical usability, especially for users who spend a lot of time outdoors. The 144 Hz refresh rate makes the phone feel responsive and fluid, perfect for both gaming and day-to-day use. The 1080×2400 pixel resolution delivers crisp visuals, and the 1500 nits peak brightness ensures excellent readability in all lighting conditions, even direct sunlight.

While it's not an OLED panel, the IPS LCD balances durability, color accuracy, and outdoor visibility, making it a fitting choice for a rugged phone. If you need a phone that performs well both indoors and outdoors, the KingKong Star 2's display checks all the right boxes.

For comparison, the predecessor KingKong Star sported a 6.78-inch, 1080×2460 px IPS LCD display with a 90 Hz refresh rate. It too featured a small screen on the back.

Networks

(Related: Cellular networks explained.)

When it comes to network compatibility, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 supports GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G, making it future-proof in terms of connectivity. Whether you're in the city or out in the wilderness, the phone is equipped to provide solid network performance.

GSM and HSPA are the stalwarts, providing 2G and 3G connectivity, respectively. Then there's LTE, the foundation of modern 4G networks, delivering faster internet speeds and improved call quality. And of course, the star of the show - 5G. It's the future, promising blazing-fast download and upload speeds, reduced latency, and a world of possibilities for future applications.

SIM

The Cubot KingKong Star 2 supports hybrid dual Nano-SIM (dual stand-by).

The "hybrid" part means one of the SIM card slots serves a dual purpose. It can either hold a SIM card or a memory card for expandable storage - but not both simultaneously. This means you have to make a choice between expanding your device's storage capacity with a memory card and using two SIM cards.

Chipset - Performance: Powerhouse with MediaTek Dimensity 8200

Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset powers the KingKong Star 2. Its octa-core CPU (consisting of three types of cores) ensures it can handle everything from multitasking to intensive gaming without breaking a sweat. Graphics are handled by the Mali-G610 MC6 GPU, which is well-equipped for modern 3D games and high-resolution video playback. Here are the relevant specs:

The Dimensity 8200 is a 4-nm chipset that offers a balance of performance, power efficiency, and 5G support, making it a strong contender in the upper mid-range category. The 4-nm manufacturing process is one of the most advanced in mobile technology today. A smaller fabrication process like this translates to better power efficiency and improved thermal management.

This means you can expect great performance without your phone heating up too much, and it should also stretch out battery life - a critical factor in a rugged device that might not always be near a charger.

The CPU in the Dimensity 8200 is an octa-core processor that uses a big.LITTLE architecture to handle different tasks efficiently. It consists of three types of cores, each designed for a specific purpose:

• 1×Cortex-A78 (3.1 GHz) - Performance Core: This is the high-performance core of the chipset, running at an impressive 3.1 GHz. It's the powerhouse designed to handle the most demanding tasks like gaming, heavy multitasking, and video rendering. When you're using resource-heavy apps or pushing the phone with intensive workloads, this core kicks into action, ensuring quick response times and smooth operation.
• 3×Cortex-A78 (3.0 GHz) - Balanced Performance Cores: These three cores, also based on Cortex-A78, run at a slightly lower clock speed of 3.0 GHz. They help with more moderate tasks like app launching, media playback, and light multitasking. These cores provide a nice balance between performance and power consumption. When you're not maxing out the phone's capabilities, these cores can handle the load without drawing too much power, which helps extend battery life.
• 4×Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz) - Efficiency Cores: The four Cortex-A55 cores are focused on energy efficiency. Running at 2.0 GHz, they take over when the phone is doing low-intensity tasks like checking emails, background notifications, and browsing. These cores allow the phone to save battery power when you're performing simple actions, helping extend the runtime. In a rugged phone, where you're often away from charging options, this kind of power management is essential.

The beauty of the big.LITTLE architecture is that it dynamically switches between these core types depending on the task. This creates a balance between high performance and battery efficiency, which is particularly useful in a rugged phone designed for extended use in outdoor or remote conditions.

The Mali-G610 MC6 GPU is part of the Dimensity 8200 and is responsible for handling graphics-intensive tasks, like rendering visuals in games and ensuring smooth video playback. This GPU is powerful enough to handle most mobile games at high frame rates without too much lag or stutter. Paired with the 144 Hz refresh rate of the display, gaming on the KingKong Star 2 should feel smooth and responsive, making it ideal for gamers who want a rugged phone that can still deliver a satisfying gaming experience.

Beyond gaming, the GPU also helps with rendering high-resolution video, handling graphical elements in apps, and powering any AR (Augmented Reality) features you might use. It ensures that animations, transitions, and videos play smoothly without dropping frames or lagging.

While the Mali-G610 is not as powerful as the flagship GPUs found in top-tier phones, it provides more than enough grunt for mid-range gaming, multimedia use, and general apps.

In summary, the CPU and GPU combination in the Cubot KingKong Star 2 delivers a well-rounded performance. The CPU's octa-core setup ensures a balance between performance and efficiency, allowing the phone to handle anything from heavy multitasking to low-power tasks seamlessly. The Mali-G610 GPU adds a level of gaming and graphical prowess, ensuring smooth visuals for gaming and media.

This chipset makes the KingKong Star 2 a capable performer not just for outdoor adventurers who need a rugged phone, but also for power users who require solid performance for everyday apps, media, and gaming. You can expect snappy performance across the board, thanks to the well-balanced architecture of the Dimensity 8200.

For comparison, the predecessor Cubot KingKong Star featured the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) chipset, housing an octa-core CPU (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 + 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.

Memory and Storage

Here are the relevant specs:

With 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, the KingKong Star 2 has more than enough muscle for heavy apps, multitasking, and storing large files. There's also support for a microSD card, though it shares a slot with the second SIM, so you'll have to choose between dual-SIM functionality and expandable storage.

For comparison, the predecessor KingKong Star had a similar memory and storage configuration, but it came with a dedicated memory card slot.

Cameras: 100 MP Main Shooter and a Solid Selfie Camera

Cubot hasn't forgotten photography enthusiasts with the KingKong Star 2. The main camera setup is headlined by a 100 MP wide lens, complete with PDAF for fast and accurate focusing. The second, 5 MP macro camera adds some versatility for close-up shots, though it's more of a fun addition than a professional-grade lens.

Cubot KingKong Star 2 main and selfie cameras. Image credit: Cubot

On the front, a 32 MP selfie camera ensures high-quality self-portraits and video calls. Both the front and rear cameras support video recording, though exact details on the video resolution aren't specified in the spec sheet.

Battery and Charging

(Related: Battery specs and charging types explained.)

Here are the relevant specs:

The KingKong Star 2's 5100 mAh battery will easily get you through a full day of heavy usage, whether you're out in the field or in a boardroom. And when it's time to recharge, the 33 W wired charging will top it up quickly.

For comparison, the older KingKong Star came with a massive 10600 mAh battery with 33 W wired charging support.

Sound

(Related: Know more about the sound specs and features.)

Here are the relevant specs:

Unfortunately, the 3.5 mm headphone jack is missing, so you'll have to rely on wireless headphones or a USB Type-C adapter for your audio needs. That said, the loudspeaker is present for hands-free calls and media playback.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Cubot KingKong Star 2 leaves little to be desired. With support for dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, it ensures you can connect to common Wi-Fi networks.

The KingKong Star 2 boasts Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a seamless and high-quality connection, whether you're connecting to headphones, speakers, or other devices. With features like A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for high-quality audio streaming and LE (Low Energy) for power efficiency, your Bluetooth experience reaches new heights.

The Cubot KingKong Star 2 features GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, and BDS positioning systems for accurate navigation and location services.

The Cubot KingKong Star 2 features NFC, the digital magician! This technology allows you to make contactless payments, share files, and connect with other NFC-enabled devices with just a tap. It's like having a digital handshake, simplifying tasks and making your device interactions effortless.

Last but not least, the trusty USB-C - the universal connector. Whether you're charging your device, transferring files, or connecting to external devices, USB Type-C ensures a reliable connection. It's the jack-of-all-trades, allowing you to expand your device's capabilities and stay connected to the wider world of technology. And the support for OTG (USB On-The-Go) enables your device to act as host and connect to other USB devices, such as flash drives, keyboards, cameras, and more, without needing a computer as an intermediary.

Sensors

The Cubot KingKong Star 2 comes equipped with the following sensors:

• Proximity Sensor: Detects the presence or movement of an object (say, with infrared, sound, light, or electromagnetic fields) without physically contacting it. It is used, for example, to turn off the screen when you position your device close to your ear while making a call.
• Fingerprint Sensor: Used for quick and secure unlocking. It is side-facing in the KingKong Star 2.
• Gyro: The gyroscope can detect when your device is being twisted or turned in any direction. It enhances the accuracy of apps and games that rely on precise motion, like augmented reality (AR) apps and racing games.
• Accelerometer: The accelerometer detects changes in the device's orientation and acceleration. If you tilt, shake, or move your device, the accelerometer knows.
• Compass: The compass determines your device's orientation. It is essential for navigation apps, map orientation, and augmented reality experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is Cubot KingKong Star 2 release date?

  The Cubot KingKong Star 2 has been announced on the 30th September, 2024. It is expected to release in October 2024.