Cubot KingKong AX: The Rugged Warrior With High-End Specs At A Midrange Price

Body

The Cubot KingKong AX sports dimensions of 172×80.9×12.7 mm and weighs a hefty 296 grams. This substantial build is typical of rugged phones, designed to withstand drops and harsh environments. Encased in a robust black exterior, the KingKong AX not only looks tough but feels solid in the hand. Here are the relevant specs:

With those dimensions and weight, the body of the Cubot KingKong AX certainly reflects its rugged design focus. While this build offers excellent durability, it does come with some trade-offs in terms of comfort and portability.

At 296 grams, the KingKong AX is considerably heavier than typical smartphones, which usually weigh between 150 and 200 grams. This weight can make it less comfortable to hold for extended periods, especially during long calls or gaming sessions. You might find your hands getting tired more quickly compared to lighter devices.

The larger size means the phone occupies more space in your pocket or bag. It might feel bulky when carried around, especially in tighter clothing or smaller bags. However, for those who frequently work in rugged environments, the added size and weight are often a worthy trade-off for the enhanced durability.

The dimensions of the KingKong AX make one-handed use challenging for most people. The width of 80.9 mm is at the upper limit of what can be comfortably managed with one hand. Reaching across the screen to access different parts of the display might require some hand gymnastics, potentially leading to a higher risk of dropping the phone.

In summary, the dimensions and the weight of the Cubot KingKong AX may pose some challenges for long-term comfort and one-handed use, but these aspects are a necessary compromise for the rugged durability it provides.

For users who prioritize toughness and resilience over sleekness and lightness, the KingKong AX remains a practical and valuable choice. However, if you are looking for a more lightweight and compact device for everyday use, you might need to consider other options.

IP Rating

(Related: IP ratings explained.)

The Cubot KingKong AX's IP68/IP69K rating ensures dust and water resistance, surviving depths of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. This phone is ready for any adventure, whether you're hiking in the mountains or working on a construction site.

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 AX 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 AX 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 AX, 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.

Display

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

The KingKong AX features a 6.58-inch IPS LCD with a 120 Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals and an excellent viewing experience. With a resolution of 1080×2408 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio, the display boasts a pixel density of approximately 401 PPI, delivering sharp and vibrant images. Additionally, a secondary touchscreen display on the back provides convenient access to common functions like date, time, music player, and compass, enhancing its utility without having to unlock the main screen.

Cubot KingKong AX secondary display on the back. Image credit: Cubot

Here are the relevant specs:

The display is a critical aspect of any smartphone, and the Cubot KingKong AX doesn't disappoint in this department. IPS LCD (In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display) technology is renowned for offering superior color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and consistent brightness compared to older LCD technologies.

IPS displays are known for their ability to reproduce colors more accurately and consistently. This means that the colors you see on the screen are closer to real life, which is crucial for tasks like photo editing, watching videos, and playing games. One of the significant advantages of IPS technology is its wide viewing angles. The screen's colors and brightness remain consistent even when viewed from extreme angles, making it ideal for sharing content with others or using the phone in various positions.

IPS LCDs generally offer good brightness levels, ensuring that the display remains visible in various lighting conditions, including bright sunlight. This is particularly useful for outdoor use, aligning well with the rugged nature of the KingKong AX.

One of the standout features of the KingKong AX display is its 120 Hz refresh rate. A higher refresh rate means that the screen updates more frequently, resulting in smoother motion and transitions. This is particularly noticeable when scrolling through web pages, playing fast-paced games, and navigating the interface. It enhances the overall user experience by making interactions feel more responsive and fluid.

With a resolution of 1080×2408 pixels, the KingKong AX offers Full HD+ quality. This translates to approximately 401 pixels per inch (PPI), ensuring that text and images appear sharp and detailed. The 20:9 aspect ratio is slightly taller than the standard 16:9, providing more vertical screen space. This is particularly beneficial for scrolling through feeds on social media or reading articles, as it allows more content to fit on the screen at once.

The KingKong AX also includes a secondary display on the back, which can show the date and time, music playback, and provide useful information like a compass. This feature adds convenience, allowing you to access essential information without unlocking the main display.

In conclusion, the Cubot KingKong AX's display is designed to provide an exceptional visual experience. The combination of a large 6.58-inch IPS LCD screen, Full HD+ resolution, and a 120 Hz refresh rate makes it a joy to use for various activities, from watching videos and playing games to reading and browsing.

The inclusion of a secondary display on the back adds a layer of practicality, aligning with the rugged and utilitarian ethos of the phone. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or someone who needs a tough phone that doesn't compromise on display quality, the KingKong AX's screen delivers on multiple fronts.

Networks

(Related: Cellular networks explained.)

Navigating through the tech landscape, the Cubot KingKong AX supports the GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies.

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.

SIM

The Cubot KingKong AX 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

Under the hood, the Cubot KingKong AX is powered by the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6-nm process. The octa-core CPU comprises two types of cores, while the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU handles graphics duties. Here are the relevant specs:

The performance of the Cubot KingKong AX is driven by the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, a midrange chipset built on a 6-nm process, which helps enhance efficiency and performance while managing power consumption effectively. It is designed to provide a robust experience for mid-tier smartphones, striking a balance between cost and capability.

The CPU in the Helio G99 is an octa-core configuration, comprising two types of cores:

• High-Performance Cores (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76): These cores are designed for performance-intensive tasks. They are faster and more powerful, handling demanding applications such as gaming, photo editing, and video playback. When you open a complex app or perform a task that requires significant computational power, these cores kick in to provide the necessary performance boost.
• Efficiency Cores (6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55): These cores are optimized for power efficiency. They handle less demanding tasks like web browsing, social media, texting, and calling. By managing everyday tasks with these cores, the phone conserves battery life and operates more efficiently. This setup ensures that the device remains responsive and power-efficient during regular use.

The GPU handles graphics rendering and is crucial for gaming, video playback, and other graphics-intensive applications. The Mali-G57 MC2 is capable of delivering decent gaming performance, supporting games with moderate graphics requirements smoothly. It also enhances the overall visual experience by providing sharp and vibrant graphics.

Given the configuration of the Helio G99 chipset, the KingKong AX excels at a wide range of tasks, including:

• Day-to-Day Operations: Activities like web browsing, social media, messaging, and calling are handled effortlessly by the efficiency cores.
• Multitasking: With 12 GB of RAM, the phone can manage multiple apps running simultaneously without significant slowdowns.
• Casual Gaming: Games that do not require the highest graphical settings will run smoothly, thanks to the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and the high-performance CPU cores.
• Media Consumption: Watching videos, streaming content, and browsing media-rich websites are smooth and enjoyable experiences on the KingKong AX.
• Productivity Apps: Applications such as email, document editing, and calendar management run efficiently.

However, while the KingKong AX is competent in many areas, there are specific tasks that might push its limits, such as:

• High-End Gaming: Graphically demanding games that require high frame rates and maximum graphical settings might not perform optimally. The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU is capable, but not designed for the most demanding gaming experiences.
• Advanced Photo and Video Editing: While the phone can handle basic editing tasks, professional-grade photo and video editing applications that require extensive processing power and memory might experience slower performance.
• Heavy Multitasking: Running a large number of resource-intensive apps simultaneously could lead to slower performance. Although 12 GB of RAM is substantial, the midrange chipset might struggle with extremely heavy multitasking loads.
• AR/VR Applications: Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications typically require higher processing power and advanced graphics capabilities. The KingKong AX might not provide the seamless experience needed for these applications.

In summary, the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, combined with an octa-core CPU and the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, equips the Cubot KingKong AX with a well-rounded performance profile suitable for a wide range of tasks. Its dual-core setup ensures that both performance-intensive and everyday activities are handled efficiently, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a balance between power and energy efficiency.

However, for those requiring top-tier performance in high-end gaming, professional editing, or AR/VR applications, a more powerful configuration might be necessary.

Memory and Storage

Here are the relevant specs:

With 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, multitasking is a breeze, and there's plenty of space for all your apps, media, and files.

Cameras

The KingKong AX shines in the camera department with a triple-camera setup. The primary 100 MP wide lens with PDAF ensures stunningly detailed photos. Accompanying it are a 5 MP macro lens for close-up shots and an auxiliary lens for additional depth and detail. This camera setup is complemented by capable video recording features.

Cubot KingKong AX main and selfie cameras. Image credit: Cubot

On the front, a 32 MP selfie camera ensures you're always looking your best in selfies and video calls.

Battery and Charging

(Related: Battery specs and charging types explained.)

Here are the relevant specs:

A robust 5100 mAh battery powers the KingKong AX, providing ample endurance for all-day use. The 33 W wired charging support means you can quickly top up the battery, minimizing downtime and keeping you connected longer.

Sound

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

Here are the relevant specs:

Connectivity

With support for dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, the Cubot KingKong AX ensures you can connect to common Wi-Fi networks.

The KingKong AX boasts Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a seamless 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 AX features GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS positioning systems for accurate navigation and location services.

The Cubot KingKong AX 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 AX 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 AX.
• 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 AX release date?

  The Cubot KingKong AX was released in April 2024. It was announced in March 2024.

• What is Cubot KingKong AX price?

  The Cubot KingKong AX is priced at USD 199.99.