Cubot KingKong AX smartphone review – The outdoor phone with a second display and a 100-MP camera
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Possible competitors compared
Rating | Date | Model | Weight | Storage | Size | Resolution | Price from |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
79.1 % v7 (old) | 04 / 2024 | Cubot KingKong AX Helio G99, Mali-G57 MP2 | 296 g | 256 GB UFS 3.0 Flash | 6.58" | 2408x1080 | |
79.1 % v7 (old) | 03 / 2024 | Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Dimensity 6100+, Mali-G57 MP2 | 240 g | 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | 6.60" | 2408x1080 | |
80.1 % v7 (old) | 02 / 2024 | Oukitel WP33 Pro 5G Dimensity 6100+, Mali-G57 MP2 | 577.5 g | 256 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.60" | 2408x1080 | |
82.3 % v7 (old) | 06 / 2023 | Nokia XR21 SD 695 5G, Adreno 619 | 231 g | 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.49" | 2400x1080 |
Case and connectivity – Not too heavy
Rugged phones, which you can also use in uncomfortable locations, are often heavy and feature a bulky case. Furthermore, their brute designs are often pretty eye-catching and less discreet during, say, a business meeting.
The Cubot KingKong AX aims to find a compromise which consists of a unique design, relatively low weight, robustness and a slim case. When you remove the phone from its packaging, it won't feel the lightest in your hand at 296 grams, however, you can definitely hold it for longer periods of time without it becoming tiring. Its case is a little thicker than conventional smartphones, measuring in at 12.7 millimetres. In return, it offers complete protection against dust and water—although you shouldn't submerge it in saltwater, as this attacks the phone's seals. In freshwater, you can go as deep as 1.5 meters for half an hour.
The Cubot KingKong AX can't be dented or twisted whatsoever—a slightly protruding frame provides the display glass with additional protection. The back features an unusual mixture of rubberized case parts and a large glass surface. The cameras are grouped around a second, round display. All-in-all, its design is relatively typical for an outdoor device with its visible screws and lots of ridges and hatching, however, it is also still discreet enough that it doesn't stand out all too much in professional surroundings.
The outdoor phone is fitted with 256 GB of storage and 12 GB RAM, meaning it is quite well-equipped for its price class. It doesn't feature a dedicated audio jack, so headphones or speakers have to be connected via its USB-C port. The phone supports NFC, so you can also make use of mobile payment services.
Two SIM slots are situated within this device—but it doesn't support eSIMs. You can also insert a microSD card, but at the expense of one of its two SIM card slots, meaning you can't simultaneously use two nano SIM cards and one microSD card. In our test using the Angelbird V60 as a reference card, the card reader delivered average speed results.
SD Card Reader - average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs) | |
Cubot KingKong AX (Angelbird V60) | |
Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 (Angelbird V60) | |
Average of class Smartphone (7.7 - 77, n=83, last 2 years) |
Cross Platform Disk Test (CPDT)
Communication, software and operation – No 5G phone
The outdoor phone supports WiFi 5 as its fastest WLAN standard and it achieved the usual data rates between 300 and 350 MBit/s during our test. This means most home internet connections can be made use of well—unless you have a gigabit line.
The KingKong AX is an LTE smartphone and the currently fastest mobile network standard—namely 5G—is not supported. However, it supports quite a few 4G frequencies, so you can easily take the phone with you abroad and connect to the web in a wide range of countries.
The manufacturer has installed Android 14 and the operating system remains largely unchanged. In addition, the phone doesn't come with many apps preinstalled, meaning users of the system can set it up to their own liking.
At the time of testing, the latest security patch was from January 2024, so quite outdated. The manufacturer also hasn't stated how often and for how long the phone is set to receive updates.
Its touchscreen can be operated well and thanks to its 120-Hz display, the system feels very reactive when responding to inputs. There is a button on the left side of the case which can be assigned three custom functions (single press, double press, long press), such as system functions or launching a specific app.
There is a fingerprint sensor on the right side of the case which not only unlocks the phone quickly and reliably, but can also expand the phone's operation via gestures: For example, you can accept calls, take photos or return to the home screen.
Networking | |
Cubot KingKong AX | |
iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 | |
iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
Oukitel WP33 Pro 5G | |
iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
Nokia XR21 | |
iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
Cameras – High-resolution sensors
Of course, on paper, a 100-megapixel sensor looks impressive. However, the lack of an ultra-wide-angle lens and the fact it features a support lens that cannot be used for separate photos casts doubt on the overall quality of this camera system.
The main camera's sensor is made by Omnivision and by standard, it takes 25-megapixel photos, but it can also make use of its full resolution when using a special mode. The photos look sharp and well lightened, however, some areas are slightly overexposed. Object edges often appear a little rough and details sometimes look a little unclean. But all-in-all, its picture quality is good.
Videos can be recorded at up to 1,080p and 30 fps; the moving images are well lit and both the phone's brightness adjustment and autofocus work quite fast.
You can also take extreme closeup shots via a 5-megapixel sensor. While these photos often look promising in the viewfinder and depict smaller structures well, the results are frequently overexposed. It seems that the phone's post-processing doesn't work the best.
The front of the device features a 32-megapixel camera but it, too, usually only takes photos with an 8-MP resolution. Selfies look quite natural and can easily be enlarged without losing all too many details.
Image Comparison
Choose a scene and navigate within the first image. One click changes the position on touchscreens. One click on the zoomed-in image opens the original in a new window. The first image shows the scaled photograph of the test device.
Main camera plantMain camera surroundingsMain camera low light

Display – With a second display on the back
The KingKong AX's display has a resolution of 2,408 x 1,080 pixels and it can depict up to 120 frames per second. At 553 cd/m² on average, its maximum brightness is typical for this class of outdoor smartphones. Its brightness will likely not be enough to compete with direct sunlight, but content should still remain mostly legible outside on bright days.
Using a spectrophotometer and the CalMAN software, we also tested its color depiction: It showed a clear blue tint and quite hefty color deviations, which means the phone seems to be less suitable for professional use if you rely on precise color assessments.
The IPS panel makes do without any visible PWM flickering, so most users should be able to use the display without having to deal with headaches or any other complaints.
The round touchscreen on the back displays a clock face as standard, but can also be used as a camera viewfinder, music player or for reading notifications.
|
Brightness Distribution: 86 %
Center on Battery: 553 cd/m²
Contrast: 1106:1 (Black: 0.5 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 7.18 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9
ΔE Greyscale 7.1 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
99.9% sRGB (Calman 2D)
Gamma: 2.291
Cubot KingKong AX IPS, 2408x1080, 6.6" | Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 PLS, 2408x1080, 6.6" | Oukitel WP33 Pro 5G IPS, 2408x1080, 6.6" | Nokia XR21 TFT-LCD, 2400x1080, 6.5" | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Response Times | -19% | 18% | 5% | |
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 46.8 ? | 43.9 ? 6% | 32.5 ? 31% | 42.05 ? 10% |
Response Time Black / White * | 22.5 ? | 32.3 ? -44% | 21.6 ? 4% | 22.54 ? -0% |
PWM Frequency | 55100 | |||
Screen | 9% | -28% | 22% | |
Brightness middle | 553 | 600 8% | 539 -3% | 503 -9% |
Brightness | 521 | 561 8% | 517 -1% | 487 -7% |
Brightness Distribution | 86 | 89 3% | 90 5% | 94 9% |
Black Level * | 0.5 | 0.57 -14% | 0.5 -0% | 0.45 10% |
Contrast | 1106 | 1053 -5% | 1078 -3% | 1118 1% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 7.18 | 5.07 29% | 11.88 -65% | 2.4 67% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 10.23 | 8.1 21% | 17.9 -75% | 6.6 35% |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 7.1 | 5.7 20% | 12.9 -82% | 1.9 73% |
Gamma | 2.291 96% | 2.249 98% | 1.597 138% | 2.22 99% |
CCT | 8964 73% | 8162 80% | 9933 65% | 6602 98% |
Total Average (Program / Settings) | -5% /
3% | -5% /
-19% | 14% /
19% |
* ... smaller is better
Display Response Times
↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
---|---|---|
22.5 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 14.6 ms rise | |
↘ 7.9 ms fall | ||
The screen shows good response rates in our tests, but may be too slow for competitive gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 47 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is similar to the average of all tested devices (20.9 ms). | ||
↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
46.8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 23.8 ms rise | |
↘ 23 ms fall | ||
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 79 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (32.7 ms). |
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
Screen flickering / PWM not detected | |||
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8627 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. |
Performance, emissions and runtimes – Fast and enduring
When it comes to outdoor smartphones, you usually have to make do with less performance than on similarly-priced conventional smartphones, as their budget is limited by their protective measures. Even so, the sturdy Cubot KingKong AX offers good mid-range performance in everyday use thanks to its Mediatek Helio G99 SoC. Even more expensive outdoor phones rarely offer significantly better performance.
If you need high-end power, then you'll have to look elsewhere, but this phone's power is still good enough for opening multiple apps at once or completing slightly more demanding tasks. In addition, the smartphone handles graphics calculations well enough, as long as you don't try to play the latest games in the highest resolution.
Its storage is a clear highlight, as its speedy UFS-3.0 storage and fast controller allow for quick file transfers and short loading times.
We noted that the case heated up to a maximum of 41.3 °C, which is noticeable but not problematic. During the stress tests using 3DMark, the phone also showed that it was able to keep its performance steady even during longer periods of load.
There is a small mono speaker on the back of the phone. It reaches a reasonable volume and sounds quite decent. However, due to the lack of bass and low mids, you can't expect a really rich sound. External speakers or headphones are needed for this, which can be connected via the phone's USB-C port using an adapter if necessary. Bluetooth is also available for wireless audio transmission, and the phone supports all major audio codecs as well as some more unusual variants such as Opus and LDHC.
At 5,100 mAh, its battery is the usual size and thanks to 33-watt fast charging, it can be fully charged in a maximum of 2 hours. In our test, we needed 17:38 hours to empty it by surfing via WLAN, which puts it ahead of many other devices. This means you can also go on longer hikes away from civilization.
Cubot KingKong AX | Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 | Oukitel WP33 Pro 5G | Nokia XR21 | Average 256 GB UFS 3.0 Flash | Average of class Smartphone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AndroBench 3-5 | -25% | -16% | -36% | -3% | 52% | |
Sequential Read 256KB | 1000.7 | 488.2 -51% | 482.1 -52% | 509.76 -49% | 1547 ? 55% | 1890 ? 89% |
Sequential Write 256KB | 915.2 | 501 -45% | 515.6 -44% | 465.31 -49% | 575 ? -37% | 1510 ? 65% |
Random Read 4KB | 230.6 | 212 -8% | 253.9 10% | 187.51 -19% | 210 ? -9% | 277 ? 20% |
Random Write 4KB | 233.2 | 240.2 3% | 288 23% | 167.51 -28% | 188.5 ? -19% | 315 ? 35% |
Temperature
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 41.3 °C / 106 F, compared to the average of 35.1 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 63.7 °C for the class Smartphone.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 39.5 °C / 103 F, compared to the average of 33.9 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 24.5 °C / 76 F, compared to the device average of 32.8 °C / 91 F.
3DMark Wild Life Stress Test
Speakers
Cubot KingKong AX audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (83.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 27.4% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (9.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 5.7% higher than median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (7.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 7.6% higher than median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (9.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (23.9% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 51% of all tested devices in this class were better, 9% similar, 40% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 36%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 69% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 24% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Nokia XR21 audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (90 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 26.7% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (6.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 6.1% higher than median
(+) | mids are linear (6.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 5.2% higher than median
(+) | highs are linear (3.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (19.8% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 27% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 65% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 36%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 47% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 46% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Runtimes
Battery Runtime - WiFi Websurfing | |
Oukitel WP33 Pro 5G | |
Cubot KingKong AX | |
Average of class Smartphone (476 - 3244, n=202, last 2 years) | |
Nokia XR21 | |
Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 |
Pros
Cons
Verdict – Fast, stable and unusual
It's not too expensive, comes with interesting features such as a second display on the back and a high-res main camera and also fits into your trouser pockets thanks to its acceptable measurements: The Cubot KingKong AX may just hit a sweet spot for many customers who are on the lookout for a stable device for work or their free time.
Its fast storage, stable case with a somewhat discreet design, stock Android, speedy fingerprint sensor and good system performance are further advantages of this handy rugged phone. Furthermore, it doesn't take that long to charge and offers decent runtimes if you don't have access to an outlet.
On the other hand, you will have to live with the fact the manufacturer hasn't promised any specific updates for the phone and that it doesn't support 5G or eSIMs—plus, the display's color depiction isn't much of a success.
The Cubot KingKong AX proves to be handy and yet robust enough for use in harsh environments. With fast storage, long runtimes and a second display, it sure is an interesting outdoor phone.
If you like things even sleeker, then you may want to take a look at the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 which also supports 5G.
Price and availability
The Cubot KingKong AX can be purchased from Amazon for US$299.99.
Cubot KingKong AX
- 04/22/2024 v7 (old)
Florian Schmitt
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The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was provided to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or retailer for the purpose of this review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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