The Cubot KingKong X Pro: A Tank With a Touchscreen (and a Few Quirks)
Let me paint you a picture: You’re hiking through a muddy trail, phone in your back pocket. Suddenly, rain pours down. Later, you drop the phone face-first onto gravel. By midnight, you’re binge-watching Netflix with 40% battery left. That’s Cubot’s pitch for the KingKong X Pro. But does it hold up? Let’s break it down.
The Good Stuff: Built Like a Brick… House
This thing is thick (18.7mm!) and heavy (388g), but there’s a reason: IP68/IP69K waterproofing, MIL-STD-810H toughness, and a 10,200mAh battery that’s twice the size of most flagships. I took it camping, and after two days of GPS navigation, Spotify, and photos, it still had 20% left. 33W charging is slow for that massive cell (0-100% in ~2.5 hours), but you’ll rarely need to charge daily.
The 144Hz LCD screen shocked me. Scrolling’s buttery smooth, colors are decent, and sunlight visibility beats many AMOLEDs. But here’s the rub: that “rugged” design means thick bezels. Your YouTube videos live in a 6.72” window surrounded by black plastic armor.
Performance: Mid-Range Muscle
The Dimensity 8200 chip and 12GB/24GB RAM handle everyday tasks easily. Apps launch fast, multitasking is smooth, and casual games like Genshin Impact run at medium settings. But that 144Hz display? It’s overkill here. After 20 minutes of gaming, the back gets warm (no cooling system), and frame rates dip. This isn’t a gaming phone – it’s a workhorse with a high-refresh bonus.
The Camera: Don’t Quit Your Day Job
That 100MP main sensor? Marketing fluff. Daylight shots are usable (if over-sharpened), but low-light photos look like a watercolor painting. The 32MP selfie cam (Sony IMX616) is the star – great for video calls. But the 5MP macro and 0.3MP depth sensors? They’re just filler. You’re buying this phone for durability, not photography.
Annoying Quirks
- No USB-C?! In 2024? Micro-USB feels ancient. Transferring 4K videos to your laptop? Grab a snack.
- Software updates? Cubot’s track record is spotty. Android 14’s clean here, but don’t count on Android 15.
- It’s a brick. Good luck fitting this in skinny jeans. My jogging shorts nearly fell off carrying it.
Who’s This For?
Buy it if: You’re a construction worker, outdoor enthusiast, or just really clumsy. The battery life and durability are stellar. Skip it if: You want a sleek device, love mobile photography, or need cutting-edge speeds.
My Take: A Niche Performer
As someone who’s shattered three screens in two years? I’m tempted. That battery alone is a game-changer for travel. But the weight and camera flaws give me pause. If my job had me on a factory floor or mountainside daily? Absolutely. For city life? I’d miss the polish of mainstream brands.
Final thought: It’s not for everyone, but if you’ve ever yelled “I NEED A PHONE THAT WON’T DIE AND CAN SURVIVE MY LIFE,” this might be your soulmate.
