Cubot KingKong 8 Review

Design, build and controls

In terms of looks, Cubot KingKong 8 is a copy of the Cubot KingKong Power which was announced back in April. It has the same size, footprint, and design. The device is 80.2 mm wide, 169.9 mm tall, and 20 mm thick. Still, it weighs 382 grams, which for a rugged smartphone hints at using a polycarbonate chassis. Indeed, the device feels lightweight compared to many other rugged smartphones of this caliber we've reviewed. Some metal is used in visible parts such as the vertical sides of the outer frame and the plate covering the camera module. The entire body is covered with shock-absorbing TPU and the corners are thickened and reinforced. The KingKong 8 is IP68 and IIP69K rated for being resistant to water, dust, dirt, and drops from up to 1.5 meters. There's a roundness to every corner that creates a softer look and improves grip. The latter is also enhanced by the rough pattern on the rear shell where the hands are usually holding the device. The camera module plate and the visible side metal frames are available in silver, green, and red color, while the rest of the body is black. We are reviewing a black and red version. The most noteworthy design element of the KingKong 8 is the dual LED light torch that occupies the top frame. It is positioned in a bulky module that has a trapezoidal profile. It is combined with the camera module forming what looks like a saddle over the top frame. The camera module has three lenses that are horizontally aligned and a triple LED flash with two cold and one warm LED light. The single speaker is positioned right below the camera module on the rear wheel. It is followed by a pressure relief hole, the Cubot logo, and the CE mark at the bottom. The front is occupied by the display which has very thick bezels. The top one houses the receiver and the light sensor is positioned to its right. There's also a punch hole in the screen for the 16MP selfie camera. With an option to use on-screen gestures and a virtual navigation bar, it is recommended to use gestures as in this way you get more screen real estate. The bottom frame of the KingKong 8 is the home of the main microphone and the USB Type-C port sealed with a cap. The left frame houses the hybrid, dual Nano-SIM card tray, and the Volume rocker. The right frame is for the dedicated torch button and the Power button with an embedded fingerprint sensor.