Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Cubot KingKong X
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Cubot KingKong X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2024-07-23 | Cubot is newer by ~3 years, likely has more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 170.9 x 82.2 x 18.7 mm | Cubot is significantly larger and thicker, making it less pocketable and more cumbersome; iPhone is slimmer and more comfortable. |
| Weight | 228g | 388g | iPhone is substantially lighter making it easier for one-handed use and portability; Cubot is much heavier, potentially fatiguing during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.58" | iPhone has a slightly larger screen, potentially better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1080x2408 | iPhone offers a sharper and more detailed display due to higher pixel density, better for reading text and viewing high-resolution content. |
| Pixel Density | 458 ppi | 401 ppi | iPhone provides sharper text and images; Cubot's display may appear slightly less crisp. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone's OLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and richer colors than Cubot's LCD; better for HDR content and overall viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Cubot offers smoother scrolling and animations; iPhone may look less fluid. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone display is much brighter and more viewable in direct sunlight; Cubot’s is likely very difficult to use in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | iPhone's A14 Bionic is more powerful, providing faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 545,000 | iPhone has significantly higher performance for gaming, video editing, and overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G68 MC4 | iPhone's GPU is generally more powerful and optimized for graphics-intensive tasks; faster rendering for games and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70µm | 100MP, f/1.89, 0.61µm | Cubot has higher resolution, but iPhone has wider aperture and larger pixel size which captures more light and detail, better in low light conditions; Cubot main sensor size is 1/1.8" |
| Front Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.25, 0.8µm | Cubot has higher resolution, and slightly smaller aperture and pixel size, for selfies and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | iPhone offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for better quality zoomed photos and portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | iPhone offers a wider field of view, better for group photos and landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | Cubot has a dedicated depth sensor to create a bokeh effect in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | Cubot has a dedicated macro sensor for close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 4K@30fps | iPhone offers more advanced video recording features such as HDR at higher frame rates and better stabilization. Cubot has more basic video recording capabilities. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 131 | Not Tested | iPhone has a very high DXOMark score indicating its superior image quality. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 | Not Tested | iPhone has a very high DXOMark selfie score indicating its superior selfie quality. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Digital/Optical Zoom, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | Basic photo features. | iPhone includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), continuous autofocus, digital and optical zoom and advanced photo modes such as RAW, and Night mode; Cubot lacks these advanced features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 10200mAh | Cubot has a much larger battery, providing significantly longer battery life; less need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Cubot charges faster than iPhone. |
| Battery Features | MagSafe, Qi Wireless | None | iPhone provides extra charging options like wireless charging via MagSafe and Qi standards. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (up to iOS 18) | Android 14 | iPhone offers a tightly integrated ecosystem, user-friendly interface, and frequent updates. Cubot has a more customizable open-source OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, MiMo | Wi-Fi 6, MiMo, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Both phones have Wi-Fi 6 but Cubot has additional features like Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi display. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Similar Bluetooth features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | iPhone has more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone allows eSIM for easy carrier switching; Cubot has two physical SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 256/512GB | Both have similar high storage options; Apple offers a base level of 128GB. |
| RAM | 6GB | 16GB | Cubot offers significantly more RAM, better for multitasking and future-proofing; iPhone may experience slowdowns with heavy usage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device allows external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | iPhone has enhanced audio quality and spatial sound via Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers; Cubot has basic audio output. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Cubot offers a physical fingerprint sensor; iPhone relies on software security features. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | iPhone has a barometer sensor for measuring altitude; Cubot has a fingerprint sensor for biometric security and a Geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, sharper OLED screen, and much better outdoor brightness make it ideal for media consumption and visibility under bright sunlight.
- Stronger Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster processing and graphics performance, leading to a smoother experience in everyday use and demanding apps/games.
- Better Cameras: Offers optical zoom, ultra-wide-angle lens, better low-light performance, image stabilization, and advanced video recording features, leading to a significantly more versatile and capable camera system.
- Premium Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for enhanced audio experience
- Premium Build & Software: iOS provides a fluid user interface, a mature ecosystem, and better software support.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging options.
Cubot KingKong X Advantages:
- Massive Battery: The 10200mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life, ideal for heavy users and travelers.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- More RAM: 16GB of RAM allows for better multitasking and handling demanding applications.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Adds a convenient biometric security option.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait Cameras: Adds depth and versatility.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging enables quicker battery refills.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone: Smaller battery, standard 60Hz refresh rate, more expensive, and limited to standard security features.
- Cubot: Much lower display quality, weaker performance, inferior camera system, bulky design, and unknown brand reputation.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize display quality, performance, camera quality, and smooth user experience.
- Content creators, social media enthusiasts, mobile gamers, and users who value the ecosystem and ecosystem of iOS.
- Professionals or casual users who need reliable performance for work or personal tasks.
- Use Cases:
- High-quality photo and video creation.
- Gaming with demanding graphics.
- Seamless daily multitasking and app use.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Reliable and consistent software experience.
Cubot KingKong X:
- Ideal User:
- Users who need an extremely long-lasting battery and are not overly concerned with display or camera quality.
- Users who want a rugged and durable phone with a focus on battery life.
- Users who prefer a more customizable OS.
- Use Cases:
- Extended use in outdoor environments without easy access to charging.
- Multi-day trips or remote work settings.
- Heavy phone users who value battery longevity over premium features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., Media Consumption, Photography, Gaming, Long Battery Life)
- How important is display quality? (Brightness, Sharpness, Color Accuracy)
- How important is battery life and charging? (Need for multi-day use vs. fast charging convenience)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Premium Multimedia & Camera Experience: If you watch a lot of videos, play games with high quality graphics or take a lot of pictures and value a high-quality display and camera, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better choice, despite its smaller battery and slower refresh rate.
- Scenario 2: Extended Use and Battery Life: If you need a phone that can last for days on a single charge and don't mind lower-quality cameras and display, then the Cubot KingKong X is recommended.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Practicality: If you want a mix of good performance and battery with a balance between camera and display features, and need more ram, you may find that the Cubot KingKong X is suitable, however, the iPhone 12 Pro Max will offer a significantly better all round phone experience.
My Choice
Given the specifications, features and a desire for a well rounded phone, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. While the Cubot KingKong X offers an impressive battery life and more RAM, the iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a significantly superior display, performance, and a vastly better camera system, along with the benefits of the iOS ecosystem and wireless charging. Although the Cubot provides a higher refresh rate and large battery, the compromises in display and camera quality are too significant for my personal usage. The consistent software experience, along with better video and audio features makes the iPhone 12 Pro Max the better choice for my needs, despite its age.
