Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Cubot KingKong X
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Cubot KingKong X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-07-23 | Cubot is significantly newer, potentially offering more up-to-date features. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 170.9 x 82.2 x 18.7 mm | Cubot is bulkier, making it less pocketable and harder to handle. |
| Weight | 227g | 388g | S21 Ultra is much lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has better screen protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.58" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2408 | S21 Ultra has a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 401 PPI | S21 Ultra's text and images will appear noticeably clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra has superior display tech with deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is much more readable in bright sunlight. Cubot brightness is not specified, which is a big concern. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset offers faster processing and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 545,000 | S21 Ultra is faster in benchmarks, translating to snappier app loading and smoother performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MC4 | S21 Ultra has a more powerful GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 100MP, f/1.89, 1/1.8" | S21 Ultra has a slightly higher resolution, wider aperture and larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 10.8MP (x2) | None | S21 Ultra has multiple zoom cameras, allowing better optical zoom. |
| Wide-Angle | 12.2MP | None | S21 Ultra has an ultrawide lens for wider field-of-view shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/2.8" | S21 Ultra's selfie camera is likely superior in terms of detail and low light performance. |
| Macro Camera | None | 5MP | Cubot has a macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Portrait Camera | None | 5MP | Cubot has a depth sensor for portrait mode |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra has more advanced video capabilities, including 8K recording and better stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Main: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not tested | S21 Ultra's camera performance is well-established, while the Cubot's is not known. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 10200mAh | Cubot has a massive battery, which should result in significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 33W | Cubot charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Charging | None | S21 Ultra has wireless and reverse charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 14 | Cubot has a more recent Android version out of the box, but it is not known whether Cubot supports updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have modern Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | S21 Ultra has a more advanced version of Bluetooth, supporting more codecs. |
| GPS | Dual-Band GPS | Standard GPS | S21 Ultra has more accurate GPS with Dual Band |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 512GB | Up to 512GB | Both offer ample storage options |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 16GB | Both have excellent RAM |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | S21 Ultra has better audio quality with more features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Cubot has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall | No Barometer, No Hall | S21 Ultra provides a more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution, and significantly higher brightness provide a much better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Stronger Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and better GPU result in smoother performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers multiple telephoto lenses, an ultrawide lens, and higher quality sensors, resulting in much better versatility and image quality. The DxOMark score also verifies this.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Adds convenience for users who prefer wireless charging.
- Advanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers offer superior sound quality.
- Better Connectivity: Supports dual-band GPS and more Bluetooth codecs.
- Better build: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides excellent screen protection.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a barometer and hall sensor, providing additional functionality.
Cubot KingKong X Advantages:
- Massive Battery: The 10200mAh battery provides much longer battery life, potentially lasting multiple days on a single charge.
- Faster Charging: Offers slightly faster charging at 33W.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android.
- Macro and Portrait Cameras: Offers dedicated macro and portrait cameras.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient than in-display fingerprint sensor.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Heavier, more expensive, shorter battery life, older software.
- KingKong X: Much heavier and bulkier, lower screen quality, less powerful performance, significantly inferior camera performance and no known DxOMark rating, and the brightness information not being available is a big concern.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, content creators, photographers, gamers, and anyone who prioritizes a top-tier display, performance, and camera quality, and is okay with a bulkier device.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, professional photography and video recording, watching high-resolution content, demanding multitasking, and users who rely heavily on navigation.
- Price-to-Value: Offers flagship-level performance and features, but at a higher price point.
Cubot KingKong X:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize extremely long battery life and ruggedness over all other factors. Also budget-conscious users who need decent performance and who want a relatively new operating system with a low price tag.
- Use Cases: Outdoor activities, extended trips without access to charging, fieldwork, and users who want a robust phone that can withstand rough conditions.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a much lower price with a trade-off in other areas of performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my priority for battery life? If you need multi-day battery, the Cubot is the better choice.
- How important is display quality and camera performance? If you value these highly, the S21 Ultra is the clear winner.
- Do I need advanced features like wireless charging or advanced audio? The S21 Ultra has advanced features the Cubot doesn't have.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (High-Performance User): If you prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for tasks like gaming, photography, and content consumption, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Outdoor/Rugged Use): If you need a long-lasting, rugged phone primarily for outdoor use and extended trips without charging access, the Cubot KingKong X is more suitable.
- Scenario 3 (Budget-Conscious User): If you are on a budget and need a relatively recent Android system with decent performance, and you don't mind the bulk, camera and display trade-offs, the Cubot KingKong X is an acceptable alternative.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
While the Cubot KingKong X's battery life is very impressive, the S21 Ultra provides a much better all-around experience. The superior display, significantly better camera capabilities, stronger performance, and higher build quality are worth the trade-off of a shorter battery life and bulkier size for me. The S21 Ultra's better software support, and higher build quality give it much better longevity, even if it is an older phone.
The lack of brightness specification and DxOMark testing for the Cubot camera is a concern, and the large size, weight, and bulky design of the Cubot are big negatives that can't be ignored, making it hard to recommend over the S21 Ultra for general use.
