The KingKong ES 5 is a budget rugged phone from Cubot. The company first showed it at the Eletrolar Show 2026 in São Paulo. Global sales started on July 8, 2026, through the official Cubot store on AliExpress. The launch price started at $149.99 for the 6GB + 128GB model. It targets outdoor workers, travelers and anyone who needs a tough phone on a small budget.
Design and display
The phone measures 182.5 x 83.1 x 11.4 mm and weighs 301 grams. For a rugged model with a large battery, the 11.4 mm body is fairly slim. It carries IP68 and IP69K ratings against water and dust. It also meets the MIL-STD-810H military standard for drops and harsh conditions.
On the front, there is a 6.88-inch LCD panel with a water-drop notch. The resolution is HD+ at 720 x 1640 pixels, and the refresh rate goes up to 120Hz. A built-in LED flashlight sits on the body for night work and emergencies. Cubot sells the phone in Gray, Yellow, Orange and Green.
Performance
The phone runs on the Unisoc T620, an octa-core chip made on a 12nm process. It combines two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.2 GHz with six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. Two memory versions are sold: 6GB of RAM with 128GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM with 256GB. Virtual RAM expansion can add the same amount again, up to 24GB in total. A microSD card of up to 1TB can extend the storage. However, the card shares a slot with the second SIM.
Cameras
The rear setup has three sensors. The main camera uses 64 megapixels with phase-detection autofocus. A 2-megapixel macro camera and a 0.3-megapixel auxiliary sensor complete the module, together with an LED flash. For selfies and video calls, there is a 16-megapixel fixed-focus front camera.
Battery and charging
A 7,000mAh battery powers the phone. Cubot says it can last up to two days of typical use. A charger and a USB cable come in the box. However, Cubot does not list the charging speed in its official specifications.
Software and updates
The KingKong ES 5 ships with Android 16 and Google Play. Unlocking options include a side-mounted fingerprint reader and face unlock. Connectivity covers 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2 and NFC. For navigation, the phone supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. Cubot has not announced how many years of Android or security updates the phone will get.
Should you buy the KingKong ES 5?
The phone suits buyers who need IP68, IP69K and MIL-STD-810H protection at a low price. The 7,000mAh battery, NFC and the built-in flashlight are useful for field work and outdoor trips. Compared with the KingKong ES 3, the new body is noticeably thinner. On the other hand, the HD+ screen and the entry-level Unisoc chip limit gaming and sharp video. There is also no 5G. Buyers who want more speed should look at rugged phones with stronger chips.
