Test of the Cubot KingKong Mini 2 smartphone: Is the small size an advantage?

A large size isn't always a desirable feature in a smartphone. However, compactness poses challenges for a phone equipped with modern features. What does a hundred-euro mini-phone offer?

Text and images: Joni Nikkola & Producer

Cell phones have grown considerably in recent years. The largest of them already resemble small tablets. The main reason for this development is the growth of screens. At the same time, the original purpose of the phone is quite different from what it was a few decades ago, during the time before touchscreens.

Nowadays, more and more phones are primarily devices used to access the internet and take photos. For many, they may even replace a computer entirely. Videos are also viewed extensively on the screen of smartphones. In all these cases, a decent-sized screen is a joy. Calls and texts are just one of many features – important to some and almost unnecessary to others.

However, the large screen makes the phone look oversized. Even those with large hands often have difficulty reaching from the edge of the screen to the edge, and in more complex choreography the phone has to be held with both hands. The phone's large size also gets in the way in the pocket.

The whole-screen problem has been attempted to be solved since the early days of smartphones, for example with a movable physical keyboard and, in recent years, with a foldable display. Neither solution has yet achieved significant popularity, and there have also been functionality and reliability issues with the folding displays.

When touchscreens weren’t yet available on phones, manufacturers could even compete on size. Many remember, for example, the Nokia zippo model from the turn of the millennium. Nowadays, the range of mini phones is quite limited. For those of you who like them, Cubot has introduced the KingKong Mini 2. The retail price in Finland ranges between 100 and 200 euros, so the price range is quite wide. In any case, this is an smartphone in the more affordable category.

Fits in a small pocket

The Cubot KingKong Mini 2 is extremely small and sturdy. Its size is even smaller than that of the old-fashioned iPhone – something many people who crave a slightly more compact device will swear by.

The phone’s exterior exudes a ruggedness and the impression is convincing, as the KingKong Mini 2 is also armored despite its dimensions and affordable price. The manufacturer claims that the phone is resistant to liquid, dust, sand, and rough impacts, but no official protection ratings have been announced. Warranty for durability is also not provided.

You can't expect any IP ratings from such a cheap phone, but it would be nice to have some concrete evidence to support the manufacturer's claims. On a cursory inspection, the design looks like a rugged phone, but maybe it's not worth trying to beat it in the backcountry or drop it from a cliff.

However, in this price range, the phones are generally more modest in their finishing and almost always use plastic as the material. Still, due to its small size, the KingKong 2 is also lighter than ordinary armored phones.

The display panel on the device is 4 inches, and its resolution is qhd+-level, i.e. 1,080 x 540 pixels. At first glance, one drawback becomes apparent. The phone’s display is so small that a full qwerty keyboard becomes cramped. If even a normal display occasionally experiences errors, with this one you’ll have to keep your tongue between your teeth to use it. A slightly larger size would be ideal for usability. However, if you primarily use the phone for making calls and perhaps occasional browsing, a small keyboard might not be such a big problem.

On the right side of the phone, as is common with Android phones, there are volume controls and a power button. At the bottom, there is a USB-C port covered by a silicone cover for charging. A screwdriver is included to open the protective cover that hides the SIM and memory card slots. There are two SIM card slots in the phone, so fingerprint recognition is not available. There is no fingerprint sensor on the phone, so the only options for authentication are facial recognition and a password.

The operating system on the phone is Android 10, which is already a version that’s been around for a few years. You see the same version of Android in many cheap phones, so it’s not a big sin. On a small screen, the operating system works just as well as on a larger one, but there aren’t that many icons on the screen at once.