Cubot P80 Smartphone in review – Massive storage and full HD display for under $200

The MediaTek MT8788, primarily designed for tablets, is the chosen processor for the Cubot P80 smartphone, despite the more smartphone-oriented Helio P60 being available. The likely reason could be availability, as both chips were introduced in 2018 and have been succeeded by more modern counterparts with updated computing units.

As a result, the Cubot P80 lags in processor and graphics performance, a difference that becomes evident in benchmarks. In everyday use, the phone’s menus generally operate smoothly, but it may experience slowdowns when running multiple apps or demanding programs.

On a positive note, the inclusion of fast UFS 2.1 flash storage is noteworthy. While the Nokia G22 demonstrates even higher speeds in this price range, the Cubot P80 strikes a good balance between performance and storage capacity with its 64 GB.

The maximum temperature rise under prolonged load is acceptable at 112.64 °F in room temperature conditions. Although, it’s worth considering that the phone may heat up more on hot days. Notably, the SoC does not throttle even under constant load, as confirmed by 3DMark stress tests.

Despite multiple speaker grilles, the Cubot P80 has a single mono speaker on the bottom edge. While it can achieve moderate volume and offers decent mid-range reproduction, it may lack clarity at maximum volume and tends to overdrive the treble.

External speakers and headphones can be connected via USB-C or Bluetooth 4.2, supporting various wireless codecs including SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC V, V3, and V4.

Equipped with a 5,200 mAh battery, the Cubot P80 outperforms comparable devices in terms of runtime, achieving 17:16 hours in the battery test. However, the Moto G13 and Nokia G22 manage slightly longer durations with smaller batteries. The phone supports a maximum charging rate of 18 watts, taking approximately 1:30 hours for a full recharge.