Nokia G21 vs Nokia G60: A Detailed Comparison

Nokia's G-series consistently delivers affordable smartphones with a focus on reliability. The G21 and G60 are two popular contenders, each offering a unique blend of features. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia G60 edges out the G21 thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon processor, 5G connectivity, and more modern chipset. While the G21 boasts incredible battery life, the G60's overall performance and future-proofing make it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia G21 Nokia G60
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2022, February 142022, September 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 15Available. Released 2022, September 01
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)166 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
 -Splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/5.0" Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio, RDSFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD3.020W wired, PD3.0
TypeLi-Po 5050 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsNordic Blue, DuskPure Black, Ice Gray
ModelsTA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412TA-1490, TA-1481, TA-1479, TA-1475
PriceAbout 90 EURAbout 240 EUR
SAR1.00 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)1.30 W/kg (head)     0.83 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.34 W/kg (head)     1.05 W/kg (body)1.10 W/kg (head)     1.27 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 126h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -30.7 LUFS (Below average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 171299 (v9) GeekBench: 1193 (v5.1) GFXBench: 8.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Nokia G21

  • Exceptional battery life (126h endurance)
  • High contrast ratio display
  • Simple and reliable user experience

  • Slower processor
  • No 5G connectivity
  • Less future-proof chipset

Nokia G60

  • Faster Snapdragon 695 5G processor
  • 5G connectivity
  • More modern chipset for future updates
  • Slightly better display brightness

  • Shorter battery life compared to G21
  • Potentially slightly higher price

Display Comparison

The Nokia G21 boasts a remarkable 1631:1 contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, its 500 nits brightness might struggle in direct sunlight. The G60's 1523:1 contrast ratio is still excellent, and its 444 nits brightness offers slightly better outdoor visibility. Both phones likely use IPS LCD panels, offering good color accuracy but not the same vibrancy as OLED.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are missing. Based on general knowledge, the G60's Snapdragon chipset likely includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. Expect similar camera features like portrait mode and HDR, but the G60 might offer slightly improved results.

Performance

This is where the G60 truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a 6nm process, is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc T606 in the G21 (12nm). The Kryo 660 Gold and Silver cores provide a noticeable performance boost for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps. The G21's Unisoc chip is adequate for basic tasks but will feel sluggish under heavier loads.

Battery Life

The Nokia G21's standout feature is its incredible endurance rating of 126 hours. This is exceptional and suggests it can easily last for multiple days on a single charge. The G60, while still offering good battery life, doesn't match the G21's longevity. Both support 18W/20W wired charging with PD3.0, but the G21's larger battery capacity means it will take longer to fully charge.

Buying Guide

The Nokia G21 is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a simple, straightforward experience. It's a great option for those who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and basic apps. The Nokia G60 is better suited for users who want a smoother, faster experience, 5G connectivity, and a more modern chipset for future software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nokia G21 worth buying in 2024?
If battery life is your absolute top priority and you don't need 5G, the G21 remains a decent option. However, consider the G60 for a more modern experience.
❓ Does the Nokia G60 have 5G?
Yes, the Nokia G60 supports 5G connectivity, making it a more future-proof choice.