Nokia G60 vs Nokia G21: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

Nokia's G-series consistently delivers reliable smartphones at accessible prices. The G60 and G21 are two popular contenders, each offering a unique blend of features. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia G60 offers a more powerful processor and brighter display, making it better for performance and media consumption. However, the G21 boasts exceptional battery life and a slightly better contrast ratio, making it a strong contender for users prioritizing longevity. The G60 is the overall winner.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia G60 Nokia G21
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - LATAM1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2022, September 012022, February 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 01Available. Released 2022, February 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions166 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
 Splash resistant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G57 MP1
OSAndroid 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 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), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/5.0" Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging20W wired, PD3.018W wired, PD3.0
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsPure Black, Ice GrayNordic Blue, Dusk
ModelsTA-1490, TA-1481, TA-1479, TA-1475TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 90 EUR
SAR1.30 W/kg (head)     0.83 W/kg (body)1.00 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.10 W/kg (head)     1.27 W/kg (body)0.34 W/kg (head)     1.05 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 G60

  • More powerful processor
  • Brighter display
  • 5G connectivity
  • Slightly better image processing

  • Shorter battery life compared to G21
  • LCD display

Nokia G21

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Slightly better contrast ratio
  • More affordable price
  • Reliable performance for basic tasks

  • Less powerful processor
  • Lower brightness display
  • Slower performance for demanding apps

Display Comparison

The Nokia G60 features a measured brightness of 444 nits and a 1523:1 contrast ratio, while the G21 boasts 500 nits and a 1631:1 contrast ratio. While the G21 has a slightly better contrast ratio, the G60's higher brightness makes it more usable in sunlight. Both displays are LCD panels, offering decent color accuracy but lacking the vibrancy of OLED.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature standard camera setups, lacking advanced features like telephoto lenses. The G60's camera benefits from the more powerful processor, potentially leading to slightly better image processing. However, both phones deliver acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is likely to be similar on both devices.

Performance

Here's where the G60 pulls ahead. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset is significantly more powerful than the G21's Unisoc T606. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the G60. The G21's chipset is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Nokia G21 truly shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 126 hours is exceptional, significantly outperforming the G60. While the G60 supports 20W fast charging, the G21's battery life often negates the need for frequent charging.

Buying Guide

The Nokia G60 is ideal for users who value performance, a smoother user experience, and a brighter display for outdoor visibility. The Nokia G21 is perfect for those prioritizing long battery life, a more affordable price point, and a phone that can easily last for multiple days on a single charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which Nokia phone is better for gaming?
The Nokia G60 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset.
❓ How long does the Nokia G21's battery last?
The Nokia G21 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours, meaning it can easily last for multiple days on a single charge.
❓ Does the Nokia G60 support 5G?
Yes, the Nokia G60 supports 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where available.