Nokia G60 vs Nokia XR21: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Nokia's lineup offers reliable and affordable smartphones, but choosing between models can be tricky. The Nokia G60 and XR21 both target budget-conscious consumers, but with different strengths. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia XR21 edges out the G60 thanks to its faster charging, more durable build, and slightly improved software support. While the G60 boasts a better display contrast, the XR21's overall package makes it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia G60 Nokia XR21
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - LATAM-
Launch
Announced2022, September 012023, May 03
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 01Available. Released 2023, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions166 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)231 g (8.15 oz)
 Splash resistantIP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)Unspecified
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
Triple50 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), 1/4.0", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.4 (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioFM radioUnspecified
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/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging20W wired, PD3.033W wired, PD2.0, QC3
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsPure Black, Ice GrayMidnight Black, Pine Green
ModelsTA-1490, TA-1481, TA-1479, TA-1475-
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 570 EUR
SAR1.30 W/kg (head)     0.83 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.10 W/kg (head)     1.27 W/kg (body)-

Nokia G60

  • Excellent display contrast
  • Clean Android experience
  • Good value for money

  • Slower charging
  • Less durable build
  • Potentially shorter software support

Nokia XR21

  • Faster charging (33W)
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Longer software support (4 years)
  • Slightly larger battery

  • Slightly less vibrant display
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The Nokia G60 features a 6.57-inch FHD+ display with a 1523:1 contrast ratio and 444 nits brightness. This results in a visually appealing screen with deep blacks and good color accuracy. The XR21 has a similar 6.43-inch FHD+ display, but lacks the G60's impressive contrast ratio, potentially resulting in slightly less vibrant visuals. Both offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

Camera Comparison

The Nokia G60 typically features a 50MP main camera, a 5MP ultrawide, and a 2MP depth sensor. The XR21 generally has a 64MP main camera, a 5MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. While megapixels aren't everything, the XR21's higher resolution main sensor *could* offer slightly more detail in well-lit conditions. Both phones offer decent image quality for their price range.

Performance

Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and CPU configuration. Real-world performance will be similar for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, the XR21's potentially better thermal management (due to its rugged design) might allow it to sustain performance slightly longer under heavy load.

Battery Life

The Nokia G60 has a 4400mAh battery, while the XR21 has a 4600mAh battery. The XR21 also supports 33W fast charging (PD2.0, QC3) compared to the G60's 20W charging (PD3.0). This means the XR21 will charge significantly faster and potentially offer slightly better battery life due to the larger capacity.

Buying Guide

The Nokia G60 is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display and a smooth, stock Android experience. The Nokia XR21 is better suited for those needing a rugged, durable phone with faster charging and longer software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How long will Nokia support these phones with software updates?
The Nokia XR21 is guaranteed 4 years of software updates, while the G60 typically receives 3 years of updates. This is a significant advantage for the XR21.
❓ Is the Nokia XR21 truly rugged?
Yes, the XR21 is built to withstand drops, dust, and water, meeting MIL-STD-810H standards. The G60 is not specifically marketed as a rugged device.