TCL 60 vs. Nokia G400: Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The TCL 60 and Nokia G400 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$200 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver affordability, they take different approaches to achieving it, primarily through chipset selection. This comparison dissects the core differences between the Mediatek Dimensity 6300-powered TCL 60 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+-equipped Nokia G400, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term battery health and sustained performance, the TCL 60 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 6300, built on a more efficient 6nm process, coupled with its impressive 52:47h endurance, outweighs the Nokia G400’s slightly faster 20W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 60 Nokia G400
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 662, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, March 032022, January 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, MayAvailable. Released 2022, August 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions165.6 x 76.2 x 8.2 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.32 in)166.4 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.55 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 15Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, (wide)
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm16 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired20W wired, PD3.0
Type5200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Gray, Midnight BlueMeteor Grey
ModelsT521HTA-1530, TA-1448, TA-1476, N1530DL
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 70 EUR
SAR-1.05 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery52:47h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

TCL 60

  • Exceptional battery life (52:47h endurance)
  • More efficient 6nm Dimensity 6300 chipset
  • Long-lasting battery health (1000 charge cycles)

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Limited camera information

Nokia G400

  • Faster 20W charging with PD3.0
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G connectivity
  • Potentially optimized software experience

  • Less power-efficient 8nm Snapdragon 480+
  • Shorter battery life compared to TCL 60

Display Comparison

Display specifications are not provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The Nokia G400, being a slightly older model, may have lower peak brightness. The TCL 60’s potential for a more modern panel, even if LCD, could translate to better viewing angles and color reproduction. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the budget constraints.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent, making a definitive assessment impossible. However, given the market segment, both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with basic auxiliary lenses. The absence of information suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, with Nokia historically leaning towards more natural tones and TCL potentially favoring more vibrant, saturated images. Without sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to predict which phone will capture more detail.

Performance

The TCL 60’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) and the Nokia G400’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ (8nm) represent a key architectural difference. The 6nm node of the Dimensity 6300 offers a clear advantage in power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially reduced throttling during extended use. While the Snapdragon 480+ boasts a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (2.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz on the TCL 60’s Cortex-A76 cores), the Dimensity 6300’s more modern architecture and process node likely deliver superior sustained performance. The Cortex-A76 cores in the TCL 60 are also generally more efficient than the Kryo 460 cores in the Nokia G400.

Battery Life

The TCL 60’s 52:47h endurance is a standout feature, significantly exceeding what’s typically found in this price range. This suggests a large battery capacity coupled with efficient power management from the Dimensity 6300. The Nokia G400’s 20W charging with PD3.0 support is faster than the TCL 60’s 18W charging, potentially offering a quicker top-up. However, the TCL 60’s exceptional endurance minimizes the need for frequent charging. Furthermore, the TCL 60’s advertised 1000 charge cycles suggest a longer lifespan and retained capacity compared to the Nokia G400.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 60 if you need exceptional battery life and value consistent performance over time, especially if you're a moderate to heavy user. The 1000-cycle battery promise is a significant advantage. Buy the Nokia G400 if you prioritize faster charging speeds and are heavily invested in the Qualcomm ecosystem, potentially benefiting from optimized software features and 5G connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 6300 in the TCL 60 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While not a flagship chipset, the Dimensity 6300 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings. The 6nm process and Cortex-A76 cores provide sufficient power for a playable experience, though you may encounter some frame drops during intense firefights. The Nokia G400’s Snapdragon 480+ may offer slightly better performance in some titles, but the TCL 60’s efficiency will prevent overheating and throttling during longer gaming sessions.
❓ How does the 1000 charge cycle claim for the TCL 60 translate to real-world benefits?
The 1000 charge cycle claim suggests the TCL 60’s battery is designed to retain a higher percentage of its original capacity after extensive use compared to the Nokia G400. Typically, smartphone batteries degrade over time, losing capacity with each charge. The TCL 60’s battery is engineered to minimize this degradation, meaning you’ll likely experience longer usable battery life even after a year or two of regular charging.
❓ Does the Nokia G400’s 20W charging with PD3.0 significantly reduce charging times compared to the TCL 60’s 18W charging?
While 20W is faster than 18W, the difference in charging speed won’t be dramatic. Expect the Nokia G400 to charge from 0-100% approximately 15-20 minutes faster than the TCL 60. However, given the TCL 60’s exceptional battery life, the need for frequent fast charging is reduced, diminishing the practical benefit of the Nokia G400’s faster charging capability.