TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra vs Nokia T21: A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery Life

The tablet market is heating up, with options ranging from budget-friendly media consumption devices to powerful productivity tools. The TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra and Nokia T21 represent distinct approaches: the TCL prioritizing performance with a modern chipset, while the Nokia aims for a balance of features and affordability. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right tablet for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and longevity, the TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 7400 chipset delivers significantly faster processing speeds, and its 33W charging provides a quicker power-up compared to the Nokia T21’s Unisoc T612 and 18W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra Nokia T21
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
Launch
Announced2025, September 042022, September 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, September 18Available. Released 2022, September 01
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, aluminum back
Dimensions174.5 x 81.2 x 7.6 mm (6.87 x 3.20 x 0.30 in)247.5 x 157.3 x 7.5 mm (9.74 x 6.19 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight227 g (8.01 oz)466 g (1.03 lb)
 -Splash resistant Stylus support
Display
ProtectionMohs level 7Scratch-resistant glass
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~358 ppi density)1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density)
Size7.2 inches, 127.3 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 850 (HBM)IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7400 (4 nm)Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Mali-G57
OSAndroid 15, up to 3 major Android upgradesAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Single-8 MP, AF
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.4, 71mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.7µm8 MP
Video1440p@30fpsYes
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (Wi-Fi/LTE model only / TA-1521)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS - cellular model only
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerAccelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging33W wired, 50% in 30 min 10W reverse wired18W wired, PD3.0
Type5200 mAhLi-Po 8200 mAh
Misc
ColorsLunar White, Nebula BlackCharcoal Grey
ModelsT951K, T951P, T951P1TA-1495, TA-1521, TA-1505, TA-1487
Price£ 339.99 / € 397.84About 240 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.56 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery50:48h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra

  • Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
  • Faster 33W charging with quick power-up times
  • Potentially better long-term battery health (1000 cycles)

  • Likely higher price point
  • May generate more heat under sustained load

Nokia T21

  • More affordable price
  • PD3.0 charging compatibility
  • Sufficient for basic tasks like browsing and streaming

  • Slower processor limits performance
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Less efficient chipset may impact battery life

Display Comparison

While both tablets likely feature IPS LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in their processing power, impacting UI responsiveness. The TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra’s Dimensity 7400 will ensure smoother animations and faster app loading times, indirectly enhancing the visual experience. We expect the Nokia T21’s Unisoc T612 to deliver adequate visuals for casual use, but may exhibit lag during intensive tasks. Without specific display specs like resolution or brightness, it's difficult to assess image quality directly, but the chipset difference will be noticeable in overall fluidity.

Camera Comparison

Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups geared towards video calls and casual snapshots. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. However, the TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra’s more powerful ISP (integrated within the Dimensity 7400) may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in improved dynamic range and noise reduction. We anticipate both tablets will struggle in low-light conditions.

Performance

The TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 7400 (4nm) represents a significant leap in performance over the Nokia T21’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The 4nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to higher sustained performance and less thermal throttling. The Dimensity 7400’s octa-core configuration (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is substantially faster than the T612’s (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), particularly in CPU-intensive workloads. This means faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the TCL.

Battery Life

The TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra boasts a 50:48h endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Nokia T21’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the TCL’s 33W wired charging (50% in 30 minutes) is a significant advantage over the Nokia’s 18W charging with PD3.0. The faster charging speed minimizes downtime, allowing users to quickly replenish the battery. The TCL also claims 1000 charge cycles, indicating long-term battery health. The Unisoc T612’s less efficient 12nm process may result in slightly higher power consumption on the Nokia T21, potentially offsetting any capacity advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or multitasking without slowdowns. Its superior chipset and faster charging are ideal for power users. Buy the Nokia T21 if you prioritize a more affordable option for basic tasks like web browsing, streaming, and light productivity, and are willing to trade performance for a lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Mediatek Dimensity 7400 is a capable chipset, but Genshin Impact is demanding. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings, but don't anticipate a consistently smooth experience at the highest graphical settings. Thermal throttling may occur during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Nokia T21 sufficient for multitasking between several apps?
The Unisoc T612 can handle basic multitasking, such as switching between web browsing, email, and a music app. However, running multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously may result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. It's best suited for lighter workloads.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Nokia T21 from 0%?
With 18W charging, a full charge from 0% on the Nokia T21 will likely take between 3 to 4 hours, depending on usage during charging. It's significantly slower than the TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra's 33W charging.
❓ Does the TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra support external storage via microSD card?
This information is not provided in the context data. However, many TCL tablets do support microSD card expansion, so it's a likely feature, but confirmation is needed from official specifications.