Alright, let's dive deep into the Nokia G60 and HTC U23 Pro. I'm putting on my tech journalist hat and we'll get through all the nitty-gritty details to figure out which phone comes out on top for you, the everyday user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on what matters in the real world.
| Feature | Nokia G60 | HTC U23 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 166.6 × 77.1 × 8.9 mm | Similar heights; HTC slightly wider and thicker, may feel a bit bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 190g | 205g | Nokia G60 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for longer usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.58" | 6.7" | HTC U23 Pro has a slightly larger screen for a more immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals; differences are negligible. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 401 | 393 | Very similar pixel density; both provide clear, detailed images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | HTC U23 Pro’s OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better color accuracy and power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and general UI experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | While technically both are listed as 0, in practical terms this is a gap in the provided data and should be ignored |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | HTC U23 Pro’s chip is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 410,072 | 699,600 | HTC U23 Pro has a much better benchmark score. Expect a noticeably smoother and faster experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 644 | HTC U23 Pro's GPU is more capable for graphically demanding tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.7 | HTC U23 Pro takes higher resolution, better quality shots in most situations due to larger sensor and aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.45 | HTC U23 Pro offers sharper, more detailed selfies with a higher pixel count. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.4 | HTC U23 Pro has a higher resolution wide-angle lens; Nokia's wider aperture helps with low light. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | HTC U23 Pro has a higher resolution depth sensor, better bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | HTC U23 Pro offers a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps with EIS | HTC U23 Pro shoots better, more detailed videos with 4K and electronic image stabilization. |
| Camera Features | CDAF, Triple Camera, Night Mode | PDAF, OIS, Quad Camera | HTC U23 Pro offers optical image stabilization for clearer photos and videos, along with a more sophisticated autofocus. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4600mAh | Both offer similar battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate use. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 30W fast charging | HTC U23 Pro charges faster, so less time waiting to get back up to 100%. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless | HTC U23 Pro offers greater convenience with wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 13 | HTC U23 Pro comes with a newer OS, giving it an advantage with features and updates. |
| WiFi Versions | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi for high-speed connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | HTC U23 Pro offers slightly faster and more energy-efficient connections with a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Nokia G60 has better satellite support, leading to slightly more accurate GPS positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Nokia G60 offers the convenience of an eSIM for international travelers. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB | HTC U23 Pro offers more internal storage, useful for storing lots of photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB/12GB | HTC U23 Pro has much more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking, running of heavy apps, and better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so you're stuck with the internal space. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | HTC U23 Pro offers a higher level of scratch and damage resistance. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | HTC U23 Pro has more sensors for advanced features and applications |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint | side-mounted fingerprint | Same level of security |
2. Key Insights
Nokia G60:
- Strengths: The Nokia G60 stands out for being lighter and having a slightly more accurate GPS thanks to QZSS support. It also offers the flexibility of an eSIM, which is great for international travel or switching between carriers digitally. Additionally, the slightly wider aperture on the wide angle camera is better in low light.
- Competitive Advantages: It's the lighter of the two, making it more pocket-friendly and comfortable for prolonged use.
- Trade-offs: The G60 uses an IPS LCD screen and older tech, which is inferior to OLED. It also lags behind in processing power and video recording capabilities, and lacks some of the convenience features like wireless charging.
HTC U23 Pro:
- Strengths: The HTC U23 Pro boasts a superior OLED display, much more powerful processor, and a significantly better camera setup. It also comes with the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Competitive Advantages: The OLED screen is brighter and offers better blacks, color accuracy and contrast. The camera, processor, and RAM are also significantly better for performance and overall user experience.
- Trade-offs: It is slightly heavier and bulkier, lacking the eSIM and QZSS support from the Nokia G60.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Nokia G60:
- Best For: Budget-conscious users who prioritize ease of handling and essential features. Ideal for those who travel internationally and appreciate the eSIM functionality.
- Use Cases: Good for general daily tasks, social media, and browsing, but may struggle with very demanding games.
- HTC U23 Pro:
- Best For: Users who value a great display, strong performance, and versatile camera features. Great for anyone who enjoys photography, gaming, and consuming multimedia.
- Use Cases: Perfect for capturing high-quality photos and videos, handling graphic-intensive games, and enjoying a better overall experience with a smoother and faster interface.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- Do you prioritize display quality and performance? If yes, the HTC U23 Pro's OLED screen and more powerful chipset make it the clear choice.
- Is portability and an eSIM important to you? If yes, the Nokia G60’s lighter design and eSIM support might be more appealing.
- Do you use your phone for a lot of photography and videography? If yes, the HTC U23 Pro's higher-resolution cameras and 4k video recording make it the clear winner
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you're someone who primarily uses your phone for browsing, social media, and calls, the Nokia G60 is a perfectly capable option that is both light and affordable.
- The Content Creator: The HTC U23 Pro is the superior device for photos, videos, and overall visual quality. Its features make it ideal for those interested in quality social media posts and consuming lots of media.
- The Gamer: The HTC U23 Pro with its stronger processor, GPU and larger RAM is much better suited for gaming. The better screen will also give a much more immersive visual experience
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the HTC U23 Pro. The OLED display and the much more powerful processor and RAM simply make for a much more enjoyable everyday experience. The vastly improved camera with higher-resolution sensor and 4k video recording, coupled with the convenience of wireless charging, more than offset the lack of an eSIM and slightly larger physical size. The HTC U23 Pro is the device that will be able to provide a better overall user experience, particularly for demanding tasks and multimedia consumption. While the Nokia G60 is by no means a bad phone, the HTC U23 Pro provides a significant step up in both technology and capabilities.
