Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Nokia G60 and the Motorola Edge 40 Neo. I’m Alex Griffin, and I'm here to break down the specs, cut through the marketing fluff, and give you the real-world scoop on these two smartphones. Let’s see which one comes out on top for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Nokia G60 | Motorola Edge 40 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm | Edge 40 Neo is noticeably more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle and pocket. |
| Weight | 190g | 170g | Edge 40 Neo is significantly lighter (20g difference), more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.58" | 6.55" | Virtually identical screen sizes; negligible difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both offer crisp visuals; differences are minor and unlikely to be noticed. |
| PPI | 401 | 402 | Very similar pixel density; both screens are sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | Edge 40 Neo's P-OLED panel offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast compared to Nokia's IPS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 40 Neo has a smoother display, noticeable during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Edge 40 Neo offers dramatically better outdoor visibility with its high brightness, making it easier to use in sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G | Dimensity 7030 | Different chipsets; performance differs, with the Edge 40 Neo having a significant benchmark advantage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 410,072 | 527,666 | Edge 40 Neo is significantly faster, offering smoother day-to-day performance and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G610 MC3 | Different GPUs; Edge 40 Neo's GPU contributes to its superior gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Edge 40 Neo has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Edge 40 Neo charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm | Edge 40 Neo has slightly larger pixels, which can help in low light; Otherwise, comparable. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 0.64µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | Edge 40 Neo has higher resolution selfie camera, capturing more detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.0 | None | Nokia G60 offers an ultra-wide lens for wider shots; Edge 40 Neo goes with a dedicated Macro lens instead. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Nokia G60 offers an additional lens for depth effects in portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Edge 40 Neo offers a dedicated combined wide-angle and macro lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@up to 240fps | Edge 40 Neo records in higher resolution 4K and has better stabilization; the Nokia is limited to 1080p and lacks stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | 103 | Motorola has significantly better scores, suggesting better overall photo and video quality |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, CDAF | Dual Camera, OIS, PDAF, LAF | Edge 40 Neo comes with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) and Laser Autofocus (LAF), for sharper images, faster focus, and better video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, Upgrade to 15 | Edge 40 Neo has newer software and more guaranteed updates, ensuring a longer usable lifespan. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the same Wi-Fi standards, with similar performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.4 LE | Edge 40 Neo has a newer Bluetooth version offering better connectivity, efficiency, and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Similar GPS capabilities on both, with the Nokia supporting QZSS and Motorola SUPL, and BeiDou (B1). |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both offer dual SIM support and eSIM options for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 256 GB | Edge 40 Neo offers double the base storage compared to Nokia's standard option. No expandable storage for either device. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | Edge 40 Neo provides significantly more RAM, improving multitasking and overall responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Edge 40 Neo has enhanced audio with spatial audio and noise cancellation features. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint | Nokia features a more sophisticated side mounted fingerprint, the Edge 40 Neo has a basic sensor with no specific positioning mentioned. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Nokia G60 has more durable Gorilla Glass screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Edge 40 Neo has a better sensor suite with compass. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 40 Neo Strengths:
- Superior Display: The P-OLED display on the Edge 40 Neo is a clear winner with its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and significantly higher brightness for outdoor visibility. The 144Hz refresh rate adds an extra layer of smoothness.
- Enhanced Performance: The Dimensity 7030 chipset outperforms the Snapdragon 695, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Edge 40 Neo has almost a 30% improvement in the AnTuTu benchmark!
- Better Cameras: The main camera has bigger pixels, and the phone also offers optical image stabilization (OIS), phase detection autofocus (PDAF), and laser autofocus (LAF), resulting in sharper images, better focus, and smoother video. The 4K video recording is also a massive upgrade compared to the Nokia's 1080p limit.
- Significantly Better Video: The Edge 40 Neo stands out with 4k recording, while the Nokia is stuck at 1080p. This makes the Motorola a significantly better option for capturing and recording memorable moments.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: The 5000mAh battery, combined with 68W fast charging, ensures longer usage and minimal downtime.
- More RAM and Storage: The Edge 40 Neo comes with a minimum of 256 GB of storage, as well as a RAM capacity starting at 8 GB. It's also upgradable to 12 GB, significantly better for heavy multi-tasking.
- Updated Software: It runs on Android 13 and has a guaranteed upgrade to Android 15, ensuring a longer software support lifespan.
- Better Audio: The Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers and 2 microphones give you a way better sound experience, especially if you are consuming any type of media.
- Additional Sensor: The addition of a compass sensor is a great perk for anyone that uses navigation applications, as well as any application that benefits from having a directional sensor.
Nokia G60 Strengths:
- Wide Angle and Portrait Mode Lenses: The addition of an ultra-wide angle lens and dedicated portrait mode lens gives users some versatility with the camera.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A more convenient and precise biometric unlock method.
- Gorilla Glass 5: Enhanced screen protection for extra durability.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Nokia G60: It has a less vibrant display, less powerful chipset, slower charging, and limited video recording capabilities. It also comes with a much older version of Android.
- Motorola Edge 40 Neo: Lacks a dedicated wide-angle and portrait lens, and the screen uses Gorilla Glass 3 which is less resistant to scratches and breaks.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia G60 is suitable for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: If price is the primary concern and you are not focused on heavy gaming or camera performance, the G60 is an acceptable choice.
- Users who Value Durability: The Gorilla Glass 5 offers an added level of protection.
- Users who Prefer Triple Camera Setups: if you use the wide angle lens often.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo is ideal for:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: The P-OLED display, coupled with Dolby Atmos audio, make it excellent for watching videos and listening to music.
- Gamers: The powerful chipset, better GPU, and 144Hz refresh rate contribute to a better mobile gaming experience.
- Photographers and Videographers: The OIS, PDAF, LAF, and 4K video recording capability make it a great choice for content creators.
- Users who Prefer Smoother Performance: The 12 GB of ram and updated chipset mean less lag.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Those who appreciate the latest software and fast charging capabilities.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality and outdoor visibility to you? If you watch a lot of videos or spend a lot of time outdoors, the Edge 40 Neo's display is the way to go.
- What are your performance needs? If you are a light user, the G60 will be okay, but for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness, the Edge 40 Neo is the better option.
- Which camera is more important for you: versatile or high quality? The Nokia G60 offers a more versatile camera experience (with triple lens), while the Motorola Edge 40 Neo will give you better video and photo results with a better main camera.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Shopper. If price is your main motivator and you are fine with a basic phone, the Nokia G60 may be suitable.
- Scenario 2: Media Consumer: If you love watching videos, gaming, and listening to music on your phone, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo's display and audio will immerse you into another world.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you want to take high quality photos and video, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo with its OIS, PDAF, LAF, and 4K capability will ensure you are not missing the moment.
What I would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Edge 40 Neo. Here's why:
As someone who values performance and display quality, the Edge 40 Neo checks all the right boxes. The P-OLED screen with its 144Hz refresh rate and higher brightness is a significant upgrade over the IPS LCD. I also appreciate the faster chipset and the 4k video capability, which is a game-changer for capturing high-quality footage. The superior battery and faster charging capabilities mean I don’t have to worry about finding an outlet in the middle of the day. While I do like that the G60 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, the benefits offered by the Edge 40 Neo outway the cons by far. The only aspect that the G60 might be better at is durability, but I am a careful person and have a habit of keeping my phone in a protective case, so that does not sway my decision.
In short, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is a more well-rounded smartphone, providing a better all-around user experience.
