Design and Build: Sustainable Craftsmanship
The Nokia G60 5G immediately sets itself apart with its commitment to sustainability, woven into its very fabric. The plastic frame and back panel are constructed using a significant 100% recycled plastic content. This isn’t just marketing fluff; the feel is reassuringly solid and textured, offering excellent grip and resisting fingerprints better than many glossy alternatives. The phone feels durable and surprisingly premium for its price bracket, tipping the scales at a manageable 190 grams. Crucially, Nokia champions repairability. The back cover is user-removable with basic tools, granting access to the battery and other key components. This design philosophy directly combats e-waste by extending the device’s usable life through easier, cheaper repairs – a stark contrast to the sealed, glued-tight designs prevalent elsewhere. The clean Nordic aesthetic shines through with subtle camera housing and minimal branding. Available in Black and Ice colourways, it projects an understated, eco-conscious confidence. IP52 rating provides basic dust and splash resistance, adding a practical layer of everyday durability to its green credentials.
Display: Eco-Conscious Visuals
Front and center is a 6.58-inch Full HD+ (2408 x 1080 pixels) IPS LCD display. While it doesn’t boast the deep blacks of OLED, it delivers a perfectly respectable viewing experience. Brightness levels are adequate for most indoor use and passable outdoors in moderate sunlight. Colors are reasonably vibrant and accurate enough for everyday tasks, social media, and video streaming. The 20:9 aspect ratio is well-suited for modern content consumption. A key eco-feature is the display’s adaptive refresh rate, dynamically switching between 60Hz and 120Hz. This isn’t just about smoother scrolling; it significantly boosts battery efficiency. When static content is displayed, it drops to 60Hz, conserving power without the user noticing. The bezels are noticeable but not overly intrusive, and the centrally placed punch-hole houses the 8MP front camera. The display features Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, guarding against minor scratches. Overall, it prioritizes efficiency and functionality over cutting-edge vibrancy, aligning perfectly with the device’s sustainable ethos.
Performance: Balanced Efficiency
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, the Nokia G60 5G positions itself firmly in the mid-range performance bracket. This 6nm octa-core processor (2x Cortex-A78 @ 2.2GHz & 6x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz) is known for its excellent balance of power and energy efficiency. Paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM (region-dependent), it handles everyday tasks – social media, web browsing, email, streaming – with ease and fluidity. Multitasking is generally smooth, though heavier app switching or having numerous demanding apps open might show slight stutter with the 4GB variant. Gaming is possible, but expect to dial down graphics settings for demanding 3D titles like Genshin Impact for a consistently playable frame rate. Casual games perform flawlessly. The Adreno 619 GPU handles lighter titles and older games well. The phone doesn’t get excessively warm under sustained load, thanks to the efficient chipset. Internal storage options are 64GB or 128GB, thankfully expandable via the dedicated microSD card slot (up to 1TB), a feature often sacrificed elsewhere. Performance is reliable, not groundbreaking, emphasizing sustained, efficient operation over raw benchmark dominance.
Software: Clean Commitment to Longevity
The Nokia G60 5G runs a near-stock version of Android 12 out of the box, as part of Google’s Android One program. This is a major selling point, especially for sustainability. Android One guarantees three years of major OS upgrades and four years of monthly security patches. This extended software support lifecycle is arguably one of the most impactful sustainable features. It ensures the phone remains secure, functional, and up-to-date for significantly longer than many competitors, directly combating planned obsolescence and reducing the need for premature upgrades. The software experience is clean, bloat-free, and intuitive. You get Google’s core apps without duplicate, resource-hogging manufacturer alternatives. The interface is snappy, updates arrive promptly from Google, and the commitment to long-term support provides genuine peace of mind and value. Features like Digital Wellbeing and Google’s Adaptive Battery are present, further enhancing the user experience and optimizing power consumption over time.
Battery Life: Endurance Champion
Battery life is where the Nokia G60 5G truly excels, living up to its “Powerhouse” moniker. Fueled by a substantial 4500mAh battery, combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset and the adaptive refresh rate display, it delivers exceptional endurance. For moderate to heavy users, consistently achieving 1.5 to 2 full days on a single charge is realistic and a major highlight. Even power users pushing the device hard will comfortably reach the end of a long day with charge to spare. This stamina drastically reduces the frequency of charging cycles, contributing positively to long-term battery health and minimizing energy consumption. Charging, however, is a deliberate compromise for sustainability. The phone supports only 20W fast charging, and notably, no charger is included in the box. Nokia encourages reusing existing chargers or purchasing one separately if needed, reducing e-waste. A full charge takes approximately 1 hour 50 minutes with a compatible 20W charger. While not class-leading in speed, the trade-off for phenomenal longevity and reduced environmental impact is well-justified in this context. Wireless charging is absent.
Camera: Capable, Not Cutting-Edge
The triple-camera setup on the back reflects a pragmatic approach. The primary sensor is a capable 50MP (f/1.8) shooter utilizing pixel binning to produce detailed 12.5MP photos in most lighting. Daylight shots are generally good, with decent dynamic range, accurate colors, and satisfactory detail. The 5MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide-angle lens expands framing possibilities, though image quality noticeably drops, with softer details and more pronounced edge distortion. The third lens is a dedicated 2MP (f/2.4) depth sensor, aiding portrait mode shots. Low-light photography is the system’s weakest point. While Night mode improves results, images can be noisy, lack detail, and processing times are slow. The 8MP (f/2.0) front camera handles selfies and video calls adequately. Video recording maxes out at 1080p resolution at 30fps across all lenses, lacking stabilization beyond basic EIS which results in shaky footage when moving. The camera app is straightforward. Overall, the camera system is competent for everyday snapshots and social media sharing in good light but falls short in challenging conditions or for users prioritizing photography. It aligns with the phone’s focus on core functionality and value over flagship camera prowess.
Sustainability: The Core Ethos Explored
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for the G60 5G; it’s foundational. Beyond the 100% recycled plastic back and frame, Nokia emphasizes a holistic approach:
- Longevity Through Software: The 3 OS upgrades and 4 years of security patches (Android One) are crucial. This extended support keeps the phone secure and relevant far longer than typical mid-range devices, directly reducing e-waste.
- Repairability Focus: The user-replaceable battery (using standard tools) is revolutionary in today’s market. Combined with readily available spare parts (back cover, display, charging port), Nokia actively facilitates repairs through its service network, significantly extending the device’s lifespan. This contrasts sharply with glued-together designs.
- Packaging: The box uses 90% recycled materials and is significantly smaller than average, minimizing resource use and transportation emissions.
- Energy Efficiency: The combination of the 6nm Snapdragon 695, adaptive 60/120Hz display, and large 4500mAh battery minimizes daily energy consumption. Features like the Dark Theme and Adaptive Battery further optimize power usage.
- Charger Omission: Excluding the charger promotes reuse and reduces e-waste, a practice becoming more common but still contentious. Nokia provides clear guidance on compatible chargers.
This multi-pronged strategy makes the G60 5G a benchmark for eco-conscious smartphone design, prioritizing resource efficiency and product lifespan.
Connectivity and Extras
The Nokia G60 5G delivers robust connectivity. Sub-6 5G support ensures future-proofed network access where available. Wi-Fi 6 readiness (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) offers faster speeds and better efficiency on compatible networks. Bluetooth 5.1 is present for peripherals. NFC enables contactless payments via Google Pay. Physical connectivity includes a USB-C 2.0 port for charging/data and the invaluable 3.5mm headphone jack, a rarity worth celebrating. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, complemented by face unlock. A single, downward-firing speaker delivers adequate volume but lacks bass and can be easily muffled. Call quality is solid. Storage expansion via microSD is a major plus. While missing premium extras like stereo speakers or Wi-Fi 6E, the connectivity suite covers all essential bases effectively and reliably.
Pricing and Value Proposition
Positioned competitively in the budget-mid-range segment, the Nokia G60 5G offers compelling value, particularly for the eco-conscious consumer. Its price point undercuts many competitors offering similar core specs (Snapdragon 695, large battery, 120Hz display). However, its true value transcends raw specifications:
- Sustainability Investment: You pay a slight premium for the recycled materials, repairability, and guaranteed long software support – features with tangible long-term environmental and financial benefits (repairs vs. replacement).
- Android One Advantage: Clean software, no bloat, and guaranteed timely updates for years offer a smooth, secure experience often missing in this price range.
- Battery Champion: The exceptional battery life is a major quality-of-life advantage.
- Trade-offs: The camera performance and charging speed are compromises relative to some spec-sheet rivals.
For buyers prioritizing a reliable, long-lasting device with a clear conscience, minimal environmental impact, clean software, and outstanding battery life, the Nokia G60 5G presents a unique and highly compelling value proposition. It proves that sustainability and capable performance can coexist without breaking the bank.