The 1.94 m tall author of this article has huge hands. But even with those, it's not easy for me to operate a 6.8-inch device using just one hand. Therefore, it is absolutely understandable that many smartphone users long for more compact models. The NextPit editorial team put their heads together and came up with this list of the eight best compact smartphones for 2023.
The best compact smartphones in 2023
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| Specifications | 6.1-inch, OLED 1080 x 2520 pixels (449 PPI) 60 Hz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 128 /256 GB ROM 8 GB RAM Triple camera Main camera: 12 MP Ultra-wide-angle:12 MP Telephoto: 12 MP 5,000 mAh, 30 W 153 × 67 × 8.3 m |
5.4-inch OLED 1080 x 2340 pixels (476 PPI) 60 Hz Apple A15 Bionic 128 / 256 / 512 GB ROM 4 GB RAM Dual camera Main camera: 12 MP Ultra wide-angle: 12 MP 2,438 mAh 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm |
6.7-inch, OLED 1080 x 2640 pixels (426 PPI) 120 Hz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 128 / 256 / 512 GB ROM 8 GB RAM Dual camera Main camera: 12 MP Ultra wide: 12 MP 3,700 mAh, 25W 84.9 x 71.9 x 17.1 mm (folded) |
4.7-inch LCD, 60 Hz 750 x 1334 (326 PPI) 60 Hz Apple A15 Bionic 64 / 128 / 256 GB ROM 4 GB RAM Single camera 12 MP 2018 mAh 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
5.9-inch, OLED 1080 x 2400 pixels (446 PPI) 120 Hz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 128 / 256 GB ROM 6 / 8 / 16 GB RAM Dual camera Main camera: 50 MP Ultra-wide-angle: 12 MP 4,300 mAh, 30 W 146.5 × 68.1 × 9.1 mm |
6.1-inch, AMOLED 1080 x 2400 pixels (434 ppi) 60 Hz Google Tensor 128 GB ROM 6 GB RAM Dual camera Main camera: 12.2 MP Ultra wide-angle: 12 MP 4,410 mAh, 18 W 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm |
6.1-inch, OLED 1080 x 2340 pixels (425 PPI) 120 Hz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 128 / 256 GB ROM 8 GB RAM Triple camera Main camera: 50 MP Ultra-wide-angle: 12 MP Telephoto: 10 MP 3,900 mAh, 25 W 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm |
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| Rating | Read the Sony Xperia 5 IV review | Read the Apple iPhone 13 Mini review | Read the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review | Read the Apple iPhone SE (2022) review | Read the Asus Zenfone 9 review | Read the Google Pixel 6a review | Read the Samsung Galaxy S23 review |
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You already have the technical specifications at hand and can make a quick comparison. If you want, you can jump directly to your favorite device, because we present each device in a bit more detail. However, I recommend you also read the buying guide, where we provide you with relevant information that you should consider before buying. Let's go!
Buying guide: What you have to consider when buying small smartphones
Where is the border between a large and a small phone? The answer is subjective, and it is similar to our selection here. We did not select the smallest smartphones available for our best-of list. Instead, we made sure that both quality and compact design are well balanced. In 2023, no one should accept that a smaller phone is at best, a slimmed-down version of a flagship!
It's possible that when you buy a small smartphone, you are mainly looking at how practical and handy it is. But despite all of its advantages, there are also disadvantages that you should be aware of before you go to your trusted phone dealer. Here are a few points to consider before you buy a new phone.
- Performance: Make sure that you are not blinded by the big flagship marketing fluff and then feel ripped off with a less powerful SoC. In this list, however, you have devices that guarantee a very strong performance, but you also have to bear in mind: A powerful processor in the phone often results in heat build-up when it is under a heavy load. The larger the smartphone, the better the heat can be dissipated. For gamers, it might be better to choose a larger alternative for this reason alone.
- Cameras: Similar to the SoC, smaller smartphones often suffer from the fact that the cameras are slimmed-down versions of their larger siblings. However, you should not suffer any disadvantages when using a smaller phone for taking pictures.
- Battery: Less space in the smartphone = smaller battery. That is just logical of course, and battery size alone does not determine how long your smartphone will last. The efficiency of the components and the software also plays a role. But take into account that you will often be disappointed with less than 4,000 mAh in compact phones.
- Display and form factor: The most important thing when deciding on a small phone is the size, of course! It is handy, fits better in trouser pockets, shirt pockets, or handbags, and is easier to use with one hand. So there are many advantages. But there are also disadvantages: If you like multimedia content, it is naturally more fun viewing those on large devices. If you are a gamer, you should consider that your thumbs cover a certain part of the display when gaming. The smaller the display, the more difficult it is to play without a controller accessor.
The best small Android phone: Sony Xperia 5 IV
A rather divisive pick, we admit, but the Xperia 5 IV offers an impressive package with a slim body, as highlighted in Matt's review of the device. Sony wasn't scared to not follow smartphone trends in the market, keeping a 3.5 mm audio jack and a microSD slot, while adopting a fingerprint reader on the side, bucking the trend of under-display readers.
The Xperia 5 IV keeps the flagship-level specs from the bigger (and more expensive) Xperia 1 IV—which didn't fare as well in Antoine's review—including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, stereo speakers, IP68 water-resistance, and the trademark 21:9 OLED display.
When dealing with Sony devices, the tradeoffs are basically expected. The main one is the price, the Xperia 5 IV is definitely not a cheap phone, with an MSRP matching bigger flagship models. Fast charging on the other hand is not up to the same level found in Chinese rivals, with only the USB-PD standard 30W charging.
One missed opportunity for the Japanese brand was using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, instead of the faster, more efficient 8+ Gen 1, especially because Sony usually delays its launches close to Q3. Let's hope Sony uses its quirky strategy to come up with the inevitable Xperia 5 V in 2023.
The best small smartphone from Apple: Apple iPhone 13 mini
After introducing the iPhone 12 mini in 2020, Apple insisted on continuing the compact formula in 2021 with the introduction of the iPhone 13 mini. It has roughly the same dimensions as its predecessor. Measuring 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm and tipping the scales at 141 grams, it is slightly heavier than the previous model, but still rather small compared to other iPhone 13 models.
Just like the 2020 model, the iPhone 13 mini has the same specifications as its larger siblings, starting with the powerful A15 Bionic processor, which Apple claims is around 50% faster than the next best Android competitor.
However, the main advantage of this small iPhone lies in a completely different area: Apple's iOS operating system and the aforementioned SoC combine well to deliver pretty good power management, which Apple says is "up to an hour and a half more" on the iPhone 13 mini compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 12 mini.
Apple also places the compact iPhone below the regular model and Pro variants in terms of price. The recommended retail price is $699, making it significantly cheaper than the normal model.
Compact smartphones alternatives
With this, we have picked out the best Android and iOS smartphones for you at the moment. However, we want to give you some more alternatives that perfectly combine both quality and a compact form factor in our opinion. So here are our other recommendations:
Pocket-friendly with a big screen: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Not everyone is looking for a compact smartphone because their fingers are too short. The big flagships from Samsung, Motorola, and the like also take up a lot of space in the pocket. So much so, many people prefer to hang their smartphone around their neck with a lanyard rather than put it in their pocket.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a full-fledged flagship smartphone with really small dimensions. As the name suggests, it is a foldable smartphone, i.e. with a foldable display. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 4 (review), however, you do not fold the smartphone vertically. It is more reminiscent of a retro clamshell phone from the 2000s.
When folded, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 measures only 84.9 x 71.9 x 17.1 millimeters at its thickest point. When unfolded, the device "grows" considerably, but the lush 6.7-inch display is also a real eye-catcher. But why didn't the Galaxy Z Flip 4 make it to number 1 in our "Best of" list?
Although it has improved a lot in terms of durability and is even waterproof according to the IPX8 rating, the battery is still too small with a capacity of 3,700 mAh. And it is still more expensive than the other smartphones on this list.
Apple alternative for a smaller budget: The iPhone SE (2022)
We have included the iPhone SE (2022) here because it is a very affordable way to obtain a very high-performance iPhone thanks to the new processor.
What are the top arguments for the iPhone SE that comes in 2022's flavor? The fast A15 Bionic in a smartphone for just $429! Sure, with the iPhone, you always 'buy' a few other highlights automatically: Great cameras, high-quality workmanship, optimized and long software support, for example.
This is also true for the iPhone SE to a large extent. The design, which was already old-fashioned in the iPhone SE 2020, has been adopted 1:1 and does not look any more modern. You get a 4.7-inch display with very fat bezels, which is simply outdated. Throw in HD resolution and 60-hertz refresh on an LCD display, and every $400 mid-range smartphone can actually fare better.
However, Apple has an enviable talent for optimizing both hardware and software in such a way that you hardly notice technical deficits. Sensational photos can be taken even with the simple camera of the iPhone SE, the display is convincing enough despite the low resolution and sluggish refrest rate, and the performance of the A15 is beyond any doubt anyway. Therefore, we have included it in our list as a top alternative to the iPhone 13 Mini.
If you long for long updates: The Samsung Galaxy S23
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the smallest of the 2023 flagship trio from South Korea. We noticed two weak points in our extensive review of the Samsung Galaxy S23: No ultra-wideband support, and charging the larger 3,900 mAh battery only works with a maximum of 25 watts.
Those who now wonder why UWB technology is needed will probably not miss it. In principle, it is a kind of short-range radio communication. For example, the BMW car key or the Apple AirTag.
But that's about it for the junior S23! There is the same modified Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 "for Galaxy" with at least 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal program storage. However, we advise picking the 256 GB version, since there is no option for expansion and you get the faster UFS 4.0 storage here, instead of the UFS 3.1 memory.
Still on board, one of the best screens, namely the 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,340 x 1,080 px (FHD+). The refresh rate is a blazing 120 Hz and under sunlight the Victus 2-protected panel can get up to 1,750 nits bright.
The camera setup is the same as on the larger Samsung Galaxy S23+. So, a 50 MP main camera (OIS), a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle, and a 12 MP telephoto zoom camera with a triple optical magnification. The test photos are very pleasing, but you can see for yourself in our picture gallery.
If you're still not convinced by the IP68-certified Samsung Galaxy S23, then I remember you about Samsung's update guarantee: It's four Android system updates and five years of Google security patches for Android 13 with the One UI in version 5.1. And all that at the same suggested price as the previous S22 line, at least if you are in the US.
Asus Zenfone 9: Compact and powerful
The Zenfone 9 is one of the most compact smartphones in this selection. It is a powerful and charming Android smartphone on a daily basis.
The Asus flagship is equipped with a 5.9-inch OLED FHD+ screen, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ SoC with 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, and 128 or 256 GB of storage. It also has a triple camera module of 50 MP and a battery of 4300 mAh rechargeable up to 30W.
The Zenfone is small but beefy with good performance, a bright and sharp screen, photo quality, and a clean and functional interface. Its limited software update policy and overheating problems are annoying inconveniences. It also doesn't have expandable storage or wireless charging.
Pixel 6a: Google's compact smartphone
If you are looking for a compact Android and cheap smartphone, the Pixel 6 may have the model for you. It is a balanced and efficient mid-range smartphone on a daily basis.
It is equipped with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz OLED screen, a Google Tensor SoC supported by 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, a dual camera module of 12 MP, and a 4410 mAh rechargeable battery in 18 W.
Its big asset is undoubtedly its camera module worthy of the best flagships. It also stands out with its flagship-level performance, usability, clean interface, 5-year software updates, and IP67 certification. For its mid-range price, it will be necessary to make concessions which here are the refresh rate of only 60 Hz, a single internal storage option, and the absence of wireless charging.
That brings us to the conclusion of our recommended compact smartphones (as of the end of January 2023). Of course, this is a subjective list for which we discussed and pondered with the editorial team, and sometimes also turned a blind eye. All eight recommended models have these in common: you get a fairly compact form factor with plenty of performance.
NextPit's best phones lists
Feel free to chat in the comments about which compact favorites you would have preferred to see in this list.
Guide updated in February 2023 with review links and different picks.
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