The original iPhone had a measly 3.5-inch display, but now buyers can shop for phones with screens that are twice as large — practically the same size as the tablets that were sold in the early 2010s.
Big-screen phones are here to stay. Just look at this infographic from Geek Cosmos that illustrates how the iPhone has consistently grown over the years. The good news is, fans of small smartphones have some (pretty great) options.
Just a few years ago, the smallest new smartphone you could buy was around 5.5 inches — which when you think about it, really isn’t that small considering the average length of a man’s hand is 7.6 inches, and the average for a woman is 6.8 inches.
The 4-inch iPhone SE (which shares the dimensions and form factor of the iPhone 5S) was discontinued in Sept. 2018. In April 2020, it was replaced by the 30% bigger second-generation iPhone SE (which has the same body as the 4.7-inch iPhone 8). Fortunately, Apple launched the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini in Nov. 2020. Its successor, the iPhone 13 mini came out in Sept. 2021. The iPhone mini line of smartphones has a bigger screen but in a smaller-sized body, since they have narrower bezels.
As for Android, Sony was the last manufacturer that consistently released smaller-sized smartphones, but it discontinued its Xperia Compact line of smartphones in 2019. Several newer Android smartphones like the 6.1-inch Sony Xperia 5 III and the 6.4-inch OnePlus Nord 5G have elongated designs that make them a little easier to grip, but they definitely aren’t as small as phones from previous years.
What to Consider
Although several people would agree that it’s a more pleasant experience to view videos, photos, and read text on a larger screen, there are several reasons why you should consider shopping for a small smartphone.
First, smaller-sized smartphones are a lot easier to hold one-handed, which means fewer drops and you can use your other hand to do other things — whether that be holding a subway pole, taking a bite of something, or even writing. The list can go on and on. They also are easier to pocket.
Additionally, some orthopedists and occupational therapists say today’s smartphones are taking a toll on our bodies. Using your phone one-handed and resting it on your pinky finger can cause anything from musculoskeletal and nerve problems to tendinitis and pain on your thumbs and fingers.
If you’re ready to make the switch to a smaller phone, we’ve found the best options for every budget.
5.4-inch Liquid Retina XDR OLED display with 476 pixels per inch
A15 Bionic chip with all-new Neural Engine
Up to 512GB of storage
Dual 12MP camera with sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 12MP front-facing camera
The iPhone 13 mini is the small smartphone to buy. You get the same advanced features as pricier smartphones, but with better ergonomics and a more pocket-friendly design.
It’s one of the few small smartphones that doesn’t sacrifice key features in the name of its small shape. The iPhone 13 mini has the same premium, completely waterproof design as the latest iPhone 13. It also comes with the same powerful processor and dual-camera system. Really, the biggest difference is it has a smaller 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display.
The iPhone 13 mini can be held comfortably with one hand, and your thumb should be able to stretch and reach across the entire screen. It’s about 20% smaller and 23% lighter than the iPhone 13, so it doesn’t have as big of a battery as full-sized iPhones. However, during my tests with the iPhone 13 mini, I had no issues getting through an entire day using the phone, and occasionally had as much as 20% worth of battery life to spare.
5.4-inch Liquid Retina XDR OLED display with 476 pixels per inch
A14 Bionic chip with all-new Neural Engine
Up to 256GB of storage
Dual 12MP camera, 12MP front-facing camera
Before the iPhone 12 mini came out, if you were shopping for a small phone, you’d have to opt for a budget smartphone with outdated specs and a lower-grade design. Like our best overall pick, the 12 mini doesn’t require you to compromise on features or performance in the name of its smaller size. Although it’s not the best small phone money can buy, it’s a good option for folks on a budget who don’t need the latest and greatest.
The previous generation costs about $100 less than the 13 mini, and although it isn’t equipped with the latest cameras or processor that Apple uses for the iPhone 13 series, it still is an outstanding phone. Our biggest complaint is its battery life. You can expect 1.5 hours less battery on this phone as compared to the iPhone 13 mini (9 hours vs. 7.5 hours). Despite its shorter battery life, however, the 12 mini is a reliable, easy-to-hold smartphone with impressive camera quality and a durable build.
Dual camera with 64MP main with optical image stabilization, 12MP ultra wide, 12MP selfie camera
The ZenFone 8 really isn’t that small of a smartphone, but it’s smaller than almost any Android phone you can buy right now. It’s about 20% larger than the iPhone minis we previously mentioned. For comparison’s sake, it’s similar in size to an iPhone 13 or a dollar bill.
The ZenFone offers users a robust build that’s more durable than most other small phones on the market. The phone has a metal frame and tough Corning Gorilla Glass panels on its front and rear sides.
Besides its smaller size, what separates it from other Android smartphones is its Snapdragon 888 processor. This chip is coupled with 6, 8, or 16GB of RAM — depending on how much you’re willing to spend — so the Asus offers better performance than most other devices. That means you can juggle more apps, play more graphic-intensive games, and even get some serious work done on it.
As far as the cameras and battery life are concerned, the ZenFone 8 is equipped with a 64MP main camera and 12MP ultra wide lens, and you can expect about 11 hours of battery life.
Dual camera with 12MP main, 16MP ultra wide, 8MP selfie camera
If you’re shopping for a new smartphone and want something that’s reliable yet affordable, you can’t go wrong with the Google Pixel 5A. With a reasonable price just under $500 (it's on sale!), the phone packs a reliable processor, great battery life, clean software, and a better-than-average camera — all in a fully waterproof metal housing.
The smartphone is a hair bigger than the ASUS ZenFone 8 we previously mentioned, and doesn’t offer as impressive specs. That’s because it features a midrange (not as powerful) Qualcomm processor, less RAM, and a screen with a lower refresh rate — so it’s not as fluid. Although pricier Android phones with more RAM have better multitasking ability, numbers aren’t everything, and this phone is still quite snappy.
My colleague Stefan Vazharov was also blown away by its camera: The Pixel 5A can take photos with exceptional quality in just about any lighting scenario. It also has a large battery that’ll easily make it through a full day of heavy use. Because of these reasons, the Pixel 5A is one of the best smartphones you can buy for under $500.
6.7-inch foldable FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate, 1.9-inch Super AMOLED secondary screen with 302 ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
128/256GB of storage
Rear dual cameras with 12MP ultra wide rear camera, 12MP wide-angle camera, 10MP front selfie camera
If you’re tired of the same old smartphone that looks like a slab of glass and want to mix things up, you won’t have to make many sacrifices with the Z Flip3. This folding smartphone packs a powerful processor, solid battery life, vivid display, and loud stereo speakers, all in a waterproof and completely pocketable design.
The Galaxy Z Flip3 sports an eye-catching design that comes in seven colors. When closed, the device is about the size and thickness of a stack of Post-it notes. Unlike the majority of other folding phones, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is completely water-resistant. It's also made from much more durable scratch-resistant glass than the previous Z Flip iteration.
Under the hood, Samsung has packed Qualcomm’s range-topping Snapdragon 888 chipset, a whopping 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The device is as snappy as any other flagship phone — even the Z Fold3 that costs several hundred dollars more.
If you're in search of the smallest smartphone money can buy, the Unihertz Atom is hard to beat. Believe it or not, this smartphone is about the size of a pack of gum! It still has built-in GPS, dual cameras, Bluetooth, and a headphone jack like every other modern smartphone, and it even runs on the latest 4G networks and comes unlocked. It supports AT&T and T-Mobile, but note that it doesn't work with Verizon or Sprint.
It offers a rugged body, which helps it withstand drops, dirt, and spills. It also packs 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space, and runs the Android Oreo operating system.
Unfortunately, it’s equipped with mediocre cameras and a weak speaker. It's also difficult to type on because of its smaller size. If you work in construction, break your phone frequently, or just want a break from your full-sized phone, it's an affordable option that you may want to consider — especially given its extreme durability and IP68-rated water resistance.
Brandon CarteSenior Electronics EditorBrandon Carte has been the technology editor at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been covering the latest gadgets and scouring the internet for the greatest deals; His tech reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com and USA Today.
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