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 small smartphones in 2023
| Editor’s choice | Best Apple option | Best compact alternatives | |||||
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| Product | Sony Xperia 5 IV | ||||||
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| Specifications | 6.1-inch, AMOLED 1080 x 2400 pixels (434 ppi) 90 Hz Google Tensor G2 128 GB ROM 8 GB RAM Dual camera Main camera: 64 MP Ultra-wide angle: 13 MP 4,385 mAh, 18 W 152 x 72.9 x 9.0 mm | 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 | 6.1-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 | 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 angle: 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, 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 Google Pixel 7a review | Read the Apple iPhone 13 Mini review | Read the Sony Xperia 5 IV review | Read the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review | Read the Apple iPhone SE (2022) review | Read the Asus Zenfone 9 review | Read the Samsung Galaxy S23 review |
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Armed with the technical specifications, you’re all set to make a swift comparison. You are welcome to dive straight into the details of your preferred device, as we’ve taken the time to elaborate on each one. However, don’t miss our comprehensive buying guide. It’s packed with crucial insights to help you make an informed purchase. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Buying advice: What you have to consider when buying small smartphones
The difference between large and small phones is subjective, much like our selection process. We didn’t just pick the smallest; we sought a balance of quality and compact design. Remember, small doesn’t mean settling for less in 2023! While smaller phones are practical, consider potential drawbacks before purchasing.
- Display and form factor: Naturally, the primary draw of a small phone is its size. It’s handy, pocket-friendly, and ideal for one-handed use. However, it does have downsides. Multimedia content and gaming can be less enjoyable on a smaller screen due to limited viewing area and potential screen coverage during gameplay.
- Performance: Don’t be swayed solely by the flashy marketing of big flagship phones, only to end up disappointed by a less powerful System on a Chip (SoC). Our list features devices that promise robust performance, but remember: a powerful processor can generate heat when under heavy use. Larger phones disperse heat more effectively, which is a point to consider, especially for gamers. For them, a larger device may be a better choice solely due to this factor.
- 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.
Best compact smartphones
As we venture into 2023, the world of compact smartphones is buzzing with remarkable choices. Leading the pack are devices like the Google Pixel 7a and the iPhone 13 Mini. These pocket-sized powerhouses blend sleek design, cutting-edge features, and a compact form factor that fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re an Android enthusiast or an iOS devotee, these small yet mighty options refuse to compromise on performance.
Editor’s choice: Google Pixel 7a
Read the Google Pixel 7a Review
As highlighted in the title of our Google Pixel 7a review, this phone is an all-in-one package. And the best part is, it’s all housed in a 6.1-inch display device. The Pixel 7a isn’t just compact, it boasts a sleek design and intelligent features. Although it’s the heaviest smartphone on this list, it feels surprisingly light in the hand.
If you’re in the market for a compact Android that delivers exceptional photos and won’t break the bank, the Pixel 7a could be your ideal match.
The newest Pixel comes equipped with a 6.1-inch 90 Hz OLED display, a Google Tensor G2 SoC complemented by 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, and boasts a battery life that lasts all day.
Regarding the camera module, the Pixel 7a captures stunning images at a budget-friendly price of $499. Its night shots are particularly impressive, thanks in part to the lenses and, of course, the Google image processing AI enabled by the Tensor chip.
Google only offers the Pixel 7a with 128 GB of storage, and its charging time is on par with Apple and Samsung devices. This suggests a focus on preserving battery longevity over fast charging capabilities.
A more affordable alternative to the 7a is its predecessor, the Pixel 6a. We feel it’s worth mentioning on this list as it remains a budget-friendly option, despite falling somewhat short of its successor’s capabilities.
The best small smartphone from Apple: Apple iPhone 13 mini
Read the Apple iPhone 13 mini Review
Apple continued 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 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 an entirely different area: Apple’s iOS 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.
The best compact smartphone alternatives
Having highlighted the current best Android and iOS smartphones, we’d also like to present you with additional options that, in our view, perfectly balance quality and a compact design. So without further ado, here are our other recommendations:
Sony Xperia 5 IV: Small phone with expandable storage
Read the Sony Xperia 5 IV Review
The Xperia 5 IV offers an impressive package with a slim body, as highlighted in our 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 (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.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: The foldable alternative
Read the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Review
Not everyone is looking for a compact smartphone because their fingers are too short. The big flagships from Samsung, Motorola, and the also like 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 minimal 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.
The Samsung Galaxy S23: Best Android update policy
Read the Samsung Galaxy S23 Review
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the smallest of the 2023 flagship trio from South Korea. We noticed two weak points in our extensive Galaxy S23 review: 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 FHD+ resolution. 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.
Apple iPhone SE (2022): Cheaper alternative within Apple’s iPhone range
Read the Apple iPhone SE 2022 Review
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 Hz 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 refresh 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.
Asus Zenfone 9: Compact and powerful
Read the Asus Zenfone 9 Review
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 9 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.
This wraps up our recommended list of compact smartphones. It’s a subjective compilation, crafted after much deliberation within our editorial team, and at times, certain compromises. However, all eight suggested models share a common thread: they offer a balanced blend of compact design and robust performance.
Feel free to discuss in the comments section which compact phones you would have liked to see on this list.
Updated in May 2023, this guide now features the Google Pixel 7a as our new top pick. All previous comments have been preserved.
