Now that buttons have long disappeared from the front of our phones, there isn’t much to do with a full screen design than make that screen bigger. 2014’s 4.7in iPhone 6 was gargantuan at the time – now the same-sized iPhone SE is one of the smallest phones you can buy. But we believe that bigger isn’t always better in smartphone land, and this list is proof you can get your hands (or hand, preferably) on ten superb small smartphones. Whether you have small hands and prefer a compact handset or are simply fed up with phones that stick out the top of your jeans pocket or don’t find in your handbag, we have whittled down the smallest phones out there for you to choose from (though admittedly there aren’t a lot in the first place). While we recommend phones from household names like Apple and Samsung, it’s worth checking the best small phone for you isn’t one of the others from lesser though of brands such as Asus, or ones that sell fewer phones like Google. You might also want to consider a foldable phone – the convenience of a smaller form to carry around that can unfold into something larger and closer to the size of a ‘normal’ smartphone in 2022.
Best small phone 2022
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Lightweight and compact Powerful performance Great cameras
Limited battery life Relatively expensive No ProMotion display
The 13 Mini runs on the same cutting-edge A15 Bionic chipset found in the rest of the series and it also benefits from more base storage and a bigger battery, compared to its predecessor (even if longevity is still behind that of rivals). The dual rear 12Mp camera also enjoys improved stabilisation, better sensors and new shooting abilities – like Cinematic mode, while the selfie snapper is among the best in the business. The screen might feel a little cramped to type on, so try one out in an Apple Store before you buy, if you can, and think hard about the price, as 2020’s iPhone 12 Mini is still a superb small phone offering that now costs even less.
Great performance Good battery life Five years of security updates
60Hz display Slow 18W charging Plastic back scratches easily
The Pixel is our favourite smaller Android phone thanks to top drawer performance from the Google Tensor processor, the same chip as in the larger and more expensive Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The 12.2Mp main camera is also one of the best in the game thanks to Google’s clever HDR software that processes shots excellently. Battery life is also excellent and better than many other high-end phones and small phones alike. It’s a shame the charging is a little slow, but the pay off is worth it in the end when the phone only costs $449/£399/€459. Add to that lots of clever Google features like spam call answering, great on-device transcription, and photo tools, and this is one pocketable powerhouse.
Flagship specs Great battery life Accomplished cameras
Overheating issues Only two Android updates promised
It has the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which has enabled outstanding power efficiency from the necessarily small battery – this phone has very good battery life, lasting well over a day of use. The phone does occasionally run hot. but it’s not the only one on the market to do so. The punchy OLED display is 5.9in and has a 120Hz high refresh rate screen, and on the other side is a unique grippy plastic finish – with no glass, you can rock the phone without a case, but there is one in the box if you want. You might prefer another phone if you want more than two years of Android updates, which is all Asus promises, but if you aren’t bothered then this is one of the best phones – not just considering small ones – you can buy.
Fast, flagship performance Impressive battery life Great main camera Fun design
Durability still a doubt 25W charging is sluggish No telephoto
The inside folding screen is a 6.7in 120Hz AMOLED that looks very sharp and bright – just remember there’s a visible crease in the middle you can feel under your finger, and it’s covered in a plastic sheet rather than glass (because physics). It still feels premium, though. If you don’t mind the trade off, this is the best way to get a small phone with a large screen. There’s also a cute 1.9in screen next to the dual cameras that you can use when the phone is closed to read notifications and messages or use as a viewfinder to take a selfie. Best of all, the Z Flip 4 has much better battery life than the Flip 3, making this the first Flip in the series you won’t have to charge during the day if you use it a lot.
Premium build Incredibly capable cameras Excellent battery life Headphone jack Front-facing speakers
Cameras take work and patience Only two years of software and security updates Slow charging
Its dimensions mean the phone is comfortable to hold and scroll one-handed, though you may need two to reach the top. It’s also very slim, with an attractively angular utilitarian feel that you don’t find on other phones. It’s a phone that feels like a tool, which is reflected in the camera system – Sony has decided to push the manual controls of the phone so it feels as though you’re using one of its Sony Alpha cameras. It means this is not the best phone for point and shoot photography but if you want to get granular control and use several dedicated camera and video apps you can’t get on other phones, the Xperia 5 IV will be the small phone for you. It even has a headphone jack!
Elegant folding design Water resistance More affordable than ever
No telephoto camera Middling battery life Still needs to be tougher
The Z Flip 3 is a beautiful expression of the evolution of foldable smartphone tech and somehow manages to incorporate water resistance into its design. As such, you get a phone with a pretty sizeable 6.7in 120Hz Full HD+ AMOLED that folds in half, making it much more pocketable. Battery life and the dual cameras could be better but despite flagship-class performance in a groundbreaking design, the Flip 3’s pricing also proves that foldables can tango in the same space as conventional high-end smartphones without any major sacrifices.
Lightweight and compact Powerful performance Great cameras
Limited battery life Relatively expensive No ProMotion display
On the front, you’ll find a beautiful 5.4in display that extends across the entirety of the phone’s front (save for the Face ID-capable notch). It also packs in a pair of stellar cameras, MagSafe for iPhone-compliant wireless charging and what is still one of the most powerful SoCs out there, in Apple’s own A14 Bionic. 5G is included too, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Dynamic Island is a game-changer A full always-on display 48Mp camera & pixel binning truly enhance photography
No real battery life improvement No fast charging Much more expensive in the UK
The 14 Pro is still relatively small with its 6.1in display, particularly if you have larger hands. It helps it is one of the best quality screens on any phone, with 120Hz refresh rate and Apple’s clever and accurate Face ID hidden in the Dynamic Island – a mix of camera holes and black pixels that the software uses to expand widgets and controls. The new 48Mp main camera sensor also means this is the best camera system ever on an iPhone, paired with a solid ultrawide and 3.3x telephoto lens. iOS is slick as ever, and the battery life is stellar, if not improved from the iPhone 13 Pro.
Impressive fast charging Crisp 120Hz display Great performance
MIUI isn't for everyone No IP certification Underwhelming battery life
Provided you’re happy to contend with its more convoluted MIUI-based user experience, the Xiaomi 12 packs in the latest flagship chipset, great cameras and impressive 67W fast charging; addressing one of the frequent shortcomings of smaller phones – weaker, shorter battery life. Size-wise, its 6.28in 120Hz Full HD+ AMOLED display isn’t to be sniffed at either.
Latest Apple chip Wireless charging Cheap (for an iPhone)
Extremely dated design Low-resolution display Single rear camera
That’s mostly because Apple’s has stuck to its old iPhone design here, meaning that while the SE is small, a lot of that space is wasted by a big black bezel and Home Button. That means the display is absolutely tiny and still low resolution – other small phones will feel bigger. Still, you get the same processor as the iPhone 13 series, along with wireless charging and water-proofing. And while there’s only one rear camera it is pretty good – though not at night. Buy this if you can’t afford either of the Minis, but otherwise it’s better to stretch your budget if you can. Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.
