Smartphones can be found in all styles and sizes, however discovering smartphone that’s additionally compact is a bit of trickier – however that’s the place we at Trusted Opinions are available.
Historically, smaller telephones have been centered on the finances finish of the market – smaller shows are cheaper to fabricate – however we’ve seen a little bit of a resurgence of small telephones within the extra premium finish of the market lately with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Asus ZenFone 10.
Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless troublesome to discover a smartphone that’s each compact and affords a stable smartphone expertise. That’s why we’ve totally benchmarked each single choice on this checklist, with our reviewers switching SIMs, and transferring all apps and knowledge to check real-world use too.
We take into account components like display screen dimension, dimensions and weight, together with the same old efficiency, digital camera testing and battery testing we do with all smartphone critiques, and we’ve damaged down our checklist into totally different classes – iOS, Android, finances – to make the selection even simpler.
It’s in all probability value noting that our official definition of a small cellphone is one with a show that measures a most of 6.1 inches, although if there are any exceptions to that rule in our choice under, we’ll you should definitely clearly clarify why.
In case you’ve modified your thoughts and may very well be tempted by one thing a bit of bigger, check out our number of the perfect smartphones and the perfect Android telephones for extra inspiration.
Which is the perfect small cellphone in 2024?
How we check
Each cellphone included within the checklist under has been correctly examined and used for an prolonged interval by certainly one of our product specialists. We don’t evaluation telephones based mostly purely on specs or a producer’s claims – we use them as our on a regular basis units for no less than 5 days and often for for much longer.
In case you learn a cellphone evaluation on Trusted Opinions, you’ll know the reviewer has popped their private SIM card into the cellphone, transferred throughout their most-used apps and even their backlog of WhatsApp messages. We go all in, so you realize you’re getting an trustworthy view of a product.
Our evaluation course of features a combination of real-world checks, together with greater than 15 measured checks and industry-standard benchmarks. We consider this offers probably the most rounded view of a tool. The scores a cellphone receives from a run below our skilled colourimeters aren’t value a lot if the display screen can’t be used comfortably on a sunny day.
iPhone 13 Mini
Greatest small iPhone
Execs
Nice cameraBetter battery life than the earlier MiniThe strongest small cellphone round
Cons
No ProMotionNo optical zoomStill can’t compete with the opposite iPhone 13 fashions for battery life
The iPhone 13 mini is the very definition of a compact cellphone in our eyes, sporting the same dimension to the 4.7-inch iPhone SE whereas sporting a bigger 5.4-inch show that basically takes up the whole lot of the entrance of the cellphone.
That mixture permits for a kind issue that’s refreshingly small and simple to make use of one-handed, particularly at simply 140g, whereas nonetheless providing a bigger display screen than most smartphones its dimension. Granted, the 5.4-inch 120Hz panel remains to be removed from the 6.1-inch choices utilized by most different compact smartphones in 2024, however for those who’re actually in search of the smallest, most compact choice, that is it.
It’s not simply nice as a result of it’s small both; although outshone by the newer iPhone 14 vary, the iPhone 13 mini remains to be an extremely tempting alternative in 2024.
It sports activities a robust A15 Bionic chipset, an honest twin 12MP digital camera providing and, after all, entry to the iOS platform – the one choice in our small cellphone chart in a position to take action. If utilizing an iPhone is of the utmost significance, that is actually your solely choice.
The one draw back to the iPhone 13 mini is battery life, with a comparatively small cell offering nearly sufficient energy for our reviewer to get to the tip of the day – however solely often with round 3-5% left within the tank. That’s a bit of too shut for consolation.
Evaluation: iPhone 13 mini reviewReviewer: Max Parker
Asus Zenfone 10
Greatest small Android
Execs
High-end performanceAll-day battery lifeSix-axis gimbal stabilisation steadies picture and video capturePocketable design
Cons
Bio-plastic rear feels a bit of cheapSame foremost digital camera sensor as Zenfone 9Relatively sluggish 30W charging
In case you’re after a small cellphone however wish to persist with Android, the Asus ZenFone 10 is your greatest wager.
It’s not fairly as small because the iPhone 13 mini, sporting a 5.9-inch 120Hz OLED show, however it’s nonetheless comfortably inside compact territory when most Android flagships sport 6.7- and even 6.8-inch shows. And as with the iPhone 13 mini, don’t let the compact nature idiot you; that is very a lot a flagship smartphone with specs to match.
That features the newest and biggest Qualcomm chipset within the type of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, coupled with 8- or 16GB of RAM and as much as 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage to play with, permitting the ZenFone 10 to deal with no matter you throw at it with absolute ease. Gaming was additionally a pleasure on the compact cellphone, managing to remain cool even over prolonged gameplay classes.
There’s additionally nice digital camera efficiency from a mix of a 50MP foremost and a 13MP ultrawide, significantly in relation to picture stabilsation, and a 32MP RGBW selfie digital camera delivers a few of the greatest selfies we’ve seen this yr.
What actually makes the ZenFone 10 stand aside from the competitors, nevertheless, is its massively customisable strategy to Android 13.
You possibly can both go for Asus’ ZenUI pores and skin or undertake one thing very near inventory Android, with further help for Materials You and different customisable components of the UI. It goes a lot additional than virtually some other Android OEM, making it a pleasure to make use of day-to-day.
Throw in snug all-day battery life from a 4,300mAh cell and also you’ve obtained an awesome compact Android smartphone that doesn’t price the Earth.
Evaluation: Asus ZenFone 10 reviewReviewer: Lewis Painter
Samsung Galaxy S24
Greatest small Android flagship
Execs
One of some highly effective, small Android phonesPricing makes extra sense than the PlusSome intelligent AI options
Cons
The digital camera ought to have been overhauledAreas like battery life and charging lack notable upgrades
The Asus ZenFone 10 stays the smallest flagship Android smartphone round, however the Samsung Galaxy S24 just isn’t solely extra highly effective, however affords a bigger display screen in a physique that’s not a lot larger than that of the ZenFone.
The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display screen is a slight improve on final yr’s 6.1-inch panel, however don’t fret; that’s potential as a consequence of Samsung shrinking the display screen’s bezels, leaving the shape issue near-identical to its older sibling. Meaning it’s not solely larger whereas nonetheless sustaining a compact kind issue, however it boasts high-end specs like an LTPO-enabled 120Hz refresh charge alongside HDR10+ help and a most brightness of 2600nits.
It will get a bit of bit complicated within the chipset division with the UK, Europe and different areas discovering the Exynos 2400 chipset whereas these within the US get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy.
We reviewed the previous, although we’ve benchmarked the latter and it’s clear that the Snapdragon-equipped variant is extra highly effective in GPU checks, however you probably received’t discover a distinction in on a regular basis use. It’s fast, responsive and utilises GenAI capabilities to supply on-device translation, voice recording transcription and extra. That ought to solely proceed to enhance with its improved seven years of OS upgrades, the longest of any small-screen cellphone proper now.
The one disappointment is digital camera efficiency; whereas it’s removed from a nasty digital camera setup, comprised of a 50MP foremost, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto, it stays totally unchanged for a 3rd yr working and, as such, there are extra performative choices in the marketplace – although many of those are connected to greater screens like Samsung’s personal 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely.
Nonetheless, for those who’re in search of a stable small-screen flagship that may deal with absolutely anything you throw at it, the Galaxy S24 stays a tempting choice.
Evaluation: Samsung Galaxy S24 reviewReviewer: Max Parker
Google Pixel 8a
Greatest small mid-ranger
Execs
Manageable sizeIP ranking and Qi chargingGreat digital camera (for the worth)Seven years of software program updatesClever AI-infused software program
Cons
Display screen is way from the bestThe battery won’t ever final greater than a daySlow charging
What in case your finances doesn’t fairly lengthen to flagship-level smartphones just like the S24 or ZenFone 10? The Google Pixel 8a is our suggestion for compact smartphone followers on a bit extra of a finances.
The Pixel 8a measures in at a compact 6.1 inches, boasts a clean 120Hz refresh charge and even borrows the Actua tech from the flagship Pixel 8 to spice up brightness to 2000nits. It’s additionally a pleasant compact dimension that sits properly within the hand, particularly with the Pixel 8a’s rounded edges.
The place the Pixel 7a flexes its mid-range muscle groups is within the digital camera division, utilizing the flagship-level Tensor G2 chipset to energy a variety of AI options like Tremendous Res Zoom and Evening Sight, together with unique picture modifying options that take away distractions from the background and even sharpen blurry pictures.
That AI goodness additionally extends to the final expertise, with the Pixel 8a’s inventory Android 14 suffering from useful AI options to enhance your day-to-day, be it displaying upcoming calendar invitations and the climate on the Residence display screen to Just lately Performed, an AI function that routinely detects music in your setting as you go about your day – an actual boon for music discovery.
Battery life can be stable, although it’s nonetheless very a lot only a one-day system – one of many downsides of extra compact smartphones.
Nonetheless, for those who’re in search of a compact cellphone on a finances, you received’t discover a extra succesful choice than the Google Pixel 8a in 2024.
Evaluation: Google Pixel 8aReviewer: Max Parker
Motorola Razr 40 Extremely
Most compact foldable
Execs
Premium clamshell foldable designGenuinely helpful 3.6-inch exterior displayGreat digital camera efficiency from foremost 12MP sensorTop-end 6.9-inch pOLED foldable show
Cons
Battery may solely final a few daySnapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a yr previous
What if you’d like a compact cellphone with out having to compromise on the large-screen expertise? That’s the place foldables come into play.
Whereas technically not a small display screen cellphone with a 6.8-inch 165Hz AMOLED show, the Motorola Razr 40 Extremely folds to half its top when not in use, making its folded footprint rather more compact than most different small telephones in 2024.
It basically supplies the perfect of each worlds: a big, expansive show nice for TikTok and scrolling by means of the net that folds all the way down to a way more compact kind when not in use.
Elsewhere, the Motorola Razr 40 Extremely sports activities a chic, premium design with both a glass or vegan leather-based end, with the latter offering a lot better grip when holding the cellphone one-handed. It’s additionally accessible in fairly fashionable color choices, together with a vibrant Pantone-inspired Viva Magenta end, making it stand out from the group – foldable and in any other case.
It additionally sports activities a stable 12MP foremost digital camera with a formidable f/1.5 aperture and an accompanying 13MP ultrawide that make snapping pictures a fast and simple course of, and because of the foldable nature of the cellphone, you’ll be able to half-open it and use it as a tripod for hands-free seize.
Throw in stable efficiency from the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, all-day battery life, a big, expansive exterior show that helps lower down how typically it is advisable to unfold the cellphone and stable charging and also you’ve obtained an awesome compact foldable.
Evaluation: Motorola Razr 40 Extremely reviewReviewer: Lewis Painter
We additionally thought-about…
FAQs
For our cash, it’s between the iPhone 13 mini and Asus ZenFone 10 relying on whether or not you’re an iOS or Android fan. They’re probably the most compact round whereas nonetheless delivering a comfortably highly effective flagship smartphone expertise.
That totally relies upon; when you can spend lots of on a flagship-level cellphone just like the ZenFone 10, you’ll find cheaper compact choices just like the Pixel 7a.
Trusted Opinions check knowledge
Geekbench 5 single core
Geekbench 5 multi core
Geekbench 6 single core
Geekbench 6 multi core
sRGB
Adobe RGB
DCI-P3
Max brightness
1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)
Battery drain 60-min (music streaming on-line)
Battery drain 60-min (music streaming offline)
30 minute gaming (intensive)
30 minute gaming (gentle)
1 hour music streaming (on-line)
1 hour music streaming (offline)
Time from 0-100% cost
Time from 0-50% cost
30-min recharge (included charger)
15-min recharge (included charger)
15-min recharge (no charger included)
3D Mark – Wild Life
GFXBench – Aztec Ruins
GFXBench – Automotive Chase
›
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Producer
Display screen Measurement
Storage Capability
Rear Digicam
Entrance Digicam
Video Recording
IP ranking
Battery
Wi-fi charging
Quick Charging
Measurement (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Working System
Launch Date
First Reviewed Date
Mannequin Quantity
Decision
HDR
Refresh Fee
Ports
Chipset
RAM
Colors
›