Smartphones come in many shapes and sizes, but choosing a good smartphone that is also tiny is a little more difficult. Smaller phones have traditionally been concentrated on the low end of the market because smaller displays are less expensive to manufacture, but we have seen a rebirth of small phones in the luxury end ...
Smartphones come in many shapes and sizes, but choosing a good smartphone that is also tiny is a little more difficult.
Smaller phones have traditionally been concentrated on the low end of the market because smaller displays are less expensive to manufacture, but we have seen a rebirth of small phones in the luxury end of the market in recent years with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Asus ZenFone 10.
However, it remains challenging to find a smartphone that is both tiny and provides a satisfying smartphone experience. That is why we thoroughly benchmarked each option on our list, with our reviewers switching SIM cards and transferring all apps and data to test real-world performance.
We take into account screen size, dimensions, and weight, in addition to the usual performance, camera, and battery testing that we do with all smartphone reviews, and we have divided our list into categories – best small Android, best small mid-ranger, and more – to make the decision easier.
It is definitely worth noting that our official definition of a small phone is one with a maximum display size of 6.1 inches; nevertheless, if there are any exceptions to this criterion in our selection below, we will make sure to explain why. If you have changed your mind and are now tempted by something a little larger, check out our list of the top smartphones and Android phones for more ideas.
If you need a little phone but want to continue with Android, the Asus ZenFone 10 is your best option. It is not quite as little as the iPhone 13 mini, with a 5.9-inch 120Hz OLED display, but it is still modest in comparison to other Android flagships, which have 6.7- or even 6.8-inch displays. And, like with the iPhone 13 mini, do not be fooled by its diminutive size; this is a flagship smartphone with blockbuster specs.
That contains the latest and greatest Qualcomm CPU, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, as well as 8GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, allowing the ZenFone 10 to handle everything you throw at it with ease. Gaming was also enjoyable on the small phone, which managed to stay cool even throughout extended gameplay sessions.
There is also excellent camera performance from a 50MP main and a 13MP ultrawide, particularly in terms of image stabilisation, and a 32MP RGBW selfie camera produces some of the best selfies we have seen this year. What actually distinguishes the ZenFone 10 from the competition is its highly customizable approach to Android 13.
You may either use Asus’ ZenUI skin or something very similar to pure Android, with Material You and other UI customization options. It outperforms almost every other Android OEM, making it a pleasure to use on a daily basis. Add in a comfortable all-day battery life with a 4,300mAh cell, and you have got a fantastic tiny Android smartphone that will not break the bank.
The Asus ZenFone 10 remains the smallest flagship Android smartphone available, but the Samsung Galaxy S24 is not only more powerful, but also has a larger screen in a body that is only slightly larger than the ZenFone’s.
The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is somewhat larger than last year’s 6.1-inch panel, but do not worry; this is feasible because Samsung reduced the screen’s bezels, leaving the form factor nearly equal to its older sister. That means it is not only larger while preserving a compact form factor, but it also has high-end features like an LTPO-enabled 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a maximum brightness of 2600nits.
It gets a little confused in the chipset sector, with the Exynos 2400 chipset available in the UK, Europe, and other regions, yet the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy is available in the United States.
We evaluated the former, but we benchmarked the latter, and it is evident that the Snapdragon-equipped edition outperforms in GPU tests, but you will not notice a difference in regular use. It is fast and responsive, and it makes use of GenAI capabilities to deliver on-device translation, voice recording transcription, and other features. That could only get better with its improved seven-year OS upgrade cycle, which is the longest of any small-screen phone now available.
The only disappointment is camera performance; while it is far from a bad camera setup, consisting of a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto, it is been unchanged for the third year in a row, and as a result, there are more powerful options on the market – though many of these are attached to larger screens like Samsung’s own 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Still, if you are seeking for a reliable small-screen flagship that can handle just about anything, the Galaxy S24 is a compelling alternative.
What if your budget does not cover flagship-level devices like the S24 or ZenFone 10? The Google Pixel 8a is our top pick for tiny smartphone aficionados on a tight budget.
The Pixel 8a measures 6.1 inches, has a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and uses Actua technology from the flagship Pixel 8 to improve brightness to 2000nits. It is also a lovely, compact size that feels well in the hand, especially with the Pixel 8a’s rounded corners.
The Pixel 7a flexes its mid-range muscles in the camera department, where it uses the flagship-level Tensor G2 chipset to power a variety of AI features such as Super Res Zoom and Night Sight, as well as exclusive photo editing features that remove background distractions and sharpen blurry images.
That AI goodness extends to the overall experience, with the Pixel 8a’s stock Android 14 littered with useful AI features to improve your day-to-day, from displaying upcoming calendar invites and the weather on the Home screen to Recently Played, an AI feature that detects music in your surroundings as you go about your day – a real boon for music discovery.
The battery life is also good, but it is still only a one-day gadget, which is one of the drawbacks of more compact smartphones. Still, if you want a tiny phone on a cheap, the Google Pixel 8a in 2024 is the best option.
If you are seeking for a really compact Android smartphone with a large-screen experience, a solid camera, powerful performance, and an all-day battery life, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (or Razr+ 2024 if you are in the US) is the best option.
While the main 6.9-inch 165Hz pOLED panel is far from small, it outperforms some of the largest smartphones on the market. When folded, the external display measures only 4 inches. This is ideal for one-handed use because all corners are easily accessible with just your thumb.
Not only is the external screen small yet highly functional, but the handset itself is only 15mm thick when folded, making it easy to sneak into your pocket or purse. You will not have to worry about scratches because the display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
Aside from the screens, the Razr 50 Ultra has two updated back cameras: a 50MP main and a 50MP 2x telephoto, with the latter replacing the ultrawide lens on the previous generation model. We were generally pleased with the new lenses’ performance, albeit the phone struggled with difficult photos such as brilliant sunsets, and HDR performance was occasionally hit-or-miss.
The phone features the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which, while not Qualcomm’s most recent engine, is nonetheless powerful and performed well in our CPU and GPU benchmark tests when compared to the foldable competitors, with no significant differences in everyday use.
Whether you want the tiniest smartphone possible or simply want to recreate the flip phone experience of the noughties, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is an excellent choice for the majority of people.
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Robert Haba is the founder and editor-in-chief of Droid Tools. A lifelong gadget enthusiast with over a decade following the Android ecosystem, he built this publication to cut through the noise and give readers honest, real-world coverage of the tech they actually use.
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