Despite the fact that smartphones are getting larger and larger, there are still some that are about 6 inches. Here are our picks for the top small smartphones currently available on the market.
In order to accommodate larger OLED panels, modern smartphone screens have almost completely eliminated their borders. 6 to 7 inch screens, which were once reserved for phablets, have become standard for popular smartphones.
Don’t give up if you like being able to hold your phone in one hand or putting it in a pocket without ruining your skinny jeans. Some brands still manufacture compact smartphones that aren’t at all ridiculous in terms of their features, on the contrary.
Manufacturers have surpassed the symbolic threshold of a 6-inch screen for a small smartphone as the market has developed. As a result, devices with 6.1-inch panels, which are currently also regarded as small sizes, can be found in this selection. This guide also includes foldable smartphones, which provide yet another option for a small design.
Here is our pick for the top small smartphones available right now. We suggest reading fully this article, so you can compare the selected smartphones.
THE BEST COMPACT SMARTPHONES
iPhone 13 mini
Despite rumors that the format might be retired, Apple unveiled the iPhone 13 mini as a successor to the iPhone 12 mini. We are still using a smaller, more compact version of the iPhone 13 that is visually identical. Additionally, the 13 mini manages to be smaller thanks to its thinner edges, despite having a 5.4-inch screen that is bigger than the iPhone SE 2020’s. Even though the phone has gotten a little thicker, it still fits comfortably in a pocket and is still enjoyable to use with one hand.
It uses exactly the same parts as the iPhone 13, its bigger variant. Therefore, we are entitled to the extremely powerful Bionic A15 processor and a bigger battery. And given that we get an additional 1hr 30 min of autonomy on a charge, we must admit that the latter works great. This effectively means that the iPhone 13 mini can now operate without recharging for a full day.
The phone gains camera sensors from the iPhone 12 Pro, which significantly improves low-light performance. Apple, therefore, fixes a few minor flaws in the prior generation with this one and firmly places the iPhone 13 mini on top of the podium for small smartphones. This is the most recent “mini” model from Apple, as the company did not update the concept with the iPhone 14 generation.
Galaxy S22
The Galaxy S22 was one of the most anticipated smartphones of 2022. The S22, the standard model in the Samsung Galaxy S line, has the least amount of power available, but it is still a high-end product. The device’s 6.1-inch screen effectively places it in the current class of compact smartphones.
Determining factors that provide exceptional ergonomics include the format and material selection. The Full HD AMOLED screen performs superbly, as usual with Samsung. The games and movies will look better thanks to the adaptive refresh rate of the screen at 120 Hz and the accurate colorimetry.
Even though the smartphone has one of the best designs, its performance needs some improvement. When compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, the Exynos 2200-equipped model available in several regions performs slowly. The 3,700 mAh battery is not great, it must be admitted, which is another flaw always present in compact smartphones.
The camera portion of the device has three sensors and is very versatile. It has a really high performance. But there are still a few settings to play with in order to get flawless shots. This small smartphone is not the most affordable at $799. But, with Samsung’s quality, it will let you have a very good compact smartphone.
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Asus Zenfone 9
High-end smartphones that are approaching a compact aspect are quite uncommon. But Asus persisted, and the Zenfone 9 is an excellent example of that. It’s a flagship device in a compact size, which is an increasingly rare format.
It comes with a stunning 5.9-inch AMOLED screen. This one can display at Full HD + despite being quite small. All of this is enhanced by a variable refresh rate. Depending on how you use it, it varies between 120Hz and 60Hz to give you the best experience.
Despite its small size, the phone has a lot of power. Simply put, a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor powers the device. Eight gigabytes of RAM complete the setup. It’s enough to deliver excellent gaming performance!
And lastly, this small smartphone offers surprisingly strong autonomy. The Zenfone 9’s 4,300 mAh battery enables exceptional endurance; it can easily last a day and a half. You are entitled to one of the best experiences imaginable with the added benefit of a charge in an hour and a quarter.
The photo quality of this Asus Zenfone 9 is the only drawback to this otherwise great general observation. At this price, it should shine more, but instead, it is content with a dual sensor on the back that is just good.
Pixel 6a
Google is doing well with the Pixel 6a, a less expensive and smaller version of the Pixel 6 series. There are many benefits to the new range addition that stands out, starting with the fact that it is lightweight and enjoyable to use. Even though we regret a refresh rate cap of 60 Hz, its gorgeous 6.1-inch OLED screen is perfectly calibrated.
Thanks to its Tensor chip, the artificial intelligence champion, Google’s new phone accomplishes all your requests with software integration that is obviously flawless (Android 12 upgradable to Android 13). Above all else, it excels at taking pictures. For just $449, it is simply unrivaled in its category. It’s great for taking portraits, night shots and moving targets.
The smartphone has decent autonomy but we regret having just an 18W charge speed. However, the Pixel 6a is without a doubt a good option for those looking for a small, attractive, and robust smartphone if they keep an eye out for various price drops.
Galaxy Z Flip 4
One might be perplexed as to the inclusion of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 given its 6.7-inch size. The Z Flip 4 is very small when folded because it is then only half its original size. The fact that it weighs only 187 grams also contributes to the “small object” effect. It is simple to put into a pocket.
Naturally, Samsung has taken note of the criticisms leveled at the Z Flip 3 and has made an effort to address them in this new version. This is especially true for the battery life, which has increased from 7 to 11 hours. Let’s be clear: It brings nothing new, but it does, on a daily basis, become more feasible. On the other hand, we regret the continued slow charging, a Samsung-specific flaw that the Korean producer does not appear to want to address.
Using the most recent Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC is also a great idea because we get good power without overheating. What about that infamous screen that folds? It is a very high-quality, 22:9, 120 Hz adaptive panel. Samsung still needs to work on this side as the crease is still discernible and noticeable. The phone’s camera looks to be performing quite well, but it falls short of the Galaxy S22. The Z Flip 4 is a smartphone that stands out because it provides a large screen in a very small package. It has some flaws, but overall, it’s a pleasant experience.
