Large smartphones have dominated the market for a while, but for some, they are uncomfortable to hold. Small Android phones are worthy rivals if you’re not fond of pocket-breaking dimensions.

Small phones are suitable for traveling because they can easily fit in pockets or bags and still leave enough space for other essentials.

Here are the best small Android phones on the market.

Premium pick

1. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

9.60 / 10
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The foldable form factor of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 sets it apart from most small Android phones. Its main 6.7-inch screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for gaming. And along with 1200cd/m², the screen is bright enough to handle sunny days, without feeling dull.

On the outside, there’s a 1.9-inch outer cover display where you can set widgets for weather alerts, your step count, and music controls for easy access on the move. This makes it easy to see your most-used features on your phone at a glance, as well as helpful notifications. Onboard is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset plus 8GB RAM that delivers reliable performance.

This model features the Gorilla Glass Victus, which protects your phone against dents and scratches. This is ideal if you don't have a phone case or screen protector. For further protection, it has an IPX8 waterproof rating, meaning this phone can withstand immersion in water (over one meter deep).

Key Features
  • 1,200 nits brightness
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • Adreno 660 GPU
  • 426 PPI density
Specifications
  • Brand: Samsung
  • SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
  • Display: 6.7-inch, 2640x1080
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128GB
  • Battery: 3,300mAh
  • Ports: 1x USB Type-C 2.0
  • Operating System: Android 11
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 2x 12MP, 10MP
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi, dual-band, 5G, LTE
  • Dimensions: 86.4 x 72.2 x 17.1-15.9 mm (folded), 166.0 x 72.2 x 6.9 mm
  • Colors: 4
  • Display type: Dynamic AMOLED
  • Weight: 0.81lbs
  • Charge speed: Adaptive fast charging, quick charge 2.0, wired charging, wireless charging
  • IP Rating: IPX8
Pros
  • Powerful snapdragon chipset
  • Water-resistant body
  • Foldable design
Cons
  • The battery capacity isn’t very big
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
Editors choice

2. Moto G Fast

9.40 / 10
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The Moto G Fast features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chip that allows for easy navigation of applications, whether you’re on social media or responding to emails. It's also suitable for gaming, so you can play medium-level titles like Asphalt 9 without skipped frames and frequent crashes.

Its streamlined body houses a triple rear camera system with various shooting modes. As such, you can capture detailed close-up photos and high-quality macro objects in different environments. The 6.4-inch display is fairly large for content consumption, delivering vivid images and sharp text with its 720p resolution, so you can enjoy the latest shows and YouTube videos, even when viewing from a distance.

The Moto G Fast's screen is bright enough to cater to different lighting conditions, plus you won’t encounter any challenges with the viewing angles. Its 4,000mAh battery can take you through the entire day and still leave some power for late-night browsing, so it's ideal for long periods of usage.

Key Features
  • IPS LCD screen
  • Water-repellent coating
  • Rear-mounted fingerprint
  • Adreno 610 GPU
Specifications
  • Brand: Motorola
  • SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
  • Display: 6.4-inch, 1560x720
  • RAM: 3GB
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Battery: 4,000mAh
  • Ports: 1x USB Type-C 2.0, 1x 3.5mm jack
  • Operating System: Android 10
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 16MP, 2MP, 8MP (rear), 8MP (front)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11, 4G
  • Dimensions: 6.37 x 2.98 x 0.36 inches
  • Colors: 3
  • Display type: IPS LCD
  • Weight: 0.42lbs
  • Charge speed: Supports fast charging
  • IP Rating: None
Pros
  • Decent performance
  • Excellent battery life
  • Large and bright display
Cons
  • Some overheating issues
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Moto G Fast
Best value

3. TCL A30

9.20 / 10
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The TCL A30 is a small Android smartphone that’s suitable if you’re on a shoestring budget. It features a bright 5.5-inch display that lets you enjoy vibrant visuals. Its adaptive technology adjusts the brightness according to your environment, giving you an ideal viewing experience.

One of its outstanding features is smart manager optimization, which improves the performance and battery life of your phone by closing unnecessary apps in the background. It also scans for malware that forces you to download third-party apps and view irrelevant web pages.

This model supports Google Assistant, so it offers an effortless way to send messages, ask questions, and perform other handy tasks. The face unlock feature frees you from the need to memorize complex passwords. It analyzes your facial features even when viewing your phone from a glance, allowing you to respond to messages and emails quickly.

Key Features
  • Google Assistant button
  • 18:9 screen-to-body ratio
  • Supports a 512GB microSD card
  • Face unlock
Specifications
  • Brand: TCL
  • SoC: MediaTek Helio P22 MT6762
  • Display: 5.5-inch, 720x1440
  • RAM: 3GB
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Battery: 3,000mAh
  • Ports: 1x micro-USB 2.0, 1x 3.5mm jack
  • Operating System: Android 11
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 8MP (rear), 5MP (front)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, A-GPS
  • Dimensions: 6.18 x 3.43 x 2.32 inches
  • Colors: 1
  • Display type: TFT LCD
  • Weight: 0.044lbs
  • Charging: Wired charging
Pros
  • Slim form factor
  • Decent performance
  • Great battery life
Cons
  • The design isn’t very appealing
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The compact design and premium finish are some features that make the Google Pixel 5 a great pick. Its narrow frame and rounded edge feel nice in your hands for maximum comfort when surfing the web or typing.

When it comes to picture quality, the six-inch OLED display produces stunning images. It supports three color profiles, adaptive (default), natural, and boosted, which allow you to view accurately rendered colors. The trimmed borders maximize the screen size to make your content more lifelike.

If you enjoy photography, the portrait selfie mode is a handy addition. Once you take a photo, you can tweak the location of the light, which makes a significant difference in the final output. The dual rear camera captures vibrant colors that don’t look over-saturated, even in different environments.

Key Features
  • Rear-mounted fingerprint
  • Corning Gorilla Glass 6
  • Aluminum frame and back
Specifications
  • Brand: Google
  • SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
  • Display: 6-inch, 1080x2340
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128GB
  • Battery: 4,080mAh
  • Ports: USB Type-C 3.1
  • Operating System: Android 11
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 12.2MP, 16MP (rear), 8MP (front)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS
  • Dimensions: 5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches
  • Colors: 2
  • Display type: OLED
  • Weight: 0.9lbs
  • Charge speed: Fast charging reverse charging, wireless charging, wired charging
  • IP Rating: IP68
Pros
  • Great Android software experience
  • Decent battery life
  • 5G-enabled
  • High-quality body
Cons
  • Storage is limited to 128GB
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Google Pixel 5

If snappy performance is what you’re looking for in a small phone, the Sony Xperia 5 III is a worthy choice. It stands out with its Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 chipset and 8GB RAM. Such a combination gives the device the power to handle everything you throw at it, whether demanding games or editing apps.

The triple camera setup with four versatile lenses helps you expand your creative photography skills. Another significant feature is the object tracking mode, which keeps fast-paced subjects in sharp focus, so they won’t appear blurry. There are also artistic bokeh effects for editing photos.

The Corning Gorilla Glass 6 withstands falls up to 1.6 meters high onto a hard surface, protecting your phone from dents. The glass back is also resistant to scratches, so it will retain a clean look for a long time.

Key Features
  • Side-mounted fingerprint
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • Adreno 660 GPU
Specifications
  • Brand: Sony
  • SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
  • Display: 6.1-inch, 1080x2520
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB
  • Battery: 4,500mAh
  • Ports: 1x USB Type-C 3.1 3.5mm jack
  • Operating System: Android 11
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 3x 12MP (rear), 8MP (front)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS
  • Dimensions: 6.18 x 2.68 x 0.32 inches
  • Colors: 3
  • Display type: OLED
  • Weight: 0.93lbs
  • Charging: Fast charging, USB power delivery
  • IP Rating: IP65/68
Pros
  • Minimalist design
  • Incredible battery life
  • Easy one-hand operation
  • Great for gaming
Cons
  • Doesn’t support wireless charging
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Sony Experia 5 III

If you're looking for a small phone that offers great picture quality, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is an excellent pick. It boasts a triple camera system, 50MP (OIS, PDAF) + 10 MP (Telephoto, OIS) + 12 MP (Ultra-wide) that captures detailed photos in different environments. This phone also has an 8K super steady technology for recording high-definition videos with minimal blur on moving subjects.

The 6.1-inch AMOLED display delivers sharp images, providing an immersive viewing experience. The screen reaches a peak brightness of 1,300 nits, which is decent for outdoor use. You won’t struggle to read emails or check social media feeds since everything looks vivid from all angles.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 features an Exynos 2200 (4nm) chipset, which provides incredible processing power for a smooth gaming experience. There’s also a 120Hz refresh rate that increases the response time, so you won’t experience frequent visual latency.

Key Features
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
  • Exynos 2200 (4nm) chipset
  • Armor aluminum frame
  • Nightography mode
Specifications
  • Brand: Samsung
  • SoC: Qualcomm Snagdragon8 Gen 1
  • Display: 6.1-inch, 1080x2340
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128GB
  • Battery: 3,700mAh
  • Ports: 1x USB Type-C 3.2, stereo speakers
  • Operating System: Android 12
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 50MP, 10MP, 12MP (rear), 10MP (front)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11, NFC, GPS
  • Dimensions: 6.42 x 3.43 x 1.06 inches
  • Colors: 5
  • Display type: Dynamic AMOLED
  • Weight: 0.67lbs
  • Charging: Fast charging, reverse wireless charging, Qi/PMA wireless charging, USB power delivery
  • IP Rating: IP68
Pros
  • Excellent camera performance
  • Bright and punchy display
  • Powerful processor
  • Durable build quality
Cons
  • Low battery capacity
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Samsung Galaxy S22 (Phone)

The Asus Zenfone 8 delivers flagship-level performance despite its small body. This phone pairs 8GB RAM with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chip, so it smoothly handles whatever apps and games you throw at it. You won’t have to stare at your screen waiting for a work-related app to open, making this phone ideal for your daily tasks.

The model easily slides into your pocket as it only measures 6.65 x 3.5 x 2.44 inches. It also weighs 1.85 pounds only, so it won’t weigh you down when moving around.

With an IP68 rating, you can use your phone beside the pool without worrying about water splashes. It's a great choice if you spend a lot of time outdoors. The 5.9-inch AMOLED screen delivers vibrant visuals, so you'll enjoy viewing detailed images wherever you are.

Key Features
  • 120Hz AMOLED screen
  • ZenUI interface
  • Dual SIM slots
Specifications
  • Brand: Asus
  • SoC: Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888
  • Display: 5.9-inch, 1080x2400
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128GB
  • Battery: 4,000mAh
  • Ports: 1x USB Type-C 2.0
  • Operating System: Android 11
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 64MP, 12MP (rear), 12MP (front)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, FM radio
  • Dimensions: 6.65 x 3.5 x 2.44 inches
  • Colors: 2
  • Display type: Super AMOLED
  • Weight: 1.85lbs
  • Charging: Fast charging, reverse charging, USB power delivery
  • IP Rating: IP68
Pros
  • Next-level performance
  • Captures stunning photos
  • Bright screen
Cons
  • No wireless charging
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Asus Zenfone 8

FAQ

Q: Can I Repair My Small Android Phone at Home?

Yes, you can, mainly if the problem isn’t hardware-related. If you’re experiencing frequent lag and delays, chances are the RAM is under intense pressure. To fix this annoying issue, ensure that you clear the cache regularly, delete apps that overpower the RAM, and remove unused files. These tricks also help minimize frequent overheating.

However, if it’s water damage, charging port issues, or a broken screen, visit a reputable service center.

Q: How Can I Maximize My Phone’s Battery Life?

First, you need to determine what’s draining your battery. Thankfully, Android phones have a ‘battery usage’ option where you track apps that consume energy the most. If they’re apps you can do without, consider uninstalling them.

Lowering the screen brightness also helps maximize battery life. Other things include closing running applications, deactivating your Wi-Fi or GPS when not in use, and enabling the power-saving mode.

Q: Are Small Android Phones Powerful?

Yes, they are, despite the compact body.

Most small Android phones have versatile processors and sufficient RAM, meaning they can easily handle most of your computing needs. From gaming to watching HD movies, you’ll find one that perfectly suits your needs. Some have powerful camera systems that let you expand your creative photography skills.