The most compact smartphones of 2022 with a good camera and battery

Mini rating (updated in 2022)

Apple iPhone 12 mini

The most compact iPhone on the market. The phone weighs only 133 grams and does not seem like a heavy burden even for a child. At the same time, the mini is functionally not inferior to the classic iPhone 12, equipped with similar characteristics.

A compact iPhone with a good camera and battery cannot be classified in the mid-budget segment. For the price, this is a full-fledged flagship, but the owner will still be forced to make some compromises. In particular, the battery for this size, although decent, does not always last until the end of the day.

Pros:

• body materials;
• performance;
• photo quality.

Minuses:

• price.

SMALL ZANKO T2

Price: from 5000 rub.

Zanko tiny t2 is a small push-button phone that impresses with its capabilities. Despite its compact size, the model supports 2G and 3G networks, as well as Bluetooth 3.0, FM radio, MP3 and MP4 playback, and even some retro games: Snake, Doodle Jump, Tetris and others.

The dimensions of Tiny t2 are really small - only 61 mm x 30 mm x 16.5 mm, and also weighs 31 g. Of course, such a mini device is comfortable and safe in the hand. The mobile phone is also equipped with a TFT color screen with a resolution of 128 x 96 pixels, a MediaTek MT6276A processor with 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of internal memory. Luckily, the flash memory is expandable up to 32GB via microSD cards to store photos, documents, music and videos. The capacity of the built-in battery is 500 mAh, the declared autonomy is seven days.

Buy

Samsung Galaxy S10e

Samsung has rarely released small phones in recent years, so the Samsung Galaxy S10e should be considered an exception. The device has good hardware, but at the same time it costs significantly less than its Apple competitor. True, in 2022 the S10e is rarely on sale.

In terms of characteristics, in the Samsung Galaxy S10e we get a small device with a dual camera with a wide-angle lens. Perhaps someone will be dissatisfied with the lack of a telephoto, but these are all little things that you have to put up with when it comes to compacts. But what really causes a storm of negative emotions is the Exynos chipset. It gets very hot and often forces you to reduce the brightness of the AMOLED screen.

Pros:

• moisture protection;
• photo opportunities;
• screen.

Minuses:

• chipset.

L8STAR BM70

Price: from 2,300 rubles

The unusual mini-phone L8star BM70 is interesting because it can perform several functions at once.

Firstly, it can be used as a regular phone for calls. Secondly, the device can be used as a Bluetooth headset by placing it in the ear. For this purpose, there is a detachable earphone on the back. Well, the last function is to use the device as a Bluetooth headset paired with the main phone.

The small phone measures 6.2 mm x 2.36 mm x 1.16 mm and weighs only 19 g. The body has a small 0.66-inch screen, a tiny keyboard, a strap holder, a microphone slot and a microUSB connector for charging .

It is unlikely that the L8star BM70 will be able to replace someone’s main phone, but as an additional device it will do a great job.

Google Pixel 5

Not everyone will decide to call a smartphone with a 6-inch screen a compact. However, the Pixel 5 fits such a display into a miniature body using narrow frames. So the weight of 151 grams does not look surprising.

On the technical side, Google Pixel 5 is inferior to its competitors. After all, it uses a mid-budget processor, and not flagship hardware. But the smartphone cameras show excellent results thanks to Google software. The phone has a cool night mode, and the battery allows you to count on a long time of operation without recharging.

Pros:

• software;
• OLED screen with 90Hz support;
• working hours.

Minuses:

• overcharge.

DIGMA LiNX A106

Price: from 500 rubles

The DIGMA Linx A106 push-button telephone boasts a low cost - within 500 rubles. For such a sum, he received a small set of those functions that are found in more expensive, modern smartphones. The Linx A106 has a tiny 1.44-inch monochrome screen with a resolution of 98 x 64 pixels, and the body is made of durable plastic.

The phone supports two SIM cards, a calendar, a timer, a calculator, an alarm clock, an LED flashlight, a 600 mAh battery, and microUSB and 3.5 mm ports.

But it is important to know that the device does not have a camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or navigation. In short, a simple, small mobile device for calls and messages.

Apple iPhone SE 2020

One of the most controversial iPhones in history. This model with a 4.7-inch screen diagonal differs from the iPhone 8 only in the processor. All remaining characteristics are identical, but the price is higher.

Of course, compared to full-fledged flagships, the second generation iPhone SE looks like a mid-budget product. In addition, a potential buyer will certainly be attracted by the compactness of the device. However, the apparent advantages hide many pitfalls. The main one is the battery, which will have to be charged after lunch with active use. Add in the outdated screen, and it becomes clear that the iPhone SE is far from the best option to buy.

Pros:

• IP67 protection;
• relatively low price;
• CPU.

Minuses:

• screen quality;
• autonomy.

AIEK M5

Price: from 2,000 rubles

AIEK M5 is the world's thinnest phone. This device is so thin that it can easily fit into a pocket or wallet with credit cards. Dimensions are only 83 x 53 x 5 mm, and weight is 18 grams.

It's an ideal choice for those who don't need a bulky smartphone or people who want to stay connected without anyone noticing. The AIEK M5 has very limited capabilities. Therefore, it has only the most necessary functionality.

The phone supports 2G networks, operates in four available bands, and the 320 mAh battery lasts for about three full days (or three hours of talk time). Despite its small size, the device has an additional speaker and supports Bluetooth connection. The screen diagonal is only one inch. As you may have guessed, the phone does not support functions for connecting to the Internet.

Jelly 2

Only a few people have heard about this phone, but Jelly 2 is the most compact smartphone of all in today’s rating. The device weighs 110 grams and its length is less than 10 centimeters. At the same time, Jelly 2 is equipped with a good processor for its price and a passable 16 megapixel camera.

When developing such a compact, the developers had to make compromises. Predictably, the phone has modest battery characteristics, which are designed for 2000 mAh. Even with a 3-inch screen, the miniature gadget asks to be charged every 6-8 hours, so there is no need to talk about comfortable use. Another peculiarity is the absence of Jelly 2 in online electronics stores.

Pros:

• maximum compactness;
• not a bad camera.

Minuses:

• discharges quickly.

Rating of inexpensive compact phones with the best price-quality ratio

3rd place. ZTE Blade A3 2020

ZTE Blade A3 2020 was made as cheap as possible for the sake of accessibility to a wide target audience, which forced the manufacturer to make some sacrifices. But we managed to create a good inexpensive compact smartphone with NFC and a small 5.45-inch IPS screen. It was endowed with a modest resolution of 1440x720 pixels, which improves performance and autonomy, but in terms of detail the ZTE Blade A3 2022 is inferior to more expensive competitors.

The characteristics are simplified as much as possible - a Unisoc SC9832E processor with 4 cores and a frequency of 1.4 GHz is used, and the memory is only 1/32 GB. There is one camera on each side - a 5 MP main camera and a simple 2 MP front camera. The elements are powered by a 2600 mAh battery, which only lasts for a day. The phone runs on a lightweight version of Android 9 with the Go Edition prefix, so that it does not slow down with such weak hardware.

Pros:

• The most accessible with NFC;
• Triple tray;
• Convenient and simple;
• Fits well in the hand;
• Good speaker and screen;
• Removable battery.

Minuses:

• Only 1 GB of RAM;
• Widgets cannot be used;
• Applications from which notifications should come are unloaded from memory.

2nd place. ZTE Blade A31

ZTE produces inexpensive and good smartphones

, but for the sake of cheapness, you shouldn’t expect much from them. Blade A31 is attractive due to its small size, which is made possible by the use of a 5.45-inch IPS screen. The body could have been even smaller if not for the large frames around its perimeter. It operates at a modest resolution of 1440x720 pixels, and above it is a 5 MP selfie camera. Its weak point is its f/2.8 aperture, which causes photo quality to drop significantly in low light.

The filling was based on a simple UNISoC SC9863A processor coupled with 2/32 GB of memory. A separate tray can accommodate MicroSD up to 128 GB. Out of the box, the state employee runs on a simplified version of the Android 11 Go edition operating system. There is NFC, a 3.5 mm jack and a 3000 mAh battery, which is enough for a confident day of active use. The main camera is 8 MP.

Pros:

• Removable battery;
• Fits well in the hand;
• There is NFC;
• Price quality;
• Separate tray for memory card;
• Not a bad screen;
• Lightweight and miniature;
• 11 Android out of the box.

Minuses:

• You can't put widgets on the screen;
• No fingerprint scanner;
• When you try to play, the case gets very hot in the upper part.

1 place. Samsung Galaxy A01 Core

Samsung offers the best budget

compact smartphones, a prime example of which is the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core. The cheapest phone in the brand's range received 1/16 GB of memory and an outdated 4-core MediaTek MT6739 processor. In conjunction with Android 10 Go Edition, the interface works moderately quickly, and the autonomy is enough for a day thanks to a 3000 mAh battery.

On the front side we are greeted by a small 5.3-inch PLS display with HD+ resolution. There are no cutouts in it - the 5 MP front camera is placed on top while there is a single 8 MP camera at the back.

Pros:

• Appearance;
• Good screen;
• Value for money;
• Convenient sizes;
• Memory card slot;
• Good autonomy;
• Sturdy body.

Minuses:

• There is no NFC or fingerprint scanner;
• Slow;
• Only 1 GB of RAM.

Galaxy S20

Compared to Jelly 2, the Samsung Galaxy S20 looks like a shovel, but in comparison with other flagships (especially from Chinese manufacturers), the South Korean smartphone seems compact and worthy of attention.

Alas, this is one of those models with a proprietary processor installed. The Exynos 990 does not stand up to criticism due to its low power efficiency and severe throttling. It is flagship only on paper, but not in practice. But this compact is characterized by a cool screen and good cameras.

Pros:

• photo quality;
• protection from moisture and dust;
• screen.

Minuses:

• Exynos 990.

SOYES XS

Price: from 5,900 rubles

The small, stylish SOYES XS smartphone has a clear, bright 3-inch display with a resolution of 845 x 480 pixels and small dimensions - 91 mm x 47 mm x 9.8 mm and weighs 120 g.

The miniature device looks quite modern and overall has good characteristics. The phone runs on Android 7 with a Mediatek MT6737 processor, as well as 2/3 GB of RAM and 12/32 GB of internal memory. The storage capacity is increased by microSD cards, which is already good for such a “baby”.

Like most modern gadgets, this model supports two SIM cards, Bluetooth, WI-FI and cameras.

You won't be able to pay for purchases using this device, since there is no NFC support, and you won't be able to use it as a remote control due to the lack of an infrared port.

SOYES XS received an impressive 1580 mAh battery for a miniature device, but without wireless and fast charging. Disadvantages also include the lack of protection from dust and water. However, despite all these shortcomings, the phone is quite functional both for home and work.

Buy

Google Pixel 4a

The most affordable smartphone in the Google product line, which also has modest dimensions, thanks to which the Pixel 4a can safely be called a representative of compact devices.

The device is equipped with mid-budget characteristics, among which the OLED display stands out. One camera in 2022 is a rarity due to the shortcomings of the device. However, even a 12-megapixel sensor framed by proprietary software can give odds to any mid-budget smartphone from China.

Pros:

• ergonomics;
• matrix quality;
• Android optimization.

Minuses:

• overcharge.

Palm

Price: from 19,000 rubles

Palm is perhaps the most unusual device on our list. If you try to describe it in a few words, it will be “a phone for your phone.” The exclusive device from Verizon will cost just $250, and its main goal is to save you from having to take your main smartphone with you everywhere.

The device was developed by former Samsung executives and allows you to remotely receive calls and messages coming to your “main” phone (which can be located at home). If you use a smartphone for work, then Palm is a great choice for those who want to relax and unwind on the weekend or while on vacation.

To configure Palm you will need a special synchronization application, which is included in the kit. After this, you can receive calls, messages and other important notifications on your mini smartphone.

Among the features of Palm, we can highlight the fact that the device has a full-fledged Android operating system, a 12-megapixel camera and dimensions of 50 by 96 mm. As for service life, a full battery charge lasts approximately 7.5 hours.

Buy

Samsung Galaxy A40

An inexpensive smartphone from a well-known brand was a bestseller in 2019-2020. Now the Galaxy A40 is rarely found in stores, but those who want to purchase a compact device continue to look for this model.

The smartphone runs on Android framed by the proprietary One UI shell. The firmware adds a number of new functions, but overall does not greatly affect the capabilities of the device. The performance of the Galaxy A40 is limited by the Exynos processor. It has difficulty ensuring stable operation of the interface, but this shortcoming is more than compensated for by the quality of the AMOLED screen. Also among the advantages it is worth highlighting the lightness of the phone and the dual camera.

Pros:

• AMOLED screen;
• two cameras;
• weighs 140 grams.

Minuses:

• performance.

UNIWA XS11

Price: from 3,500 rubles

UNIWA XS11 has a fairly modern design. The dimensions of the phone are 85 mm x 43 mm x 9 mm. This miniature model can be placed in any pocket or bag and stay connected in any case.

Despite its compact size, the device boasts two SIM cards, cameras, Bluetooth, WI-FI, GPRS, FM radio, an external memory card slot, a quad-core processor and a 1000 mAh battery. UNIWA XS11 also runs on Android and supports many popular applications for communication, work and entertainment.

Buy

Samsung Galaxy A41

Unlike the Galaxy A40, released a year earlier, the A41 turned out to be a larger smartphone. However, compared to the conventional POCO X3 NFC, this device continues to look compact.

Compared to the Galaxy A40, the phone has undergone major changes. The screen diagonal has increased and the frames have become smaller. Now the camera is equipped with three sensors with a wide-angle lens, and the main module is designed for 48 megapixels.

In good lighting, the Samsung Galaxy A41 takes excellent pictures, but even at night the camera copes well with its duties. It cannot be said that the installation of Helio P65 greatly affected the performance of the gadget, but in the interface the smartphone works more stable and does not perform poorly in games.

Pros:

• screen quality;
• 48 megapixel camera;
• optimization.

Minuses:

• build quality.

How we test smartphones

For a smartphone—any smartphone, not just the best small phones—to make our list, it must succeed in several tests we run on every phone. We conduct some of these tests in our laboratories and some in real-world conditions.

In terms of performance, we rely on synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 5 and GFXBench to measure graphics performance. These tests allow us to compare the performance of iPhone and Android devices. We also run a real-world video transcoding test on each phone using the Adobe Premiere Rush app and time the result.

To measure the quality of a phone's display, we run lab tests to determine panel brightness (in nits) as well as how colorful each screen is (DCI-P3 color gamut). In these cases, higher numbers are better. We also measure each panel's color accuracy using a Delta-E rating, where lower values ​​are better and a score of 0 is perfect.

One of the most important tests we perform is the Tom's Guide Battery Test. We run a web surfing test on 5G or 4G networks at 150 nits of screen brightness until the battery runs out. In general, a phone that lasts 10 hours or more is good, and anything over 11 hours makes our list of the best phone battery life.

Last but not least, we take the best phones into the field for outdoor, indoor, and low-light photography at night to see how they perform compared to their closest competitors. We shoot landscapes, food, portraits and more, and let you be the judge of side-by-side comparisons in our reviews.

Apple iPhone 8

This smartphone was already mentioned in passing during the course of the material when talking about the second generation iPhone SE. That device took the iPhone 8 as a basis, both in terms of appearance and hardware. At the same time, the “eight” is noticeably cheaper, and therefore is a good option for purchase.

The buyer of the iPhone 8 must be aware of all the shortcomings of the smartphone. A battery with a capacity of less than 2000 mAh drains quickly and rarely survives to the end of the working day. The camera also lacks stars from the sky, but sometimes the 12-megapixel sensor can surpass the quality of the 48MP sensor installed in the Galaxy A41. And the performance of the processor, even if it appeared several years ago, continues to give a head start.

Pros:

• premium materials;
• moisture protection;
• optimized shell.

Minuses:

• screen;
• autonomy.

MELROSE S9X

Price: from 3,400 rubles

We cannot ignore the small Melrose S9X smartphone. Like other miniature devices, it has small dimensions - 100 mm x 45 mm x 8.8 mm, and, accordingly, a small screen - only 2.5 inches.

The phone has Bluetooth, WI-FI, 2G, 3G, a 2 MP camera, a quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, as well as a 1000 mAh battery. The miniature model runs on the Android 6 operating system.

The characteristics of the Melrose S9X are quite good for a small device, so it copes with tasks quickly and without glitches. And due to its compact size, it fits easily into a pocket and provides the owner with communication in any conditions.

Buy

Google Pixel 3

Another “oldie”, but this time from Google. At one time, this smartphone was very popular, because by the release of Pixel 3 it became obvious that not a single smartphone manufacturer was able to outperform the software of Google devices, aimed at creating cool pictures.

Even with just one camera, the Pixel 3 is a coveted device for mobile photographers. The standard application is equipped with an advanced night mode, which compensates for the insufficient aperture of the matrix. The processor also does not cause any complaints, but there are serious questions regarding battery life. Yes, the Pixel lasts longer than the second-generation iPhone SE or iPhone 8, but it still falls short of the best performance.

Pros:

• photo quality;
• IP68 protection;
• display.

Minuses:

• working hours.

Huawei Honor 9S

An ultra-budget model aimed at those who do not require their smartphone to have an advanced camera or a powerful chipset. Honor 9S is a device with a basic set of functions for watching videos, surfing the web and communicating on social networks.

When talking about the poor performance of the Honor 9S, you need to take into account the cost of the device. The phone sells for less than 10 thousand rubles and for this money it looks like a good option. But the gadget also has disadvantages, and they are significant. The disadvantage of Honor 9S is typical, among other things, for other representatives of the brand. The smartphone is deprived of Google services due to US sanctions, so the owner will have a lot of problems installing popular applications.

Pros:

• price;
• ergonomics.

Minuses:

• no Google certification.

Compact phone with the most powerful battery

1 place. Doogee S59 Pro

A small smartphone under 20,000 rubles is equipped with a loud speaker that produces 100 dB at peak power. It received a powerful 10050 mAh battery, allowing you to forget about recharging for a long time. By the way, it happens at a speed of 24 W. The case has a high degree of protection from external influences

. It is protected from water according to the IP69 standard and is not afraid of shocks, which is confirmed by compliance with the American military standard MIL-STD-810. It is assembled from metal and plastic with a corrugated non-slip coating on the back.

The heart of the Doogee S59 Pro is the 8-core MediaTek Helio P22 chipset with basic performance. It is complemented by 4/128 GB of memory. The volume can be increased by MicroSD up to 256 GB, but for this you will have to give up the second SIM card. There is NFC and a fingerprint scanner on the side.

The display is made using IPS technology and stretches to 5.71 inches. It works at a modest resolution of 1520x720 pixels, which gives them a low density per inch of 295 ppi. A 16 MP front camera is built into the drop-shaped cutout at the top, while a quad camera of 16, 8, 2 and 8 MP greets us from behind.

Pros:

• Screen film included;
• The most autonomous in our rating;
• Highest level of protection against water and mechanical influences;
• Loud, and most importantly good sound;
• Memory capacity;
• Connection quality;
• NFC available.

Minuses:

• Hybrid tray;
• Heavy and massive body;
• When you turn on the power saving mode, you can only make calls.

Xiaomi Redmi 7A

An ultra-budget answer from Xiaomi, which offers the best smartphone for your money. The only thing the Redmi 7A lacks is an NFC sensor. That is, contactless payment for purchases with this model becomes impossible, which every potential buyer should remember.

Putting aside the impossibility of contactless payment, you can focus on the advantages of the gadget. These include optimization of a weak but stable processor, as well as battery life. Redmi 7A holds a charge for a long time and is able to compete in this indicator with the newer and larger Redmi 9A. Finally, a certain feature of the model is its heavy weight in combination with miniature dimensions.

Pros:

• price;
• optimization;
• autonomy.

Minuses:

• no NFC.