The best compact and small smartphones: top ranking 2022

The best small phones really exist - you just need to know where to look

The best small phones are still a rarity, especially on Android. Smartphone displays continue to get bigger and bigger, with giants like the Galaxy S21 Ultra. This is fine for people who like larger screens, but there are very few options for those who prefer to comfortably use their smartphone with one hand .

If you believe that good things come in small packages, you'd better take a look at Apple's lineup . The iPhone maker continues to dominate the small phone market with a number of good options, including the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE. Google is also supporting this segment by offering devices that are as convenient as they are affordable.

A notable benefit of choosing a small phone is that they usually cost less than the Plus, Max or Ultra-sized versions of the same device.

[article updated February 20, 2022]

Apple iPhone SE (2020) 64GB

Dimensions (WxHxD): 67.30×138.40×7.30 mm

iPhone SE (2020) remains the only compact flagship on the market (UPDATE - no longer available, information below). It has a 4.7-inch screen, a very decent camera, a processor with a huge power reserve and a well-recognized appearance.

Speaking of the latter, why does the iPhone SE (2020) look so suspiciously like the iPhone 8? Actually, because the SE (2020) uses a G8 body, as does the display, although the former does not have 3D Touch.

Other differences include the new A13 Bionic processor, eSIM support, Wi-Fi 6, and an additional gigabyte of RAM.

Despite minor changes, the iPhone SE (2020) simply has no competitors in the current market.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 4.7 inches / 1334×750

Device weight: 148 g

Processor: Apple A13 Bionic

RAM / internal memory: 3 GB / 64 GB

Battery capacity: 1812 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 7 MP / 12 MP

Memory card slot: no

The best small phones you can buy today

The iPhone 12 mini is actually smaller than the iPhone SE, despite the larger screen, and also supports 5G.

ZTE Blade A31 – 159 mm in height

Affordable compact smartphone from ZTE

The company announced this device on October 31, 2022 and launched it on October 31, 2022.

Display : 6.0-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors supported The phone has a resolution of 480 x 960 pixels with a PPI of 179.

Body and Sensors: Made of glass at the front and plastic at the back, the mobile measures 159.2mm in height, 77.5mm in width and 9.6mm in thickness. The mobile is available in 2 colors in the market. These colors are blue and gray. Be an accelerometer sensor. Face unlock is also quite correct.

Network: The phone supports 3G & 4G Network. In addition, there are GPRS and EDGE capabilities. HSPA, LTE speed on the phone.

Performance: Android 11 (Go Edition) operating system and Spreadtrum UniSoC SC9863A (28nm), octa-core (4x1.6GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2GHz Cortex-A55) on the phone.

RAM and ROM: The company launched the phone in 1 2GB/32GB variant. In the case of games, graphics and RAM are quite good. Games can be launched easily and play quite smoothly.

iPhone 13 mini – 131 mm in height

small phone with good camera

Possible dual cameras
Comprehensive 5G support
Incredible A15 Bionic processor
The base model only has 64GB of memory.
No charger included

The iPhone 13 mini isn't just Apple's best small phone, beating the impressive iPhone SE - it's the best small phone you can get right now. Even though the 5.4-inch OLED screen is larger than what you'll find on many phones, including the SE, Apple managed to squeeze it into an ultra-slim 5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29-inch form factor. which fits easily in the palm of your computer. hand.

However, it's not just about size. The powerful A15 Bionic processor powers the iPhone 13 mini, meaning Apple's smallest device has the same performance as the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The dual rear cameras on the iPhone 13 mini produce some of the best photos we've seen, and while we want the little phone to last longer on a charge, Apple's MagSafe accessories make charging the device easier. If you like phones that are easy to hold and use with one hand, the iPhone 13 mini is for you.

iPhone SE (2020) - 138mm tall

iPhone SE has almost everything you could want in a modern phone, but it's incredibly compact and costs just $399.

Apple's cheapest small phone

Very affordable
High performance A13 Bionic
Great camera for the price
Supports wireless charging
Large frames

They just don't make fast little premium phones like the new iPhone SE anymore. This petite 4.7-inch phone is powered by the A13 Bionic processor—still lightning fast even though newer iPhones have the A14. And yet, even with that power, the iPhone SE costs $300 less than our top pick, the iPhone 12 mini.

The iPhone SE also offers more luxuries that are rarely seen on small, cheaper phones, such as wireless charging, IP67 water resistance, and a premium metal and glass design. While most flagship phone makers have shied away from developing high-end phones with displays smaller than about 5.5 inches, the iPhone SE looks like a blast from the past in the best possible way—a time when you could buy a super-small phone for a lot of money. play.

See also: 10 best cheap feature phones 2022

It may not have the flashiest design or the most advanced camera with night mode, but the SE does everything else almost flawlessly.

Google Pixel 4a – 144mm tall

The Pixel 4a is an incredible value for a device with a flagship-caliber camera, great software, and 128GB of internal storage. It's also a great little phone. One of the compact smartphones 2022 up to 6 inches.

The best small phone at an unbeatable price

Best-in-class camera
Bright OLED display
128 GB memory
Low price
Battery life could be better

With a 5.81-inch OLED display and a very thin bezel, the Google Pixel 4a In fact, the OLED panel dominates the real estate of the Pixel 4a, thanks to the punch-hole selfie camera design and very thin earpiece, keeping the border surrounding the screen to an absolute minimum.

Weighing in at over 5 ounces, the Pixel 4a is also exceptionally lightweight thanks to its quality polycarbonate construction. It's also quite thin, despite its healthy 3,140mAh battery. Unfortunately, the battery doesn't last as long as we'd like, but the Pixel 4a's other strengths range from a beautiful screen to software and update support, an impressive camera, and solid (if not iPhone-best) performance. and low price complement its exceptional one-handed usability.

It should be said that the Pixel 4a 5G offers 5G connectivity, although it has a significantly larger 6.2-inch display. Luckily, small phone lovers can take advantage of Google's 5G option, which you'll find below.

Google Pixel 5 – 144mm in height

The Pixel 5 may have less powerful hardware than the Pixel 4, but it has a much larger battery.

Pocket Premium Pixel

Great compact design
Great camera, now with ultra-wide angle lens
Long battery life
Poor performance
Expensive for what it is

Pixel 5 isn't an improvement over the Pixel 4 in every way, which is probably a bit of a disappointment. The new flagship Pixel's battery life is much better, and it supports 5G in mmWave and sub-6GHz bands, but it's less powerful than the old model and it lacks 3D face unlock and the ability to read Motion Sense air gestures, which were quite unique features.

But the Pixel 5 has a lot more going for it. It retains its class-leading camera, now equipped with an additional ultra-wide camera sensor; it is hidden in a distinctive all-aluminum housing; and of course, it uses the latest Google Android exclusive features like Hold Me and Call Screen for phone calls.

And it all fits into a supremely compact body, making it perhaps the most stripped-down small phone I've ever seen in terms of screen-to-body ratio. The Pixel 5 isn't perfect, and the Pixel 4a 5G can claim many of the same features for $200 less, although the 4a 5G is larger and lacks some luxuries like wireless charging.

Apple iPhone 12 mini 128GB

Dimensions (WxHxD): 64.2×131.5×7.4 mm

Have you been waiting for a compact iPhone? We've waited - model 12 mini is for your attention.

I would like to say right away that this is truly a mini, as the extremely compact dimensions clearly hint at. Another surprising fact is the not-so-small 5.4-inch high-resolution AMOLED screen. In general, Apple was able to surprise.

Yes, this is not a cheap device, which is easy to explain: it uses almost all the same technologies as Apple’s older smartphones, including the top-end Apple A14 Bionic chip, water protection, stylish case design, Face ID, wireless charging, chic dual camera, etc.

By the way, regarding charging, the charger is not included in the kit; it must be purchased separately.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.4 inches / 2340×1080

Device weight: 135 g

Processor: Apple A14 Bionic

RAM / internal memory: 4 GB / 128 GB

Battery capacity: 2227 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 12 MP / 12/12 MP

Memory card slot: no

Compact premium smartphones

Samsung Galaxy S10e

Dimensions: 69.9 x 142.2 x 7.9 mm
Display: 5.8 inch, AMOLED, 2340×1080 pixels

Price: from 18,600 rubles

Samsung Galaxy 10e is the junior version of the flagship from the Korean brand, which appeared on the market back in 2022. But thanks to its compact size, it remains popular in 2022. The S10e has a proprietary AMOLED screen with a hole for a 10 MP camera. Rear camera – 16+12 MP. The phone takes pictures very well; night and day photography is easy for it.

The model runs on the proprietary Exynos 9820 and offers 6/128 GB of memory. Combined slot. There is a side finger scanner, NFC, stereo speakers, IP68 water protection, face unlock. It's nice to have a headphone jack. 3100 mAh battery with support for fast, wireless and reverse charging.

Advantages:

Bright and juicy AMOLED screen.
High quality camera.
Good stereo speakers.
Protection from dust and moisture.

Flaws:

Not the best autonomy.
Combination slot.

Buy

Apple iPhone 12 mini

Dimensions: 64.2 x 131.5 x 7.4 mm
Display: 5.4 inches, OLED, 2340×1080 pixels

Price: from 51,100 rubles

If many would call the previous Galaxy S10e some kind of “inferior” flagship, due to the loss of its relevance, then similar complaints do not arise in the case of the iPhone 12 mini. This model is a smaller version of the standard iPhone 12, which is perfect for lovers of compact and ergonomic devices that fit easily in the hand. The screen diagonal is only 5.4 inches, and the device weighs a little more than 100 grams (135).

Despite the modest characteristics of the cameras on paper, the smartphone shows excellent photo and video capabilities, which is confirmed, for example, by the DxOMark rating, where it managed to score 122 points with a maximum value of 144. The main camera here is double: a 12 MP main module and a wide-angle lens with the same resolution from Sony. There are a huge number of settings and modes for photos, slow motion 240 fps, 4K, RAW and more. For selfies, there is a 12-megapixel Sony IMX514 camera.

Speaking of performance, it is no secret to many that even many relatively outdated Apple smartphones do not experience big problems in this sense. The top-end Apple A14 Bionic chipset is also installed here, which is currently the most powerful smartphone/tablet worldwide. But the battery capacity is not impressive - only 2227 mAh, which, apparently, was sacrificed when such a compact device was designed.

Advantages:

Wireless and fast charging at 20 W.
The most powerful mobile processor.
Excellent high definition OLED display.
Supports 5G, NFC, 2 SIM cards.
Housing protection degree: IP68.

Flaws:

Battery life.

ASUS Zenfone 8

Dimensions: 69.9 x 142.2 x 7.9 mm
Display: 5.9 inch, AMOLED, 2400×1080 pixels

Price: from 52,900 rubles

The selection will be closed by a new product from ASUS - the ZenFone 8 model. While other manufacturers equip their flagship devices with screens with diagonals of 6.5 inches and above, the Taiwanese company decided to focus on something else in the new generation of its smartphones. The device turned out to be quite balanced: it cannot be called an inconvenient bulky “shovel” and, at the same time, it seems that the screen is still large. This is largely possible thanks to minimal frames.

Like the previous iPhone 12 mini, there are only two main cameras. In terms of level they are almost identical, but in terms of characteristics and numbers they are slightly different. At ASUS, we have a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 module for shooting video and photos in most basic scenarios, as well as a 12-megapixel lens, which is needed for macro mode, widening the viewing angle and is even used as a depth sensor. The front camera is also 12 MP and primarily demonstrates good detail.

ZenFone 8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. This is a fresh 8-core chipset with a powerful Adreno 660 graphics core and a new RAM standard – LPDDR5. Taken together, this entire system produces the best results in synthetic tests and will be able to ensure smooth, stable operation of the device for 2-3 years in advance. The battery capacity is 4000 mAh, which will be enough for at least a day of use.

Advantages:

Protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support.
Noise canceling microphone, stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio.
Stylish design and aluminum alloy body.
Flagship level processor.

Flaws:

No wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy A01 Core 16GB

Dimensions (WxHxD): 67.5×141.7×8.6 mm

Samsung Galaxy A01 Core is one of the most inexpensive smartphones on the market. Before us is a simple device with a 5.3-inch diagonal screen and extremely compact dimensions.

There is nothing special to surprise the user here: simple design, MediaTek MT6739 chipset, 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of main memory, 3000 mAh battery, two single cameras.

You can highlight support for LTE and Bluetooth 5.0.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.3 inches / 1480×720

Device weight: 150 g

Processor: MediaTek MT6739

RAM / internal memory: 1 GB / 16 GB

Battery capacity: 3000 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 5 MP / 8 MP

Memory card slot: yes

Rating of the TOP 15 best compact smartphones of 2021-2022

TOP 3 best compact smartphones in price/quality ratio for 2021-2022
1	Apple iPhone SE (2020) 128GB	Find out the price
2	Samsung Galaxy M01	Find out the price
3	Sony Xperia 10 II Dual	Find out the price
TOP 3 best compact smartphones up to 6 inches
1	Apple iPhone 11 Pro 256GB	Find out the price
2	HONOR 8S Prime	Find out the price
3	Meizu 16 6/64GB	Find out the price
TOP 3 best compact smartphones up to 5 inches
1	Apple iPhone SE (2020) 64GB	Find out the price
2	Xiaomi Redmi 4X 32GB	Find out the price
3	Apple iPhone 8 64GB	Find out the price
TOP 2 best powerful compact smartphones
1	Apple iPhone 11 Pro 64GB	Find out the price
2	Samsung Galaxy S10e 6/128GB	Find out the price
TOP 2 best compact smartphones with a good battery
1	Xiaomi Redme Note 5 4/64GB	Find out the price
2	AGM A9 4/32GB	Find out the price
TOP 2 best inexpensive compact smartphones
1	ZTE Blade A3 (2020) NFC	Find out the price
2	MAXVI MS531 Vega	Find out the price

Apple iPhone 7 32GB

Dimensions (WxHxD): 67.1×138.3×7.1 mm

Amazing fact: the iPhone 8 has become much more difficult to find on sale than the iPhone 7, which is still actively selling!

Of course, when choosing between the “seven” and SE (2020), it’s definitely worth choosing the latter. But here's the problem - SE (2020) costs significantly more. And if you're looking to save some serious money, you might want to consider the iPhone 7.

It has a cool metal body, good cameras, good performance due to the Apple A10 Fusion chip and iOS firmware optimization, IP67 water protection, stereo speakers, and a fingerprint sensor. But 32 GB of internal memory may not be enough, but cloud storage can help out.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 4.7 inches / 1334×750

Device weight: 138 g

Processor: Apple A10 Fusion

RAM / internal memory: 2 GB / 32 GB

Battery capacity: 1960 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 7 MP / 12 MP

Memory card slot: no

What are the best small phones?

Small phone lovers who were also interested in getting their hands on one of the best iPhones didn't have many reasonable options until recently. Luckily, you have two options, and our pick is the iPhone 12 mini, a 5G phone with Apple's top-end processor.

If you don't want to pay for the iPhone 12 mini, you can always go for the iPhone SE. It replaces the 4.7-inch iPhone 8 design with Apple A13 Bionic silicon for just $400.

If you're looking for a small Android phone, you can't do better than the Google Pixel 4a, which has the same size OLED screen as the discontinued iPhone 11 Pro for just $349. You'd also be wise to check out the older Galaxy S10e, which has a similar-sized panel but has a faster processor, a slightly more premium design than Google's offering, and the addition of an ultra-wide camera for stunning landscapes. However, it is getting old for Android phones.

Finally, Google's 6-inch Pixel 5 has a slightly larger display than the 5.8-inch Pixel 4 it replaces, but packs that panel into a body with smaller bezels, making it one of the best-looking high-end phones of the year. At $699, it's also quite affordable, even if it cuts a bit to achieve its low price.

Here's a closer look at some of the best small phones right now, with screens as small as 6 inches. When it comes to our favorite phones regardless of size, be sure to check out our list of the best phones available right now.

Samsung Galaxy A41

Dimensions (WxHxD): 69.80×149.90×7.90 mm

Only by current standards can the Samsung Galaxy A41 be called compact. But since we rely on the modern smartphone market, we can safely call it small.

What does the buyer get? A recognizable case design, a world-famous brand, an NFC sensor, an overall good combination of a MediaTek Helio P65 processor and 4 GB of RAM. Battery capacity - 3500 mAh (fast charging available). This, of course, is far from the record, but, firstly, the battery life here is good, and secondly, the Samsung Galaxy A41 weighs only 152 grams.

Triple camera: main module, ultra-wide-angle and depth sensor. It provides good image quality for its price.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 6.1 inches / 2400×1080

Device weight: 152 g

Processor: MediaTek Helio P65

RAM / internal memory: 4 GB / 64 GB

Battery capacity: 3500 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 25 MP / 48/8/5 MP

Memory card slot: yes

Realme 8

Realme 8 is one of the most interesting mid-rangers of the first half of 2022. It's also a fairly compact device, allowing you to enjoy a large screen in a compact body.

Realme 8 features a 6.4-inch screen. This is a panel with Full HD resolution, which was made using Super AMOLED technology. Thanks to its small bezels and full-screen design, the device is quite compact.

The smartphone is equipped with a MediaTek Helio G95 processor. All this is complemented by 4GB of fast RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

The phone is equipped with a microSD memory card reader and a 64 MP main camera. The manufacturer did not forget about the 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera and two 2 MP auxiliary cameras - mono and macro.

On board Realme 8 we will find a fingerprint reader integrated into the screen. The smartphone runs Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0 overlay.

The device has a characteristic body made of two sheets of glass. On the back panel we can also find a square lens barrel, the manufacturer's logo and, in some versions, the inscription Dare to Leap.

Having decided to choose Realme 8, we get a special case and a pre-installed screen protector in the kit. This is an additional saving of several tens of zlotys.

HONOR 9S

Dimensions (WxHxD): 70.94×146.50×8.35 mm

HONOR 9S also turned out to be compact, although the side frames are wide, but taking into account the budget segment, we’ll turn a blind eye to this.

The smartphone itself is not bad for its price: nice appearance, high-quality matrix, a combination of the Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762R) chipset and 2 GB of RAM, a 3020 mAh battery.

At the back you can see a large camera module, but there is only one camera itself. But it looks cool.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.45 inches / 1440×720

Device weight: 144 g

Processor: Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762R)

RAM / internal memory: 2 GB / 32 GB

Battery capacity: 3020 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 5 MP / 8 MP

Memory card slot: yes

#7 - HONOR 20e

Price: 12,083 rubles

The next small smartphone, HONOR 20e, runs on the Kirin 710F hardware platform. On the front panel there is a 6.21-inch diagonal screen, and on the back there is a triple main camera with a resolution of 24 + 8 + 2 MP. A 3400 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy.

This is one of the best smartphones of this brand, and its cameras, according to experts, once became a model among mobile devices. Users loved the model for its high performance and great design. The smartphone is not only compact, but also very thin and light. The device received a lot of positive reviews for the presence of a 3.5 mm jack.

Unfortunately, the battery is not capable of providing long-term battery life for the device.

HONOR 20e

Samsung Galaxy S20

Dimensions (WxHxD): 69.10×151.70×7.90 mm

Pay attention to the width of the Samsung Galaxy S20 case and the screen diagonal - impressive, right? The smartphone fits perfectly in the hand, without compromising the size of the display.

This is one of Samsung's flagship models. In addition to the gorgeous AMOLED screen, here you will find the flagship Samsung Exynos 990 chip, 8 GB of RAM, a 4000 mAh battery with support for fast and wireless charging, water protection (IP68), excellent sound in headphones and from the speaker.

Of course, the Samsung Galaxy S20 can also please you with its camera. Here it is triple: wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto. The shooting level is flagship.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 6.2 inches / 3200×1440

Device weight: 163 g

Processor: Samsung Exynos 990

RAM / internal memory: 8 GB / 128 GB

Battery capacity: 4000 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 10 MP / 64/12/12 MP

Memory card slot: yes

Compact mid-range smartphones

Google Pixel 4a

Dimensions: 69.4 x 144 x 8.2 mm
Display: 5.81 inches, OLED, 2340x1080 pixels

Price: from 28,500 rubles

Google Pixel 4a traditionally offers a compact body with a high-quality AMOLED screen, good performance based on Snapdragon 730G with 6/128 GB of memory. Battery capacity – 3140 mAh. The brand did not experiment with cameras either. There is one sensor installed on the front and back – 12 and 8 megapixels. The main camera received optical stabilization and increased pixel size, all of which is complemented by cool software.

The smartphone also has a headphone jack, an NFC module, and stereo speakers. But they do not offer support for memory cards.

Advantages:

Powerful processor.
High quality camera.
High quality screen.
Availability of headphone jack.
Stereo speakers.

Flaws:

Does not support memory cards.

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

Dimensions: 65 x 135 x 12.1 mm
Display: 5 inch, LCD IPS, 2160×1080 pixels

Price: from 29,900 rubles

Another compact mid-range device in our selection is the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact. More recently, this model was considered a flagship, but today it cannot be classified at this level: more than 3 years have passed since the announcement and the bar has risen slightly higher than the real capabilities of this smartphone. Perhaps this is the most balanced device, considering its size, screen diagonal of only 5 inches, and still vigorous hardware as of 2022.

In terms of cameras, the lag is especially noticeable if we compare this model with the latest flagships. And yet, the device is capable of taking good photos, although you won’t be able to indulge in many functions: there is only 1 main 19 MP lens installed here and there is not even the usual “wide” lens or a separate module for macro photography. But there is digital stabilization, dual LED flash, slow motion at 960 fps, hybrid autofocus HDR mode and more. For selfies, there is a 5 MP front camera.

As for performance, despite the already somewhat outdated hardware (although judging by the capabilities of the smartphone, one cannot say so), there is still a reserve of power here. And this takes into account the fact that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, which is used here, is already 3.5 years old. There is 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory, which may not be enough for some. But a battery with a capacity of 2870 mAh will most likely not be enough for everyone.

Advantages:

A powerful processor that can handle any task.
There is NFC support.
IP68 dust and water protection.
High screen clarity (density 483 ppi) + HDR.
Damage-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Ergonomic and as compact as possible.

Flaws:

Battery life.
The cameras have modest functionality.

Buy

iPhone SE (2020)

Dimensions: 69.9 x 142.2 x 7.9 mm
Display: 4.7 inches, IPS, 1334x750 pixels

Price: from 33,000 rubles

iPhone SE (2020) is the most compact smartphone with adequate performance on the market in 2022, and also the most inexpensive of Apple’s current ones. The model is a replacement for the iPhone 8, so it has a similar body size and design elements. In fact, a fresher filling is used here in a familiar cover.

Processor - Apple A13 Bionic, memory - from 64 to 256 GB, RAM - 3 GB, battery 1821 mAh, cameras - 12 and 7 megapixels. At first glance, everything is very modest, but when compared with Android competitors, it makes no sense. For an Apple device, the parameters are normal, and given its own OS and optimization, there are no performance problems here. In addition to the above, the SE (2020) has IP67 protection, fast and wireless charging, and stereo sound.

iPhone SE (2020) is a fairly inexpensive device for Apple technology and one of the best compact smartphones on the market. Its main competitors are the Galaxy S10e and Pixel 4a, but the question of choice in this case rather comes down not to comparing parameters, but to preferences for the brand and operating system.

Advantages:

One of the most compact current smartphones on the market.
Speed and performance.
Moisture protection.
Fast and wireless charging.
Nice screen.

Flaws:

Mediocre autonomy

HONOR 8S Prime

Dimensions (WxHxD): 70.78×147.13×8.45 mm

Small and inexpensive smartphone from HONOR. There is another version of this model, but its characteristics are much simpler.

It has a 5.71-inch display, two single cameras (rear and front), a platform based on the MediaTek Helio A22 (MT6761) processor and 3 GB of RAM. He would also like an NFC sensor...

However, for its price, this is an excellent solution, and it’s also compact.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.71 inches / 1520×720

Device weight: 146 g

Processor: MediaTek Helio A22 (MT6761)

RAM / internal memory: 3 GB / 64 GB

Battery capacity: 3020 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 5 MP / 13 MP

Memory card slot: yes

Top 5. INOI 5 Lite 2022 2/16GB

Rating (2021): 4.33

27 reviews from resources taken into account: Yandex.Market, Ozon

Characteristics
Average price: 4490 rub.
Country: Russia (manufactured in China)
Screen: 5.5 inches, 960×480, IPS, 60 Hz
Chipset: UniSoC SC7731E, 4 cores, 1300 MHz
Battery: 2500 mAh
Dimensions: 71.3×147.3×9.4 mm
Weight: unknown

One of the smallest smartphones of 2022, and it tops the budget price range. A model with basic functionality: suitable for making calls, surfing the Internet, and messaging via messenger. The screen is 5.5 inches diagonal, and the device could be even more compact if the manufacturer wanted to get rid of the wide frames at the top and bottom of the display. They are non-functional, and only the front camera is hidden in the frame at the top. Reviews for this phone are contradictory: on the one hand, what to expect from a gadget costing less than 5,000 rubles, but there are users who are unhappy with the slow operation. The main objective complaints about the device: it may stop turning on after a few months of use.

Advantages and disadvantages

Low price
Convenient dimensions
IPS matrix for inexpensive

Wide frames at the top and bottom of the screen
Poor performance
Suitable for calls and instant messengers only

HUAWEI Y5p

Dimensions (WxHxD): 70.94×146.50×8.35 mm

Why does HUAWEI Y5p literally copy HONOR 9S in appearance? Because these are two identical smartphones!

Don't be surprised, it's completely normal for two brands to belong to the same company. And since the devices are the same, the only difference is the color – and we like the HUAWEI palette better.

As for the cost, the Y5p and 9S cost about the same, and sometimes there is a discount on one or the other model.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.45 inches / 1440×720

Device weight: 144 g

Processor: Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762R)

RAM / internal memory: 2 GB / 32 GB

Battery capacity: 3020 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 5 MP / 8 MP

Memory card slot: yes

Huawei P40 (6.1 inches)

A compact flagship from China that gets much less attention than its older brother P40 Pro. On the one hand, it is understandable: the device is specific (if only because of its size) and not so functional, because the P40 was, for example, taken away from water protection and wireless charging. On the other hand, the model still turned out to be interesting - she takes good photos and looks great. True, it does not have Google services - this should be remembered when buying any more or less recent Huawei smartphone. And yes, it’s not a fact that the P40 will have a compact successor (or any successor at all): at Huawei now everything, as they say, is very complicated.

Huawei P40

Samsung Galaxy A01

Dimensions (WxHxD): 70.90×146.20×8.30 mm

One of the younger models in the Samsung line.

It is unlikely that you will be able to impress you with its characteristics, but they are not bad: a 5.7-inch matrix, a combination of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipset and 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of ROM and the ability to expand space due to a memory card slot, a 3000 mAh battery.

There is no fingerprint scanner, but there is a dual rear camera: a sensor is “attached” to the main module to create bokeh.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.7 inches / 1520×720

Device weight: 149 g

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 439

RAM / internal memory: 2 GB / 16 GB

Battery capacity: 3000 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 5 MP / 13/2 MP

Memory card slot: yes

Xiaomi Redmi 7A

screen 5.45”, resolution 1440*720;
size 146.3*70.4*9.6 mm, 165 g;
8-core Snapdragon 439 processor, up to 2 GHz;
RAM – 2 GB, main memory – 32 GB;
main camera – 12 MP, front – 5 MP;
battery 4000 mAh;
price from 7,500 rubles.

Redmi smartphones are in the budget segment, and those with the A prefix are the simplest and most inexpensive models. The Redmi 7A model was released in 2022 and by modern standards can be called quite compact. True, its filling is really budget-friendly. There is very little memory, but the main one can be expanded. The processor is entry-level, the cameras are mediocre, but the battery is not bad, and given the low screen resolution, it will last a long time. It may not be exactly a baby, but if you are looking for a more or less compact Xiaomi smartphone , then take a look at this model. There are also Redmi 4 X and others like it, but they are already quite old.

pros

slot for two SIM and memory card
autonomy
normal camera for this segment
price

Minuses

low memory
simple processor
no fingerprint scanner

Samsung Galaxy M01

Dimensions (WxHxD): 70.90×147.50×9.80 mm

And this is the junior model in the Galaxy M line. It is interesting because it uses powerful batteries. Thus, the Galaxy M01 model uses a 4000 mAh battery.

Since it has a larger battery, the smartphone has grown somewhat in size compared to the Galaxy A01, although their bodies are very similar. It has the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor, but the amount of memory has been increased: 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory.

The camera, apparently, is completely similar.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.7 inches / 1520×720

Device weight: 168 g

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 439

RAM / internal memory: 3 GB / 32 GB

Battery capacity: 4000 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 5 MP / 13/2 MP

Memory card slot: yes

OPPO A12

OPPO A12 is a budget smartphone with a fairly compact size and fairly powerful components. OPPO A12 is a smartphone with a screen diagonal of 6.22 inches. What's important is that all this is surrounded by small frames that make the whole structure smaller. The display is a classic IPS LCD panel. This means that the bottom rim is slightly larger than the rest. On the panel we can also find a small cutout in the shape of a water drop, which has been used to house the selfie camera. The screen has a modest HD+ resolution of 1520 x 720 pixels.

The smartphone is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P35 processor, which is supported by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. In addition, the manufacturer has provided a device for reading microSD memory cards.

OPPO A12 has a 13 MP main camera and a 2 MP secondary sensor on the back. You'll also find a microUSB port and a headphone jack on board.

The smartphone runs on the outdated Android 9.0 Pie operating system. All this is powered by a 4230 mAh battery.

Google Pixel 3 64GB

Dimensions (WxHxD): 68.20×145.60×7.90 mm

Not the newest smartphone, but it is still popular among users. There are several reasons for this, one of them is proprietary optimization from Google, as well as periodic system updates. Google Pixel 3 is also known as one of the best camera phones - it takes really great pictures.

But some people, seeing the single rear camera module, begin to doubt. Cast aside doubts, even with one, but very cool camera sensor, the Pixel 3 is capable of working wonders both day and night.

The characteristics traditionally for Pixels are not impressive as for flagships: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 4 GB of RAM, fast and wireless charging, 2915 mAh battery.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.5 inches / 2160×1080

Device weight: 148 g

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

RAM / internal memory: 4 GB / 64 GB

Battery capacity: 2915 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 8 MP / 12.2 MP

Memory card slot: no

Top 7. Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 4/64GB

Rating (2021): 4.25

The most reliable case The most compact rugged smartphone. It has water and dust protection according to the IP68 standard, and shock resistance according to the American standard MIL-STD-810.

Characteristics
Average price: 27,000 rub.
Country: South Korea
Screen: 3.65 inches, 480×320, PLS, 60 Hz
Chipset: Exynos 850, 8 cores, 2000 MHz
Battery: 3000 mAh
Dimensions: 71.6×147.1×9.2 mm
Weight: 172 g

New 2022 release from Samsung from the line of secure devices. The device is heavy by the standards of compact models, but among average options it does not stand out in terms of weight. The screen is only 3.65 inches diagonally, and this is what allowed the smartphone to be included in the rating of the smallest models in 2022. The device is approximately the same in size as ordinary unprotected phones with a 5-5.5-inch screen. The performance here is modest, but it is enough for routine tasks. The shock-resistant housing, water and dust protection according to IP68 standard and the presence of the military standard MIL-STD-810 ensure that the device will withstand operation in difficult conditions. At the time of publication of this article, this Samsung had not yet gone on sale, so there are no reviews for it.

Advantages and disadvantages

Protected housing
Not afraid of water and dust

High price for low performance
No feedback or reviews
Small screen

Sony Xperia 5

Dimensions (WxHxD): 68x158x8.20 mm

Sony Xperia 5 is a flagship that looks unusual due to its elongated body. This is one of Sony's recent features. Thanks to this solution, the width of the case is only 68 mm - and this is with a 6.1-inch matrix!

But the Sony Xperia 5 can surprise you not only with its design. Thus, it has protection from water and dust, a decent triple main camera (main module, wide-angle and telephoto), high performance due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chip and 6 GB of RAM.

There are also stereo speakers, and the sound in headphones is said to be decent. But remember that there is no 3.5mm headphone jack.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 6.1 inches / 2520×1080

Device weight: 164 g

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

RAM / internal memory: 6 GB / 128 GB

Battery capacity: 3140 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 8 MP / 12/12/12 MP

Memory card slot: yes

Jelly 2

screen 3”, resolution 854*480;
size 95*49.4*16.5 mm, 110 g;
8-core Helio P60 processor;
RAM – 6 GB, main memory – 128 GB;
main camera – 16 MP, front – 5 MP;
battery 2000 mAh;
price from 15,000 rubles.

This device is even smaller than the iPhone 12 mini. Its filling is very decent. Here you have 6 GB of RAM, NFC, and even a headphone output . Take a look at the size of the gadget! Are you feeling nostalgic? The smartphone turned out to be small but thick. Even a child can operate it with one hand without any problems. The screen is very tiny, the squeak density is slightly more than 300 ppi. Hitting the icons is not a problem, but entering the password is more difficult. Below the screen are navigation buttons and a notification indicator.

The baby received a decent processor and 6 GB of RAM - users say that the games start easily, but playing on such a screen is not very convenient - you cover half of the display with your finger. The device works quickly and does not slow down. Another advantage is pure Android . The manufacturer added an infrared port, did not forget about USB Type-C, and for starters - a programmable button on the end. There is even a fingerprint scanner, but it doesn't work perfectly. The cameras are not top-level, but they take good pictures. The battery lasts until the evening. The smartphone is only available for pre-order, so if you want to have the smallest smartphone, you will have to get a little confused.

pros

Memory
memory card slot
Infrared, NFC, USB-C
pure android
programmable button on the end
there is a headphone output

Minuses

The fingerprint scanner works unpredictably
poor autonomy
available only by pre-order
problems with further support

Samsung Galaxy S10 8/128GB

Dimensions (WxHxD): 70.40×149.90×7.80 mm

The Samsung Galaxy S10, even though it is by no means the latest model, can still be found on sale. But this is not even surprising - in some stores the S10 is more expensive than the S20! This is probably normal, because the smartphone turned out to be successful, and many people like its chopped shapes better.

It uses a 6.1-inch AMOLED matrix, an excellent triple rear camera (sensors: wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto), stereo speakers, a productive platform based on the Samsung Exynos 9820 chipset and 8 GB of RAM, a 3400 mAh battery with fast and wireless charging.

The smartphone can be purchased in one of several available colors.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 6.1 inches / 3040×1440

Device weight: 157 g

Processor: Exynos 9820

RAM / internal memory: 8 GB / 128 GB

Battery capacity: 3400 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 10 MP / triple 16/12/12 MP

Memory card slot: yes

BlackBerry Motion Dual Sim

Dimensions : width – 75.5 mm, height – 155.8 mm, thickness – 12 mm.

Price : RUR 59,999

The first thing I would like to note about the BlackBerry Motion Dual Sim is its autonomy. Not charging the phone for 2 days in a row is very powerful, especially considering that the phone is not just lying there, but is actively used (for the camera, calls, social networks, etc.)

The second thing that will definitely surprise you is performance. There are no freezes or lags during operation.

Conventionally, we can highlight the following advantages of BlackBerry Motion Dual Sim :

excellent 12 MP camera;
reliability in terms of assembly;
solid design;
capacious battery.

The smartphone will also surprise you with excellent loud sound (similar to stereo). The assembly and quality of materials of the smartphone definitely command respect.

Alcatel 3L 5039D (2019)

Dimensions (WxHxD): 69.7×151.1×7.99 mm

A budget smartphone from Alcatel with good performance and a cool appearance. Pay attention to the weight - only 145 g.

What is there? A good 5.94-inch IPS screen, a platform based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 processor and 2 GB of RAM, a 3500 mAh battery, and a dual camera.

There is no fingerprint sensor, but there is a face unlock feature.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.94 inches / 1560×720

Device weight: 145 g

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 429

RAM / internal memory: 2 GB / 16 GB

Battery capacity: 3500 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 8 MP / 13/5 MP

Memory card slot: yes

Bonus #2: ASUS Zenfone 8 (5.9 inches)

And for a snack, keep the latest compact flagship - it was presented just yesterday, May 12, 2022. The model is at least not without interest: it has water protection (a first for ASUS), a front camera with autofocus (a rarity for smartphones), and up to 16 GB of RAM, and the most powerful Snapdragon 888. At the same time, there are only two rear cameras, which is probably and it’s good: the user receives only important and necessary modules, but he doesn’t have to pay for useless “plugs” (like cheap 2-megapixel macro cameras). Zenfone 8 is not yet on sale, but will probably appear on Russian shelves soon. It is possible that it will be relatively inexpensive for its capabilities: in Europe the device is priced at 600 euros (about 54 thousand rubles). Similar models from Sony and Apple are much more expensive!

ASUS Zenfone 8

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BQ 5535L Strike Power Plus

Dimensions (WxHxD): 70.20×144.20×10.90 mm

The BQ 5535L Strike Power Plus also turned out to be compact, but only until we consider the thickness of its case - 10.9 mm! However, do not be surprised, this is due to the fact that the smartphone has a powerful 5000 mAh battery.

The smartphone itself belongs to the budget segment: 5.45-inch display, Unisoc SC9863A chipset and 2 GB of RAM, two simple cameras.

But the good news is that the manufacturer did not skimp on anything: a fingerprint scanner and an NFC module.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5.45 inches / 1440×720

Device weight: 180 g

Processor: Unisoc SC9863A

RAM / internal memory: 2 GB / 16 GB

Battery capacity: 5000 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 5 MP / 13 MP

Memory card slot: yes

How to choose the best small phone for you

Usually, when you buy a small phone, you have to make some sacrifices. Of course, screen real estate is part of the trade-off; but small phones also have smaller batteries and sometimes less RAM or fewer camera lenses than larger, more expensive versions of the same device.

If you value the compact form factor above everything else—and you probably do if you're reading this page—these trade-offs are probably worth it. Apple and Google figure prominently on our list of the best small phones because they don't exclude important features from smaller phones. This is evidenced by the fact that the iPhone 12 mini has the same power as the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Or how the iPhone SE (2020) uses the same A13 Bionic chipset as the more premium iPhone 11 series.

Samsung, on the other hand, usually cleans something out of its smaller models. The Galaxy S10e, which has a dual-lens camera compared to the triple-lens module inside the company's Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus devices, is a prime example of this. The S10e also lacks an in-display fingerprint sensor and has less RAM than its larger, more expensive siblings. Alas, that's the price you pay for a phone that will fit in your pocket in 2022.

Alcatel 1 (5033D)

Dimensions (WxHxD): 65.70×137.60×9.80 mm

One of the most inexpensive smartphones on the market. It turned out to be extremely compact, including thanks to a small 5-inch diagonal screen.

What else does the buyer get? A large selection of body colors, two simple cameras, support for 4G networks, a MediaTek MT6739 processor and 1 GB of RAM, a 2000 mAh battery.

In general, nothing unusual.

Screen diagonal / resolution: 5 inches / 960×480

Device weight: 134 g

Processor: MediaTek MT6739

RAM / internal memory: 1 GB / 8 GB

Battery capacity: 2000 mAh

Camera resolution front / rear: 2 MP / 5 MP

Memory card slot: yes

BQ 5045L Wallet

The frames in the case of the BQ 5045L Wallet model are quite wide, so the width of the case reaches almost 68 mm, taking into account the 4.95-inch screen. But since we are talking about a budget smartphone, this should not be surprising.

It is worth noting that the smartphone is interesting primarily not even for its dimensions, but for the presence of an NFC module, which is rare in this class.

System - Android Go 10, chip - MediaTek MT8765, memory - 1 GB RAM and 16 GB main. The cameras are single, there is an LED for notifications, and FM radio is also supported.

Dimensions (WxHxD): 67.80x141x10.50 mm

Screen diagonal: 4.95 inches

Screen resolution: 960×480

Weight: 146 g

Number of SIM cards: 2

Processor: MediaTek MT8765

Memory capacity: 16 GB

RAM capacity: 1 GB

Battery capacity: 2000 mAh

Rear camera: 5 MP

Front camera: 2 MP

Memory card support: yes

How to choose a smartphone up to 6 inches in terms of price/quality ratio?

Pay attention to the following nuances:

Screen : AMOLED matrices respond instantly to commands, convey dark shades well, but there is a risk of pixel burnout. IPS matrices are more affordable, have excellent color rendering, but take longer to respond and render dark colors worse.
Resolution : must be at least HD.
Performance : 2 GB is more than enough for ordinary tasks. But there’s no need to talk about multitasking here; the smartphone won’t handle demanding games and you won’t be able to install demanding applications. So it’s better to choose a model with a capacity of 6-8 GB.
Battery : There is no point in taking a smartphone with a battery capacity of 300 mAh - you are unlikely to like running with a charger every day.

Meizu 16 6/64GB

On the one hand, this is a rather controversial smartphone, on the other hand, it is one of the best offers for lovers of compact devices.

Options
Display	6”, Super AMOLED (FullHD+)
Camera	20MP + 12MP
CPU	Snapdragon 845
Battery	3010 mAh

This is a phone with a good camera, suitable for different shooting scenarios. The hardware of the device, released back in 2022, still copes with most modern tasks, including heavy gaming. It is also worth noting the design and the body itself, made of ceramic. However, it is important to understand that Meizu is not having the best of times, which is why their older smartphones are not receiving updates.

Pros:

symmetrical design without cutouts;
ceramic body;
photo quality.

Minuses:

autonomy;
no NFC.