Counterpoint Research suggests strong preference for flagship-grade compact phones in India

24 April 2025
Most people seem to want something under 6.5-inch screen size.

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What is this article on about the iPhone mini and market trends being at odds with this survey? The survey shows little demand for sub 6 inch, massive demand for 6 to 6.5, and moderate demand for 6.5 plus. That's exactly in line with iPhone sales. I know gsm commenters get 5.4" and 6.1" confused in their heads but how can paid writers?

    sony compact - ridiculous price. selling "premium branding" instead the actual hardware
    iphone mini - ridiculous price. premium pricetag
    asus - bad support, unattrative design. overhype, overrated
    samsung vanilla is actually decent.

    yeah, they did "tried".

    i own each of these brands' model - z3 compact, z5 compact, 1 iv, 12 mini, zen9, zen8 flip, 10e, 20. aside z3c and 12 mini, the rest are all used phone bought from my local techtubers.

    currently waiting for x200mp and see how marginally spending big bucks for 6.3" compact phone

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • Bnx
      • 7 hours ago

      Hard to want less than 6in when no one makes those anymore, i'd buy one

        NickValok, 11 hours agoSurveys don't mean much. Especially if it's comm... moreTrust me buddy, the surveys done by Counterpoint Research and surveys done in Gsmarena are worlds apart.

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          • Hello
          • 7k0
          • 8 hours ago

          ReaLogic, 8 hours agoYour price is for non flagship compact. A flagship compact... moreBut I never said that I wanted a flagship.

          Just a "decent" specs mid-ranger will do, because the majority buys these phones.

            Hello, 12 hours agoI did like a 6" around phone with a 3.5mm, sd card, de... moreYour price is for non flagship compact.
            A flagship compact phone means having the same/similar components as the larger flagship in a smaller body. It's harder to design and engineer. If people are not willing to pay the same price as the larger flagship, then flagship compacts won't sell.
            Wanting a low price flagship compact is like saying laptops should be cheaper than desktops with the same spec just because it's smaller. In reality the opposite is usually true.

              • J
              • Jay
              • RxE
              • 8 hours ago

              Compact phone has to be much more cheaper to compete with its bigger counter part with similar spec of cos. Any consumer will feel why not pay slightly more to feel more satisfaction with screen size and attract head turners. Smaller phone just feel cheaper so it gotta be cheap to sell well.

                I would like to see compact phone implementation by Motorola

                  OfficialTRider, 11 hours agoThe problem with modern compact phones is that they sacrifi... moreJust like "Ultra" phones with their massive screens are also a compromise for those wanting pocketability and usability.

                  Companies are still a bit innovating!
                  Look at the OnePlus 13T, smaller size, bigger battery than the 13 thanks to shrinking components innovations.
                  The gap between compact and flagship features is closing fast.

                    Yes, we want more pocketable, light, comfy for one-handed use phones.
                    No dated huge looking bulky flagship "ultra" bricks.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • X@9
                      • 10 hours ago

                      Pixel 5 holdout here. I can't find a compact phone worth upgrading to. I bought a 7a but couldn't use it after a couple months and went back to 5. I expected Si/C batteries to make phones smaller but they are just increasing battery sizes. I think current batteries are more than enough for a full day use. And also thin does not mean compact.

                        The problem with modern compact phones is that they sacrifice battery and camera performance.
                        What will work fine is galaxy S Ultra specs but in the size of galaxy S base even if they've to make the base version slightly thick.
                        Also, stop calling them compact. Compact means compromise.
                        Maybe One Plus 14 Ultra and One plus 14s Ultra. S for small. If you'll name them this way, people will buy it.

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                          • TRK
                          • Dky
                          • 11 hours ago

                          A compact phone with 3.5mm headphone jack 😁

                            • X
                            • X User
                            • uHQ
                            • 11 hours ago

                            Hello, 12 hours agoI did like a 6" around phone with a 3.5mm, sd card, de... moreI really like and appreciate your comment. Using this statement can explain the situation best. Many want a flagship compact phone, but many are not willing to pay for it (like in this comment mentioned $250-$300). The price difference between the compact and non-compact flagships are usually quite small, making it feel like it is a "loss" to buy compact phone.

                            Anyway, I am not trying to be rude but just to point out the mentality of the people whom I had talked to say about compact flagships.

                            So, I also have to take this survey with a grain of salt as it doesn't consider some outside factors deterring people to buy compact flagships.

                              I use a 6.5 inch phone, it's big, good for watching, gaming etc... yes sometimes it's hard to use one handed but that's not too much of a problem for me. The biggest problem is if I keep it in my pocket.

                                Surveys don't mean much.
                                Especially if it's commissioned by some company.

                                GSMarena also always does a survey when a new product comes out and the members all say they'll buy the top of the line, but in reality, no one does.

                                  I've never used device larger than 6.2" screen before. I've always wished for larger screen. I switched from Redmi Mi 9T pro's 6.2" screen to Oneplus 13R's 6.8" inches screen. Initially I appreciated extra screen Estate for better multimedia experience. But I've started missing the handiness of my previous phones. Mi 9T Pro was perfect in that sense that it was small enough to reach every corner of the screen and to be pocketed while being still large enough for a multimedia experience. I definitely miss that.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • LYr
                                    • 11 hours ago

                                    >73% consider it very important that the phone is operational with one hand

                                    Meanwhile GSMArena comments:

                                    >If you can’t hold a phone just work out bro, 7 inch is still way too small for gaming, who wants these toys !!!!

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                                      • Wimpiedb
                                      • J8q
                                      • 12 hours ago

                                      I have had the whole Range of the Sony Xperia 5 but they stop producing the line it's a shame?

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                                        • Stating the obvious
                                        • DkZ
                                        • 12 hours ago

                                        People always hated phablets and today every phone is a phablet. I don't get why today only flagships are compact.

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