Best compact phones 2023 - buyer’s guide

Last updated 7 November 2023


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  • h
  • hector
  • Rx7
  • 04 Oct 2021

check out Sharp Aquos R2 compact
same form factor as iphone 13 mini

    Anonymous, 10 Sep 2021If you are looking for a cheap compact phone - try used/ref... moreI wouldn't recommend the XA2. Perfomance is not good (even by midrange 2021 standards) with SD 630 and 3GB ram. Screen is 60Hz Lcd (come on?) I had the XA1, do not get fooled, there may be 23 MP camera but the photos are just garbage and almost all of them turn out blurry and washed out. Its battery is meh, nothing special, so is the charging (18W in a day and age where 30W is considered slow) and most importantly, it only gets updates to android 9 when you could get a Pixel 3a and get android 11. And really, where would you find one? eBay? Nah

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • sn{
      • 10 Sep 2021

      If you are looking for a cheap compact phone - try used/refurbished Xperia XA2. It's definitely not young, but still has a fast enough CPU for browsing web and some gaming (tried PUBG mobile and its playable).

      Also checkout Xperia XZ2 or XZ2 Compact, but their prices are relatively high - especially for Compact.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • sn{
        • 10 Sep 2021

        Thank you for removing the "Almost there" section. It's really nice that you are listening to feedback from users.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • sxr
          • 08 Sep 2021

          hello i'm looking for a budget compact gaming phone around 5+ inches with a good battery life (i would've opted for the iphone 12 mini/iphone se 2020 but one is not very budget friendly while the other does not have an ideal battery life for gaming). does one even exist?

            • S
            • Saumya
            • rK@
            • 29 Aug 2021

            Mifopal, 24 Aug 2021Article on compact phones without mentioning the screensize... moreHaha! very correct

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              • Anonymous
              • fCG
              • 25 Aug 2021

              Mifopal, 24 Aug 2021Article on compact phones without mentioning the screensize... moreRightly said.

                • M
                • Mifopal
                • iyP
                • 24 Aug 2021

                Article on compact phones without mentioning the screensizes is as good as phonereviews on iPhones only to talk about android

                  pj, 12 Aug 2021I would like to have a phone for daily use as. A am not a g... moreGo for nokia 1. It's cheap, robust and SLOW.
                  Easily fits in pocket and 100% dependable.
                  Or
                  Go for iPhone se.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • mvI
                    • 14 Aug 2021

                    I can recommend Mi 9 SE. I traded that phone for Nord CE. People might think 147 vs 159mm isn't that big but it is. I regret my swap. The Nord is a fine device but I can't stand the size. Barely fits in the pocket and this is supposed to be a somewhat compact device. Imagine having a Moto with almost 17cm tall. I will buy the first compact phone that has a decent soc, fast charge, OLED, 90/120hz and 8gb ram. If it has MIUI or realme UI i don't care I just want a comfortable phone.

                      • G
                      • Gooey
                      • mpX
                      • 12 Aug 2021

                      AverageIndianUser, 29 Jun 2021hi samsung if you are reading this....release a budget comp... moreSold.

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                        • pj
                        • RKk
                        • 12 Aug 2021

                        I would like to have a phone for daily use as. A am not a gamer, I just want fast, compact, easy to carry smart phone. Screen (FHD) size should be between 4.5 to 5 and minimum bezels. Ram minimum 4 GB and battery life at least 24 hours.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • Q6j
                          • 11 Aug 2021

                          Nabsie, 01 Jul 2021Where are the true compact phones below 5" ? I've... moreTimes have changed. People use to call 5.5 inch phone as phablets

                            Imso orsom, 01 Aug 2021Except the iphones none of these are small...All of the currently listed ones are within reason of the iPhone SE 2, especially the Pixel 4a and Zenfone 8. https://phonesized.com/compare/#1447,1518,1784,1401,1669,1559. Also the Pixel 5 should probably be on the list if the 4a is. The Meizu 18 is also within reason.

                              • l
                              • l0v3
                              • 65k
                              • 04 Aug 2021

                              Matjazz, 31 Jul 2021This is sad. These aren't compact phones. I was hoping... moreI agree. Many women I know want a smaller phone but there isn't much choice and they want an Android phone for some reason. I hope companies do some surveys and come out with at least a sub 6" phone in their lineups.

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                                • offended
                                • SnV
                                • 01 Aug 2021

                                You forgot my phone: Palm Palm
                                I am a happy user of it. That´s really a compact phone. The major issue is batery, buthtere is a trick. Don´t use it too much.

                                  • I
                                  • Imso orsom
                                  • nV%
                                  • 01 Aug 2021

                                  Except the iphones none of these are small...

                                    • M
                                    • Matjazz
                                    • 0xb
                                    • 31 Jul 2021

                                    This is sad. These aren't compact phones. I was hoping that iPhone mini would encourage someone to make a compact phone.
                                    I work for a phone company and people often ask me if there are any good small phones. So there definitely is a market for small phones but why everyone ignores it is beyond me.

                                      Anonymous, 24 May 2021Why no android phone with same design and size as iphone se... moreBuy Xz1 compact, it's Old but used to have flagship Soc, so it's comparable to today's Midrange.

                                        • J
                                        • John
                                        • u44
                                        • 26 Jul 2021

                                        wtf has gone wrong with the world... Half these phones don't fit in your pocket and they still call it compact?

                                        Yeah! I'm angry about it! Think I'll move to the country :)