The Best Small Smartphone in 2024

Smartphones with large displays might be the norm today, but that doesn’t mean everyone is a fan. If that sounds like you, we’ve rounded up some excellent options for smaller smartphones.

Why Are Phones Getting Larger?

It used to be that smaller cellular phones were more popular than larger ones. The first cell phones were giant gray bricks with thick black antennas – think Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell. As technology improved, cell phones became increasingly smaller.

This all changed when cell phones started to have Internet connectivity. The addition of Internet access meant that people could read their emails and even do basic web browsing, which necessitated a larger screen. As a result, cell phones became physically larger and gained full, tactile QWERTY keyboards.

Fast-forward to today, and phones have ballooned in size, often boasting screens larger than six inches. It makes sense, as cell phones have become the dominant device in our lives, and we rely on them for everything. Whether you’re using it for productivity, playing a game or kicking back and watching a movie, more screen real estate is generally considered a good thing.

Why Opt for a Smaller Smartphone?

Bigger doesn’t always equal better. In fact, there are a number of people who prefer the smaller phones. For one, smaller phones fit in your pocket or handbag more easily. Ever try to use your larger phone with one hand? It’s not so easy. If you’re someone with smaller hands, the larger phones become unwieldy monoliths. While smaller smartphones are getting harder to find, we’ve rounded up the best of the ones on offer.

Best Budget iPhone: iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Price: $250

The iPhone for people on a budget is also the one to grab if a smaller size is a priority. Measuring 5.45 inches (138mm) tall and 2.65 inches (67mm) wide, the iPhone SE fits comfortably in one hand. While the latest iteration of the iPhone SE is a few years old, it still performs well. This is thanks to the powerful and still very capable A15 Bionic SoC (system on a chip), the same one found in the iPhone 13.

The iPhone SE is smaller; however, it doesn’t suffer from thermal throttling, allowing it to punch above its weight, relative to its size. That said, the iPhone SE only comes with 4GB of RAM, yet it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for performance.

Best Flagship iPhone: iPhone 13 Mini

Price: $350 – 460 (depending on storage)

The iPhone 13 Mini may be a few years old, but the smallest iPhone you can get your hands on still features all of Apple’s bells and whistles. Measuring only 5.2 inches (132mm) tall and 2.5 inches (64mm) wide, it’s one of the few flagship iPhones that fit comfortably in one hand.

Despite its small stature, the iPhone 13 Mini boasts an impressive 5.4-inch OLED screen and the A15 Bionic SoC, which still holds up today. The iPhone 13 Mini has an excellent camera array and all of the modern Apple extras, like MagSafe and wireless charging. The best part is that the iPhone 13 Mini price is a mere fraction of the newer iPhone 15.

Best Budget Android: OnePlus Nord N30

Price: $299

The OnePlus Nord N30 is a device clearly marketed toward folks on a budget. But just because it doesn’t have an eye-watering price tag doesn’t mean it’s a lemon. In fact, there’s much to like about the Nord N30, starting with its physical size, measuring 6.5 inches (165.5mm) tall and 2.99 inches (76mm) wide. While it’s definitely one of the bigger devices on this list, it can still be operated comfortably with one hand and slipped into a pocket.

As mentioned above, the N30 is squarely a budget device, falling in the sub-$300 category. This means that you won’t get an AMOLED screen or the latest and greatest camera sensors. It features an attractive design and includes a microSD slot and headphone jack. The biggest mark against it is the limited software updates: OnePlus is only guaranteeing one OS upgrade.

Best Flagship Android: SAMSUNG Galaxy S24

Price: $859.99

The SAMSUNG Galaxy S24 boasts an impressive 6.2-inch LPTO AMOLED display in a package that is still comfortable to use with one hand. It’s seriously impressive that SAMSUNG was able to cram this much phone into a body that measures 5.78 inches (147mm) tall and 2.79 inches (71mm) wide.

The Galaxy S24 finds SAMSUNG leaning heavily into AI assisted tools. With the Galaxy AI integrated into virtually everything, it encompasses nearly every aspect of the consumer experience. Some of the coolest features are that you can search for information just by drawing a circle around things with your finger and even translate text and speech in real time. Whether you utilize these AI tools or not, the SAMSUNG Galaxy S24 is an Android flagship that is small and sleek – definitely a rarity these days.

Best Camera: Google Pixel 8

Price: $699

At first, the Google Pixel 8 didn’t seem that small, but it was designed to be “pocket-friendly.” While it certainly pushes the boundaries of what that may mean, it’s still a fairly small phone when comparing it to others on the market, measuring 5.94 inches (151mm) tall and 2.8 inches (71mm) wide.

In addition to the stock Android experience, one of the most compelling reasons to opt for a Pixel is the excellent camera. The Pixel range has always been a mid-range device, but Google certainly has not cut any corners with the device’s photo capabilities. The Pixel 8’s cameras excel in virtually every scenario, particularly in low light, as the upgraded setup allows more light to hit the sensor, resulting in crisp, detailed nighttime shots. In addition, it features an impressive wide-angle lens and an 8x optical zoom telephoto lens.

Best Foldable: SAMSUNG Galaxy Z Flip 5

Price: $849.99

Foldables aren’t for everyone, but they offer almost unrivaled pocketability – at least when they’re folded and still retain much of their functionality when closed, which is largely due to the outer display. The SAMSUNG Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a massive 3.4 inch outer display that can be used to sort through notifications, queue up full-screen widgets like the Calendar app, and frame selfies better. The outer screen has up to 11 pages you can customize, making it entirely possible to use the Z Flip 5 while folded.

The SAMSUNG Galaxy Z Flip 5 measures 6.5 inches (165mm) tall and 2.8 inches (72mm) wide when unfolded. Folded, the Z Flip 5 is 3.35 inches (85mm) tall, 2.83 inches (72mm) wide, and only 0.6 inches (15mm) thick. The Z Flip 5 is small enough to slip into a pocket, while still boasting a massive 6.7-inch AMOLED screen when unfolded. If the price tag is not palatable, you can opt for the SAMSUNG Galaxy Z Flip 4, which features almost exactly the same physical dimensions. However, you’ll need to settle for a smaller, 1.9-inch outer display, which limits what you can do while the device is folded.

Best Tiny Smartphone: Unihertz Jelly 2E

Price: $159.99

This phone may seem like a joke, but it is very real and surprisingly capable. The Unihertz Jelly 2E is a phone designed for folks who prioritize portability and the essentials. Measuring a mere 3.74 inches (95mm) tall and 1.94 inches (49.4mm) wide, the Jelly 2E is roughly the size of a credit card. It’s so tiny, you may be wondering if you can do anything other than make phone calls. Granted, the 3-inch display isn’t going to blow anyone away, but the Jelly 2E runs Android 12, has 4GB of RAM, and can run most of the most popular apps, like Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok.

The Unihertz Jelly 2E is also worth a look if you want to curb your smartphone use. Scrolling through socials won’t be as pleasant as they are on a larger display, so it may help you curb those impulses. It isn’t a “dumb” phone, as you’ll still have connectivity and access to all of the apps you need to go about your business, making it an appealing, and incredibly cute, device choice.

Smaller smartphones are far from being obsolete, and there are still plenty of models to choose from. If these choices aren’t quite small enough, you may want to take a look at the best Android flip phones. Alternatively, check out some of the best foldable Android phones. If cost is the number one concern, be sure to check out the best budget Android phones.

Image credit: Unsplash

Ryan Lynch - Staff Writer

Ryan is an English & Film Studies teacher. He splits his time between Australia and the United States. He passes the time on long haul flights by playing retro video games from his youth.