In just a few short years, big phones have gone from being an outlier to the norm in the smartphone industry. Just about every major device released these days has a larger physical size, and while that’s great for watching movies and playing games, it can be a challenge for those who prefer our phones to be small and compact. Thankfully, there are still plenty of options out there — including the Google Pixel 4a as our top overall pick. So if you’re looking eagerly at that iPhone 12 mini but don’t want to switch over to iOS, these are the best small Android phones you can buy.
Best overall: Google Pixel 4a
Regardless of size, the Pixel 4a is just one of the best Android phones you can buy right now. Admittedly, it isn’t the most technically impressive handset on the market, but the value on offer is tremendous.
As you’d expect from any Pixel, the Pixel 4a takes incredible photos. Whether you’re shooting in broad daylight or trying to take a picture of the night sky using the Astrophotography Mode, the Pixel 4a delivers the goods. Images are crisp, full of color, and consistently look nothing short of amazing. You get these great results basically every time you press the shutter button, and that reliability isn’t something always found on much more expensive devices.
Outside of its camera, the Pixel 4a doesn’t skimp out in any other regard. The 5.8-inch display strikes a near-perfect balance of being big enough for enjoyable content consumption while still being manageable in one hand, and thanks to an OLED panel with a Full HD+ resolution, everything you do on it looks excellent. You can also look forward to a snappy performance from the Snapdragon 730 processor, all-day battery life, and ample storage (128GB, to be exact).
Pros:
- Takes gorgeous photos
- Good performance
- Has a headphone jack
- Clean and up-to-date software
- Works with all U.S. carriers
Cons:
- No expandable storage
- Boring design
Best overall
Google Pixel 4a Android Smartphone
- $349 at Google
- $300 at Best Buy
- $349 at B&H
Small phone champ
With an excellent balance of specs, features, and price, the Pixel 4a stands out as the best small phone you can buy.
Get an upgrade: Google Pixel 5
There’s no denying the value of the Pixel 4a, but if you’re yearning for something a bit more premium, the Pixel 5 is an exceptional upgrade. It has everything that makes the Pixel 4a great, along with a few key improvements that make the experience even better.
Starting with the display, the Pixel 5 keeps the Full HD+ OLED setup and adds a 90Hz refresh rate to the mix. Pair that with the faster Snapdragon 765G processor, and the Pixel 5 sees a nice speed boost. The screen is slightly larger at 6 inches, but when you factor in the Pixel 5’s smaller bezels all around, it ends up having a similar footprint to the Pixel 4a.
Also included on the Pixel 5 is a 16MP ultra-wide camera, in addition to the same 12.2MP primary sensor from the 4a. It isn’t the very best ultra-wide camera we’ve ever used, but it still allows for expanded shooting possibilities that you can’t get on a phone without an ultra-wide option. Throw in smaller perks like IP68 dust/water resistance and wireless charging, and the Pixel 5 gives you a lot for its asking price.
Pros:
- 90Hz OLED screen
- Faster Snapdragon 765G processor
- Dual rear cameras
- IP68 dust/water resistance
- Wireless charging
Cons:
- Only one storage option
- More expensive
Get an upgrade
Google Pixel 5 5G Android Phone
- $679 at Google
- $650 at Best Buy
Treat yourself to something nice
With a 90Hz screen, ultra-wide camera, and faster processor, the Pixel 5 is the small flagship you’re looking for.
Best flagship: Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung’s return to truly small phones with the Galaxy S10e back in 2019 was a breath of fresh air, and since then, we’ve yet to get a proper successor. So while the Galaxy S21 may not be quite as small as some people were hoping for, this is still a seriously great package that you don’t want to overlook.
In regards to size, the S21 is packing a 6.2-inch display. That might sound intimidating on paper, but in real-world use, it’s extremely comfortable to use. With tight bezels, a flat display, and a lightweight design thanks to the plastic back, the Galaxy S21 is one of the most user-friendly flagships we’re bound to see in 2021. The display is also top-notch, featuring an AMOLED panel, Full HD+ resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate for buttery smooth animations.
Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 888 chipset is at the heart of the S21, and as you’d expect, this allows for some of the best performance currently available in a smartphone (in addition to sub-6 and mmWave 5G support). There’s also 8GB of RAM and your choice of 128 or 256GB of internal storage. The triple-camera system is basically unchanged from last year’s Galaxy S20, but to be perfectly honest, that’s not a bad thing. Between the 12MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 64MP telephoto camera, you’ll be able to take some really nice shots with the S21.
The biggest downside to the S21 is, unfortunately, battery life. It’s far from unusable, but if you’re rocking the 120Hz refresh rate and have an active 5G connection, don’t expect to make it through more than one day of use.
Pros:
- 120Hz AMOLED display is incredible
- Amazing performance with Snapdragon 888
- Great triple-camera system
- Android 11 with One UI 3.1 interface
- Promised three years of software updates
Cons:
- So-so battery
- Larger than other phones on the list
Best flagship
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- From $100 at Samsung
- From $700 at Amazon
- From $800 at Best Buy
Samsung’s small(er) flagship
The Galaxy S21 isn’t the tinniest phone you can get in 2021, but if you’re after a true flagship experience, it’s a great buy.
Hold a foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
Folding smartphones have gone from being a pipe dream to a reality, taking on a few different shapes and sizes. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G is as much a reflection of what Motorola tried to bring back with its reimagined RAZR (2020) as it is about Samsung going gaga over any phone that flips or folds. By virtue of simply folding in half, the device is small and compact. Unlike the RAZR, folding it in half doesn’t give you an additional display, which would’ve been handy for using the rear camera to take selfies, among other things. Instead, you only get a small slit to show some contextual info.
Once you open it up, you’re looking at a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen (2636×1080) that features a taller 21.9:9 aspect ratio, making it slightly narrower and more ergonomically friendly. It also stands out because of the type of material used to make it. Samsung may call it “glass,” but it feels more like plastic. Either way, it doesn’t really detract from what is otherwise a looker as far as aesthetics go.
Powering the phone is a combination of the Snapdragon 855+ processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. Not current by today’s standards, particularly when looking at the chipset, but still more than capable despite that. Samsung has also been active in updating the software, with One UI proving to be a good supplement to the latest version of Android.
Not all apps take advantage of the Flip’s ability to prop up halfway, though you can take advantage of it with the camera app for selfies or video calls. YouTube also works pretty well, but the pickings are still slim beyond that.
The Galaxy Z Flip is also unique in that it uses two batteries that combine to form the 3,300mAh capacity. That doesn’t make it the most efficient battery out there, but it should hold up well in most situations. Plus, you can charge it wirelessly, so that compact size comes with extra perks.
Pros:
- Still solid specs
- Decent battery life
- One UI 3.1 is sleek
- Fairly good cameras
- Incredible design
Cons:
- Expensive
- Display is somewhat fragile
- Not especially durable
Hold a foldable
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
- $1200 at Samsung
- $950 at Amazon
- $950 at Best Buy
The flip-phone is back
Samsung’s Galaxy Flip foldable isn’t cheap, but it’s a compact experience unlike any other if you can stomach the high price.
An alternative option Sony Xperia 5 II
This phone borrows heavily from the Sony Xperia 1 II, only has been cut down for size both on the inside and out. The smaller frame still gives you a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate, so visually, there’s something good to look at. You won’t be getting 4K resolution on this panel, but that’s fine if you don’t mind a step or two lower at 2520×1080.
The Xperia 5 II is also easier to wield, not just because of its smaller stature, but also a wise decision to go with rounded corners. A separate Google Assistant button also stands out, though it’s actually more like a multifunction key that you can customize to do something else. Strangely, Sony opted to go with an enlarged lock button to double as the fingerprint sensor when just doing an onscreen one would have probably made more sense.
In any case, there are some decent performance specs, courtesy of the Snapdragon 865 chipset, along with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage (there’s also a 256GB variant). That makes it more than capable of handling pretty much any task, even if the chipset itself may feel a bit aged. Streaming media is easy, and if you want to do some gaming, that’s easy enough, too. There’s even a headphone jack in case that’s useful.
A good IP68 rating gives the phone some decent water resistance, which may compel you to take a few risks when shooting with its competent camera. The triple camera array in the rear can take good shots, with more true-to-life color that might please your eye if you take photography more seriously. However, the front-facing sensor is modest 8MP and not quite as good as other comparable phones.
The 4,000mAh battery holds up really well because of its larger size relative to the phone’s slimmer frame, and that’s more than enough to last a full day, every day.
There is one big caveat to all this: The Xperia 5 II isn’t compatible with 5G networks in the U.S., so go for this if you’re still running on 4G LTE.
Pros:
- Sharp and colorful display
- Strong performance
- Solid camera output
- Long-lasting battery
- Good water resistance
Cons:
- Odd fingerprint sensor
- Only works with T-Mobile and AT&T
- No access to 5G networks in U.S.
An alternative option
Sony Xperia 5 II
- From $700 at Amazon
- $950 at B&H
More than you think
The Sony Xperia 5 II may not have been on your radar, but it does a lot of the important things well enough to be worth it.
A more compact choice: Asus Zenfone 8
Last but not least, we have the Asus Zenfone 8. Asus doesn’t often make headlines in this part of the world with its phones, but the Zenfone line has had a few wins in its short history, and this version is a pretty good choice if you’re looking for the right combination of size and functionality. There are a few different variants as far as memory and storage capacity go, but the rest of the phone runs on the same specs.
Once upon a time, a 5.9-inch display would’ve been big, but nowadays, it feels compact. And that’s why the Zenfone 8 is one of the smallest phones to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 processor, including an impressive 120Hz display with a 240Hz touch response rate. Add the varying RAM and storage options, and you get a lot for something that isn’t as sizeable as other handsets are.
It also sticks to some basics, like the headphone jack, while also pushing the boundaries on durability with an IP68 rating. The phone’s front has Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus to add some extra ruggedness to the device. Beyond its solid hardware and software performance, the only real question is what kind of upgrade cycle Asus plans to stick to for this phone.
The cameras can take great shots, though you don’t get a telephoto lens to zoom in optically. An amply-sized 4,000mAh battery is also more than enough to keep the phone going for a full day with little to get in the way. Unfortunately, no wireless charging means you’ll need to plug in for extra juice, but it supports 30W wired charging via USB-PD.
Pros:
- Compact and easy to hold
- Slick performance
- Excellent main and ultra-wide cameras
- Cleaner Android software
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- No telephoto camera
- Android update cycle unclear
- Only works with T-Mobile and AT&T
A more compact choice
Asus Zenfone 8
- From $720 at Amazon
Go the smaller route
The Zenfone 8 is lighter in your hands, but not in what it offers and how it performs, making it a nice choice to consider.
On a tight budget: Moto G Fast
Budget phones don’t come with reputations, though they should come with measured expectations because they’re clearly dialed back to bring the price down. The Moto G Fast very much falls in that boat, but when your needs aren’t all that extensive and you want something easier to hold, it does check both those boxes pretty easily. It’s basically a repackaged Moto G Power without the same specs and price tag.
To be clear, a big reason why this device is on this list is because of its size. The 6.4-inch display is hardly small, but feels that way, thanks to the overall design. You have to accept the lower 720p resolution, which may not be a big deal if you don’t care to do all that much with the phone. If your eyes don’t really discern much of a difference, or you simply don’t care, then this might be the phone for you.
The modesty extends to a lightweight Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor powering the device, which is the same chipset found in both the Moto G Power and G Stylus. Except the G Fast is limited to 3GB of RAM, so multitasking will reach its limits if you’re actively using several apps at once. The fingerprint sensor is fairly responsive and accurate, and Android runs smoothly when you’re not pushing things too far on the hardware side. It’s unclear what kind of update cadence Motorola plans to stick to for the phone, however.
Camera output is going to be as good as it gets for something in this price range. Decent shots in good conditions and not so good when the lights dim. That’s the same for the battery, which lasts a long time, thanks to its 4,000mAh size and the lighter specs. You should breeze through a full day with plenty left to spare.
Pros:
- Great build quality
- Long-lasting battery life
- Fast and reliable fingerprint sensor
- Compatible with all U.S. carriers
- Very low price
Cons:
- You have to accept a 720p display
- Not enough RAM or storage
- Terrible mono speaker
- Motorola’s update policy
On a tight budget
Moto G Fast
$170 at Amazon
$170 at B&H
When you just need less
The Moto G Fast isn’t going to wow anyone with what it brings to the table, but that’s fine when you don’t need to have it all.
For Apple users: iPhone 12 Mini
The iPhone 12 Mini was a device Apple took longer to make than some users wanted. Unlike the lower-cost iPhone SE, the 12 Mini is a combination of a more diminutive size with the performance capabilities of the company’s other premium handsets. The obvious focus is on the 5.4-inch OLED (2340×1080), and with a relatively small frame around it, it’s easily one of the smallest phones you can wield today.
It’s always nice when hardware and software can run this well on a device this size. The A14 Bionic chip is a steady performer, and with iOS 14 running smoothly, it’s as intuitive as you’d expect an iPhone to be. Apple’s tendency to also support its phones with years of updates (assuming they won’t throttle it in any way) will also keep the 12 Mini relevant for some time.
The two 12MP cameras on the rear include an ultra-wide lens and are essentially the same as those in the larger iPhone 12. While you may not get quite the same quality as the 12 Pro models, you should be satisfied in most conditions. Plus, it’s definitely one of the best video shooters of any comparable phone out there.
But when you trim things down, one thing that usually gets smaller is the battery. We don’t know the actual size because Apple doesn’t talk about the iPhone 12 mini’s battery, but it claims that it can easily last a full day. So it should, though longer-term, that’s not a guarantee. You do have wireless and MagSafe charging, so there are options beyond just plugging in via Lightning.
Pros:
- A14 Bionic is a powerful chip
- Wide and ultra-wide camera setup
- IP68 dust/water resistance
- Qi and MagSafe charging
- Great size for one-handed use
- Up to five years of OS and security updates
Cons:
- Still pricey for what you get
- No USB-C port
For Apple users
iPhone 12 Mini
$700 at Apple
$729 at Amazon
From $550 at Best Buy
Go the smaller route
Apple finally delivers what a vocal minority of its loyal users wanted, and that’s a phone like the iPhone 12 mini.
Bottom line
The market for small Android phones isn’t as expansive as it once used to be, but there are still plenty of choices out there if you know where to look. Among everything currently available, we think the Google Pixel 4a is the best one you can get.
Google just about perfected the small phone formula with the Pixel 4a. It’s an attractive and well-built phone, has capable specs across the board, and comes in at a price that’s more than reasonable. Using the Pixel 4a is pretty darn great no matter what you’re doing, often punching above what you’d expect from a phone this cheap.
What’s special about the Pixel 4a is that it goes above and beyond regarding camera and software. These are two areas that the Pixel does better than anyone else, and with the Pixel 4a, you get those benefits while staying within your budget.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Joe Maring is Android Central’s Senior Editor and has had a love for anything with a screen and CPU since he can remember. He’s been talking/writing about Android in one form or another since 2012 and often does so while camping out at the nearest coffee shop.
Ted Kritsonis loves taking photos when the opportunity arises, be it on a camera or smartphone. Beyond sports and world history, you can find him tinkering with gadgets or enjoying a cigar.
