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Although the market for small phones isn’t nearly what it used to be, you can still find a relatively compact handset that doesn’t compromise on top features. PCMag has been writing about phones for at least three decades, so you can trust that we’ve searched high and low for the few remaining phones that meet a reasonable definition of “small.” Among our Editors’ Choice winners are the Google Pixel 9 for its top-notch cameras and the TCL Flip 2 for its old-school design. We even include a few pocket-friendly iPhones if you prefer Apple’s ecosystem. Of course, all our recommendations are worth your consideration, so be sure to read the linked reviews for our in-depth evaluations. For more details to keep in mind while you shop, don’t miss our buying guide at the end.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Small iPhone
Apple iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 incorporates most of the features from Apple’s high-end Pro into a size that’s easier to carry and use. It has the same Action Button and Camera Control, for example, as well as a generational jump in processor and memory to power Apple Intelligence. Together with good battery life, fast charging, modern radios, and high-quality hardware, it’s a near-total package.
If you want an iPhone that performs well and fits in your pocket at an affordable price, the iPhone 16 is the way to go.
Operating System
iOS 18
CPU
Apple A18
Dimensions
5.8 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches
Screen Size
6.1 inches
Screen Resolution
2556 by 1179 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 12MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
18 hours
Learn More
Best Affordable Android Phone
Google Pixel 8a
The Google Pixel 8a wraps up the most compelling features of other Pixel phones at a more affordable midrange price and still manages to keep the footprint (relatively) compact. You get excellent photos thanks to a combination of quality hardware and Google’s computational photography algorithms. Its beautiful 6.1-inch OLED display is visible even in bright sunlight thanks to its maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. And it has the same Tensor G3 processor as its pricier Pixel 8 siblings for swift AI performance.
If you want the most recent phone tech from Google at the lowest price, the Pixel 8a is your best bet. It’s attractive, highly capable, and is set to receive OS and security updates for seven years.
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Google Tensor G3
Dimensions
5.99 by 2.86 by 0.35 inches
Screen Size
6.1 inches
Screen Resolution
2,400 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
64MP, 13MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
12 hours, 50 minutes
Learn More
Best Camera Quality
Google Pixel 9
The Pixel 9 is the smallest of Google’s flagship phones, but it still packs a fast Tensor G4 processor, lots of Gemini AI-assisted features, a gorgeous screen, and the best cameras in its price range. Moreover, it offers an intuitive software experience and comes in at a palatable price.
The Pixel 9 is for Google fans who don’t want to deal with the price or size of the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL but still want most of the high-end features and a solid camera experience.
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Google Tensor G4
Dimensions
6.0 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches
Screen Size
6.3 inches
Screen Resolution
2,424 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 48MP; 10.5MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
11 hours, 45 minutes
Learn More
Best Flip Phone
TCL Flip 2
TCL’s Flip 2 is a low-cost voice phone with a few modern conveniences, such as Wi-Fi and email access. Moreover, we’re fans of its clear call quality and long battery life (around 14 hours of talk time). We would have liked a slightly more usable camera, but that drawback doesn’t detract from the phone’s primary purpose of making calls.
If you miss the simplicity of your old flip phone, this TCL model should appeal. It’s a reliable choice if you simply need to make voice calls.
Operating System
AOSP
CPU
MediaTek 6739-CH
Dimensions
4.22 by 2.19 by 0.78 inches
Screen Size
2.8 inches
Screen Resolution
320 by 240 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
2MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
Approximately 14 hours of talk time
Learn More
Best Small Android Phone
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, a speedy Snapdragon X75 modem, 8GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage into its reasonably sized frame. The phone’s 50MP main camera also takes sharp, vibrant photos, while its Full HD panel offers 2,600 nits of peak outdoor brightness and HDR10+ support. Battery life is better than average, while wireless charging is a welcome convenience.
If you prefer Android to iOS, the Galaxy S24 is the best compact phone you can buy. And because Samsung commits to seven years of OS updates, you won’t have to worry about finding another small phone for a long time.
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Dimensions
5.79 by 2.78 by 0.30 inches
Screen Size
6.2 inches
Screen Resolution
2,340 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 12MP, 10MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
13 hours, 5 minutes
Learn More
Best Folding Phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 doesn’t make you give up screen real estate in the name of practicality: It folds down to easily fit inside your pocket and opens up to reveal a 6.7-inch display. An outer display is useful for everything from taking selfies to interacting with widgets, while the phone’s IP48 rating, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panels on the front and back, and flat-folding hinge make it sufficiently durable. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip keeps everything running smoothly.
If you want to carry the smallest phone possible, it’s hard to beat the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It combines the compact design of a flip phone with the advanced features of a traditional smartphone.
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Dimensions
6.50 by 2.83 by 0.27 inches
Screen Size
6.7 inches
Screen Resolution
2,640 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
12MP, 50MP; 10MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
16 hours, 20 minutes
Learn More
Most Affordable Small iPhone
Apple iPhone SE
Apple’s iPhone SE doesn’t have the latest specs or the most cutting-edge design, but it’s an affordable entry into the iOS ecosystem and among the most suitable phones for one-handed use. Its A15 processor is still fast enough for most tasks, and its rear camera works fine in sufficient light. Battery life is behind the times, but that’s not a deal breaker.
If the iPhone 16 is out of your budget, the iPhone SE is the most cost-effective way to experience Apple’s mobile OS in a compact design. And if you’re not a fan of Face ID, the Touch ID button should be a welcome sight.
Operating System
iOS 15
CPU
Apple A15
Dimensions
5.45 by 2.65 by 0.29 inches
Screen Size
4.7 inches
Screen Resolution
1,334 by 750 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
12MP; 7MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
7 hours, 20 minutes
Learn More
Buying Guide: The Best Small Phones for 2024
How Big Is Too Big?
Smartphones have increased in size, but our hands haven’t. Way back when LG launched its G2 smartphone in 2013, the company said that most people could comfortably hold a phone as wide as 2.8 inches. That might be why the base size for Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S phones and Apple’s base iPhones has hovered between 2.7 and 2.8 inches for years.
Left to right: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, S24 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Palm breadth tells you how wide a phone can be before it falls out of your hand; thumb length tells you how wide a screen can be before it’s inoperable with one hand. According to an old NASA study, a HealthLine article mentions the average handbreadth is 3.1 inches for women and 3.5 inches for men. The Center for Construction Research and Training estimates are a bit lower: 2.91 inches for women and 3.3 inches for men. A New York Magazine story cites a US Army study that claims the average thumb length is 2.74 inches for men and 2.49 inches for women. So, that 2.8-inch phone width from LG is just a hair wider than the full reach of the average male thumb.
We’ve used the 2.8-inch-wide measurement as the maximum width for phones eligible for this roundup, but it’s getting progressively more difficult to find phones that meet this requirement. As such, a couple of phones on the list are just a hair over the 2.8-inch mark. Many people might still find these phones a bit wide for one-handed use, but small phone beggars can’t currently be choosers.
Why Are Phones Getting Bigger?
The push toward the mobile internet and video consumption originally drove the growth of phone screens. With phones now serving as people’s primary window to the internet and preferred canvas for myriad video streaming services, bigger screens are now more compelling than smaller ones.
When the physical size of hands stopped manufacturers from making phones wider, they still went taller, pushing the screen height-to-width ratio from the common 16:9 to 19:9 or 20:9. Sony has gone as far as 21:9, making very tall, narrow phones that beautifully display 21:9 video originally intended for wide-screen TVs. If you care about “small” only in the sense of reaching across your phone, one of those phones might be a good option.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (Credit: Eric Zeman)
People like bigger batteries, too, and the easiest way to pack in a bigger battery is to make the phone bigger. Unlike other technologies, battery capacity has been extremely resistant to technological improvement—try to get too smart at squeezing more battery capacity into a smaller space, and you end up with a problem.
Finally, phone makers want to charge more. There’s a deep theme in the American consumer culture that bigger is better and is worth more: bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger TVs, and bigger phones. It’s been difficult for phone makers to convince consumers that something small still holds value.
Small voice phones are worth considering if you’re looking for a small phone because you find big screens distracting or exhausting. These little flip phones fit just as well in your hand now as their ancestors did in 2006.
Recommended by Our Editors
The Future of Small Smartphones
Alas, it looks like small smartphones will remain a niche market. For example, Apple ceased selling the iPhone mini because it sold so poorly. Samsung and Sony are sort of keeping smaller premium devices in their lineups. Folding phones (specifically those that mimic the design of old-school flip phones) are also worth considering, as they are at least pocketable.
Still thinking big? Check out our roundup of the best phones overall.
Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.