this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2023
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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by sosimple530 to c/android
 

I like the feeling of holding and using a phone in one hand. I am using a Pixel 5 right now, but it feels a bit too large for me. I know nobody makes phone that small like the iPhone 4S or the Samsung S3 mini anymore, but is there at least a phone smaller than the Pixel 5? Maybe around the size of a iPhone 12/13 mini?

EDIT: There is a small Android phone project in development for anyone interested: https://smallandroidphone.com/

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[–] bustrpoindextr 21 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No, but you're not alone in this hunt: https://smallandroidphone.com/

There's a discord for it and everything. I'm hoping it makes it to production

[–] sosimple530 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Really? I thought the project was dead. I cannot find any news or update on this, let alone a whole discord server.

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago (3 children)

The Zenfone 9 is one of the only and best small phones on the Android side. It's a really solid phone but do your own research to see if it is okay for your needs. If you are going to buy I would recommend waiting until June 29 when it is rumoured that the Zenfone 10 will come out so you can either get the new version or get some good deals on the Zenfone 9.

[–] V4uban 3 points 1 year ago

I really hope they change their software support policy. That was a deal-breaker for a lot of potential purchasers.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I'm loving my Asus Zenfone 9.
Great battery life
3.5mm headphone jack
Great specs
5G

[–] bobaduk 5 points 1 year ago

My ZenFone 8 died this morning and I'm heartbroken.

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[–] hydra 14 points 1 year ago (7 children)

Small phones are in a crisis right now. I'm still holding on to my Galaxy S7. If you want something newer there's the Pixel 4a or the Asus Zenfone 9 if you have money to spend. Zenfone 10 is coming soon and so far it's THE only small phone planned for release this year

[–] 18uljnrk 5 points 1 year ago

The pixel 4a will stop receiving updates on September this year. Not a good choice fit security reasons

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[–] lwuy9v5 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I just got a Unihertz Atom XL - it's great at 4". It does feel a bit like a phone from 2013, back when screen sizes were like that... but honestly holding my "old" phone in my hand (which was a moto g7) feels CRAZY. I can't get my thumb across the whole screen and my hands aren't small. With the phone protector I had on my last phone they were about the same thickness, too.

In general, when I was doing my research, it seemed like there was a couple niche manufacturers like Unihertz that make phones that are smaller than 6" - other than that, yea the Pixel was being mentioned on "Smallest phones in 2023" lists

[–] RandomBanana 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I have the Unihertz Jelly 2, and I love it. It fits in my front pocket (when I have pockets, bc women aren't allowed pockets). It's easier to forget it's there, which makes me less likely to pull it out constantly.

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[–] jecht360 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I miss small phones. Especially ones with a 3.5mm jack and a microSD card slot.

[–] sosimple530 7 points 1 year ago (4 children)

You may want to take a look at the Xperia 10 series then. They are not as small, but they do have 3.5 mm jack and microSD card slot.

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[–] Apepollo11 12 points 1 year ago

I've literally just bought a Pixel 5 because it was the smallest high-spec phone I could afford.

Although this thread is a month too late for me, I'm glad to have found it - I honestly felt like I was the only person in the world who didn't want a big phone.

[–] candyman337 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have the Asus Zenfone 9, I love this thing

[–] dep 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Zenfone 10 coming out end of June! Hopefully it's still 5.9"

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[–] aluminium 11 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Its either Galaxy S21/22/23, Asus Zenfone 8/9 or Sony Xperia 10 or 5 Series. Unfortunatly it doesn't get smaller without landing firmly in gimmick phone land (like the Unihertz Jelly)

Also if don't mind older hardware there is the really compact Sony Xperia XZ2 compact.

[–] sosimple530 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Galaxy S21/22/23, Asus Zenfone 8/9 or Sony Xperia 10 or 5 Series

These are very good phones but they are not small enough for me.

The size of XZ2 compact is very nice but I hate the curved edges and back panel. I think XZ1 compact actually suits me better, but it is almost 6 years old now. I don't think I will be able to use it for long.

[–] V4uban 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It's quite crazy that S23 is considered a small today

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[–] pbmonster 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sony Xperia XZ2 compact

Legendary phone. Almost 6 years old, and still goes for $500+ if you find one in new-ish condition.

Complete shame Sony discontinued it and left the 5" niche empty.

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[–] Auskeek 10 points 1 year ago

I feel the pixel 6a and 7a sizes are still very reasonable, I'm using a 6a at the moment and it's just that little bit bigger than the 5.

I also own a 7 pro which is stupidly big...

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Zenfones are expensive AF. Zenfone 9 for example will not get Android 15. So very pricey and bad support. Also if you are into accessories than again, avoid Asus.

Options are iPhone minis (not Android lol), S22/S23 and pixel 7a (which is larger than the Pixel 5).

[–] sosimple530 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If only there was a new Android phone with the size of iPhone 12/13 mini.

[–] foggenbooty 11 points 1 year ago

I'm with you 100%

I just want a small phone that easily fits in one hand, headphone jack, sdcard, the things unused to have 5 years ago but with a modern processor.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Not only expensive but Asus' quality control, customer service and aftersales are also lacking

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

cries in moto x (2013)

Also looking for a new small phone. I had the last two Xperia 5's and they never felt premium enough to justify the price. Holding out for the Zenfone 10, Asus is pretty consistent with their Q2 releases.

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[–] Vani 8 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I'm running pixel 4a for this reason (also the support for grapheneos)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

4a and 5 are pretty much the same size I thought

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Galaxy S21/22/23, if you dont mind shutter lag

Zenfones, if you dont mind 3 times more faulty hardware than other brands, shit software support, bad software optimization, meh camera and bad VFM

Xiaomi 12, if you dont mind MIUI or installing custom ROM

Xperia phones if you dont mind remote control aspect ratio, shit software updates, meh camera and insane price

Pixel 8 if you dont mind waiting, it should be under 70/150mm judging by display size

[–] 84615_on_resu 6 points 1 year ago (5 children)

There is a Samsung addon called Camera Assistant. It integrates with Samsung camera's settings, and allows the photo button to make a photo "on press" (while the default is set to "on release").

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Galaxy S10e is smaller than almost everything these days. I've bought a back up one since I haven't seen any new small phones I like.
Headphone jack included. Decent battery. 4g only I think is the biggest problem sometimes

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

My normal S10 was incredible until it finally broke a couple weeks ago. Felt super modern even 4 years after launch. Make sure to get the Snapdragon model if you do go with the S10e though @sosimple530

[–] PlutoniumAcid 4 points 1 year ago

I also use S10. This is my second one, both bought used. Before I had S6 which was equally sweet.

I really miss the notification LED!

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[–] turbineBMW 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Zenfone 9 is amazing. I've had one for around a year. It's slightly smaller than the Pixel 5 and has absolutely amazing battery life. Mostly stock android with a lot of little QOL improvements sprinkled all around the system.

[–] foggenbooty 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It had a lot of potential. But their lack of a full global launch, missing LTE bands for my Canada, and poor support make it an incredible expense for what you get. I was so excited about it leading up to the release.

[–] bran 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

IKR! The Zenfone 9 looked like a great form-factor for me but only 2 years of Android updates is just too short to me (as someone who tries to keep using the same phone until it truly croaks)

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[–] catlover 6 points 1 year ago

I would be soo happy if smaller phones were still around. I would't even mind the slower hardware or battery. I still mis my huawei y300 from 2013. 124x64x12 mm!

[–] Llamajockey 6 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Im with you man, i hate that phones all went for large blank rectangle. Google Pixels and folding phone might be the only alternative. I had the pixel 4a for that reason. Upgraded to 6a and sadly they made them bigger.

Sony used to have their compact line which was so great. Wish they still had that line.

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[–] LordShrek 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

unihertz jelly 2. unihertz also some other small phones. also has a headphone jack, fm radio, wrist strap, customizable LED, programmable hardware button.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

It is about the same size as the S10e, just a little longer. So not small but not giant like so many of the others.

[–] Hyacin 4 points 1 year ago

NOT Pixel 7! I got one because the Pixel 7 Pro was gigantic, but it's just such a mediocre phone and totally not worth what they charge for it.

[–] UESPA_Sputnik 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

There's a Japanese company who released a quirky 4.9 inch Android phone last year but AFAIK it's only available in Japan.

https://www.xda-developers.com/balmuda-phone-review/

Maybe import that one?

Edit: Mr Mobile did a review too: https://youtu.be/Tx6GqiSipy8

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If you truly want small you get a shit phone these days with Android. Best in the slightly larger than small category is the Zenfone 9.

I run an s22 and it's small enough especially without a case. Pretty good battery life and the camera array is good too. Understandable if you want smaller though. Having had it I don't think I could go any smaller.

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[–] pseudo 4 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Xperia XZ2 Compact (2018) here. Running perfectly with LOS+microG.

But as the phone is starting to fall apart, my desperation is setting in.

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[–] drmoose 4 points 1 year ago

I'm really happy with my s22. I have it naked with a screen protector and it's rather tiny.

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