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 Apple iPhone 16 for its incredible performance. 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
- Most affordable iPhone 16 model
- High-quality hardware
- Swift performance
- Sharp camera quality
- Good battery life
- Supports Apple Intelligence
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
2,556 by 1,179 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 12MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
17 hours, 47 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPhone 16 Review
- Powerful performance
- Excellent cameras
- Useful Google AI
- Seven-year software support commitment
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- No reverse wireless charging
The Google Pixel 9a wraps up the most compelling features of other Pixel phones at a more affordable 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 6.3-inch OLED display is visible even in bright sunlight thanks to its maximum 2,700-nit brightness. And it has the same Tensor G4 processor as its pricier Pixel 9 siblings for swift AI performance.
If you want the most recent phone tech from Google at the lowest price and the smallest form factor, the Pixel 9a is your best bet. It’s attractive, highly capable, and is set to receive OS and security updates for seven years.
Operating System
Android 15
CPU
Google Tensor G4
Dimensions
6.1 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches
Screen Size
6.3 inches
Screen Resolution
2,424 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 13MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
13 hours, 15 minutes
Learn More
Google Pixel 9a Review
- Excellent cameras
- Useful and fun AI features
- Good performance
- Competitively priced
- Limited storage
- Doesn’t include Gemini Live subscription
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 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
Google Pixel 9 Review
- Exceptional performance
- Useful AI features
- Bright screen
- Good battery life
- Excellent build quality
- No S Pen or 5x optical camera
- Limited storage options
- Dated design
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, a speedy Snapdragon X80 modem, 12GB 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 S25 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 15
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Dimensions
5.78 by 2.78 by 0.28 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)
14 hours, 15 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy S25 Review
- Bright displays
- Category-leading battery life
- Powerful performance
- Fun folding form factor
- Middling cameras
- Mediocre AI
The Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) embraces its dual-screen design in a way many alternatives don’t; you can run virtually any app you want on either the vivid 4.0-inch outer display or the expansive 7.0-inch inner panel. We also like its IP48 waterproof rating, stylish design, competitive performance, and fast 68W wired charging.
If you want a small folding phone that encourages you to unlock it less often, the Razr Ultra is a top pick. Fashion-conscious buyers are sure to appreciate its unique color options, too.
Operating System
Android 15
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform
Dimensions
3.47 by 2.91 by 0.62 inches closed, 6.75 by 2.91 by 0.28 inches open.
Screen Size
7 inches
Screen Resolution
2,992 by 1,224 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 50MP; 50MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
22 hours, 33 minutes
Learn More
Motorola Razr Ultra Review
- Just as powerful as the iPhone 16
- Leading battery life
- Sharp screen
- Dependable cameras
- USB-C port
- Apple Intelligence runs well
- Screen is not as bright as on the iPhone 16
- No mmWave 5G, Ultra Wideband, or Wi-Fi 7
- Lacks ultra-wide and telephoto cameras
- No MagSafe charging support
Apple’s iPhone 16e includes a modern design and mostly recent specs, including Apple’s A18 processor and 48MP Fusion camera. It’s also the most affordable entry into the iOS ecosystem and among the most suitable phones for one-handed use. More importantly, it has some of the best battery life we’ve seen from a small iPhone.
If the iPhone 16 is out of your budget, the iPhone 16e is the most cost-effective way to experience Apple’s mobile OS in a compact design.
Operating System
iOS 18
CPU
Apple A18
Dimensions
5.78 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches
Screen Size
6.1 inch
Screen Resolution
2,532 by 1,170 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
21 hours, 37 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPhone 16e Review
- Affordable
- Clear earpiece and speakerphone
- Wi-Fi
- Email access
- FM radio
- Mediocre battery life
- Limited third-party apps
- Poor cameras
The TCL Flip 3 is a great voice phone with a removable battery, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C charging port. It also features a 5MP camera, which is useful in a pinch. Finally, Wi-Fi connectivity and email access can help keep you in the communications loop.
If you aren’t interested in owning a smartphone, the affordable TCL Flip 3 performs basic phone functions confidently. The speakerphone and earpiece sound quite clear, too.
Operating System
KaiOS
CPU
Qualcomm QM215
Dimensions
4 .22 by 2.34 by 0.78 inches
Screen Size
3.2 inches
Screen Resolution
320 by 240 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
5MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
Approximately 10.5 hours of talk time
Learn More
TCL Flip 3 Review
Get Our Best Stories!
A Smart, Bold Take on the Wireless World
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
The Best Small Phones for 2025
Compare Specs
Buying Guide: The Best Small Phones for 2025
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 S25 Ultra, S25+, S25 (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.
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 (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. Folding phones (specifically those that mimic the design of old-school flip phones) are 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.
