What is considered a small Android phone in 2019, and what are your options?
Smartphones are getting bigger and bigger. So many devices today — especially flagships — are more than 150mm tall, or nearly six inches. The OnePlus 7 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, for example, are both 162mm tall (~6.4 inches), which is huge.
While many people like big smartphones, phones that large have their share of problems. For example, they are not easy to use with one hand and are harder to carry around in one’s pocket.
Some consumers still prefer small Android phones, and by “small” we mean devices that are less than or equal to 145mm (~5.7 inches) tall. But are there any options left?
There actually are a few out there, but you might need to make some sacrifices. For example, smaller devices might have poor battery life and weaker specs as compared to their larger counterparts. But if a small form factor is important to you, the phone’s below are your best bets!
Best small Android phones:
Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best small Android phones regularly as new devices launch.
1. Samsung Galaxy S10e
As far as small Android phones go, you can’t do much better than the Samsung Galaxy S10e. Even though it is small in size with a height of just 142.2mm, it still packs many high-end features — and has a reasonable price tag to boot.
With the Galaxy S10e, you are getting the same high-end processor you’ll find in the main Galaxy S10 and even the Galaxy S10 Plus (the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820, depending on your region). You also get the latest Android 9 Pie (skinned over with Samsung’s One UI), up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of internal storage.
However, the Galaxy S10e does have a comparatively small battery at just 3,100mAh, and its camera system is nowhere near as good as the systems on its larger siblings. But for a starting price of $750, you’re getting a lot of power from a small phone at a good price.
You can use an unlocked Galaxy S10e on any carrier in the U.S.
Samsung Galaxy S10e specs:
- Display: 5.8-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820
- RAM: 6 or 8GB
- Storage: 128 or 256GB
- Rear cameras: 12 and 16MP
- Front camera: 10MP
- Battery: 3,100mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
2. Google Pixel 3
We will admit that with a height of 145.6mm, the Google Pixel 3 just barely meets our self-imposed limit for small Android phones. However, if you’re looking for a phone that won’t feel gigantic in your hand but still offers a lot of power, this is certainly worth a look.
The Pixel 3 comes with 2018’s top-of-the-line processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. It comes with a nearly-stock version of Android 9 Pie, 4GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of storage.
However, the highlight of the Pixel 3 is its camera, which is still one of the best smartphone cameras ever made. What’s more, the camera software is constantly getting tweaked by Google, which makes the Pixel 3 a solid investment if consistent Android and feature updates are important to you.
You can use an unlocked Pixel 3 on any carrier in the U.S.
Google Pixel 3 specs:
- Display: 5.5-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 845
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64 or 128GB
- Rear camera: 12.2MP
- Front cameras: 8 and 8MP
- Battery: 2,915mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
3. Palm Phone
The Palm Phone is not just one of the small Android phones you can buy today — it is downright tiny. With a height of just 96.6mm, the device is barely larger than a credit card.
Originally, the Palm Phone was sold as a companion device exclusively through Verizon. It was meant to be used as a device you would take with you when having your primary phone wasn’t practical, such as on a hike or at the beach. You would still need a “regular” phone attached to a Verizon account to get it.
Now though, you can buy the Palm Phone on its own and use it as your primary device, if you wish. As of today, you are still locked to the Verizon network, but pre-orders are open now to buy a fully unlocked Palm Phone that could be used at AT&T, T-Mobile, or other carriers.
The main drawback to the Palm Phone is that it’s not very powerful and would probably be frustrating to use as your only smartphone. However, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning it!
Palm Phone specs:
- Display: 3.3-inch, HD
- SoC: Snapdragon 435
- RAM: 3GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Rear camera: 12MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 800mAh
- Software: Android 8.1 Oreo
4. Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
With a height of just 135mm, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact should be one of the top contenders in your search for the best of the small Android phones available. Not only is it small — even smaller than the Galaxy S10e — but it’s also got some decent specs and the latest version of Android on board.
The Xperia XZ2 Compact comes with the Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of onboard storage. It also notably comes in four gorgeous colors: Black, White Silver, Coral Pink, and Moss Green.
To make things even more enticing, the Xperia XZ2 Compact is aggressively priced at just under $500. You can usually find it on sale for even cheaper if you’re lucky!
You can use an unlocked Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact on any carrier in the U.S. except for those on the Sprint network.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact specs:
- Display: 5-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 845
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Rear camera: 19MP
- Front camera: 5MP
- Battery: 2,870mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie (ships with Oreo)
5. LG Q7
If you’re on a budget, the LG Q7 should be one of the small Android phones you check out. While no powerhouse, it’s only 143.8mm tall and will be a reliable device that won’t break the bank.
The LG Q7 is underpowered by today’s standards, with a MediaTek 6750S processor, just 3GB of RAM, and only 32GB of storage. It has an older version of Android (Oreo) and will very likely never see Android 9 Pie.
However, it does have a sizable battery at 3,000mAh and it does feature a microSD slot so you can add up to an extra 1TB of storage.
At a list price of under $400, the LG Q7 is great for bargain hunters. Unfortunately, the device is a bit tricky to get in the United States, but it’s not impossible to find (click the button below for a link). The LG Q7 is easier to get in the United Kingdom, with a list price of 250 pounds (~$314).
If you do grab the LG Q7 in the U.S., it will only work on GSM networks such as AT&T and T-Mobile.
LG Q7 specs:
- Display: 5.5-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Mediatek 6750S
- RAM: 3GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Rear camera: 13MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 3,000mAh
- Software: Android 8.1 Oreo
6. Sony Xperia XA2
If you liked the price of the LG Q7 but thought the specs were just a bit too weak, have a look at the Sony Xperia XA2 in your search for the best of the small Android phones. It has a few notable bumps in specs and has a subjectively nicer form factor while having a height of just 142mm.
The device comes with the Snapdragon 630, objectively better than the MediaTek 6750S on the Q7. It has a better rear camera, a slightly larger battery, and the same 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.
The Xperia XA2 also received an upgrade to Android 9 Pie, which is certainly nice. However, it’s unlikely it will get Android Q.
You can use an unlocked Sony Xperia XA2 on any carrier in the U.S. except for those on the Sprint network.
Sony Xperia XA2 specs:
- Display: 5.2-inch, FHD
- SoC: Snapdragon 630
- RAM: 3GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Rear camera: 23MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 3,300mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie (ships with Oreo)
7. Samsung Galaxy A40
Although the Samsung Galaxy A40 isn’t officially released in the United States, it’s pretty easy to get here thanks to the magic of online shopping. Those of you living in the United Kingdom will have a much easier time grabbing the device, which is only 144.4mm tall.
The Galaxy A40 stands out on this list for one reason: it crams a 5.9-inch display into its relatively small body. The screen-to-body ratio of the Galaxy A40 is even higher than that of its more expensive cousin, the Galaxy S10e.
The Galaxy S10e, however, is the more powerful of the two. The Galaxy A40 is stuck with just 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a weaker camera system. Still, you’ll pay much less for the Galaxy A40 — in some cases half the cost of the S10e.
If you grab the Galaxy A40 in the U.S., it will only work on GSM networks such as AT&T and T-Mobile.
Samsung Galaxy A40 specs:
- Display: 5.9-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Exynos 7904
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Rear cameras: 5 and 16MP
- Front camera: 25MP
- Battery: 3,100mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
8. Nokia 8 Sirocco
The Nokia 8 Sirocco was one of the first high-end smartphones with the Nokia name to land since HMD Global bought the rights. Since then, HMD has made some serious waves by offering many Nokia-branded phones with great specs, interesting designs, and very reasonable prices.
Since the Nokia 8 Sirocco was one of the first of its kind, it’s a bit old as compared to some of the other devices on this list of small Android phones. However, it still has some decent specs, has the latest Android 9 Pie software, and meets our size requirement by being only 140.9mm tall. So here we are!
The Nokia 8 Sirocco comes with 2017’s flagship processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. Paired with that, it has a solid 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a pretty decent camera setup.
You can grab a Nokia 8 Sirocco for under $500 here in the U.S. If you grab one, it will only work on GSM carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile.
Nokia 8 Sirocco specs:
- Display: 5.5-inch, QHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 835
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Rear cameras: 12 and 13MP
- Front camera: 5MP
- Battery: 3,260mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie (with Android One)
Those are our picks for the best small Android phones on the market right now. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
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