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?
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.
The Galaxy S21/22/23 is slightly larger than the OP’s Pixel 5 however. The Zenphone 9 might be a good option as it’s around 2mm narrower - not a lot but it’d be noticeable for one handed usage.
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.
Nah, it works perfectly fine. Matter of fact, even the precedessor - Xperia Z5 compact can run 95% of Apps just fine due to almost all Apps still supporting Android 7. I got all 3 of them - Z5 Compact, XZ1 Compact and XZ2 Compact and all of them still hold up (my XZ1 compact however developed a quite a few dead pixels sadly).
Also from what I have seen Sony phones seem to get decent Custom ROM support - but I haven’t tried to custom ROM any of these myself.
I think the XZ1 still has two years in the tank - maybe even more with LinageOS. Its remarkably fast in my use due to the awesome Snapdragon 835, 720p and lightweight Software.
Maybe the XZ1 compact can last quite a while before it really becomes obsolete, but I don’t want to just buy an old phone just to throw my current Pixel 5 aside. I think I will keep waiting for a new small phone for now.
Actually, come to think of it, I think Sony has been releasing 5" phones as the Xperia Ace series. They are budget phones that are only available in Japan. I heard the spec is not very good, so I didn’t bother to get one.
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.
The one thing I find annoying is our compact phone options (Sony & Asus) both refuse to support their devices for more than a couple years of android OS updates. (I don’t expect to see Android 14 on the sony mk3 series, and asus likely won’t support the Zenfone 9 past android 15.
and aside from that we just have the meme that is Unihertz.
OS update is less of a concern to me. If the phone is from a major company, there will be custom ROMs like the LineageOS sooner or later. It will last me a good while before becoming obsolete as long as the SOC is good enough.
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”).
Holy hell thank you so much. You jusy solved a problem I didnt even realize I was dealing with. I always felt like my camera was delayed, but I thought it was just how things were on every device.
Here is a tip for the selfie camera, you can set it up so that it will take a Pic if you hold out your hand like a wave(it will do a count down so you will know). Done that multiple times when I can’t click because of different reasons. Otherwise I usually just take pics with the side button instead of the on screen button (s21)
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).
unihertz jelly 2. unihertz also some other small phones.
also has a headphone jack, fm radio, wrist strap, customizable LED, programmable hardware button.
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.
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
i upgraded from the s7 to the s22 and i think its the perfect size. really marginally larger than my s7, getting something in a similar size was important to me and it really is just right.
I chose the s22+ due to battery size and I hate every minute with the flat brick.
It is large, battery isn’t great either.
Camera is bad.
My work payed for the device but I regret buying this thing every day.
I have a calendar item for when I can order a new phone. And for 1 symbolic euro I can buy the device after 2 years and it’s not worth a single euro to me.
Do you have any issues with touch? My XZ2-C has weird touch issues that make it hard to use. Where I touch is different from where it registers the touch 1 mm above. Kind of a bummer. Also, no voice over wifi on Verizon. The phone supports it, but not on VZ network.
MicroG, is that just the stripped down Gapps package?
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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
NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS for a mid-range phone?? I see they took some inspiration from apple pricing!
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.
The Galaxy S21/22/23 is slightly larger than the OP’s Pixel 5 however. The Zenphone 9 might be a good option as it’s around 2mm narrower - not a lot but it’d be noticeable for one handed usage.
there is Xiaomi 12 and upcoming Pixel 8, both overal better options than everything you listed
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.
Nah, it works perfectly fine. Matter of fact, even the precedessor - Xperia Z5 compact can run 95% of Apps just fine due to almost all Apps still supporting Android 7. I got all 3 of them - Z5 Compact, XZ1 Compact and XZ2 Compact and all of them still hold up (my XZ1 compact however developed a quite a few dead pixels sadly).
Also from what I have seen Sony phones seem to get decent Custom ROM support - but I haven’t tried to custom ROM any of these myself.
I think the XZ1 still has two years in the tank - maybe even more with LinageOS. Its remarkably fast in my use due to the awesome Snapdragon 835, 720p and lightweight Software.
Maybe the XZ1 compact can last quite a while before it really becomes obsolete, but I don’t want to just buy an old phone just to throw my current Pixel 5 aside. I think I will keep waiting for a new small phone for now.
It’s quite crazy that S23 is considered a small today
GSMarena’s HTC Titan review is funny in hindsight: https://www.gsmarena.com/htc_titan-review-675.php
It’s significantly smaller than the ‘small’ S23
Definitely ha ha
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.
Actually, come to think of it, I think Sony has been releasing 5" phones as the Xperia Ace series. They are budget phones that are only available in Japan. I heard the spec is not very good, so I didn’t bother to get one.
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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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yeah, great phone if you dont mind crap SoC for the price, crap camera, no 4K video, remote control aspect ratio and crap software updates
I think for that money I would rather buy Xiaomi 12 or deal with Pixel 6A size
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Sony used to seriously fuck up camera if you installed custom ROM, not sure if they abandoned this user friendly practice
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.
@donnnnnb @sosimple530
The one thing I find annoying is our compact phone options (Sony & Asus) both refuse to support their devices for more than a couple years of android OS updates. (I don’t expect to see Android 14 on the sony mk3 series, and asus likely won’t support the Zenfone 9 past android 15.
and aside from that we just have the meme that is Unihertz.
OS update is less of a concern to me. If the phone is from a major company, there will be custom ROMs like the LineageOS sooner or later. It will last me a good while before becoming obsolete as long as the SOC is good enough.
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
Really? I thought the project was dead. I cannot find any news or update on this, let alone a whole discord server.
I got my invite by signing up on the website and they sent it via email.
I signed up just now, but there is no email. I don’t know what went wrong.
Update: I got the email, but still no discord link.
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
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”).
I am aware of that, but already low quality photo (compared to Pixel/iPhone) has even worse quality with this option.
Holy hell thank you so much. You jusy solved a problem I didnt even realize I was dealing with. I always felt like my camera was delayed, but I thought it was just how things were on every device.
Here is a tip for the selfie camera, you can set it up so that it will take a Pic if you hold out your hand like a wave(it will do a count down so you will know). Done that multiple times when I can’t click because of different reasons. Otherwise I usually just take pics with the side button instead of the on screen button (s21)
be aware that this option lowers the already low image quality
None of these are small phones…
It’s quite crazy that S23 is considered “small” nowadays.
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.
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).
Not only expensive but Asus’ quality control, customer service and aftersales are also lacking
If only there was a new Android phone with the size of iPhone 12/13 mini.
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.
I’m running pixel 4a for this reason (also the support for grapheneos)
unihertz jelly 2. unihertz also some other small phones. also has a headphone jack, fm radio, wrist strap, customizable LED, programmable hardware button.
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.
What’s LOS? I am familiar with MicroG from ReVanced, but idk what LOS is
Guessing Lineage OS?
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.
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
The pixel 4a will stop receiving updates on September this year. Not a good choice fit security reasons
i upgraded from the s7 to the s22 and i think its the perfect size. really marginally larger than my s7, getting something in a similar size was important to me and it really is just right.
Isn’t battery an issue? I heard that S22 was a bit lacking on that regard
I chose the s22+ due to battery size and I hate every minute with the flat brick. It is large, battery isn’t great either. Camera is bad.
My work payed for the device but I regret buying this thing every day.
I have a calendar item for when I can order a new phone. And for 1 symbolic euro I can buy the device after 2 years and it’s not worth a single euro to me.
Glad when I can send this monster away.
Sony Xperia 10V or Shiny Xperia 5IV or Sony Xperia 1V
Xperia XZ2 Compact (2018) here. Running perfectly with LOS+microG.
But as the phone is starting to fall apart, my desperation is setting in.
Do you have any issues with touch? My XZ2-C has weird touch issues that make it hard to use. Where I touch is different from where it registers the touch 1 mm above. Kind of a bummer. Also, no voice over wifi on Verizon. The phone supports it, but not on VZ network.
MicroG, is that just the stripped down Gapps package?