Richard's Vanilla Tinkering Zone

What classes as a small phone these days? Basically every new phone you can buy today is over six inches in size, which not too long ago would have seen them described as “phablets.” But now the phablet is just the default shape and size for smartphones.

But you can still find smaller phones on sale. Many of the biggest phone companies still make compact versions of their flagship phones for users who aren't bothered about having the most possible screen space or an extra camera sensor shoved in the back. There are also flip foldables to consider. While these are the same size as other phones when unfolded, when closed up they're much easier to pocket, with outer displays that offer at least some of the same functionality as the inner screen.

With 6.7 inches and up now being the standard size for new phones, we're classing anything under 6.5 inches as a "small" phone, plus flip-style folding phones. While these may not match up to the properly palm-sized handsets that were available only a few years ago, the devices on this list are still the best small phones around.

The Quick List

Best small phone overall

Best small Android phone

Best value small phone

Best small phone for AI

Best small foldable phone

Best thin small phone

It's hard to beat a foldable phone for fitting a whole device into a small space. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the best option for this right now. At just 0.26 inches thick when opened, it’s even slimmer than last year’s model, while the new 4.1-inch edge-to-edge Super AMOLED outer display makes it easy to check notifications, reply to messages, or control music without fully unfolding the device.

Open the Z Flip 7 and you get a bright 6.9-inch AMOLED main display that topped out at 1,989 nits in our display benchmarking. You can comfortably use the phone outdoors, and colors pop whether you’re watching videos or flipping through photos. Under the hood, Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chipset and 12GB of RAM keep performance smooth for everyday tasks and quick app switching, as well as keeping camera operations responsive.

Durability stands out for the Flip 7. With its new Armor Frame Aluminum design and IP48 rating, the phone shrugs off daily bumps, resists dust, and handles water splashes with no fuss. The hinge feels solid with every open and close, and in our hands-on testing, it gave us confidence this foldable is built for everyday use, not just special occasions.

Compared to other compact phones, the Z Flip 7 stands out for its foldable form factor and larger outer display, which set it apart from the iPhone 17 Pro's power, camera loadout and battery life, or the Pixel 10 Pro if you prefer an Android point of reference.

You’ll get better pocketability and the unique versatility of a foldable screen here. Those who want maximum raw speed or the very best camera hardware might prefer the iPhone or Pixel we just mentioned, but the Flip 7 is about convenience and both literal and metaphorical flexibility.

The 4,300 mAh battery is a step up for all-day use, but you’ll still need to top off nightly, and charging speeds remain unchanged from last year. If you want the most compact phone with a truly useful foldable design, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 remains unmatched. Just be ready for the trade-offs that come with prioritizing size and style over battery life or brute-force power.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review for more.