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The 5 Best Small Android Phones of 2021

Fit these phones in the palm of your hands

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The list of the best small Android phones currently on the market is short: Most new phones, even on the cheaper end, are becoming larger and larger by default. Those devices pushing beyond 6.5 inches can make them heavy, difficult to hold, and even harder to use with one hand. Small phones remain attractive to many because they are much more manageable. And smaller devices can still provide all the features of their larger counterparts, with capable performance, cameras, and even solid battery life. If you want to go super tiny, there are options for you too.

Our top pick in this range is the Google Pixel 4a, which packs all of Google’s smarts and essential components into the small form factor you’re searching for, including a camera the entire Pixel range commands—and all at a reasonable price.

Best Overall: Google Pixel 4a

Pure Android experience

Missing water resistance and wireless charging

Not for power users

Google’s Pixel 4a is one of the best small Android phones you can buy today. It’s the smartphone I used for months as my daily driver after buying it in early 2021, before I switched to its more expensive cousin, the Pixel 4a 5G, just so I could access 5G networks. I found it to be a very capable compact phone with limited compromises, especially at the price, and I enjoyed its lightness and ease of use, even in one hand.

All-important is the size, a 5.81-inch Full HD+ OLED display. It comes with key upgrades over the previous Pixel 3a, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G chipset powering it along and a handy 6GB of RAM. Android 11 runs on the device, with access to Android 12 within months. It’ll get software updates for three years, too, making it better supported than other phones at similar price points.

Even at a comparatively affordable price, this Pixel series device has the same main camera: a 12.2MP dual-pixel sensor for photography. The star is Google’s post-processing via Google’s AI and the Pixel Visual Core. In particular, the astrophotography mode is a seriously fun thing you can try. The 8MP selfie shooter is fine, but it’s the main camera on the back that’s the star.

In keeping costs down, there are few extras features. You’ll need to keep it out of the pool as there’s no IP rating, and it doesn’t have wireless charging. The other big miss is a lack of an ultra-wide camera sensor, which offers versatility when available in other devices. The battery is only a 3,140mAh cell, which means average battery life is not great, but not bad.

The good news is that the trusty rear fingerprint sensor is there, as is the headphone jack, which is handy for your wired headphone options. It’s all about price per dollar here for a small phone with a lot to offer. This has been a Google winner for months and months, and it remains that way.

_{Screen Size: 5.81 inches | Resolution: 2340 x 1080 | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G | Camera: 12.2MP rear and 8MP front | Battery: 3,140 mAh}

«Between the earpiece and the bottom-firing speaker, it pumps out stellar, clear sound whether you’re playing music, watching videos, or using speakerphone.» — Andrew Hayward, Product Tester

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What are the best small Android phones available?

Smartphones are getting bigger and bigger. So many devices today — especially flagships — are more than 150mm tall, or nearly six inches. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, for example, is 165.1mm tall (

6.5 inches), which is enormous.

While many 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 an average pocket.

Some consumers still prefer small Android phones, and by “small” we mean less than or equal to 150mm (

5.91 inches) tall. But are there any options left?

Lucky for you, these little gems still exist, but you might need to make some sacrifices. For example, smaller devices might have poor battery life and weaker specs compared to their larger counterparts. But if a small form factor is essential to you, the phones below are your best bets! Just keep in mind that some of them are a bit older.

The best small Android phones:

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best small Android phones as new devices launch.

Google Pixel 5

The Google Pixel 5 already has a predecessor (the Pixel 6), the best Google phone you can get if you’re looking to minimize the size of your handset. The Pixel 6 is much larger, while the Pixel 5 stays within our height standards at 144.7mm.

While Google’s Pixel lineup is known for excellent designs and great specs, the Pixel 5 focused more on affordability. This means the search giant had to make some sacrifices along the way. It comes with a Snapdragon 765G and 8GB of RAM. That’s plenty for a casual user, but it’s nowhere near the level of performance the competing flagships brought to the table.

Still, you get some nice features. These include an OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and a pretty generous 4,080mAh battery. Of course, you also get Google’s famed smartphone photography experience, which is still beat by very few, even to this date. This is undoubtedly one of the best small Android phones if you want to stick with the pure Google experience.

Google Pixel 5 specs:

• Display: 6-inch, Full HD+
• SoC: Snapdragon 765G
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB

• Cameras: 12.2 and 16MP
• Front camera: 8MP
• Battery: 4,080mAh
• Software: Android 11

Google Pixel 4a

Google has delivered a great handset with the Pixel 4a, which has a height of 144mm. Aside from the thin, light, and compact device, it succeeds and surpasses the Pixel 3a with better performance, a great camera, and an amazingly low price. Yes, we know there’s the Pixel 5a now, but that phone is larger and doesn’t meet our standards. Plus, we still feel like the Pixel 4a might be a slightly better deal.

Google’s clean Android experience is smooth and enjoyable on the Pixel 4a, and it’s very capable. That said, it’s by no means a tiny little Android device at 5.81-inches, but it’s light at just over 5 ounces or 142 grams. It feels like a small phone. The only negative is that while it has good to acceptable battery levels, it’s by no means great. It was one of the best phones of 2020, and it’s not a big one!

Like the Pixel 5, the Pixel 4a’s days are numbered. The arrival of the Pixel 5a has hastened things along, but the 6.34-inch display means that Google’s affordable phone no longer fits on our list.

Google Pixel 4a specs:

• Display: 5.81-inch, Full HD+
• SoC: Snapdragon 730G
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB

• Camera: 12.2MP
• Front camera: 8MP
• Battery: 3,140mAh
• Software: Android 10

Asus Zenfone 8

At 148mm in height, the Asus Zenfone 8 barely makes it to our list of the best small Android phones. This one stands out in other ways, though. It’s likely the best option for those who want potent specs in a small package. Think of it as a mini flagship.

The Asus Zenfone 8 comes packed with a Snapdragon 888 processor, up to a whopping 16GB of RAM, and as much as 256GB of storage. It also features an excellent 5.9-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an IP68 rating, and a 4,000mAh battery.

What’s best is that it’s also really affordable considering everything you get. This phone will keep up with the most demanding users, while keeping your wallet healthy and your pocket spacious.

Asus Zenfone 8 specs:

• Display: 5.9-inch, Full HD+
• SoC: SD 888
• RAM: 6/8//12/16GB
• Storage: 128/256GB

• Cameras: 12 and 64MP
• Front camera: 12MP
• Battery: 4,000mAh
• Software: Android 11

Samsung Galaxy Xcover 5

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 5 isn’t officially released in the USA, but it’s still one of the best small Android phones if you can get a hold of one. It’s a budget device, but it features a very resistant rugged body, and the specs are acceptable for the price.

The phone is very resistant. It comes with both an IP68 and a MIL-STD-810H rating. You know it can handle a beating, but can it handle your tasks? A casual user should be plenty happy, especially considering the phone will save you a lot of cash.

Specs include an Exynos 850 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The 5.3-inch screen is also pretty average, considering it has a 720p HD display and an IPS panel. The battery isn’t surprisingly large either, but what’s very cool is that it’s removable. This is a very rare feature these days, and it means you can always carry spare batteries to keep you connected longer.

Samsung Galaxy Xcover 5 specs:

• Display: 5.3-inch, HD+
• SoC: Exynos 850
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB

• Cameras: 16MP
• Front camera: 5MP
• Battery: 3,000mAh
• Software: Android 11

Palm Phone

The Palm Phone is not just one of the smallest 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.

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. Its battery life is also known for being pretty bad. However, this list wouldn’t be complete without it, and it looks pretty darn cool!

The Palm Phone is definitely a conversation starter, so if it fits your needs, then click on the widget to check it out. If anything, people will enjoy the mere fact that it’s so tiny it might even get lost in your pocket.

Palm Phone specs:

• Display: 3.3-inch, HD
• SoC: Snapdragon 435
• RAM: 3GB
• Storage: 32GB

• Camera: 12MP
• Front camera: 8MP
• Battery: 800mAh
• Software: Android 8.1 Oreo

Unihertz Atom XL

The Unihertz Atom was the first tiny little phone from Unihertz, at a mere 96mm in height. While it’s still a useful buy if you want a super-small device, Unihertz has followed that up with Atom’s successor, the Unihertz Atom XL. The Unihertz Atom XL might say it’s XL, but with a height of just 134.5mm, it’s about a 4-inch device. It’s still super small, even for tiny hands.

What else is new other than size? It’s almost the same device in a larger form factor with a few timely spec increases. It does pack a Helio P60 octa-core processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB storage, a 48MP primary camera, and the same IP68 rating with a rugged build. It also has a walkie-talkie feature, comes with Android 10, and sports a much larger 4,300mAh battery over the Atom L.

Much like the Palm Phone, the Unihertz Atom XL is a novelty. It’s so tiny it’s cool. And while it won’t win any performance races, it can be a great companion for your adventures, given its rugged nature.

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Best small phone 2021

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central

Best small phone Android Central 2021

In just a few short years, big phones have gone from being an outlier to the norm in the smartphone industry. Just about every major device released these days has a larger physical size, and while that’s great for watching movies and playing games, it can be a challenge for those who prefer phones to be small and compact.

Thankfully, there are still plenty of options out there, including the Google Pixel 4a as our top overall pick. So if you’re looking eagerly at that iPhone 13 mini but don’t want to switch over to iOS, these are the best small Android phones you can buy.

Best overall: Google Pixel 4a

Source: Andrew Martonik / Android Central

Regardless of size, the Pixel 4a is just one of the best Android phones you can buy right now. Admittedly, it isn’t the most technically impressive handset on the market, but the value on offer is tremendous.

As you’d expect from any Pixel, the Pixel 4a takes incredible photos. Whether you’re shooting in broad daylight or trying to take a picture of the night sky using the Astrophotography Mode, the Pixel 4a delivers the goods. Images are crisp, full of color, and consistently look nothing short of amazing. You get these great results every time you press the shutter button, and that reliability isn’t something always found on much more expensive devices.

Outside of its camera, the Pixel 4a doesn’t skimp out in any other regard. The 5.8-inch display strikes a near-perfect balance of being big enough for enjoyable content consumption while still being manageable in one hand, and thanks to an OLED panel with a Full HD+ resolution, everything you do on it looks excellent. You can also look forward to a snappy performance from the Snapdragon 730 processor, all-day battery life, and ample storage (128GB, to be exact).

• Takes gorgeous photos
• Good performance
• Has a headphone jack
• Clean and up-to-date software
• Works with all U.S. carriers

• No expandable storage
• Boring design

Best overall

Google Pixel 4a Android Smartphone

Small phone champ

With an excellent balance of specs, features, and price, the Pixel 4a stands out as the best small phone you can buy.

Get an upgrade: Google Pixel 5

Source: Hayato Huseman / Android Central

There’s no denying the value of the Pixel 4a, but if you’re yearning for something a bit more premium, the Pixel 5 is an exceptional upgrade. It has everything that makes the Pixel 4a great, along with a few key improvements that make the experience even better.

Starting with the display, the Pixel 5 keeps the Full HD+ OLED setup and adds a 90Hz refresh rate to the mix. Pair that with the faster Snapdragon 765G processor and the Pixel 5 sees a nice speed boost. The screen is slightly larger at 6 inches, but when you factor in the Pixel 5’s smaller bezels all around, it ends up having a similar footprint to the Pixel 4a.

Also included on the Pixel 5 is a 16MP ultra-wide camera, in addition to the same 12.2MP primary sensor from the 4a. It isn’t the very best ultra-wide camera we’ve ever used, but it still allows for expanded shooting possibilities that you can’t get on a phone without an ultra-wide option. Throw in minor perks like IP68 dust/water resistance and wireless charging, and the Pixel 5 gives you a lot for its asking price.

• 90Hz OLED screen
• Faster Snapdragon 765G processor
• Dual rear cameras
• IP68 dust/water resistance
• Wireless charging

• Only one storage option
• More expensive

Get an upgrade

Google Pixel 5 5G Android Phone

Treat yourself to something nice

With a 90Hz screen, ultra-wide camera, and faster processor, the Pixel 5 is the small flagship you’re looking for.

Best flagship: Samsung Galaxy S21

Source: Hayato Huseman / Android Central

Samsung’s return to truly small phones with the Galaxy S10e back in 2019 was a breath of fresh air, and since then, we’ve yet to get a proper successor. So while the Galaxy S21 may not be quite as small as some people were hoping for, this is still a seriously great package that you don’t want to overlook.

In regards to size, the S21 packs a 6.2-inch display. That might sound intimidating on paper, but in real-world use, it’s extremely comfortable to use. With tight bezels, a flat display, and a lightweight design thanks to the plastic back, the Galaxy S21 is one of the most user-friendly flagships we’re bound to see in 2021. The display is also top-notch, featuring an AMOLED panel, Full HD+ resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate for buttery smooth animations.

Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 888 chipset is at the heart of the S21, and as you’d expect, this allows for some of the best performance currently available in a smartphone (in addition to sub-6 and mmWave 5G support). There’s also 8GB of RAM and your choice of 128 or 256GB of internal storage. The triple-camera system is unchanged from last year’s Galaxy S20, but to be perfectly honest, that’s not a bad thing. Between the 12MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 64MP telephoto camera, you’ll be able to take some nice shots with the S21.

The biggest downside to the S21 is, unfortunately, battery life. It’s far from unusable, but if you’re rocking the 120Hz refresh rate and have an active 5G connection, don’t expect to make it through more than one day of use.

• 120Hz AMOLED display is incredible
• Amazing performance with Snapdragon 888
• Great triple-camera system
• Android 11 with One UI 3.1 interface
• Promised three years of software updates

• So-so battery
• Larger than other phones on the list

Best flagship

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G — Smartphone

Samsung’s small(er) flagship

The Galaxy S21 isn’t the tinniest phone you can get in 2021, but if you’re after a true flagship experience, it’s a great buy.

Hold a foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G

Source: Nick Sutrich / Android Central

Foldable smartphones have gone from being a pipe dream to a reality, taking on a few different shapes and sizes. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G was Samsung’s first attempt, while Motorola tried its throwback with a reimagined RAZR (2020). By virtue of simply folding in half, the device is small and compact. Samsung also finally figured out how to put in a usable display on the outside with the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

That 1.9-inch AMOLED Cover Display makes it handy to use the rear camera to take selfies, among other things. While that makes certain features easier to access, like selfies, notifications, and audio recording, it’s not big enough to handle more intricate tasks.

Once you flip the phone open, you’re looking at a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen (2640×1080) that features a taller 21.9:9 aspect ratio, making it slightly narrower and more ergonomically friendly. However, it also stands out because of the type of material used to make it. Samsung used better glass this time, which doesn’t feel like plastic like the previous Z Flip did.

Powering the phone is a combination of the Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Those specs make it a capable device, and the combination of Android with Samsung’s One UI proves to work well on top of that. Unfortunately, not all apps take advantage of the Flip’s ability to prop up halfway, though you can utilize it with the camera app for selfies or video calls. YouTube also works pretty well, but the pickings remain slim beyond that.

The Galaxy Z Flip is also unique in that it uses two batteries that combine to form the 3,300mAh capacity. Of course, that doesn’t make it the most efficient battery out there, but it should hold up well in most situations. Plus, you can charge it wirelessly, so that compact size comes with extra perks.

• Still solid specs
• Better Cover Display
• Decent battery life
• One UI 3.1 is sleek
• Fairly good cameras
• Incredible design

• No telephoto lens
• Display is somewhat fragile
• Not especially durable

Hold a foldable

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G — Smartphone

The flip-phone returns

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 isn’t cheap, but it’s a compact experience unlike any other if you can stomach the price.

An alternative option Sony Xperia 5 II

Source: Sony

This phone borrows heavily from the Sony Xperia 1 II, making cuts in size inside and out. The smaller frame still gives you a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate, so visually, there’s something good to look at. You won’t be getting 4K resolution on this panel, but that’s fine if you don’t mind a step or two lower at 2520×1080.

The Xperia 5 II is also easier to wield, not just because of its smaller stature, but also a wise decision to go with rounded corners. A separate Google Assistant button also stands out, though it’s more like a multifunction key that you can customize to do something else. Strangely, Sony opted to go with an enlarged lock button to double as the fingerprint sensor when just doing an onscreen one would have probably made more sense.

In any case, there are some decent performance specs, courtesy of the Snapdragon 865 chipset, along with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage (there’s also a 256GB variant). That makes it more than capable of handling pretty much any task, even if the chipset itself may feel a bit aged. Streaming media is easy, and if you want to do some gaming, that’s easy enough, too. There’s even a headphone jack in case that’s useful.

A good IP68 rating gives the phone some decent water resistance, which may compel you to take a few risks when shooting with its capable camera. The triple camera array in the rear can take good shots, with more true-to-life color that might please your eye if you take photography more seriously. However, the front-facing sensor is modest 8MP and not quite as good as other comparable phones.

The 4,000mAh battery holds up well because of its larger size relative to the phone’s slimmer frame, and that’s more than enough to last a full day, every day.

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