Big phones have gone from being an outlier to the norm in a few short years. It can be a challenge for those who prefer phones to be small and compact to see that most major devices have a larger physical size. Thankfully, there are still plenty of options out there, including the top overall pick, the Google Pixel 6. These are the best small phones you can buy if you don't want to switch over to Apple.

Google Pixel 6 Material You

(Image credit: Alex Dobie / Android Central)

One of the best phones you can buy right now is the Pixel 6. It may not have the best display, but it is still a tremendous value. As you would expect from any Pixel, the Pixel 6 snaps incredible photos, taking the computational photography prowess of Google into its own performance.

Whether you want to take a picture of the night sky or shoot in broad daylight, the Pixel 6 has you covered. The modes within the camera are amazing. Images are crisp, full of color, and look great relative to how much it costs. Every time you press the shutter button, you get amazing results, and that reliability is not always found on more expensive devices.

Outside of its camera, the Pixel 6 doesn't skimp out. The 6.4-inch display really bends the rule on what a small phone is, but it is enough for you to pull it off. It's big enough for enjoyable content consumption while still being manageable in one hand, and thanks to a Full HD+ resolution, everything you do on it looks excellent. You can look forward to an all-day battery life, ample storage, and a performance that will impress.

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It isn't the smallest phone on this list, but it lacks a headphone jack. The overall package is good and the price-performance-spec ratio is perfect.

Samsun Galaxy S22

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The smallest phone in terms of size is the baby phone from the South Korean company, theSamsungGalaxy S22, which has a 6.1-inch Dynamix AMOLED 2X display. It is also a great package that you will not want to overlook.

The small screen and slim build of the S22 make it very comfortable to use in the real world. One of the most user-friendly flagships we're bound to see in the future is the Galaxy S22, which has a flat display, tight bezels, and a lightweight design. The display is top-notch, with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate for smooth animations, and impressive brightness under the sun.

The S22 is powered by the latest version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, which allows for some of the best performance currently available in a phone. You can choose between 128 or 256 gigabytes of internal storage. The triple-camera system is reliable. You will be able to take some nice shots with the S22, it has a 50MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 10MP telephoto camera.

The battery life is the biggest downside to the S22. If you have an active 5G connection and are rocking the 120Hz refresh rate, you don't need to use it for a whole day.

Best foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Cover Display Take Photo Gesture

(Image credit: Source: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)

A few different shapes and sizes of foldable smartphones have gone from being a pipe dream to a reality. The first attempt by the company was the SAMSUNG Z FLIP 5G. The device is small and compact because it is folded in half. The display on the outside of the Z Flip 3 was finally figured out by the company.

The rear camera can be used to take selfies with the 1.9-inch AMOLED cover display. It isn't big enough to handle more intricate tasks like audio recording and notifications.

When you flip the phone open, you can see a larger Dynamic AMOLED screen (2640x1080) with a taller 21.9:9 aspect ratio. The type of material used to make it stands out. The previous Z Flip felt like plastic, but this time it was glass that felt better.

The phone is powered by a combination of the processor, RAM, and internal storage. The combination of Android with the OneUI proves to work well on top of that, as it makes it a capable device. You can use the camera app to take selfies or video calls, but not all apps take advantage of the Flip's ability to prop up halfway. The pickings are slim beyond that.

The 3,300mAh capacity is unique in that it uses two batteries that combine to form one. It doesn't make it the most efficient battery out there, but it should hold up well in most situations. The compact size comes with extra perks.

Best alternative option: Sony Xperia 5 III

Sony Xperia 5 III Colors

(Image credit: Source: Sony)

This phone is very similar to the Sony Xperia 1 II, making cuts in size inside and out. There is something neat to look at because the smaller frame still gives you a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate. You won't be getting 4K resolution on this panel, but if you don't mind a step or two lower, that's fine.

The rounded corners of the Xperia 5 III make it easier to wield. Sony went with an enlarged lock button to double as the fingerprint sensor, which would have made more sense if they had just done an onscreen one. It's likely that you hit it accidentally or that you have trouble locking andunlocking your phone.

There are some decent performance specifications, thanks to the processor, along with 8 gigabytes of RAM and 128 gigabytes of storage, if you want more space. Even if the look of the phone feels a bit old, it's still more than capable of handling any task. If you want to do some gaming, streaming media is easy. In case that is useful, there is a headphone jack.

The phone has some decent water resistance, which may make you take a few risks when shooting with it. 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. The front-facing sensor is not as good as other comparable phones.

The larger battery is enough to last a full day, every day, because of its larger size.

Best compact choice: Asus Zenfone 8

Asus Zenfone 8

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We have the Zenfone 8. The Zenfone line has had a few wins in its short history, and this version is a pretty good choice if you are looking for the right combination of size and function. The rest of the phone runs on the same specifications, but there are a few different variations.

The display used to be big, but now it feels small. The Zenfone 8 is one of the smallest flagship phones. It runs on a processor that has a 120Hz display and a touch response rate of more than 200 mph. You get a lot for something that is not as large as other phones.

It also sticks to the basics, like a headphone jack, while pushing boundaries on durability with an IP68 rating. The front of the phone has a glass that is more rugged. Beyond its performance in hardware and software. There is only one major platform update left after you update your Zenfone 8.

The cameras can take great pictures, but you don't get a long lens to zoom in. A 4,000mAh battery is more than enough to keep the phone running for a full day. It supports 30W wired charging, but you will need to plug in for extra juice. The Zenfone 8 is one of the smallest phones on the market, but there will be more to choose from in 2022.

Best for tight budget: Moto G Fast

Moto G Fast

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Budget phones don't come with reputations, though they should come with measured expectations because they are clearly dialed back to bring the price down. The Moto G Fast is very much in that boat, but when your needs are not as extensive and you want something easier to hold, it does check both of those boxes. The Moto G Power is a repackaged version of the Moto G.

The reason why this device made the list is because of its size. The overall design of the display makes it feel small. You have to accept the lower resolution if you don't want to use the phone a lot. If you don't really notice a difference, or you don't care, then this might be the phone for you.

The device is powered by a lightweight Snapdragon 665 processor, which is the same one used in the Moto G Power and G Stylus from 2020. The Moto G Fast only has 3 gigabytes of ram, so multitasking will reach its limits if you are using several apps at the same time. When you don't push things too far on the hardware side, the fingerprint sensor is responsive and accurate. You can only upgrade the phone until it is compatible with the 11th edition of the operating system.

The camera output is going to be as good as it gets. When the lights are not on, shots are not as good. The battery lasts a long time thanks to its 4,000mAh size and lighter weight. You should be able to complete a full day with plenty left to spare.

Best for Apple users: iPhone SE 2022

iPhone SE 2022

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Apple continues to support one of the smallest phones it makes, as evidenced by the fact that the iPhone SE 2022 carries on from its predecessor. This year's Special Edition is a combination of a more diminutive size with the performance capabilities of the company's other premium handsets. The focus is on the tiny panel. It is one of the smallest phones you can carry today, even if it is dwarfed by the huge amount of space on the top and bottom.

Hardware and software can run this well on a device of this size. The A15 chip is a steady performer, and with the software running smoothly, it is as intuitive as you would expect an Apple device to be. It will be relevant for some time because of Apple's tendency to also support its phones with years of updates.

A smaller battery is a result of trimming things down. The 2,018mAh cell keeps the device running for a long time. You will have to use a wireless charging device. The A15 Bionic's processing powers allow the single 12MP main camera to take decent shots. There is a home button with Touch ID built-in for security.

Not everything's about size

There are still plenty of choices if you know where to look, as the market for small Android phones isn't as expansive as it used to be. The best one you can get right now is the Google Pixel 6.

The small phone formula was perfect with the Pixel 5a, which was attractive and well-built. The new design of the Pixel 6 makes it bigger and badder. It may not be what everyone considers small, but it has amazing specs across the board, comes in at a price that is more than reasonable, and can still be considered small by modern phone standards. No matter what you are doing, using the Pixel 6 is great, it is often punching above what you would expect from a phone this cheap.

The special thing about the Pixel 6 is that it goes beyond camera and software. While staying within your budget, you can get the benefits of the Pixel 6, which are better than anyone else.