The best compact smartphones according to customer reviews. Small smartphones with big potential The most compact smartphone

11.04.2021

In the mid-2000s, smartphones pleased with their minimalism. They had a comfortable keyboard, a small screen and ... everything. And modern devices are crammed with all sorts of sensors, processors and a capacious battery. Manufacturers also strive to ensure that the user can comfortably watch movies and videos by increasing the diagonal of the display for this. But what if the person doesn't need it? If he doesn't want to watch videos, wanting to get his hands on a small smartphone instead? In this case, you will have to work hard, starting to search for a worthy copy. Believe me, there are very few of these, and to reduce the size, manufacturers have to save a lot on components.

Palm

Dimensions: 50.6 x 96.6 x 7.4mm
Display: 3.3 inches, 1280 x 720

Price: 29 990 rubles.

The recently introduced novelty of Palm is a compact smartphone, which has been sold on foreign platforms for several years now. From October 2019 it is officially available in Russia.

The device turned out to be unusual - its size is slightly larger than a bank card, there is protection, Gorilla Glass on the display, a full-time battery, a Type-C connector for charging. At first glance, it seems that such a baby will have a mediocre filling, but the device offers buyers a chipset, 3/32 GB of memory and cameras - 12 megapixels at the back and 8 megapixels at the front. OS - Android 8.1 Oreo.

This is indeed a compact smartphone without any reservations, but who can use it? Representatives of the company say that their brainchild is an assistant that will allow you to get rid of digital addiction and focus on important things. You can take it with you for a run, workout, an important meeting and not be distracted by other procrastination companions.

Advantages:

Flaws:

Not very convenient control - instead of the navigation bar, one button is used that distinguishes the number of clicks.
There is no headphone jack.
Positioned as an assistant, not a full-fledged smartphone.

Unihertz Jelly

Dimensions: 92.4 x 43 x 13mm
Display: 2.45 inches, IPS, 432 x 240

Price: 17 990 rubles

Here it is - a truly compact smartphone that will fit in the palm of your hand and fit into the cramped pocket. It runs on a quad-core processor with a frequency of 1.1 GHz, has 1 GB of RAM, ROM and a slot for two SIM cards. The resolution of the cameras is 8 and 2 MP for the main and front sensors, respectively. Battery capacity - 950 mAh.

All of this is running Android 7.0 Nougat. This gadget is just perfect for jogging: its weight is only 60 g, it is almost not felt in your pocket or shoulder. There is also a Pro version. Its differences from the base are in the expanded amount of memory: 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of ROM.

Advantages:

Flaws:

Poor autonomy even with a small screen and weak hardware (according to numerous comments).
Not enough internal memory.
There is no fingerprint scanner.
Old OS.

Unihertz Atom

Dimensions: 96 x 45 x 18mm
Display: 2.45 inches, IPS, 432 x 240

Price: 29 990 rubles

If the goal of your search is miniature, but take a closer look at the Unihertz Atom. In terms of dimensions, it is slightly larger than the Unihertz Jelly, and its performance is noticeably higher.

The design hints at the impenetrability of the gadget: the case is shockproof, IP68 protected from dust and water, the screen is coated with Gorilla Glass. Especially for this model, Unihertz has developed a set of sports accessories, which includes bicycle and shoulder holders.

The Unihertz Atom uses an eight-core processor (the manufacturer is not named) with a frequency of 2 GHz, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory, as well as a 16 MP main camera and an 8 MP front camera. Power comes from 2000 mAh. A programmable key is provided at the end, there is a port, a fingerprint scanner and a headphone jack.

Advantages:

There is a fingerprint scanner.
acceptable power.
Autonomy within 3 days.
Android 8.1 out of the box.

Flaws:

Difficulty typing.
Very quiet speakers.

INOI 1 Lite

Dimensions: —
Display: 4" TN 854 x 480

Price: 2 290 rubles.

For those who are looking for not just a compact, but also a simple smartphone without unnecessary bells and whistles, 1 Lite will be an excellent solution. The device is made of high-quality polycarbonate with a matte soft-touch finish, has good ergonomics and leaves a pleasant tactile sensation. The display is small, TN matrix, but this does not cause any particular problems. Numerous reviews about the screen are positive.

The device is powered by a MediaTek MT6580 quad-core processor. RAM - 512 GB. Low technical parameters are compensated by the presence of Android 8.1 Go (a light version of Android 8.1 Oreo takes up less memory, increasing device performance). Users claim that this is enough for everyday tasks. Built-in storage - 4 GB, there is a slot for microSD 32 GB. The battery is quite modest - 1000 mAh, but given the size and undemanding processor, it lasts for a day. The camera is not bad for its price tag - 5 megapixels, the front is not provided. In general, the device is very simple, but for people, elementary school students or as an additional phone for work, it fits perfectly.

Advantages:

A small battery is enough for a day of work.
Good display.
2 sim cards.
Works on "pure" Android - users note that there are no performance problems.
Good ergonomics.
Not a bad camera.
There is a proximity and light sensor.
Two colors - black and gold.

Flaws:

No LTE, however, Wi-Fi and 3G are enough for most owners.
There is no front camera.

ZTE Blade L130

Dimensions: 65 x 126 x 10.9mm
Display: 4" TFT 800 x 480

Price: from 2,300 rubles.

A novelty from a Chinese manufacturer is unlikely to appeal to those who want to have a functional device. By modern standards, the phone is quite small, but the thickness still leaves much to be desired - 10.9 mm. Yes, and comparing it with the compact devices listed above is not entirely correct.

The filling is mediocre - the Unisoc SC7731E chipset with 4 cores, 8 GB of RAM with a separate slot for MicroSD 64 GB and 512 MB of ROM. The 1400 mAh battery is enough for 7 hours of talking. The main camera is 5 megapixels, the front one is 1.3 megapixels. There is support for 3G, GPS, Bluetooth 4.2. The phone is designed to use two SIM cards. A nice moment is a modern version of the pure Go operating system.

Blade L130 is a gadget for those who need a device that is not a pity to lose or break, and from the functions you need a minimum set.

Advantages:

Flaws:

Little RAM.
Weak battery.
No support for LTE.
Large thickness.

VERTEX Impress Funk

Dimensions: 65 x 124 x 10.1mm
Display: 3.97" TN 800 x 480

Price: from 1,790 rubles.

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

Dimensions: 135 x 65 x 12.1mm
Display: 5 inches, IPS, 2160 x 1080

Price: 40 480 rubles

The successor to the Xperia XZ1 Compact packs a whole host of attractive features into a small package. First of all, this is the Snapdragon 845, which has not yet lost its relevance. The smartphone has 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal memory, a 2870 mAh battery and IP68 protection.

The rear camera with a resolution of 19 MP is equipped with Motion Eye technology with predictive autofocus: when shooting a moving object, the shutter button is released a couple of moments before the user presses it. After that, the camera prompts you to select one of several shots with a difference of a fraction of a second and save it to memory.

The XZ2 Compact also has a 960 FPS slow motion video mode. After the update, the resolution of the videos increased to 1080p. Improvements have also been made to the option to scan 3D objects.

Advantages:

Powerful chipset.
Good memory configurations.
Decent main camera with interesting shooting modes.
Protection against dust and moisture.
Excellent high resolution display.

Flaws:

Modest front.
No 3.5 jack.

Apple iPhone 8

Dimensions: 67.3 x 138.4 x 7.3mm
Display: 4.7 inches, IPS, 1334 x 750 pixels

Price: from 39,600 rubles.

There is no particular point in talking about Apple technology. Everyone has known everything for a long time. The model is not new, but as a relatively compact smartphone it is relevant. Traditionally, the apple brand from America offers excellent performance (even in older devices), choice of built-in storage capacity, high-quality cameras, display, assembly.

For those users who have not used Apple, it is worth noting that with all the above advantages, it received IP67 moisture protection, an NFC chip and its own. The disadvantages of the device for those who are not a regular Apple user or an ardent fan of the company will be the lack of a 3.5 connector, the inability to expand the memory, a closed operating system (it will seem difficult for new users compared to Android), support for only one SIM card, expensive branded accessories .

Advantages:

Excellent performance.
OS stability.
Choice of modifications of the built-in memory.
Fast charging.
Moisture protection.
Quality camera.
There is NFC.

Flaws:

One sim card.
No headset jack.
Inconvenient (for beginners) OS.
Expensive accessories.
Weak battery.
High price.

Excluded from selection

Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact

Dimensions: 65 x 129 x 9.3mm
Display: 4.5 inches, IPS, 1280 x 720 pixels

Price: from 26,990 rubles.

The device from Sony was released in mid-2017. It is far from new, but among devices with small sizes it feels comfortable. The model received a plastic case with a metal frame, which increases durability and makes the gadget ergonomic. IPS matrix with good resolution for its size. The display is covered with Gorilla Glass 5.

The device is powered by Snapdragon 835 which provides excellent multitasking and performance. Memory - 4/32 GB. There is moisture protection according to the IP68 standard, which has always been a hallmark of the Japanese company. A high-quality 19 MP camera copes with any shooting conditions and can make Slo-mo videos at 960 fps. The 8 MP front module is equipped with a 3D face modeling function. The mode is more entertaining than really useful.

Battery - 2700 mAh. The indicator is modest, but this is not a minus, since Stamina's proprietary energy-saving technology increases autonomy. There is support for fast charging - 30 minutes provide 50% battery capacity. The model received a fingerprint scanner and an NFC chip. The operating system is Android 8.0.

Advantages:

Good iron.
High-quality photo and video shooting.
Stamina's power-saving mode compensates for the low battery capacity.
Excellent ergonomics.
Several bright colors.
NFC support.
Waterproof IP68.

Flaws:

Very high price tag.

Senseit R500

Dimensions: 75 x 145 x 10.8mm
Display:

Price: from 4,490 rubles.

The 2018 model from the brand is the simplest smartphone with a few positive features and an extremely low price. It is hardly suitable for everyday use by people who are aimed at the maximum of opportunities, but as a work option or for a child it will be a good device.

The device received a small display with a decent resolution for its size - HD. The manufacturer did not pursue the design, elongated screen, but offered buyers protection according to the IP68 standard. For some users, this is a very relevant moment, especially if the smartphone is designed for work.

The device received simple cameras - 8 and 2 megapixels. It makes no sense to expect high-quality photos from them, but taking simple pictures or chatting via video link is enough. The built-in storage is 16 GB, which is quite pleasant, given the dislike of most manufacturers to put more than 8 GB of main memory in the simplest phones. Additionally, you can add a MicroSD, although the slot is combined with a SIM card, so you have to choose what is more important. Performance - MediaTek MT6737 with four cores at 1.3 GHz. RAM - 1 GB. Battery - 3000 mAh.

Advantages:

High resolution with diagonal.
Decent amount of main memory considering the price.
IP68 protection.

Flaws:

When the mobile Internet is on, the battery runs out quickly.
Slot for microSD combined.
The old OS is Android 7.1.

VERTEX Impress Action

Dimensions: 73 x 134 x 13.9mm
Display: 4 inches, IPS, 480 x 800 pixels

Price: from 8 730 rubles.

A rare company will now dare to release a smartphone with such a tiny display. Its diagonal here is only four inches! The resolution may seem low, but with such a diagonal it is quite enough - the pixels are practically invisible to the naked eye. With its very compact dimensions, the device weighs 173 grams. It seems surprising until you find out about the presence of water protection here. Another device is able to boast Gorilla Glass 3, which is not always found in such inexpensive devices.

Advantages

The presence of water protection;
Two slots for SIM-cards;
Good screen, covered with protective glass;
Not very high cost;
Fairly good 8-megapixel camera;
LTE support.

Flaws

Minimum amount of memory;
Quiet volume when talking;
Decent weight.

Acer Liquid

Dimensions: 64 x 115 x 13 mm
Display: 3.5" TFT, 480 x 800 pixels

Price: from 8 190 rubles.

Now mini-smartphones can be distinguished in a separate class. But Liquid appeared back in the days when all models were compact, with very rare exceptions. It is with this that the fact that the device is running a very old version of Android is connected. However, this does not prevent him from being in demand - even now the device is regularly bought. The diagonal of the screen installed here is only 3.5 inches. As a result, the dimensions of the smartphone are similar to the first devices from Apple. The only thing that upsets here is that the display is made using TFT technology, which is why the viewing angles turned out to be far from ideal. Other characteristics also do not shine. In a word, Acer Liquid is a kind of replacement, in terms of functionality, the smartphone is not far from it.

Advantages

Tiny size;
Good display resolution
Attractive appearance;
There are proximity and light sensors;
High reliability;
Good sound in headphones.

Flaws

Very little memory;
Single core processor;
Not the best viewing angles and color reproduction;
No 4G support;
An outdated version of the operating system.

Viking Thor Plus

Dimensions: 73 x 137 x 17mm
Display: 4 inches, 480 x 800 pixels

Price: from 24 900 rubles.

When compact smartphones are no longer made by large companies, little-known brands enter the scene. Sometimes they get unremarkable vehicles, and sometimes something like the Viking Thor plus is born. This device has not only minimal dimensions, but also full water protection. There are also rubber pads that allow the device not to be afraid of falling onto a hard surface. Another noteworthy detail is the SOS button, which is usually found only in "grandmother's phones". It is impossible not to appreciate the 13-megapixel camera.

Advantages

Mechanical buttons under the screen;
Not bad for such a diagonal display resolution;
Water and impact protection;
There is an SOS button;
There are cameras with a resolution of 13 and 5 megapixels;
A large supply of RAM and permanent memory;
There is a light indicator.

Flaws

High price;
No support for LTE;
Weighs 180 g.

Ginzzu S4720

Dimensions: 67.8 x 140 x 8.2mm
Display: 4.7 inches, IPS, 720 x 1280 pixels

Price: from 7 990 rubles.

At one time, devices with a 4.7-inch screen were considered very large. But now it is easy to say that such a device is compact. The product from a Chinese company for little money offers a good display resolution and a 2400 mAh battery. But in order to achieve such characteristics, the manufacturer had to save on other components. For example, the amount of RAM and permanent memory is severely cut here (1 and 8 GB, respectively). Also, the 8-megapixel camera will not surprise you. The lack of support is also upsetting, not to mention the inability to transfer data via 4G networks. And yet the device is in some demand. One gets the impression that he likes the fact that there is nothing superfluous in it - only basic functionality.

Advantages

Not a very high price;
HD display resolution;
Stable software;
Two slots for SIM-cards;
Attractive appearance.

Flaws

No support for LTE;
Small stock of memory;
Not the latest version of the operating system;
There are instances with non-working GPS.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Dimensions: 64.7 x 127.3 x 8.99mm
Display: 4.6 inches, IPS, 720 x 1280 pixels

Price: from 29 990 rubles.

Quite possibly, the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is the best small-sized smartphone. Judge for yourself: it has everything that many of its competitors lack. For example, there is a 23-megapixel camera lens on the back panel, and the LCD display is able to please with a pixel density of 319 PPI! The device not only supports fourth generation networks, it is also capable of transmitting data using the LTE-Advanced standard! Everything is fine here and with the rest of the specs, which include a Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM and a 2700mAh battery. And there is also a fingerprint sensor, 720 x 1280 pixels

Price: from 22 990 rubles.

The best small-screen smartphones not only have to have impressive specs, but they also need to last long enough. That is why it is impossible not to include the product of the South Korean company Samsung in our selection. It is endowed with a screen created using Super AMOLED technology. Therefore, each pixel here glows independently. Together with the energy saving system introduced here, this allows you to use it only once every two days. And there is also water protection - you will not be afraid to talk on the phone in the rain. Finally, the excellent 13-megapixel camera with f/1.9 aperture can't be overlooked - it takes bright pictures with rich colors.

Advantages

Good cameras (13 and 8 MP);

Advantages

Has an LTE module;
Cute design;
Two slots for SIM-cards;
Not the oldest version of Android;
Minimum weight;
Stable software.

Flaws

The display was created using TFT technology;
The resolution of the main camera is only 5 megapixels;
Minimum amount of memory;
The processor could be installed and more powerful.

Samsung Galaxy J1 (2016)

Dimensions: 69.3 x 132.6 x 8.9 mm
Display: 4.5 inches, Super AMOLED, 480 x 800 pixels

Price: from 6 990 rubles.

A few years ago, Samsung announced that it would soon gradually transition all of its smartphones to AMOLED screens. And it really happened - from now on, even the very cheap Samsung Galaxy J1 (2016) has such a display. As a result, the device stands out from competitors with the colorfulness of the displayed picture and battery life. The rest of the characteristics of the device are average. A simple 5-megapixel camera is installed here, and the amount of memory causes some pity. But then there is an LTE module that provides high-speed data transfer!

Advantages

Low price;
Works in fourth generation networks;
There is an AMOLED screen;
Two SIM card slots;
Stably functioning Android 5.1;
Light weight (131 g);
Decent battery life.

Flaws

Only 8 GB of permanent and 1 GB of RAM;
The simplest cameras;
Not very high resolution display.

Huawei Y3 II LTE

Dimensions: 66.7 x 134.18 x 9.9mm
Display: 4.5 inches, 480 x 854 pixels

Price: from 5 790 rubles.

Y3 II LTE is one of the most equipped with 4G module. Perhaps this is the most inexpensive way to get high-speed access to the global web. But the Chinese saved a lot of money on all other components. The resolution of the screen installed here is low, individual pixels are clearly distinguishable. The amount of RAM is exactly what is needed for the stable operation of Android 5.1 and nothing more. The camera has a five-megapixel resolution, which is why you don’t want to take pictures with it at all. And yet, the smartphone deserves its place in the ranking, because for that kind of money you can forgive many sins.

Advantages

There is support for LTE;
Very low cost;
A stable operating system;
There are light and proximity sensors;
Ability to install two SIM-cards;
Relatively light weight (150 g);
Not the oldest version of Android.

Flaws

Low screen resolution;
Unpretentious cameras;
No GLONASS support;
Little memory.

Apple iPhone SE

Dimensions: 58.6 x 123.8 x 7.6mm
Display: 4 inches, IPS, 640 x 1136 pixels

Price: from 36,490 rubles.

Apple strives to satisfy all the needs of its fans. That is why on the shelves of stores now you can find a variety of "iPhones". Some of them can be safely called, while others still retain a compact and stylish design. In particular, Apple SE has a 4-inch screen, so that the thumb can easily reach any interface element. The body of the device was made of glass and aluminum. This device weighs only 113 g - less than the vast majority of competitors on Android. The display resolution can hardly be called low, as the pixel density reaches 326 PPI. Everything is in order here and with wireless modules. In a word, a potential buyer can only regret the price - they traditionally ask too much for Apple equipment. Yes, and iOS imposes some restrictions, which is also not to everyone's liking.

Advantages

Powerful processor;
Decent battery life;
Supports LTE and Wi-Fi 802.11ac;
Good 12-megapixel camera;
Sufficiently high screen resolution;
Minimum weight;
There is a fingerprint sensor.

Flaws

No memory card slot;
Not everyone will like the price tag;
Bad front camera.

Compact smartphones are still popular. The main feature, or, more correctly, the requirement, are compact dimensions and the ability to easily use the gadget with one hand. Fewer and fewer smartphones fall into this category every day. At the same time, the concept of "compact" is associated with display diagonals, which were considered the standard a few years ago.

Below is a list of the best compact Android smartphones. It should be understood that in the article we will not mention the iPhone SE, 6s and 7 - they are certainly compact, but colleagues from AppleInsider.ru.

Google Pixel

The device is equipped with a 5-inch display, Snapdragon 821 processor, 4 GB of RAM. The main features include fast updates, body design and materials, as well as a camera that many consider the best on the market. But among the shortcomings, we would note the high price - after all, $ 650 for a smartphone from Google is a lot. And starting with the Nexus 6, the company went down the wrong path towards increasing the cost of its products in order to obtain maximum quality.

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)

While the Pixel is definitely one of the best, the A3 (2017) technically isn't. The device is equipped with a 4.7-inch display, has moisture protection, a Type-C port.

A3 (2017) is an excellent solution for those who want to get, in addition to a compact device, also a cheap one. But at the same time, if you want a flagship, A3 is not your choice. The screen resolution here is only HD, the 13 MP camera does not show the best result, there is only 2 GB of RAM, and the Exynos 7870 processor is not the best, and the battery is only 2350 mAh.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime is a 5-inch monster with a 4100 mAh battery and a Snadragon 625 processor. There is 3 GB of RAM, the camera is the weak side of the device. It is here at 13 megapixels, but the quality of the pictures, especially at night, is terrible. Plus will be FullHD-screen resolution. For the money, Redmi 4 Prime is the best choice in its price category.

According to phonearena

Do you remember what mobile phones looked like at the dawn of their appearance? They could even be called "mobile" with a stretch because of their huge dimensions. From year to year, manufacturers kept shrinking and shrinking, and by the time most people could finally afford phones, they were already quite compact to fit in any pocket. But then the world of cellular happened ... iPhone. And if the first couple of years after its presentation, other manufacturers were still trying to produce at least some original devices, then almost all of them became an ordinary “bar with a screen”. Fortunately, this screen was quite small. Even a 3.5-inch display somewhere in 2010 would be called huge. And what happened then? The development of a fairly fast mobile Internet has made it possible to consume content, let's say, on the go. Even weighty YouTube videos are now played without problems, thanks to LTE networks. But you understand that watching videos is not very convenient from a small screen, right? Smartphone manufacturers also understood this, which every year began to ... increase the dimensions of phones in order to cram a larger display. In total, today a smartphone with a diagonal of 5 or even 5.5 inches is considered compact.

And everything seems to be fine, and everyone is happy. But what about people who still do not want to put up with the fact that the smartphone must be controlled with two hands. Or, for example, fragile girls with small hands. Take a compact smartphone. But finding one in 2019 is quite problematic. And to find a small one, but at the same time quite smart, is an almost impossible task. At least somehow ease the agony of choice will help our rating.

The best compact smartphones in the budget segment: cost up to 10,000 rubles

4 Fly FS408 Stratus 8

Best price
Country: China
Average price: 1990 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

Let's start with Fly's ultra-budget compact smartphone. When compared with competitors, the model is far behind in terms of technical equipment, but almost half the cost makes Stratus 8 forgive most of the shortcomings. The design and materials of the case are as simple as possible, but, judging by the reviews, users have no complaints about the build quality. The glass was pleasantly surprised - it resists scratches well. The positive features of the device include:

Compact 4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 854x480 pixels. Due to this, the dimensions of the case and the weight are minimal.
Relatively fresh Android 6.0
Dual SIM slots and MicroSD card slot up to 32GB

There are also many disadvantages:

RAM only 512 MB. Programs can run for 5-30 seconds.
Mediocre 2MP camera, no flash. The video is recorded in 640x480 resolution with a frame rate of 15/sec.

3 Samsung Galaxy J2 core SM-J260F

The cheapest compact smartphone "Samsung"
Country: South Korea
Average price: 5830 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

A five-inch modest one that still remains relevant and tries to mimic old models with an experience of 3-5 years, although this hero dates back to 2018. Thick bezels around the display, a typical screen resolution of 960x540, 8 GB of internal memory and 1 GB of RAM suggest a decent age. The performance is low, but the device fits easily into a trouser pocket and does not look like a shovel in the hand. The creation of Samsung weighs 154 grams.

The reviews praise a stable 4G connection, good sound in headphones and a battery that lasts for 1-2 days. Regular gigabytes of memory are far from always enough, so we recommend that you immediately purchase a memory card. This is the best option in our top of the most compact devices. Especially for those who are on a tight budget and who are loyal to devices with the Samsung logo on the case.

2 Xiaomi Redmi Go 1/16GB

Optimal for children
Country: China
Average price: 5790 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The most inexpensive smartphone that fits well even in a child's hand. Its height dimensions are limited to 14 cm, and the weight is 137 grams. Inside, everything is modest but tasteful: Android 8.1 out of the box, a five-inch screen with an IPS matrix and a resolution of 1280x720, a single 8-megapixel camera and a five-megapixel front camera. Performance is cut down by the amount of RAM - there is only 1 GB, so running many applications in the background will not work.

The model works with dignity, albeit slowly. All menu windows smoothly move from one to another at the first request of the user. There is 16 GB of internal memory, and if you want to save even more, then the best solution for you would be to buy a modification with 8 GB of permanent memory. This is one of the most compact smartphones in our top, which deserves your attention. Reviews are positive - users approve of the choice.

1 Samsung Galaxy J1

Rugged housing
Country: South Korea
Average price: 5989 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Samsung is very well known for its smartphones. She seems to have models for every taste and budget. These are ultra-budget phones with mediocre characteristics, and very expensive flagships that almost everyone wants without exception. Of course, in the assortment they also found a place for a compact phone with a screen diagonal of 4.5 inches. But famous brands have one minus - the price. Other things being equal, a device with a well-known logo on the case will cost more than less popular competitors. What, besides the name, can the Galaxy J1 boast of:

Support for the GLONASS system. Together with GPS, this allows you to increase the accuracy and speed of determining the location - it will be useful if you use your smartphone as a navigator.
WiFi Direct support
Support Bluetooth Audio (A2DP)
RAM 1 GB
Good 5MP camera with LED flash

The best compact mid-range smartphones: up to 30,000 rubles

3 Apple iPhone 7 32GB

Contactless payment module
Country: USA
Average price: 30500 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Apple has long maintained the compact dimensions of its smartphones, not succumbing to the onslaught of fashion for "shovels". The seventh iPhone is no exception. The number of operational gigabytes has increased to two, built-in memory is limited to 32 GB. The screen diagonal is 4.7 inches, and the resolution is 1334x750. The camera is still single with 12 megapixels. Dimensions will please those who are looking for the most compact device for themselves. The length does not reach a couple of millimeters to 14 cm, the width is a little more than 7 mm.

The compact size comes at the cost of battery life. The 1960 mAh battery barely lasts until the evening with moderately active power consumption. I am pleased with the NFC contactless payment module and fast iOS 10 out of the box. Top claims that iPhone 7 owners write in reviews: weak battery, poor performance of the fingerprint scanner, especially in cold weather, high price.

2 Apple iPhone 6S 32GB

The best-selling in our top
Country: USA
Average price: 22880 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

"Apple" smartphone, which pleases with compact dimensions, a metal durable case and an NFC module. Inside live 32 GB of permanent memory, which cannot be expanded. The camera is 12MP and still rivals the cameras of budget phones released in 2019.

The screen has a diagonal of 4.7 inches, so even with thick frames and a physical button under the screen, the length of the smartphone turned out to be 138 mm - it’s convenient for a child to operate with one hand. Weight - 143 grams, for such a small phone is decent. In the reviews, users still speak positively - in 2019, the model still meets the requirements of the owners. Bonuses - a fingerprint scanner that works quickly, convenient controls, smooth iOS operation, good sound from the speakers. The main troubles are short battery life and weak camera capabilities in low light conditions.

1 Apple iPhone SE 32GB

The most compact. The best combination of price and performance
The country: USA (made in China)
Average price: 18290 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

iPhone 5S has become a truly popular smartphone from Apple in our country. Low cost, nimble operation, compact dimensions - all this is difficult to find in competitors' products. But the model is seriously outdated, and therefore it is necessary to find a replacement for it. iPhone SE is almost a complete copy of the old man. Externally. Identical design, dimensions and even weight. But the filling has become much better, and therefore remains relevant in 2019. Especially if you take into account the recent significant reduction in the cost of the device. Other advantages include:

Powerful Apple A9 processor and M co-processor 2 GB RAM and 32 GB internal memory. Given the low demands of iOS, this stock should be enough for another couple of years.
High-quality rear camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels, with LED flash and autofocus. Can record videos up to 4K.
Compact 4-inch display with a high resolution of 1136x640 pixels.
A complete set of modern communication modules
There is a fingerprint scanner.

The best compact smartphones worth over 30,000 rubles

3 Samsung Galaxy S10e 6/128GB

The biggest screen
Country: South Korea
Average price: 45990 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

A smartphone with a screen diagonal of 5.8 inches, which deserves the title of the best compact device. The manufacturer managed to achieve a large screen through an aspect ratio of 19 to 9 and the thinnest frames. In order not to hide the useful area, the front camera sensor was placed under the display, and the navigation buttons were made on-screen. Thanks to this, the height of the phone is only 142 mm.

Inside there was a place for NFC, a dual main camera with a resolution of 16 MP and 12 MP, 6 GB of RAM and a 3100 mAh battery. In reviews, this smartphone is called the best creation of Samsung in recent years. Disadvantages - inconvenient lateral location of the fingerprint scanner, strong heating of the case, lack of an event indicator, insufficiently powerful battery. But the camera does an excellent job with its duties, only slightly losing to the flagships in dark light conditions.

2 Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

The most compact
Country: Japan
Average price: 36340 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

The Japanese have taken care of those who are used to using neat monoblocks that can be easily operated with one hand. They created a smartphone with a length of only 135 mm, and at the same time managed to put a very productive stuffing under the case. There is one camera with a resolution of 19 MP, laser autofocus and macro mode, a five-inch display with a resolution of 2160x1080, which will allow you to watch movies in comfort. There is an NFC module, 4 GB of RAM and a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor. Yes, the one that in 2018 held the lead in performance for a long time.

The battery received a capacity of 2870 mAh and support for fast charging. Of the "security" sensors - only a fingerprint scanner. The case is made of metal and glass and boasts water resistance. This is the most powerful smartphone in our top compact phones.

1 Apple iPhone 8 64GB

Best performance in a compact package
The country: USA (made in China)
Average price: 39550 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Finally, we have prepared for you the eighth generation iPhone. The coveted iPhone X has gotten too big, but the relatively compact 4.7-inch model remains on sale. The design is similar to that of the sixth and seventh generation, but the back cover has become glass, which allows you to install wireless charging. Negative features have passed from the "seven" - in particular, there is no headphone jack, which users do not forget to mention in the reviews. But let's talk about the advantages:

4.7-inch IPS display of excellent quality. Resolution 1334x750 pixels
12 MP camera with f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilization. 4K video at 60 fps.
The company's modern processor is the Apple A11 Bionic with 6 cores. The performance margin is large. Top communication modules. Apple Pay support.

You might think that compact smartphones must necessarily have a small display. In our opinion, this is an incorrect statement, since there are smartphones with a large screen, but a compact body relative to analogues. It is about such devices that we will talk about today.

Samsung Galaxy S8

Definitely, the leader is the Samsung Galaxy S8, which surprised everyone with its design. No less surprising is the screen diagonal, which is as much as 5.8 inches with a small body width. How?

First, there are no frames as such. Secondly, the display is curved. Thirdly, it is elongated in length, not width. All this made it possible to place such a large display in a 68.1 mm wide case! Recall that the best 5-inch smartphones without a curved display and with frames have about the same width. Impressive.

True, you have to pay for such a generous pleasure - the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the flagship, however, fortunately, it has not risen in price compared to the previous generation.

In terms of performance, let's just say this: this is simply one of the best and most powerful devices on the market. Perhaps the best.

Sony Xperia XA1 Dual

The newcomer from Sony is distinguished by its design. It looks excellent, although it was created in a completely familiar style for a Japanese company. It is also interesting that the side frame is made of steel, but the back cover is made of plastic, although it is difficult to understand this. Unusual body colors.

The display has practically no side frames, which has a positive effect on the width - only 67 mm with a 5-inch screen. Maybe not a record, but still an excellent result. But the lower and upper frames could be narrower.

In terms of characteristics, everything is pretty good: MediaTek Helio P20 (MT6757) processor, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory, two cool cameras, USB Type-C, fast charging function. But the fingerprint scanner, oddly enough, is not here.

LG G6

Another champion in terms of compactness is the new LG G6. It uses a large 5.7-inch display with a resolution of 2880 × 1440 pixels, but the photographs show that the screen occupies most of the front panel, which favorably affected the dimensions. So, the width of the device is only 71.9 mm, before narrow 5.2-inch smartphones could boast of such a width.

Since this is a flagship device, it has everything and more. For example, water protection, and the case is made of glass and metal. On the back of the case, you can see a dual camera module.

Processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, 64 GB of internal memory and 4 GB of RAM. The Always-on Display function has appeared.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge 32Gb

Although the Samsung Galaxy S8 has gone on sale, this does not mean that the Galaxy S7 Edge will stop selling. No, it will be on sale for a long time, perhaps more than one year. Why? It's just a great flagship smartphone at a relatively low price.

The Galaxy S7 Edge was one of the first popular smartphones with a curved screen. The diagonal of the display is 5.5 inches, and the body width is only 72.6 mm. In addition to the classy case with the use of glass and metal, the smartphone received a Samsung Exynos 8890 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. There is a slot for a memory card, the battery capacity is 3600 mAh, and the cameras are among the best on the mobile technology market.

All in all, buying a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge makes sense.

Huawei P10

The new Huawei P10 also turned out to be compact: its screen diagonal is 5.1 inches, and the width is only a little over 69 mm. At the same time, the frames, although thin, are still there.

The smartphone is based on the powerful HiSilicon Kirin 960 processor, the memory capacity is 4 GB and 64 GB (RAM and built-in, respectively). There is a fast charging function, USB Type-C, a fingerprint scanner.

The dual camera module is visible on the back of the case.

Huawei P10 has a very interesting appearance.

Meizu U10 32Gb

You can’t call this smartphone so compact - a 5-inch screen fits into a 69.6 mm wide case. But this is an inexpensive model that boasts a lot of interesting features.

For example, glass is used in front and behind. So what, you ask? And the fact that we have a very budget smartphone. Processor - MediaTek MT6750, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. There is a fingerprint scanner, a slot for a memory card, two good cameras.

Case color can be selected upon purchase.

ZTE Nubia Z9

ZTE Nubia Z9 is the record holder - it uses a 5.2-inch display, and the body width is only 68.3 mm! Excellent result! As you can see, there are almost no frames here, thanks to which the image is perceived, let's say, more voluminously. But you can’t call the weight small - 192 g.

The device is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, the amount of memory is 3 GB and 32 GB, respectively. Battery capacity - 2900 mAh. There is no fingerprint scanner in this version.

Now it's time to talk about the best compact smartphones of 2017.

Video:

5th place: LG Q6

The LG Q6 uses a 5.5-inch FullVision screen like the flagship LG G6. Its resolution is 2160×1080 pixels, aspect ratio is 18:9. The back panel of the smartphone is made of plastic, and the frame is made of 7000 series aluminum.

The smartphone is equipped with an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory and a 3000 mAh battery. There is support for microSD up to 2 TB. By the way, the slot here is not hybrid, but separate - you can install two SIM cards and a memory card at the same time.

The resolution of the main camera is 13 megapixels, front - 5 megapixels. Other features include NFC, face unlock support, and the lack of a fingerprint scanner. You can buy LG Q6 for 19,990 rubles. Our separate review is available.

4th place: Xiaomi Redmi 5A

This smartphone is not only compact, but also very cheap. It has a 5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels, a Snapdragon 425 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory and a 3000 mAh battery. There is support for two SIM cards and microSD cards up to 128 GB.

The main camera has a resolution of 13 megapixels, front - 5 megapixels. There is no fingerprint scanner in Redmi 5A, but there is an infrared port for controlling equipment. You can order this smartphone on Aliexpress at a price of 5,600 rubles.

3rd place: Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)

Samsung Galaxy A3 is equipped with a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels, Exynox 7870 processor, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. There is support for two SIM cards and microSD cards up to 256 GB.

The battery capacity of the smartphone is 2350 mAh. The main camera has a resolution of 13 megapixels, front - 8 megapixels. Among the features worth noting is the presence of a fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C and an NFC module for contactless payments.

And the Samsung Galaxy A3 is protected from moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard. The smartphone can be found on sale at a price of about 16,000 rubles.

2nd place: Sony XZ1 Compact

Despite the compactness of the smartphone, Sony did not somehow cut the chips or the performance of the smartphone. The Xperia XZ1 Compact has a 4.6-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels, a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory and a 2700 mAh battery.

There is also a 16-megapixel Motion Eye camera that can shoot 960 frames per second - just like the flagship model. Another feature from the flagship is the ability to create a 3D model of objects using the camera. Then the whole thing can, for example, be printed on a 3D printer.

Other features include USB Type-C, NFC, IP68/65-rated housing, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, Hi-Res Audio support, HDR, and the latest Android 8 Oreo. You can buy Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact for 29,420 rubles. Our separate video about him is available at.

1st place: iPhone SE

Yes, the iPhone SE was not released in 2017, but Apple does not have other compact solutions yet. Given the good performance, SE remains relevant to this day.

It has a metal body and a 4-inch display with a resolution of 1136×640 pixels. The processor here is branded - Apple A9, the amount of internal memory can be 32 or 64 GB. The resolution of the main camera is 12 megapixels, front - 1.2 megapixels.

The battery capacity of the iPhone SE is 1624 mAh. If you like iOS and compact smartphones, or want to get to know the Apple ecosystem, then this smartphone is perfect for that. iPhone SE can now be found on sale at a price of 18,000 rubles.