In today’s world of ever-larger smartphones with massive screens over 6 inches, it can seem like small phones are a thing of the past. However, there are still many excellent options for those looking for a more compact and portable device that can easily be used with one hand.

Smaller phones have a lot of advantages – they are lighter, more pocketable, easier to use with one hand, and often have better battery life. While they may have slightly smaller screens and lower resolution cameras compared to flagship phablets, today’s top small phones still offer impressive performance and features.

Here is a look at some of the best small smartphones available in 2023.

Best Overall: Asus Zenfone 10

The Asus Zenfone 10 stands out as the best current small phone overall thanks to its compact size, excellent performance, good battery life and affordable price point.

With a 5.9 inch 120Hz AMOLED display, the Zenfone 10 is truly a miniature phone by today’s standards. Yet it doesn’t compromise on power, packing in Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and up to 16GB of RAM. This hardware makes the Zenfone 10 faster than many leading flagship phones.

The phone also has a respectable 4300 mAh battery that can last over a day of use. 33W fast charging helps to quickly top up when running low. Camera performance is also solid with 50MP and 12MP sensors on the rear.

Despite its flagship-level internals, the Zenfone 10 starts at just $599 making it a great value small smartphone pick.

Best foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the latest iteration of Samsung’s fun and compact foldable smartphone that packs flagship power into a small, pocketable size when folded. Unfolding reveals a tall 6.7″ FHD+ flexible AMOLED screen.

Key new highlights of the Z Flip 5 include:

• Larger 3.4″ Super AMOLED cover screen that’s much more functional for apps, widgets and notifications.
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for faster performance.
• 3700 mAh battery for all day battery life.
• Improved camera sensors and Nightography mode.
• New stylish color options like Lavender and Mint.
• More durable design with water resistance.
• Flex mode enhancements like the interactive Flex Mode Panel.

With a starting price of $999, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 competes directly against Motorola’s latest Razr foldable flip phone. While more expensive than a typical slab smartphone, the Z Flip 5 offers a unique and fashionable take on a folding device, transitioning from an ultra compact 3.4” display to a modern tall-screen flagship with just a flip.

Premium Pick: Samsung Galaxy S23

For those wanting a more premium small phone experience, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is a top choice. As the compact version of Samsung’s S23 flagship phone line, the standard S23 retains the great performance and software experience but in a more hand-friendly 6.1 inch size.

The Galaxy S23 is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and offers a beautiful 1080p 120Hz AMOLED display with excellent brightness. The 50MP main camera takes nice photos in good lighting conditions.

One advantage of going with Samsung is getting the company’s polished One UI interface and long software update support. The Galaxy S23 will get 4 major Android version upgrades and 5 years of security updates.

The S23 does have mediocre battery life, lasting just a day of use in testing. But for an overall premium and pocketable experience, it’s hard to beat the Galaxy S23. Prices start at $799.

Best Value: Google Pixel 7a

For budget-conscious buyers who still want flagship features, the Google Pixel 7a is a fantastic value. Starting at just $449, the Pixel 7a inherits many of the best attributes of Google’s top-tier Pixel phones in a compact 6.1 inch package.

The Pixel 7a comes equipped with Google’s own Tensor G2 processor and runs a clean build of Android with guaranteed OS updates until 2025. It has an excellent dual camera system capable of taking stunning photos via Google’s computational photography software.

While the 7a uses a 60Hz display and has a plastic build, these compromises are understandable at this price. Performance is fast, build quality is solid, and battery life is capable of lasting up to two days. For the money, the Pixel 7a is one of the best small phones available.

Fun Flip Phone: Moto Razr (2023)

Motorola’s reborn Razr series puts a modern spin on the classic flip phone form factor. The new Moto Razr 2023 model improves on its predecessors with a faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, larger cover display, much better battery life and more durable design.

Closed, the new Razr is extremely compact at just 3.4 inches wide. But unfold it and you’re greeted by a spacious 6.7 inch foldable OLED main display. This gives you both a small phone for portability and a mini tablet for immersive media viewing.

Unique software features take advantage of the flip phone design, like using the cover display as a selfie viewfinder. While camera and charging speed could be better, the 2023 Razr is the most competitive flip phone to date. Pricing starts at $999.

Best AI-Powered: Google Pixel 8

Google’s newest Pixel 8 offers one of the best small phone AI and camera experiences powered by the brand new Tensor G3 chip. Building on previous Pixel models, the Pixel 8 has cutting-edge computational photography features that make photos look their best in any situation.

The Magic Eraser tool now lets you easily remove unwanted objects from photos. New generative AI can insert edited objects into an image and intelligently fill in the background. Google’s Super Res Zoom technology makes digital zoom look sharper.

These enhancements paired with the Pixel 8’s stellar 50MP camera make it shoot photos on par with much more expensive phones. Night and low light shots look amazing. At just 6.2 inches, the Pixel 8 gives you uncompromised Google Camera performance in a manageable size. Pricing starts at $599.

Unique Narrow Design: Sony Xperia 5 IV

Sony takes a different approach to compact phones with the tall and narrow Xperia 5 IV. It has a 6.1 inch 21:9 cinema widescreen display that’s easy to grip in one hand but tricky to reach the top one-handed.

Hardware like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 120Hz OLED screen, and triple 12MP camera system make the Xperia 5 IV powerful for its size. Battery life is also excellent, lasting up to two days in testing.

If you like the idea of using a phone easily in one hand but don’t mind occasionally needing a second hand for vertical reach, the uniquely designed Xperia 5 IV is worth considering. Pricing is set at $999.

Best Budget Pick: Google Pixel 6a

For shoppers on a tighter budget, the Google Pixel 6a provides a compelling small phone option at just $349. It makes some cost-cutting sacrifices, but retains many of the Pixel line’s best software and camera attributes.

The Pixel 6a uses Google’s fast Tensor processor and has a crisp 6.1 inch OLED display with HDR support. Camera performance punches far above its class with the same dual lens setup as the more expensive Pixel 6. Night and portrait photos turn out great.

With its plastic body and slower 60Hz screen, the 6a doesn’t feel quite premium. But for the money, it packs in very solid performance and features into an easy to handle size. Budget buyers get a lot of phone for the money here.

Conclusion

While large screens dominate the smartphone landscape, there are still excellent small phone options available in 2022 and 2023. Picking a smaller phone doesn’t mean compromising much on performance, cameras or software experience.

Top choices like the Asus Zenfone 10, Google Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy S23 deliver flagship-level power in more portable sizes under 6 inches. Even compact foldables and budget phones can meet many buyers needs.

For the foreseeable future, big screens will rule the smartphone world. But the best small phone alternatives combine impressive capabilities with easier one-handed use and carrying. They strike an excellent balance for customers who prioritize pocketability and mobility.