15 Best Compact Smartphones That Will Fit in Your Palm

Pros:

• iOS
• Great battery life
• Great camera

Cons:

• Apple-priced
• Below-Apple-standard front camera 

Any model of the iPhone would not need any introduction. You are sure to get the latest technology developments and most advanced features if you are going to buy from Apple. In the case of iPhone SE, this revamped version of its 2016 predecessor packs more internal muscle. 

The iPhone SE is Apple’s way of introducing itself to the value market. Despite being one of the lowest-priced iPhone, SE still contains Apple’s latest A13 processor. The phone is water-resistant and can also support wireless charging. In order to fit these features in a budget, Apple had to find a compromise and that came at the expense of the camera. 

Grab your iPhone SE on Amazon now. 

Pros:

• Can really be used with one hand
• Has the same essential features as the other S10 models
• Powerful for its size

Cons 

• One camera lens less
• No fingerprint scanner

The Samsung Galaxy S10e really lives up to its name as the smaller version of S10 and the S10 Plus. S10e only contains the essentials of Samsung’s S10 line. It runs on Android 9 and has an octa-core chipset. For a compact phone, these specifications are quite jaw-dropping. 

Despite missing out on one lens, S10e still packs the same power as its more robust brothers. It’s basically a shrunken version of the other S10 models. You will still be able to use features such as the Wireless PowerShare. Samsung also dropped the curved edge display for this one.

If you want to be part of Team Samsung, grab the Samsung Galaxy S10e on Amazon now. 

Pros:

• Smooth and cool UI
• Brilliant rear camera
• Face unlock feature that rivals Apple’s

Cons:

• Mediocre battery life
• Small internal storage

Google has recently been ramping up its designs and development for its smartphone line. Pixel 4 is Google’s latest bet in the compact phone market. For a phone belonging to this category, Pixel 4 has a superb camera that can really compete against larger phones. 

Its 64-GB internal storage can be a concern, but not for people who rely on Google applications for extra storage. This phone’s ability to quickly sync with G Suite applications is a great way to counter its lack of internal memory. Furthermore, since this is a Google phone, you’re sure to receive the latest and best updates right away. 

It’s still a little bit expensive but if you feel like it’s going to be worth it, you can get a Google Pixel 4 on Amazon. 

Pros:

• More affordable as compared to Pixel 4
• Great camera in low-light situations
• Has a headphone jack

Cons:

• Not water-resistant
• Does not support wireless charging
• Low storage

The Google Pixel 3a is famously known as the more affordable version of Pixel 4. Unfortunately, both phones have the same downsides as well. Despite the low storage and the lower RAM capability, Pixel 3a is arguably the best budget phone on this list. 

Its G Suite capabilities are great since it is a Google phone, after all. The rear cameras are still great at 12.2 MP, and the battery life is surprisingly good. Oh, and it has a headphone jack – something that you won’t see too often these days. If you are looking for a sign to switch to Google while staying on a budget, you can start off by getting the Google Pixel 3a on Amazon.

Pros:

• Biometric security
• Packs that signature Samsung S power

Cons:

• Still pricey
• No improvement on the design from S8’s

Despite being released more than two years ago already, Samsung Galaxy S9 still proves to be a relevant phone today. Due to that, its price hasn’t changed much since its release date, but that’s something that you might still be able to live by. 

Its biometric security system is flawless. If you are a fan of fingerprint scanners, this should be a treat for you. The S9 improved every facet of its predecessor except for the design. It is also still one of the best gaming phones today. The features are still the same, but the blazing speed and the durable body are good enough reasons to get a Samsun Galaxy S9 from Amazon.

Pros:

• Low-priced
• External storage capabilities

Cons:

• Basic specs and features only
• Camera not too good
• Battery not that good

Motorola has been steadily entering the smartphone market again. They have been competing with high-priced smartphones, but the E6 Play was their official entry to the entry-level market. It is the cheapest Motorola phone out there today, so don’t expect too much. 

Its biggest upside against other competitors on this list is the MicroSD slot. While the previous options mentioned here continue to struggle with storage problems, the E6 deals with the issue with a good old memory slot. If you are satisfied with the basics already, the Motorola Moto E6 Play can be easily bought on Amazon.

Pros:

• Affordable 
• Great battery and expandable storage
• Light build

Cons:

• Basic features
• Bad camera

Since we are on the topic of budget compact smartphones, Nokia 2.2 is another candidate you should look at if you are on a tight leash. The smartphone’s body is built out of plastic, which is why it is one of the lightest candidates on this list. 

You’ll really get what you pay for here. It features a subpar camera and processor, although the battery surely fits the Nokia standard. It runs on Android 9.0 and it has a pretty nice UI as well. Compared to other phones in the same price range, Nokia 2.2 is a superstar. If you want to get back that Nokia experience, you can get your Nokia 2.2 on Amazon.

Pros:

• A little too compact
• Powerful for its size
• Rugged

Cons:

• Really bad camera
• Not really a primary phone

Compact? More like tiny. 

The Unihertz Atom is known as the tiny phone. What makes this phone interesting is its size and the power that it packs with it. It is rugged and it really suits someone who is constantly out and traveling to far-off places. It has a rugged design and is IP68 waterproof. 

Although, the size may pose a problem for many, it is still its biggest asset. It does have an XL counterpart, though. This small smartphone runs at 2,000 mAh battery, which may contradict its persona as an outdoor phone a little. For a modern person with modern life, this is only as good as a backup phone. 

If you think you’ll need one of these, grab you Unihertz Atom on Amazon now.

Pros:

• MicroSD card slot
• Good battery life
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not too powerful as the name suggests
• Plastic body

Motorola has been getting ahead of its competitors simply by pricing their phones lower. With a budget compact phone like Motorola G7 Play, you wouldn’t expect a battery that could last up to 40 hours, and yet that’s what you are getting. This massive battery capability makes it good for gaming although its processor may not be able to handle larger apps. 

The Motorola G7 Play has a curved screen to add flare to its 5.7-inch display. It’s a pretty standard compact phone that got the basics right. The additional slot for a memory card is also a welcome addition that you won’t see much anymore. If you’re on a budget looking for a phone that’s not too fancy but not too cheap, you can try out getting the Motorola Moto G7 Play on Amazon.

Pros:

• High-quality phone from a trusted brand
• One of the best front cameras today
• MicroSD slot

Cons:

• Battery drains fast despite being 3,100 mAh
• Lack of rear camera features

The Galaxy A40 is touted as the best compact smartphone in Samsung’s A series. True enough, it is one of the best camera phones in the world today. The first thing you’ll notice when you check out the specs is the 25-MP camera. Rightfully so, this is the phone’s pride. 

The phone also has a slot for an external memory card. It is one of the lightest options here and a lot of experts would actually recommend this if you want a high-quality smartphone at a fair price. Team Samsung have really set the standard for medium-budget phones with this one so get a Galaxy A40 on Amazon now.

Pros:

• Cheap for a triple-camera setup
• Great front camera
• Fast processor and excellent graphics

Cons:

• Small storage space
• Lacks camera features (e.g., stabilization)

The Chinese brand Xiaomi has been one of the fastest-growing technology brands in the world. They are known for disrupting the smartphone market by selling low-priced but powerful units. The Xiaomi Mi 9 SE is a classic example of what the brand stands by. 

Mi 9 SE has a 6 GB RAM and three rear cameras. It also has two SIM slots and it fully runs on the latest Android version. It has all these really eye-popping specs on paper and it’s all for almost half the price of iPhone SE and Samsung S10e. A lot of people have been switching to Xiaomi and it’s for a good reason. If you want to try out the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE, you can buy one on Amazon. 

Pros:

• Compact and fits the hand nicely
• Great chipset (Snapdragon 845)
• 4k video recording underwater
• Relatively affordable against direct competitors

Cons:

• Lacks additional features like wireless charging
• No audio jacks

Sony was one of the first brands to actually use the word “compact” for its phone models. With that said, when you say compact, you are supposed to reach the standards set by Sony. The XZ2 Compact is the shrunken version of the much larger and heavier Sony XZ2. 

The phone may have a weak battery on paper but Sony has never failed in terms of battery efficiency. The microSDXC slot is also a big advantage against its direct competitors for the same price tag. Unfortunately, Sony also gave in to the trend of axing the 3.5mm audio jack. Despite this, it is still one of the strongest competitors on this list and you can get a Sony XZ2 on Amazon.

Pros:

• Outstanding battery performance
• Unique design
• Powerful UI because of Android One

Cons:

• A little heavy for its size
• Lacks video features and shoots underwhelming photos

The second Nokia smartphone on this list is a high-end product from the said brand. The Nokia 8 Sirocco’s design is a breath of fresh air from both the standard Nokia design and the global standards. Part of why it is one of the best compact smartphones out there is because of its design alone. 

Despite the amazing design, objective tests and benchmarking suggests that what’s inside the phone is just alright. It still has that signature Nokia durability though. If you think that this phone is good enough for you, grab the Nokia 8 Sirocco on Amazon now.

Pros:

• Classic Sony smartphone design
• Great main camera
• Great battery life

Cons:

• Low internal storage
• Performance may easily slow down 
• Bad front camera

The Xperia XA2 is one of Sony’s flagship units in the budget market. The 23 MP camera and 3,300 mAh battery are its greatest assets in this market segment. It also is on the heavy side at 171g. 

Since this is a Sony phone, you could not expect a lot of special features from the phone. It did get the basics right so if that’s enough for you, you can get the Sony Xperia XA2 on Amazon easily. 

Pros:

• Cute design
• Lightweight but durable

Cons:

• Does not have a lot of things to be proud of

Much like the Unihertz Atom, the Palm Phone PVG100 was made for lists like this. Although they cannot possibly compete against the likes of iPhone SE, it is still nice to know that you have this small smartphone.

The phone runs on Android 8.1 or higher but the battery is a mere 800 mAh. It is great as a secondary phone and nothing else. It has a pretty good display for its size and it has a decent durable body as well. If for some reason you would need to buy this phone, you could easily get the ever-adorable Palm Phone PVG100 on Amazon.