Reviewing the best compact phones in 2026, including mini favourites like Google’s Pixel 10a and the Pixel 10 Pro, the Samsung S26 and that Xiaomi 17. Top small phone options also include flippy foldables like the Motorola RAZR 60 Ultra and Z Flip 7 FE, and more budget friendly alternatives. So, which is the best compact smartphone for you right now?
Unboxing and review videos are live on Tech Spurt for all of the mobiles that I’ve personally tested – and I only recommend phones if I’ve checked them out.
The most recent compact smartphone is the Samsung S26, a 6.3-inch phone boasting upgraded camera performance and gaming creds. Sadly battery life isn’t great, so I’d point you towards the Google Pixel 10 Pro instead, if you’re not a gamer. Otherwise, on a tighter budget I do like the Pixel 10a – even if it’s really a slightly polished 9a.
Other notable compact phones right now include the excellent Xiaomi 17 and Vivo X300. These aren’t as easy to track down as their Samsung and Google rivals, but they boast excellent battery life, quality camera tech, dependable performance and slick specs – all in a pleasingly small, mini design.
If you’re stacked with cash, check out the Moto RAZR 60 Ultra and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 – or the cheaper FE. Actually, not the FE, it’s not very good. If you’re more of an iOS fan, check out the iPhone 17. Just stay well clear of the awful 17e.
These are some of the best compact phones in 2026, offering a mini design with a slick Android experience. Check out my reviews/unboxing videos of these mobiles here on Tech Spurt.
Best Compact Phones 2026 Review Chapters:
0:00 – Rambly bit
0:47 – Vivo X300
2:29 – Google Pixel 10 & Pro
4:05 – Google Pixel 10a
6:07- Samsung Galaxy S26
7:26 – Xiaomi 17
8:57 – Motorola RAZR 60 Ultra
10:21 – Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
11:28 – Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE?
11:50 – Apple iPhone 17 and Motorola Edge 60 Neo
Thanks for checking out my round-up of the best phones that aren’t ridiculously oversized in 2026. If you’re as upset as I am that almost every phone is a proper pocket-splitter these days, feel free to vent some rage below. And have a lovely Easter! Xx
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The first 15 seconds of this video have great ytp potential.
None of these are compact, but I don’t blame you…. They just don’t make them anymore
I will admit that I miss the days when phones were actually designed with the ergonomics of holding and using the device in mind. My first foray into truly capable smartphones was the HTC Droid DNA and it had a 5″ 1080p screen that was absolutely lovely to use and I still posit that this is the optimal screen size for a 16:9 display. If you trim the bezels down to an insignificant size and you’ve got slightly larger hands then the LG V30 with its 6″ 1440p display is just barely usable, but the phone itself is incredibly comfortable to hold, so I forgive it for having an upper corner that’s challenging to reach. However, of all the smartphone brands, I suspect that Sony may be the king of the compact phone, having offered a legitimate compact version of their flagship model up until 2023 with the Xperia 5 V and an even more compact model in their midrange lineup with the Xperia Ace III in 2022. Unfortunately they consolidated as of late and only offer a somewhat compact model in their mid-range lineup now in the form of the Xperia 10 VIII. If we want to go back to their last “true” compact flagship, well, that’d be the XZ2 Compact from 2018 with a 5″ display. A wee little thing by modern standards. Asus also made some “compact” phones. Nowadays companies rarely bother to make compact versions of their flagship devices because they simply can’t convince enough people to spend flagship money on a device with a smaller screen, so most of the true “compact” devices are mid-range or entry-level devices, which I suppose is fair enough. If you need a tiny device then you probably aren’t going to also need it to be ludicrously high-spec because you won’t be able to appreciate those gains on that tiny screen anyway. So a mid-range device with a reasonably competent chip from a couple years prior is fit for purpose. Throw in at least one legitimately good camera and some decent software and it should do passably on the market.