The best small Android phones in 2025 - Android Authority

Feb 23, 2025

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Published onFebruary 19, 2025

Small Android phones are virtually extinct in 2025, at least by the traditional definition. “Small phones” once referred to those well under six inches, but with shrinking bezels and other design improvements, display sizes have ballooned. Now, anything under 6.2 inches is considered relatively small. There are many reasons why displays under six inches are pretty much extinct now, but the video above does a great job of summing up some of the key points and how the small phone market has changed. In this guide, we take a look at the best small Android phones available today, even if these might seem like monsters compared to phones from just five or six years ago.

Buyer's Advice: Finding the right type of small phone in 2025

There are essentially two sub-classes when it comes to today's smaller phones. First, you have traditional candy bar phones with displays hovering close to the 6-inch mark, and then you have foldable flip phones that are smaller in pocketability but not screen real estate. Which should you buy? It really depends on what you prioritize:

It’s very rare to find a phone under 6 inches, but the Pixel 9 comes close. It includes a slightly larger display than its predecessor, at 6.3 inches, but it still feels compact in the hand compared to much larger alternatives. For those who want something smaller with flagship-level smarts, the Pixel 9 is one of the best choices around.

The Google Pixel 9 is a bit more expensive than the Pixel 8 it replaced, but it also offers several substantial upgrades, including a new in-house Tensor chip and more RAM. This chip is designed to build on already strong performance while also addressing the Tensor’s past overheating issues.

Although the Tensor isn’t quite as powerful as rival Qualcomm chips, it handles AI, photography, and other machine learning aspects brilliantly. It is a great performer for day-to-day use. We also need to mention Google’s incredible update policy, which includes a whopping seven years of updates and hardware support. That’s two lifetimes in the smartphone era, and who knows where we’ll be in 2031.

While it’s actually slightly larger than the Pixel 8 despite its smaller 6.1-inch display, the Pixel 8a is also relatively small compared to the other options out there. The phone is also a bit cheaper than the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9, that is, unless you can find the former model on sale. You’ll be able to use the Pixel 8a with one hand, just like the Pixel 9, though it will be a bit of a struggle depending on your hand size.

Under the hood, the Pixel 8a has a Tensor G3 processor and 8GB of RAM. That’s the same processor found in the main Pixel, so you’ll get a similar experience when it comes to AI and general performance. The Pixel 8a’s biggest trade-offs are a weaker camera and cheaper body construction when compared to its more expensive older brother. Thankfully, you still get the same amazing update support. Google promises seven years of Pixel OS updates, security patches, and feature drops.

Of course, you’ll also enjoy all the pros that come with getting a Pixel phone. This will be among the first phones to get updates, for example. It also gets access to most Pixel-exclusive features. Not to mention, the UI will be as clean as they get.

Samsung Galaxy phones have always been among the best Android phones you can buy, and the brand is committed to keeping a small phone option at just 6.2 inches. The Samsung Galaxy S25 has nearly all of the polish and aftermarket support that’s made Samsung the leader in the Android world for years, just in a smaller package.

It comes with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and 12GB of RAM. The 4,000mAh battery isn’t exactly massive, but it will keep the phone running throughout a full day. Like all other Samsung flagships, it gets a really nice display, featuring a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel with a Full HD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

Samsung’s flavor of Android is highly customizable and a joy to use, although there is more bloatware than you’ll find on devices from other OEMs. It certainly isn’t the best for Android purists. Still, that’s a small price to pay for fantastic aftermarket support, including seven years of OS and security updates.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is a solid phone for just about anyone. It’s not the smallest Android phone you can buy, but it’s small enough to be convenient and comfortable to hold with one hand.

Every other phone so far has packed a traditional candy bar design that’s small enough to be used with one hand, even if some phones are harder to do this with than others. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is one of two options on this list that are a different kind of small phone: Foldables. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 manages to keep a small footprint thanks to its folding design.

Folded, the Z Flip 6 is a truly tiny Android phone that’s perfectly pocketable and usable. On the front of the device, there’s a 3.4-inch cover screen that’s great for checking notifications or the time without opening the device, which is good news for battery life and removing distractions from your life. Opened, it has a much larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display. Thanks to its thinner and taller profile, it’s also easy to use with one hand.

Moving past the design, the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 3 for Galaxy processor is a top performer, capable of powering through anything you can throw at it. The battery packs a fair capacity of 4,000mAh, which just about makes it to the end of a single day in our testing. However, you can extend battery life by relying more on the smaller outer screen.

Camera performance is also great, thanks to an upgraded 50MP rear camera, that brings it up to speed with Samsung’s traditional flagships. Overall, its performance is excellent for a small Android phone, but it’s not a reason to purchase this device.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t a small Android phone in the traditional sense, but in many ways, it’s even better. It certainly isn’t cheap, but the cool factor of having a foldable is more than worth the price of entry. If you’ve been eyeing foldables for a while, this is the one that we can finally recommend to just about anyone.

The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s biggest competitor. In fact, many would argue the phone is better than Samsung’s. At the very least, we can agree it beats the giant in some departments.

For starters, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 has a very special design you don’t see very often in other handsets. The faux leather back looks very nice, and it adds a texture that feels very comfortable, adding a nice grip. Additionally, it comes in very fun colors you might enjoy.

The performance is also pretty good, featuring a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, as well as 12GB of RAM. Another great benefit of Motorola’s flagship flip phone is that it comes with a larger 4.0-inch cover display. It actually covers most of the front, with very thin bezels around it. When unfolded, you’ll enjoy a pretty large 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a Full HD resolution. Here’s something really cool, though: it has a super smooth 165Hz refresh rate. This even beats most of the highest-end smartphones out there.

Motorola is also known for its clean UI, so this is a better fit if you prefer phones with a near-stock Android experience. If you don’t feel like spending as much on the Motorola Razr Plus 2024, there’s also the Motorola Razr 2024 ($699 at Amazon), which is also an awesome flip phone.

Size is obviously our primary concern when selecting the best small Android phones, but there are several factors we consider. Here’s a quick breakdown:

We can’t pinpoint an exact reason why smaller smartphones are so rare these days, but we can say it’s an industry trend that’s been developing for years. The market has slowly moved to larger screens, which naturally translates to bigger devices.

Actual small phones are rare, but some high-end devices do come in smaller iterations. These include models like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 base models. Now, actual small high-end phones that are under six inches are pretty much non-existent now. You would have to get a previous-gen device.

Although it’s counterintuitive, cheap Android phones tend to be on the larger side. In fact, most of the small Android phones on our list are premium devices with price tags to match.