Best Small Smartphone

Samsung Galaxy S10e

1st place

$520 on Amazon

Technical details

CPU: Exynos 9820 - 2 x 2.7GHz + 2 x 2.3GHz + 4 x 1.9Ghz
RAM: 6 GB of RAM
Display: 2280 x 1080 - 5.9 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie , One UI
Battery capacity: 3100 mAh
Camera: 12 MP + 16MP (dual) Front camera: 10 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB
Expandable storage: Hybrid
Weight: 150 g
Dimensions: 142 x 70 x 8.1mm mm
Antutu: 332782

Advantages

Very handy & light
Very good camera
Modern design
Faster processor great
AMOLED display
Good stereo speakers

Disa

dvantages

Mediocre battery life
Fingerprint sensor placed unergonomically
Bixby button
No telephoto lens

Meizu 16th

2nd place

$445 on Amazon

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 845 - 4 x 2.8GHz + 4 x 1.8Ghz
RAM: 6 GB of RAM
Display: 2160 x 1080 - 6 inches
Operating system: 8.1 Oreo , Flyme OS
Battery capacity: 3000 mAh
Camera: 12 MP + 20MP (dual)
Front camera: 20 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 64 GB
Expandable memory: no
Weight: 152 g
Dimensions: 150.5 x 73.2 x 7.3 mm
Antutu: 291300

Advantages

Beautiful design
Excellent workmanship
Handy, light and thin
Outstanding performance (SD845)
Very bright 6 inch AMOLED display
Good dual camera set-up

Disa

dvantages

No EIS for videos
No NFC LTE Band 20
Only in the global version
Poor low-light performance of the camera

Huawei P20 Pro

3rd place

$342 on Amazon

Technical details

CPU: Kirin 970 - 4 x 2.4GHz + 4 x 1.8Ghz
RAM: 6 GB of RAM
Display: 2240 x 1080 - 6.1 inches
Operating system: 8.0 Oreo , EMUI
Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
Camera: 40 MP Front camera: 24 MP
LTE: Yes-
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB
Expandable memory: no
Weight: 170 g
Antutu: 210000

Advantages

Workmanship and chic design
Good performance
Excellent OLED display
Ultimate camera from Leica
4000mAh battery
3D face recognition and fingerprint

Disa

dvantages

No jack connection
Slippery without a cover
Camera protrudes
High price

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S

4th place

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Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 845 - 4 x 2.8GHz + 4 x 1.8Ghz
RAM: 6 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM
Display: 2160 x 1080 - 6 inches
Operating system: 8.0 Oreo , MIUI
Battery capacity: 3400 mAh
Camera: 12 MP Front camera: 5 MP
LTE: Yes -
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB or 64 GB
Expandable memory: no
Weight: 194 g
Antutu: 266000

Advantages

Perfect workmanship and chic design
Extremely good performance
Very strong reception (GPS, WIFI, network)
Extremely fast storage
Excellent IPS display
Improved, flagship-worthy camera
Good battery life & wireless charging

Disa

dvantages

No jack connection
Average speaker (but stereo)
Camera AI only
Gimmick slippery without a cover

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE

5th place

$151 on Gearbest

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 712 - 2 x 2.3GHz + 6 x 1.7Ghz
RAM: 6 GB of RAM
Display: 2340 x 1080 - 6 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie , MIUI
Battery capacity: 3070 mAh
Camera: 48 MP + 8MP (dual) Front camera: 20 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 64 GB
Expandable memory: no
Weight: 155 g
Dimensions: 147.5 x 71 mm
Antutu: 177100

Advantages

Premium workmanship and design
Great AMOLED display
Super fast and powerful
Fingerprint sensor in the display works fine
Very good cameras
Strong reception (network, GPS, WIFI) NFC + Widevine L1

Disa

dvantages

Weaknesses in the telephoto lens, wide angle and focus
No memory expansion (micro SD)
No 3.5mm jack plug

Xiaomi Mi A3

6th place

Price is updated soon

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 665 - 4 x 2.0GHz + 4 x 1.8Ghz
RAM: 4 GB of RAM
Display: 1520 x 720 - 6.1 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie
Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
Camera: 48 MP + 8MP (dual) Front camera: 32 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 64 GB
Expandable storage: Hybrid
Weight: 174 g
Dimensions: 153.5 x 71.8 x 8.5 mm
Antutu: 140500

Advantages

Advantages disadvantages
Very strong battery
Very good triple camera
Good workmanship
Clean Android ONE system
Guaranteed updates

Disa

dvantages

HD display only
No always-on function

Meizu X8

7th place

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Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 710 - 2 x 2.2GHz + 6 x 1.7Ghz
RAM: 4 GB RAM or 6 GB RAM
Display: 2220 x 1080 - 6.1 inches
Operating system: 8.1 Oreo , Flyme OS
Battery capacity: 3200 mAh
Camera: 12 MP + 5MP (dual)
Front camera: 20 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 64 GB
Expandable memory: no
Weight: 163 g
Dimensions: 151.2 x 74.6 x 7.8 mm
Antutu: 166500

Advantages

Compact and classy
Super fast Snapdragon 710
USB C + headphone jack
Nice display
Very good camera

Disa

dvantages

No NFC Widevine L3
No memory expansion

Samsung Galaxy A40

8th place

$240 on Amazon

Technical details

CPU: Exynos 7885 - 4 x 2.2GHz + 4 x 1.6Ghz
RAM: 4 GB of RAM
Display: 2340 x 1080 - 5.9 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie , One UI
Battery capacity: mAh
Camera: 16 MP + 5MP (dual)
Front camera: 25 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 64 GB
Expandable memory:Yes
Weight: 140 g
Dimensions: 144.4 x 69.2 x 7.9 mm
Antutu: 106500

Advantages

Compact and light
Excellent display
Good camera
Dual SIM & memory expansion,
Headphone connection
NFC

Disa

dvantages

Scratch-prone back
Slow processor
Problems with videos and portraits

Meizu 15 Lite

9th place

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Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 626 - 8 x 2.2GHz
RAM: 4 GB of RAM
Display: 1920 x 1080
Operating system: 7.0 Nougat , Flyme OS
Battery capacity: 2900 mAh
Camera: 12 MP Front camera: 20 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 64 GB
Expandable storage: Hybrid
Weight: 145 g
Dimensions: 143 x 72.5 x 7.5 mm mm
Antutu: 81082

Advantages

Premium processing
Good performance
Real face recognition many sensors
Very good display

Disa

dvantages

Camera with little detail
Hybrid slot

Huawei P20 Lite

10th place

$132 on Amazon

Technical details

CPU: Exynos 9611 - 4 x 2.3GHz + 4 x 1.7Ghz
RAM: 4 GB of RAM
Display: 2340 x 1080 - 6.4 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie , One UI
Battery capacity: 6000 mAh
Camera: 48 MP + 8MP (dual) + 5MP (triple)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 64 GB
Expandable memory: Yes
Weight: 188 g
Dimensions: 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm
Antutu: 177390

Advantages

Very nice display
Excellent workmanship
Good camera in day light
Android 8 with EMUI

Disa

dvantages

Dual camera function
Unusable bad photos in low light
Mediocre battery life
Relatively slow processor

Gome U7 Mini

11th place

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Technical details

CPU: Mediatek Helio X20 - 2 x 2.3GHz + 4 x 1.85GHz + 4 x 1.4GHz
RAM: 4 GB of RAM
Display: 1440 x 720 - 5.5 inches
Operating system: 7.1.1
Battery capacity: 2800 mAh
Camera: 13 MP Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 64 GB
Expandable storage: Hybrid
Weight: 159 g
Dimensions: 151.1 x 69.7 x 8.1 cm mm
Antutu: 62757

Advantages

Fantastic, fresh design
Conveys a premium feeling
Outstanding workmanship
Clean & fast system
Great price / performance ratio
Great HDR recordings
Good front camera

Disa

dvantages

No LTE band 20
No 3.5mm jack connection
Only Android 7.1.1 (Gome OS 2.0)
No notification LED
Overexposed standard photos
Slightly smaller battery
Shaky video footage

Redmi 7a

12th place

$110 on Amazon

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 439 - 8 x 2.0GHz
RAM: 2 GB of RAM
Display: 1440 x 720 - 5.5 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie , MIUI
Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
Camera: 12 MP Front camera: 5 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 16 GB or 32 GB
Expandable memory: Yes
Weight: 166 g
Dimensions: 146 x 70 x 9.5mm mm
Antutu: 74600

Advantages

A lot of smartphone for the money
Coherent overall package
Good battery life
3-slot slot (dual SIM + micro SD)
Very good workmanship
Adequate cameras
Face unlock

Disa

dvantages

Not always fast (2-3 seconds)
No fingerprint sensor
Many labels on the case
No case included
Redmi 7 only a little more expensive

Meizu M6T

13th place

Click Me!

Technical details

CPU: Mediatek MT6750 - 4 x 1.5GHz + 4 x 1.0Ghz
RAM: 4 GB of RAM
Display: 1440 x 720 - 5.7 inches
Operating system: 7.0 Nougat , Flyme OS
Battery capacity: 3300 mAh
Camera: 13 MP + 13MP (dual) Front camera: 8 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20
SIM: Dual - nano
Memory: 32 GB
Expandable storage: Hybrid
Weight: 149 g
Dimensions: 152 x 7.5 x 73 mm
Antutu: 50784

Advantages

Working dual camera
Good photos in light
Very easy
Jack connection
Notification LED
Chic design and clean workmanship

Disa

dvantages

Photos unusable at night
Android 7.0 only
Plastic case

Cubot King Kong Mini

14th place

$90 on Amazon

Technical details

CPU: Mediatek Helio A22 - 4 x 2.0GHz
RAM: 3 GB of RAM
Display: 1280 x 640 - 4 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie , Android
Battery capacity: 2000 mAh
Camera: 13 MP Front camera: 8 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20
SIM: Dual - nano
Memory: 32 GB
Expandable memory: Yes
Weight: 125 g
Dimensions: 120x60x13 mm
Antutu: 73764

Advantages

Compact format
Good and bright display
Good performance
Great system performance
USB-C
Many sensors

Disa

dvantages

Weak camera
Annoying cover over charging port
Battery life only mediocre
No fingerprint sensor

Cubot Quest

15th place

$150 on Amazon

Technical details

CPU: Mediatek Helio P22 - 4 x 2.3GHz + 4 x 1.65Ghz
RAM: 4 GB of RAM
Display: 1440 x 720 - 5.5 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie
Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
Camera: 12 MP Front camera: 8 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20
SIM: Dual - nano, sim
Storage: 64 GB
Expandable storage: Hybrid
Weight: 200 g
Dimensions: 159 x 75 x 11 mm
Antutu: 77466

Advantages

Robust and well processed
Good cameras
Enough power
Good reception (network, GPS, WIFI)

Disa

dvantages

NFC
No jack socket
Only average battery power

Elephone A6 Mini

16th place

Click Me!

Technical details

CPU: Mediatek Helio P22 - 4 x 2.3GHz + 4 x 1.65Ghz
RAM: 4 GB of RAM
Display: 1440 x 720 - 5.5 inches
Operating system: 9.0 Pie
Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
Camera: 12 MP Front camera: 8 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20
SIM: Dual - nano, sim
Storage: 64 GB
Expandable storage: Hybrid
Weight: 200 g
Dimensions: 159 x 75 x 11 mm
Antutu: 77466

Advantages

Robust and well processed
Good cameras
Enough power
Good reception (network, GPS, WIFI)

Disa

dvantages

NFC
No jack socket
Only average battery power

What do we count among the best small smartphone?

If you are looking for an Android smartphone with less than 5 inches (e.g. 4.7 inches), you unfortunately have to be told that these models are simply no longer produced and are also extinct in this country. After all, all known flagships, such as those from Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei, have significantly increased their display diagonals and device size.

However, it is important to understand that the size of the smartphone does not only depend on the display. Many of the current compact cell phones are smaller than an iPhone XR or 11 because the bezels around the display are smaller and the space is better used. If you attach particular importance to the compactness of the new cell phone, you should not only consider the inch size but also the dimensions of the cell phone.

A 19: 9 or 20: 9 display makes much better use of the space offered by the smartphone than the typical 16: 9 display - this is clear from the example of the iPhone 8.

Model:

Dimensions mm: L

x B

Front area:

Display in inches:

Format:

Area of the display:

Xiaomi Mi 9SE

147.5

104.7 cm²

5.9

19.5: 9

87.5cm²

Samsung S10e

142

99.4 cm²

5.8

19: 9

82.8 cm²

iPhone 8

138

92cm²

4.7

16:9

62 cm²

Xiaomi Mi A3

153.5

71.8

110.2cm²

19.5: 9

88.7 cm²

Meizu 16th

150.5

73.2

110.1cm²

18: 9

92.9 cm²

The two most prominent smartphones of the 'small representatives' at the moment are clearly the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE and Xiaomi Mi A3: both would land in a larger list of the best with the 6 inch display, but the case is not in relation to the screen and thanks to the Notch, within limits. Here, too, it applies again that a small width of the smartphone is more important than the length for one-handed operation. As far as powerful compact smartphones are concerned, the field here is also rather rare: Samsung S10e and the Meizu 16th are to be mentioned in front - other flagships come with larger displays. The Huawei P20 Pro has now jumped from 6.1 inches to 6.4 inches in the successor P30 Pro.

These small smartphones from China are of high quality and offer a performance that can meet every requirement. China-mobile-phones.com made a comparison of the best small smartphones because this size of mobile phone is still particularly popular with many users. The compact devices offer a good mix of user-friendliness and a convenient size for multimedia use. They can still be used with one hand without any problems and also fit in any trouser pocket.

All prices quoted are final prices, including customs duties (import sales tax 19%) and express shipping ! The most popular China cell phones with compact displays are placed here in a list.

All China mobile phone shops listed in the price comparison are reputable, trustworthy providers with mostly positive reviews on the internet.

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