The smartphone world has generally gone wild with big displays, and manufacturers are latching on to it. But not everyone wants their big. If, like me, you are a lover of smaller smartphones, I have drawn up a list of the best compact smartphones you can buy today in 2019.
In order to make things clear, I define a compact smartphone as one with a screen below 6 inches. And by the best, I mean the the most up-to-date compact smartphones with screens below 6 inches and with the best performance available in the market.
Despite the obsession with bigger displays, there are enough smaller smartphones out there for you to pick from.
Table of Interests
Best compact smartphones released in 2019
All the compact smartphones listed here are 2019 releases, so they are the most up-to-date and cutting edge available in this segment.
Google Pixel 3a
Released in May 2019, a 5.6 inches inches display graces this mid-ranger. You get Google’s great camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 procerssor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB internal storage, a 3000 mAh battery with 18W Quick Charging, as well as stock Android 9 Pie and guaranteed speedy updates. Note that this is a single SIM smartphone though.
Google Pixel 3a specs and features.
Samsung Galaxy S10e
A budget Galaxy S10 is a great idea. For about $700 or N230,000, you get a 5.8 inches AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, 6 of RAM, 128 GB internal storage, and a 3100 mAh battery with fast charging.
And there is a dual SIM variant available, if you are into that. Samsung Galaxy S10e specs.
These are the two best smaller smartphones released in 2019. But there are other solid smaller smartphones that are just as current available in the market. Hop over to the next section below.
Best compact smartphones released in 2018
Now, some of the best smaller smartphones available today in 2019 were launched in the last quarter of 2018 and so are current devices in the market. Let’s have a look at my recommendations.
Google Pixel 3
The Pixel 3 easily qualifies as one of the best compact smartphones available in the market today. It has a 5.5 inches display and was launched in November 2018, effectively meaning that it is a very up-to-date device if you are shopping in 2019.
What does it offer you? A 5.5 inch display, 2915 mAh battery with 18W fast charging, 64 and 128 GB storage options, stereo speakers, and Android 9 Pie. Being a Google phone, there is no question about it getting timely updates for another two years.
ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy A60 Specifications and Price: Comes With 32MP Selfie Camera
Nokia 7.1
Making this list of best compact smartphones in 2019 is the Nokia 7.1 mid-range smartphone. It has a display that is 5.84 inches in size with Gorilla Glass protection. On its feature list are a 3060 mAh battery with 18W fast charging, a Snapdragon 636 processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB storage.
It was launched in October 2018 running Android 8.1, but it is a Nokia, meaning that it gets fast software updates.
Apple iPhone XS
A stainless steel frame, gorgeous 5.8-inch screen, 4 GB RAM, and options of 64, 256, and 512 GB of internal storage is what you get from the iPhone XS. It is easily one of the best compact smartphones you can buy in 2019. The battery is a smallish 2658 mAh in capacity but there is 15W fast charging support.
Note though that there is no fingerprint scanner on the XS.
It hit the streets in September 2018 with iOS 12, and being an iPhone, you have nothing to worry about in terms of software updates.
Nokia 6.1
Nokia offers stock Android OS, alongside guaranteed software updates for 2 years, so you get up-to-date software. If you are on a budget and want one of the best compact smartphones in the market today, this is a good choice.
Sony Xperia XZ2
With a 5.7-inch display, the Xperia XZ2 arrived in April 2018. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 845, 4 and 6 GB RAM options, 64 GB storage, and a 3180 mAh battery with support for18W fast charging. Sony’s trademark stereo speakers are here as well.
It is a shame that Sony Mobile phones are not as popular as they once were: the Xperia XZ2 is a solid device and one of the best compact smartphones in the market today.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
The Xperia XZ2 Compact may be really small (5 inches is really, small in today’s world), but it does not skimp on features. This phone is the complete premium deal in a smaller package. True compact lovers will say that makes it the very best compact smartphone in the market.
Sony is perhaps the only smartphone manufacturer that has a history of commitment to producing compact smartphones, so that would be in order.
Samsung Galaxy S9
The Galaxy S9 is arguably the very best compact smartphone released in 2018. Apple fans will say that title belongs to the iPhone XS. That kind of face-off always makes for interesting watch.
But you won’t find another smartphone with a 5.8 inches display that packs as many features as the Galaxy S9 does. It arrived in March 2018 with a 3000 mAh battery, 15W fast charging, 4 GB RAM, and 64, 128, and 256 GB storage options.
These 2018 releases add another 7 devices to our list of the best compact smartphones to buy in 2019. That brings our total to 9 at this point. And we are still not done yet. A few phones from 2017 are still shining stars today. Come take a look.
Best compact smartphones released in 2017
The following may have been manufactured in 2017, but they remain among the best smaller smartphones that you can buy in 2019.
Apple iPhone X
In October 2018, Apple launched the iPhone X (or iPhone 10 or iPhone Ten). It has a 5.8 inches display, 3 GB of RAM, 64 and 256 GB storage options, as well as a 2716 mAh battery with 15W fast charging. It was launched with iOS 11 but getting updates till date.
Apple iPhone 8
Next on our list of the best compact smartphones available in 2019 is the September 2017 4.7-inch iPhone 8. You get 2 GB RAM, and options of 64 and 256 GB storage. The battery is a meagre 1821 mAh, but there is 15W fast charging to speed up your top ups.
It was launched with iOS 11, but has updates lined up for it all the way to iOS 13, so you won’t be missing out on anything.
Essential Phone PH-1
The Essential phone is my favourite compact smartphone from 2017. It has a 5.71 inches display with Gorilla Glass 5 and a titanium frame. It hit the market in August 2017 with 4 GB RAM, a whopping 128 GB storage, 3040 mAh battery with 27W quick charging, and one of the widest 4G LTE support on any smartphone.
It shipped with Android 7.1 Nougat but has received speedy updates every step of the way.
These 3 compact smartphones from 2017 are still very up-to-date devices whether you are looking at them from the hardware or the software. And they can now be purchased at greatly discounted prices.
Last Words
In all, these are the 12 best compact smartphones currently available to buy in 2019. Happy shopping, fellow compact lovers.
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Nice article.Well written.