Best small phones of 2025: Our top choices tested and reviewed

Updated: Feb 20, 2025, 7:57 AM 

Where did all the cute little smartphones go? Remember "big" 5-inch phones when they first came out? People thought they were huge! The screen size started to crawl up slowly but surely, and nowadays we have these 7-inch monstrosities we still call phones (they used to be called phablets back in the day). Then what is a compact phone in 2025?

Well, let's take the iPhone 13 mini as a prime example, mainly because it was the last phone to have "mini" in its name (remember the Galaxy S mini phones and the Xperia compact?). The main property of the 13 Mini is its size. It features a 5.4-inch screen and, hence, a pretty compact chassis. Sadly, this model is long gone, and you can't find it anymore.

So, we need to redefine our perception of "compact" when it comes to smartphones. When the benchmark for modern flagships is 6.7 inches and above, it's fair to assume that the middle ground would be 6.3 to 6.7 inches, and all phones under the 6.3-inch screen diagonal should be considered compact.

The "Price Class Average" metric is another very important part of the rating system, it compares the phone in question to other phones with similar specifications and price points. This gives additional context to the mean score, as it helps you quickly assess how a particular model stands within its category.

We've made some changes to the way we rate phones. As of now, most top Android phones score around 7.5, leaving room for future devices to improve and push boundaries. If you want more detailed insights, we also offer category-specific ratings, such as our Battery Score and Camera Score, which break down performance even further. 

Of course, when we talk about compact phones, the main criterion is the size and weight. These don't negate our overall ratings for the models, just put an upper limit on the size of the screen.

Where have all the compact smartphones gone? Remember when 5-inch phones seemed large? Over time, screen sizes have steadily increased, leading us to today’s 7-inch devices, which were once known as phablets. So, what qualifies as a compact phone in 2025?

Let’s consider the iPhone 13 mini, the last device to carry "mini" in its name. It features a 5.4-inch display and a notably compact body, but unfortunately, it’s no longer available.

This forces us to reevaluate what "compact" means for smartphones. With modern flagships averaging 6.7 inches or more, we can define compact models as those with screens measuring between 6.3 and 6.7 inches. Phones with displays under 6.3 inches should be categorized as compact.

Additionally, our "Price Class Average" metric is crucial for understanding ratings, as it compares phones with similar specs and price points. This context helps you assess how a particular model performs within its category.

We've updated our rating system, with most leading Android phones now scoring around 7.5, allowing room for future improvements. For those seeking more detailed evaluations, we provide category-specific scores, including Battery and Camera Scores, for a deeper look at performance.

Ultimately, when discussing compact phones, size and weight are the primary factors. These criteria don't detract from our overall ratings but rather establish a maximum screen size for compact classification.