The Best Small Phones for 2026

At 5.89 by 2.81 by 0.31 inches, the iPhone 17 is an ideal choice if you're seeking a powerful, premium phone in a (relatively) small and comfortable form factor. The iPhone 17 strikes an excellent balance between screen size and one-handed usability, making it a standout in the small phone category.

Apple fans who don't need it all: The smallest iPhone 17 offers cameras and performance rivaling Apple’s earlier iPhone Pro models. Featuring the simplest design among the bunch, the iPhone 17 has two rear cameras positioned atop a relatively small, pill-shaped camera bump. Its screen is also identical to the iPhone 17 Pro’s, with smooth animations and an always-on display.

People who need good battery life: In our battery rundown test, the iPhone 17 lasted 24 hours and 31 minutes. Battery life varies by usage, but this small iPhone should last the workday and then some. 

The Google Pixel 10 Pro is an excellent option if you want a premium, compact Android phone packed with standout AI features and excellent cameras. It delivers a complete, uncompromised Pixel experience in an elegant frame that is comfortable to hold and use.

Shutterbugs: The Google Pixel 10 Pro produces some of the finest photography from a smartphone, bar none. It features a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide, and a 48MP telephoto camera with a 5x optical zoom. You get excellent color reproduction and detail capture for beautiful pictures by a phone that easily fits in your pocket.

The AI curious: Beyond its excellent cameras, the Pixel 10 Pro comes with every Google AI feature available. Magic Cue proactively gives you information before you need it (for example, a confirmation number for a flight). Voice Translate allows you to communicate with people in another language using your own voice and intonation. Camera Coach also teaches you how to be a better photographer. And if you dislike any or all of these, you don’t need to use them. 

The Google Pixel 10a wraps up the most compelling features of other Pixel phones at a more affordable price while still keeping the footprint (relatively) compact. You get excellent photos thanks to a combination of quality hardware and Google's computational photography algorithms. Its beautiful 6.3-inch OLED display is visible even in bright sunlight thanks to its maximum 3,000-nit brightness. It also features the same Tensor G4 processor as its pricier Pixel 10 siblings, providing swift AI performance.

People who want great Google photography: If you want Google-grade photos without the Pro price, the Pixel 10a delivers. Its 48MP main sensor and 13MP ultra-wide produce sharp, consistent images that look nearly indistinguishable from Google’s Pro models.

People who hang on to their phones for a while: Google supports the Pixel 10a with seven years of OS updates, security fixes, and feature updates. Additionally, the Pixel receives its updates before other Android devices, allowing you to enjoy the latest features for years to come. 

The TCL Flip 4 5G connects to the latest generation of cellular technology and has terrific call quality. It features a utilitarian 5MP camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C charging port. Plus, its embedded battery offers up to 40 hours of talk time on a single charge. 

People who prefer voice calls: The affordable TCL Flip 4 confidently performs basic phone functions; the speakerphone and earpiece sound quite clear, and the battery life lasts for a long time.

People who want to simplify their lives: If your goal is to interact with your phone less, the TCL Flip 4 is a great choice. It runs on the simple KaiOS, which does not include social media or streaming apps. Writing messages is also challenging because you must use the Flip 4’s number keypad, making you think twice before firing off a text. The TCL Flip 4 is your ticket to mindfulness if you choose. 

The Motorola Razr this year effectively leverages its dual-screen design, unlike many alternatives, allowing you to run virtually any app on either the vivid 3.6-inch outer display or the expansive 6.9-inch inner panel. We also like its IP48 waterproof rating, stylish design, competitive performance, and fast 68W wired charging.

People with small pockets: The Razr lets you easily carry a 6.9-inch screen around with you, no matter how big or small your pockets are, by folding it in half. Like the clamshell phones of old, the Razr closes with a satisfying thunk, giving you a squarish brick to carry around. Additionally, its front screen is large enough to allow you to accomplish a lot without opening the phone.

The fashion-conscious: In a world of bland phones, the Razr stands out. Its folding form factor turns heads, while its color options are unlike anything in the competition, thanks to a partnership with Pantone.

Apple's iPhone 17e features a modern design and recent specs, including Apple's A19 processor and a 48MP Fusion camera. It's also the most affordable entry into the iOS ecosystem and among the most suitable phones for one-handed use. More importantly, it has some of the best battery life we've seen from a small iPhone.

People who want a lightweight iPhone: The iPhone 17e is one of the lightest new iPhones, weighing just 5.88 ounces. Plus, its 6.1-inch display with Ceramic Shield 2 keeps the phone compact and easy to hold and carry.

People who want the lowest-cost iPhone: The iPhone 17e is Apple’s least expensive new iPhone. Prices start at $599. The iPhone 17 costs $200 more, making the 17e the most affordable way to enter the iPhone ecosystem.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a speedy modem, 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, all packed into a reasonably sized frame. The phone's 50MP main camera also captures sharp, vibrant photos, while its Full HD panel boasts 2,700 nits of peak outdoor brightness and supports HDR10+. Battery life is better than average, while wireless charging is a welcome convenience.

People who won't skimp on performance: The Galaxy S26 uses the same Qualcomm chip as the more expensive Galaxy S26+ and Ultra, delivering a virtually identical experience. If you want to multitask, game, or use Galaxy AI, the S26 won’t let you down. 

Samsung users: If you’re already in Samsung’s ecosystem, consider the S26. Signing in to your Samsung account links your gear, providing a shared clipboard for moving text and Multi Control, which lets one keyboard and mouse work across multiple screens.