After years of big, chunky mobile phones, smaller, pocket-friendly phones became the standard once the technology could fit in a more compact package. However, with most of us now using smartphones to watch videos, scroll social media and play games, bigger phones have become more common from smartphone manufacturers.
However, when you want to easily fit your phone in your pocket or use it one-handed, small smartphones strike a good balance. If you’re looking for a small smartphone — which we classify as a phone display around six inches or under — there are a few options at a range of price points to consider. Read on to find out more about buying and comparing some of the best small mobile phones in Australia.
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Best small iPhone
iPhone 15 Pro
If you’re looking for the best small smartphone and are dedicated to iPhone, it’s hard to go past the iPhone 15 Pro with its 6.1 inch display. While it’s the same size as the standard iPhone 15, as the name suggests, the iPhone 15 Pro includes Apple’s latest Pro features, including an excellent camera upgrade and lightweight titanium body. Read our iPhone 15 Pro review to find out more.
- From $1,499 AUD RRP
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Always-On display with up to 120Hz refresh rate
- A17 Pro Chip processor with 5G connectivity
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage sizes
- Up to 23 hours video playback (3,274mAh battery)
- Triple rear camera setup (48MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto), 12MP front TrueDepth camera
- Available in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium and Natural Titanium colours
The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 15 Pro plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Best small Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S24
The Samsung Galaxy S24 features the latest tech and upgrades from Samsung, including new AI features, a quality camera setup and with thinner bezels than its predecessor, you’ll get more screen size but still at a compact 6.2 inch display, making it one of the best small mobile phones in Australia if you’re after Samsung.
- From $1,399 AUD RRP
- 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with up to 120Hz refresh rate
- Exynos 2400 processor with 5G connectivity
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB and 512GB storage sizes
- 4,000mAh battery
- Triple camera setup in rear (50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto), 12MP front camera
- Available in Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet and Amber Yellow
The following table shows selected published 24-month plans for the 256GB Samsung Galaxy S24 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our tool for mobile phone plan comparison to see a wider range of plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Best small flip phone
Motorola Razr 40
A flip phone is one of the best options if you want a small smartphone for convenience but still want that great viewing experience from a larger display. The Motorola Razr 40 includes a 6.9 inch main display, but once it’s folded in half, you’ll have a convenient 1.5 inch cover display to check your notifications and access other features. Read our review of the Motorola Razr 40 to find out more.
- $999 AUD RRP
- 6.9-inch FHD+ pOLED main display with up to 144Hz refresh rate, 1.5-inch OLED external display with up to 120Hz refresh rate
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor with 5G connectivity
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB built-in storage
- 4,200mAh battery
- Dual rear camera setup (64MP main + 13MP ultra-wide & macro), 32MP front-facing camera
- Available in Sage Green, Summer Lilac and Vanilla Cream colours
Best small Android phone
Google Pixel 8
Despite being the more basic of the Pixel 8 series, the Google Pixel 8 offers plenty of quality features and upgrades to its predecessor, with a compact 6.2 inch display. You’ll get a speedy performance, great camera setup, plenty of AI features and an excellent quality display if you’re after a good small smartphone using Android OS. Read our review of the Pixel 8 to find out more.
- From $1,199 AUD RRP
- 6.2-inch FHD+ display with up to 120Hz refresh rate
- Google Tensor G3 processor and Titan M2 security chip with 5G connectivity
- 18GB RAM
- 128GB or 256GB internal storage
- 4,575 mAh battery
- Dual rear camera setup (50MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide), 10.5MP front camera
- Available in Obsidian, Hazel and Rose
The following table shows a selection of published 24-month plans for the 128GB Google Pixel 8 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our mobile phone comparison tool to see plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Best cheap small phone (under $500)
If you’re looking to save some money but still enjoy the basics of a smartphone, this one’s for you. However, it’s important to be realistic when purchasing smartphones in this spending bracket – don’t expect top of the range cinematography with cheaper designs.
Nokia C02
There aren’t too many budget-friendly small smartphones with screen sizes usually around 6.5 inches and up. So if you’re looking for small mobile phones but at a cheaper price point, your options will be limited. The Nokia C02 includes a 5.45 inch display, but many of the other features are fairly basic, which is also reflected in the sub-$200 price point. If you’re after a cheap phone with more features, you might have to compromise on a larger size.
- $169 AUD
- 5.45 inch FWVGA+ display
- Unisoc 9832E processor
- 2GB RAM
- 32GB internal storage + up to 256GB expandable micro SD storage
- 3,000mAh battery
- 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
- Available in Charcoal and Dark Cyan colours
Best mid-range small phone ($500 to $1,000)
Even increasing the price range up to $1,000, there still isn’t much choice for small smartphones at this mid-range price point. Both Google and Apple offer more budget-friendly versions of their flagship phones, and with that cheaper price, you’ll also get a smaller display.
If you prefer Android, the Pixel 7a could be the best option, while anyone who prefers Apple will find the iPhone SE suits their needs better. The pocket-friendly iPhone SE is also one of the smallest smartphones in Australia, thanks to its 4.7 inch display size.
Pixel 7a
- $749 AUD RRP
- 6.1-inch OLED display with up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Google Tensor G2 processor with 5G connectivity
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB internal storage
- 4,300 mAh battery
- Dual rear camera setup (64MP wide + 13MP ultra-wide camera), 13MP front camera
- Available in Sea, Snow and Charcoal colours
iPhone SE 2022
- From $719 AUD RRP
- 4.7-inch Retina HD display with up to 60Hz refresh rate
- A15 Bionic chip with 5G connectivity
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage sizes
- Up to 15 hours video playback
- 12MP rear wide camera, 7MP front camera
- Available in Midnight, Starlight, and PRODUCT (RED) colours
The following table shows a range of 24-month plans for the 64GB iPhone SE 2022 as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Why is it hard to find a small smartphone?
As many of us use our smartphones for entertainment — such as scrolling social media, watching videos, playing games and reading the news — we have a greater need for bigger and better screen technology.
Larger phones also have more space for the bigger batteries and all the tech that goes into a phone, so creating small mobile phones isn’t always possible. This is why bigger batteries tend to be in the larger versions of the Apple and Samsung flagship phones, like the iPhone 15 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S24+.
If you prefer a compact size for your phone, opting for a flip phone could give you the best of both worlds. You can read our guide on the best flip phones to find which device is best suited to your needs.
Otherwise, you’ll most likely need to compromise on a bigger price tag if you want a small smartphone, as you’ll typically only find Samsung, Apple and Google producing small mobile phones, while cheaper phones have screens at around 6.5 inches and up.
Is a small smartphone best for me?
Small mobile phones may be easier to use or fit in your pocket easier, but choosing a phone based on size might not be the best approach when buying a new phone. You don’t want to end up paying too much for a phone — simply because it’s a small smartphone — when a cheap phone would suit you better, despite the typically larger screen size.
Having a budget and considering the phone’s features, can be the best way to find a phone to suit your needs.
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