In the mid-2000s, smartphones delighted with their minimalism. They had a comfortable keyboard, a small screen and ... that's it. And modern devices are crammed with all kinds of sensors, processors and a capacious battery. Manufacturers also strive to ensure that the user can comfortably watch movies and videos by increasing the diagonal of the display. But if a person doesn't need it? If he doesn't want to watch the video, wanting to get his hands on a small smartphone instead? In this case, you will have to work hard to start looking for a worthy copy. Believe me, there are very few of them, and in order to reduce the size, manufacturers have to save a lot on components.
Senseit R500
- Dimensions: 75 x 145 x 10.8 mm
- Display:
Price: from 4 490 rubles.
The 2018 model from the Senseit brand is the simplest smartphone with several positive features and an extremely low price. It is hardly suitable for everyday use for people who are aimed at maximum opportunities, but as a work option or for a child it will become a good device.
The device received a small display with a decent resolution for its size - HD. The manufacturer did not pursue the design, the elongated screen, but offered buyers protection according to the IP68 standard. For some users, this is a very relevant moment, especially if the smartphone is designed for work.
The device received simple cameras - 8 and 2 megapixels. It makes no sense to expect high-quality photos from them, but taking simple pictures or chatting via video link is enough. The built-in storage is 16 GB, which is nice enough, given the dislike of most manufacturers to put more than 8 GB of main memory in the simplest phones. Additionally, you can add MicroSD, although the slot is combined with a SIM card, so you have to choose which is more important. Performance - MediaTek MT6737 with four 1.3 GHz cores. RAM - 1 GB. Battery - 3000 mAh.
Advantages:
- High resolution, taking into account the diagonal.
- Decent main memory for the price.
- IP68 protection.
Disadvantages:
- When the mobile Internet is on, the battery runs out quickly.
- Combo slot for microSD.
- The old OS is Android 7.1.
Alcatel 1C 5003D (2019)
- Dimensions: 65.3 x 136.6 x 9.95mm
- Display:
Price: from 4 690 rubles.
The new product from Alcatel is in some respects inferior to the previous device, but benefits from its appearance. In this case, the company took into account the trend of 2018 for elongated screens and offered a rather large display, but in a compact body. At the same time, the manufacturer saved money and made the resolution small, probably to save a small battery, whose capacity was 2000 mAh.
The model has mediocre cameras - 5 and 2 megapixels, weak stuffing - Spreadtrum SC7731E chipset, 1/8 GB. All this does not imply any kind of multitasking work or workload, but for performing the simplest actions, the device will be enough. To minimize braking of weak hardware, the manufacturer installed Android 8.1 OS on its gadget.
Advantages:
- Modern, elongated display.
- An up-to-date OS designed for simple configuration.
Disadvantages:
- Weak hardware.
- No LTE support.
- Weak battery.
- Low display resolution.
Nokia 1
- Dimensions: 67.78 x 133.6 x 9.5mm
- Display: 4.5 inches, IPS, 854 x 480 pixels
Price: from 4 400 rubles.
Another representative of the budget segment, but from a company that is trustworthy and was once a giant in the smartphone market. Recently, Nokia, having overcome all the difficulties, began to produce interesting models. The most affordable gadget of the Finnish brand does not pretend to be a productive one and received a rather mediocre filling based on the MediaTek MT6737M chipset and a combination of memory - 1/8 GB. The device is designed to perform everyday simple tasks - calls, SMS, surfing, instant messengers.
In Nokia 1, the company will partly return to the idea of the Lumia line - removable plastic panels of different colors. For an inexpensive phone, the solution is excellent. At the same time, under the cover there was a place for two SIM cards and memory, which is important given the small native drive. The camera is 5 and 2 megapixels, you can take simple pictures. The battery is not the most capacious - 2150 mAh, but for a working day if the device is not loaded it will be enough. Moreover, it is removable, which makes it possible to replace it.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
- Weak hardware.
Black Fox B4 mini NFC
- Dimensions: 65.7 x 138 x 9.6 mm
- Display: 4.95 inches, IPS, 960 x 480 pixels
Price: from 5 490 rubles.
In an era of high competition, manufacturers have to go to different tricks to distinguish their device from the background of numerous smartphones from other brands. This gadget will not offer the user anything interesting in terms of hardware, but it does. For those who want to pay with a smartphone in stores, but do not need an expensive phone, this device is an excellent choice.
In addition, the device received an elongated 18: 9 display, due to which the diagonal was almost 5 inches, and the body remained compact. Cameras - 5 and 2 megapixels. Performance - MediaTek MT6739. Memory - 1/8 GB. There is a slot for a memory card. It is located separately from SIM cards, which is definitely good news. Taking into account the possibility of paying for purchases in a contactless way through NFC, the manufacturer installed fingerprint protection in the phone. Battery - 2000 mAh. operating system - Android 8.0.
Advantages:
- Contemporary screen with bangs.
- Interesting appearance.
- NFC support.
- Fingerprint protection.
- Separate memory slot.
Disadvantages:
- Weak filling.
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
- Dimensions: 65 x 129 x 9.3 mm
- Display: 4.5 inches, IPS, 1280 x 720 pixels
Price: from 18 720 rubles.
The device from Sony was released in mid-2017. At the same time, for those who need performance and a small display, it is the best, if not the only option in 2019. The model received a plastic case with a metal frame, which increases durability and makes the gadget ergonomic. IPS matrix with good resolution for its size. The display is covered by Gorilla Glass 5.
The device is powered by Snapdragon 835 which offers excellent multitasking and performance. Memory - 4/32 GB. There is water protection according to the IP68 standard, which has always been a distinctive feature of the Japanese company. A high-quality 19 megapixel camera copes with any shooting conditions and is able to make videos Slo-mo 960 fps. The front 8 megapixel module is equipped with a 3D face modeling function. The mode is more entertaining than really useful.
Battery - 2700 mAh. The indicator is modest, but this is not a minus, since the proprietary Stamina energy-saving technology increases autonomy. There is support for fast charging - 30 minutes provide 50% of the battery capacity. The model received a fingerprint scanner and an NFC chip. Operating system - Android 8.0.
Advantages:
- Good hardware.
- High-quality photo and video shooting.
- Stamina's power saving mode compensates for low battery capacity.
- Excellent ergonomics.
- Several bright colors.
- NFC support.
- Waterproof IP68.
Disadvantages:
- Taking into account the model's year of manufacture and the absence of competitors with a similar or close diagonal, there are no downsides.
Apple iPhone 8
- Dimensions: 67.3 x 138.4 x 7.3 mm
- Display: 4.7 inches, IPS, 1334 x 750 pixels
Price: from 39 600 rubles.
There is not much point in talking about Apple technology. Everyone has known everything for a long time. The model is not new, but it is relevant as a relatively compact smartphone. Traditionally, the apple brand from America offers excellent performance (even in old devices), a choice of built-in storage volume, high-quality cameras, a display, and assembly.
For those users who have not used Apple, it is worth noting that, with all the above advantages, it received IP67 moisture protection, an NFC chip and its own fast charging. The disadvantages of the device for those who are not a regular Apple user or an ardent admirer of the company will be the lack of a 3.5 connector, the inability to expand memory, a closed operating system (for new users it will seem difficult in comparison with Android), support for only one SIM card, expensive branded accessories ...
Advantages:
- Excellent performance.
- Stable operation of the OS.
- The choice of modifications of the built-in memory.
- Fast charging.
- Moisture protection.
- High quality camera.
- There is NFC.
Disadvantages:
- One SIM card.
- No headset jack.
- Inconvenient (for beginners) OS.
- Expensive accessories.
- Weak battery.
- High price.
Excluded from selection
VERTEX Impress Action
- Dimensions (edit): 73 x 134 x 13.9 mm
- Display: 4 inches, IPS, 480 x 800 pixels
Price: from 8 730 rubles.
A rare company now dares to release a smartphone with such a tiny display. Its diagonal here is only four inches! The resolution may seem low, but with such a diagonal it is quite enough - the pixels are practically invisible to the naked eye. With its very compact dimensions, the device weighs 173 grams. It seems surprising until you find out about the presence of water protection here. The device is also capable of boasting Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass, which is far from always found in such inexpensive devices.
Dignity
- Availability of water protection;
- Two slots for SIM-cards;
- Not a bad screen covered with protective glass;
- Not very high cost;
- Good enough 8MP camera
- LTE support.
disadvantages
- The minimum amount of memory;
- Quiet conversation volume;
- Decent weight.
Acer liquid
- Dimensions: 64 x 115 x 13 mm
- Display: 3.5 inches, TFT, 480 x 800 pixels
Price: from 8 190 rubles.
Now mini-smartphones can be distinguished into a separate class. But Acer Liquid appeared back in the days when all models were compact, with very few exceptions. It is with this that the fact that the device operates under the control of a very old version of Android is connected. However, this does not prevent him from being in demand - even now the device is regularly bought. The diagonal of the screen installed here is only 3.5 inches. As a result, the dimensions of the smartphone are similar to the first devices from Apple. The only disappointment here is that the display is made using TFT technology, which is why the viewing angles are far from ideal. The rest of the characteristics do not shine either. In a word, Acer Liquid is a kind of replacement for a push-button phone; in terms of functionality, the smartphone is not far from it.
Dignity
- Tiny dimensions;
- Decent display resolution;
- Attractive appearance;
- There are proximity and light sensors;
- High reliability;
- Good headphone sound.
disadvantages
- Very little memory
- Single core processor;
- Not the best viewing angles and color rendition;
- No 4G support;
- Outdated version of the operating system.
Viking Thor plus
- Dimensions: 73 x 137 x 17 mm
- Display: 4 inches, 480 x 800 pixels
Price: from 24 900 rubles.
When compact smartphones are no longer produced by large companies, little-known brands enter the scene. Sometimes they get unremarkable devices, and sometimes something like Viking Thor plus is born. This device has not only minimal dimensions, but also full water resistance. There are also rubber pads here, which allow the device not to be afraid of falling onto a hard surface. Another notable detail is the SOS button, which is usually found only in "grandma phones". The 13-megapixel camera cannot but be appreciated.
Dignity
- Mechanical buttons under the screen;
- Display resolution not bad for such a diagonal;
- Protection against water and shock;
- There is an SOS button;
- There are cameras with a resolution of 13 and 5 megapixels;
- Large supply of RAM and permanent memory;
- There is a light indicator.
disadvantages
- High price;
- No LTE support;
- Weighs 180 g.
Ginzzu S4720
- Dimensions: 67.8 x 140 x 8.2mm
- Display: 4.7 inches, IPS, 720 x 1280 pixels
Price: from 7 990 rubles.
At one time, devices with a 4.7-inch screen were considered very large. But now it is easy to say that such a device is compact. The product from the Chinese company Ginzzu offers a good display resolution and a 2400 mAh battery for little money. But in order to achieve such characteristics, the manufacturer had to save on other components. For example, here the amount of RAM and permanent memory is strictly cut (1 and 8 GB, respectively). The 8-megapixel camera is no surprise either. The lack of GLONASS support is also upsetting, not to mention the impossibility of transferring data via 4G networks. And yet the device is in demand. One gets the impression that he likes it because there is nothing superfluous in it - only basic functionality.
Dignity
- Not a very high price;
- HD display resolution;
- Stable working software;
- Two slots for SIM-cards;
- Attractive appearance.
disadvantages
- There is no LTE support;
- Small memory reserve;
- Not the most recent version of the operating system;
- There are instances with a broken GPS.
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
- Dimensions: 64.7 x 127.3 x 8.99 mm
- Display: 4.6 inches, IPS, 720 x 1280 pixels
Price: from 29 990 rubles.
It is quite possible that the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is the best small smartphone. Judge for yourself: it has everything that many of its competitors lack. For example, there is a 23MP camera lens on the rear panel, and the LCD display is able to please with a pixel density of 319 PPI! The device not only supports fourth generation networks, it is also capable of transmitting data using the LTE-Advanced standard! It's okay here and the rest of the specs, which include an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 2,700mAh battery. And there is also a fingerprint sensor. In a word, the device will give odds to some flagships. And this despite the fact that it was announced in the fall of 2015!
Dignity
- Light weight (138 g);
- 4G support;
- Great rear camera
- FM radio and other little things are not forgotten;
- High pixel density;
- Powerful processor;
- Large amount of permanent and random access memory;
- There is a fingerprint scanner;
- The presence of water protection.
disadvantages
- Not everyone can afford it;
- Strong heat when performing difficult tasks.
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)
- Dimensions: 66.2 x 135.4 x 7.9 mm
- Display: 4.7 inches, Super AMOLED, 720 x 1280 pixels
Price: from 22 990 rubles.
The best small-screen smartphones should not only have impressive performance, but also last long enough. That is why it is impossible not to include the product of the South Korean company Samsung in our selection. It has a Super AMOLED screen. Therefore, each pixel here glows independently. Together with the energy saving system introduced here, this allows you to use the charger only once every two days. And there is also water protection - you will not be afraid to talk on the phone in the rain. Finally, the excellent 13-megapixel camera with f / 1.9 aperture should be noted - it produces bright images with rich colors.
Dignity
- Good cameras (13 and 8 megapixels);
- AMOLED screen with HD resolution;
- Support for LTE-A and Wi-Fi 802.11ac;
- Very long working time;
- Not the smallest amount of RAM (2 GB);
- There is protection against water;
- You can install two SIM cards;
- There is a fingerprint sensor;
- The "always active screen" function has been implemented;
- Well working fast charging function.
disadvantages
- The price is far from low;
- Not a lot of permanent memory (16 GB).
LG K4 K130E
- Dimensions: 66.7 x 131.9 x 8.9 mm
- Display: 4.5 inches, TFT, 480 x 854 pixels
Price: from 6 990 rubles.
Not only Chinese companies are able to produce decent budget smartphones. The engineers took the Nexus 4 as a basis and released a model based on it called the K4 K130E. As a result, they have got a compact device running Android 5.1. This baby weighs only 120g! Unlike the fourth "Nexus", there are two slots for SIM-cards and one place for a memory card. I received a smartphone and support for fourth-generation networks, which the joint project with Google could not boast of. The buyer can only complain about the screen, which for some reason is made according to the outdated TFT technology, and the deteriorated camera.
Dignity
- Has an LTE module;
- Nice design;
- Two slots for SIM-cards;
- Not the oldest version of Android;
- Minimum weight;
- Stable software.
disadvantages
- The display was created using TFT technology;
- Main camera resolution - only 5 megapixels;
- The minimum amount of memory;
- A more powerful processor could have been installed.
Samsung Galaxy J1 (2016)
- Dimensions: 69.3 x 132.6 x 8.9 mm
- Display: 4.5 inches, Super AMOLED, 480 x 800 pixels
Price: from 6 990 rubles.
Several years ago, Samsung announced that it would soon gradually migrate all its smartphones to AMOLED screens. And it really happened - from now on, even the very cheap Samsung Galaxy J1 (2016) has such a display. As a result, the device stands out among the competitors for the colorfulness of the displayed picture and battery life. The rest of the characteristics of the device are average. A simple 5-megapixel camera is installed here, and the amount of memory is a bit of a pity. But on the other hand, there is an LTE module that provides high-speed data transfer!
Dignity
- Low price;
- Works in fourth generation networks;
- There is an AMOLED screen;
- Two slots for a SIM card;
- Stable functioning Android 5.1;
- Light weight (131 g);
- Decent battery life.
disadvantages
- Only 8 GB of permanent and 1 GB of RAM;
- The simplest cameras;
- Display resolution is not very high.
Huawei Y3 II LTE
- Dimensions: 66.7 x 134.18 x 9.9 mm
- Display: 4.5 inches, 480 x 854 pixels
Price: from 5 790 rubles.
Huawei Y3 II LTE is one of the cheapest smartphones among those equipped with a 4G module. Perhaps this is the most inexpensive way to get high-speed access to the global web. But on all other components, the Chinese saved a lot. The resolution of the screen installed here is low, individual pixels are clearly visible. The amount of RAM is exactly what is needed for the stable operation of Android 5.1 and nothing more. The camera has a 5-megapixel resolution, which is why you don't want to take pictures with it at all. And yet the smartphone deserves its place in the ranking, because for that kind of money it can be forgiven for many sins.
Dignity
- There is support for LTE;
- Very low cost;
- Stable operating system;
- There are light and proximity sensors;
- The ability to install two SIM cards;
- Relatively light weight (150 g);
- Not the oldest version of Android.
disadvantages
- Low screen resolution;
- Unpretentious cameras;
- No GLONASS support;
- Out of memory.
Apple iPhone SE
- Dimensions (edit): 58.6 x 123.8 x 7.6 mm
- Display: 4 inches, IPS, 640 x 1136 pixels
Price: from 36 490 rubles.
Apple strives to satisfy all the needs of its fans. That is why you can now find a variety of iPhones on store shelves. Some of them can be safely called phablets, while others still retain a compact and stylish design. In particular, the Apple iPhone SE has a 4-inch screen, so that the thumb can easily reach any element of the interface. The body of the device was created from glass and aluminum. This device weighs only 113 g - less than the vast majority of competitors on Android. The display resolution can hardly be called low, as the pixel density reaches 326 PPI. Everything is all right here with the wireless modules. In a word, a potential buyer can only regret the price - they traditionally ask too much for Apple equipment. Yes, and iOS imposes some restrictions, which, too, will not please everyone.
Dignity
- Powerful processor;
- Decent battery life
- LTE and Wi-Fi 802.11ac are supported;
- Decent 12MP camera
- Sufficiently high screen resolution;
- Minimum weight;
- There is a fingerprint sensor.
disadvantages
- No memory card slot;
- Not everyone will like the price tag;
- Bad front camera.
Earlier the phone was considered more or less cool depending on the screen size. This trend continues even now: if a smartphone has a huge screen, and such that it is already close to a tablet, then it immediately becomes clear: this is an expensive device and, incidentally, not bad either. It is definitely convenient to watch films and photographs on it, but speaking is no longer very practical. Against the background of such gadgets, compact smartphones with a full package of functions and capabilities are gaining popularity.
1st place - iPhone 6
Who would doubt that the iPhone will be on the list of the best? The diagonal of the screen here, in contrast to the previous 4-inch series, is 4.7 inches, which makes it more overall. However, the thickness of the gadget has decreased and is now only 6.9 mm. This compact phone is very comfortable in the hand, it is easy and pleasant to use it even with one hand.
As for the technical parameters, everything is also good here: a 2-core processor, an excellent camera and a Retina display. However, the main thing is the advanced iOS operating system with excellent optimization, due to which the smartphone works quickly and efficiently. Perhaps this is the best compact phone at the moment. The only possible drawback of the gadget is the 1810 mAh battery - with more or less active use of the phone, it will have to be charged every day.
The cost is 40,000 rubles with a memory capacity of 16 GB. There are also modifications with 64 GB and 128 GB memory for 47,000 and 52,000 rubles, respectively. However, we believe that 16GB of storage is more than enough.
2nd place - Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Some people believe that this particular smartphone is one of the best compact gadgets with the Android operating system. Compared to the previous model Sony Xperia Z3, the screen diagonal here is 4.6 inches (in the previous smartphone 5.2 inches), but the hardware has remained unchanged. The result is a very powerful and compact smartphone with a 2.3 GHz quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM.
In addition, this smartphone is distinguished by increased protection: it is not afraid of moisture and water, its back and front covers are covered with protective glass, so the device is perfect for people with crooked hands. The battery is also at the level, the phone does not have to be charged every evening, which is already good.
Today its price is 25,000 rubles. This is almost an ideal price / quality ratio, so we strongly recommend that you pay attention.
3rd place - HTC One mini 2
Smartphones with a mini or Compact prefix assume a mini-version of existing gadgets. Compared to the previous device, HTC One mini 2 has a smaller 4.5-inch diagonal, but still has a stylish design and performance: an aluminum body, rounded corners and plastic diluted at the edges.
There is also a weaker camera (13 megapixels), only 1 GB of RAM, but the smartphone is still fast and efficient. The sound is excellent, there are no complaints here. Yes, some of the changes were not beneficial, but, apparently, this was the only way to make the device more compact. Be that as it may, this is an excellent compact option costing 18-19 thousand rubles on the Russian market. We recommend taking a closer look!
4th place - Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Samsung's Galaxy Alpha is a somewhat experimental model. The developers tried to move away from plastic solutions and used metal rims here. The back panel, however, still remains soft and plastic. The design is still pleasing: a thin body, slightly rounded edges - all this is a favorite classic in the industry of modern smartphones.
The screen size of the Galaxy Alpha is 4.7 inches, and along with the thin body, the gadget can be called really compact. By the way, there is a very powerful hardware inside: an 8-core processor, an excellent graphics processor, 32 GB of main memory and 2 GB of RAM. There is even a fingerprint scanner, a heart rate sensor and other "chips" that may seem superfluous.
The battery is weak, and this should be stated first of all - the capacity is only 1860 mAh, and for a smartphone with such powerful hardware this is simply unacceptable. Every evening the device will have to be put on charge - this must be taken for granted. The cost on the market is 25 thousand rubles on average. Quite a reasonable price for a good and powerful compact phone.
5th place - Huawei Ascend P6S
Another great option from the Chinese manufacturer Huawei. It has a 4.7-inch screen, a 4-core processor and 2GB of RAM. The camera is 8 megapixels, there is support for two SIM cards and a cool screen that perceives touches even if you are wearing gloves.
There is also a 2000 mAh battery inside, which is not too bad, but one cannot say “good” either. But one should definitely not lose sight of such a big plus as a small price of only 13,000 rubles.
6th place - Fly Tornado Slim
For the same money, you can buy a Fly Tornado Slim with a record case thickness of 5.15 mm. At the same time, there is a fairly powerful 8-core processor and 1 GB of RAM.
The battery capacity is not very large - 2050 mAh, which is typical for smartphones of this level. The model does not support 2 SIM cards.
The model costs 13,000 rubles.
7th place - Samsung Galaxy S5 mini
This is a compact version of the "mini" well-known device with powerful hardware: a 4-core 1.4 GHz processor, 1.5 GB of RAM. It can easily "pull" even the latest "heavy" applications, also supports 2 SIM cards and works in LTE networks.
It has a 4.5-inch screen and a 2100 mAh battery, which is lower than the standard version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 (2800 mAh). The camera is 8 megapixels, the pictures are of high quality and clear, there can be no complaints here. There is also a fingerprint scanner and many other features that are so popular with the modern consumer. The cost is 17,000-20,000 rubles.
This rating is subjective, so do not take it as an undeniable truth. Each more or less confident user can make his own rating, which will be radically different from this. Still, we wish you the best in choosing the best compact smartphone, good luck!
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With a limited budget, the main way to evaluate the quality of a camera, having several in front of you for comparison, is to try to take a picture without stabilization in blackout: you will immediately see how the noise of the matrices will differ, how convenient the camera is at long exposures. It is more difficult to compare the quality of lenses - you cannot catch distortions on the screens, but when you print photos on a large format, they will immediately give themselves away. And the wider the focal length range, the more the likelihood of image distortion in the extreme focusing positions - this is an understandable price for versatility.
If finances allow, the option with an interchangeable lens will be more interesting - you can buy a whale for the first time, you can immediately pick up a "carcass" and a lens for yourself. The only “but” is that there can be a lot of difficulties in finding a lens: most interchangeable optics are made for the popular mounts of full-size "DSLRs", for compact mirrorless sizes the attachment dimensions of the optics are different. However, some originals manage to cross modern digital cameras even with Soviet optics.
A large battery is good, a quick-change battery is even better, and a rechargeable battery without a proprietary adapter is even better. Alas, the trademark disease of many digital cameras, and first of all compact ones, is the discrepancy between the appetites of electronics and the battery capacity, so carrying a few with you with frequent use of the camera is a common thing. But changing the battery is not always convenient - sometimes the attached tripod does not allow opening the battery compartment, such nuances should be checked right away.
Over the past couple of years, manufacturers have literally poured out a whole mass of phablets (a device with a screen from 5 to 7 inches) onto the mobile gadget market. For many companies, the release of this type of smartphones has become a kind of competition: thinner, bigger, faster, better and cheaper. But many users, who were cheated by Mother Nature with the pianist's wide palms and fingers, look at all these phablets without much joy and enthusiasm.
Against the background of the domination of all these "tablet phones", finding sensible smartphones with a screen less than 5 inches, and released at the turn of 2015, has become a real problem.
Let's try to figure out if you can find a really high-quality and modern gadget from this, as it is called, "children's" group. Let's analyze the most popular and successful models of this segment (smartphones with a small screen diagonal). And although the list does not differ in a variety of manufacturers and OEMs, there is still plenty to choose from.
Philips S307
In September last year, the Philips brand presented a compact model S307 with a completely democratic price tag (about $ 60). This budget device is endowed with, albeit a modest, but more or less modern filling.
Smartphones with a small screen from Philips of this series have a small diagonal of 4 inches and a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels. Responsible for the performance is the Spreadtrum SC7731 chipset operating on four cores, which is very good for a budget model.
The weak points of the gadget are the RAM (only 512 MB), built-in (for the user less than 2 GB) and a mediocre 2 megapixel camera. If the space for storing files can still be somehow expanded using CD-cards (up to 32 GB), then, alas, nothing can be done with everything else - you just have to put up with it.
A very modest 1600 mAh battery is responsible for the battery life of the gadget. Despite such a small capacity, the device can easily "live" in an intensive mode for about 4-5 hours, in a moderate mode - 8-10, or a day with energy-saving settings. In general, a smartphone with a small screen and a good battery is a rarity in this segment, so you don't have to go through too much.
Alcatel product: PIXI 3 (3.5 inches) 4009D
This model is even more modest in its characteristics than the previous one. St. Petersburg's "Alcatels" turned out to be quite good and, most importantly, a small smartphone with a screen of up to 4 inches. Of course, there is a clear minus in this - the screen resolution of the gadget is only 320 by 480 pixels. In defense of the device, we can say that the first "iPhone" possessed such a permission (only that was nine years ago).
Naturally, this resolution is not enough for full-fledged multimedia work, but it is almost impossible to find other devices with such a small display and more or less high quality this year.
The smartphone with the smallest screen from Alcatel has on board a dual-core processor with a clock frequency of 1 GHz, half a gigabyte of RAM and 2 GB of built-in memory expandable up to 32 GB (CD-card). There is also a simple 2 megapixel camera without autofocus and flash. A very mediocre 1300 mAh battery is responsible for the battery life, which will last for a maximum of one day in standby mode.
And once again "Alcatel": PIXI 3 (4 inches) 4013D
The 4013D model is, in fact, the "big brother" of the previous gadget with a completely democratic price tag of $ 60. The device can be fully attributed to the group of "smartphones with a small screen": 4 inches and a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels.
The filling is responsible for the performance, similar to the 4009 model. Of course, such characteristics for 2016 are very modest, but when compared with other competing models in the segment, then things are not so bad.
The device is equipped with a simple 3 megapixel camera and the same outstanding 1400 mAh battery, which is quite natural for this kind of devices. In standby mode, "Alcatel" smartphones with a small screen of the 4013 series "do not live" for more than a day and a half.
Philips S309
The later model "Philips" costs a little more than the S307 gadget - about $ 70. Despite the similar appearance and the same display size, the small screen smartphones of the S309 series have very significant technical differences.
The dual-core processor works in tandem with the already gigabyte of RAM. The amount of storage for the user has also increased - up to 4 GB, which can be easily expanded with a CD-card. The capabilities of the main camera have also significantly increased: it is equipped with autofocus with a resolution of 5 megapixels.
As for the battery life, the characteristics of the battery remained unchanged - 1600 mAh, that is, similar to its brother.
And again "Alcatel": "One Touch Pixie First 4024D"
Model 4024D relative to the aforementioned series is practically the same, but in a different package. For the price, the gadget is also not far away - about $ 65. The smartphone is equipped with a 4-inch screen with a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels.
Responsible for the performance is a quad-core SC7731 processor and 512 MB of RAM. Also, the user has access to about 2 GB of internal memory, which, if desired, can be expanded up to 32 GB using CD-cards.
The main camera with a modest 5 megapixel matrix is unlikely to be able to take high-quality pictures, but it can handle a quick photo for Instagram. The rechargeable battery, as expected, has very modest characteristics - only 1450 mAh and up to one and a half days of standby time.
What attracts in this smartphone is its appearance: the Alcatel people have tightened up the design well, and the gadget looks quite presentable and solid.
Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini
In the "first echelon" company, the venerable brand managed to bring the universal functionality of the budget class to a higher level. At many exhibitions, Samsung models were recognized as the best small screen smartphones in their segment.
The device received a classic compact 4-inch screen and a corresponding resolution of 800 by 480 pixels. The performance is handled by a quad-core processor at a clock speed of 1.2 GHz. The characteristics may not be so expressive, but 750 MB of RAM on board allows you to run and work quite comfortably with most modern applications. Out of 8 GB of "hard" memory, only 4 are available to the user for work, and you can expand it not as usual - up to 32 GB, but up to a very impressive 128.
The main 5 megapixel camera works without a flash, but the photos are of very good quality, in contrast to unknown Chinese matrices. There is no need to wait for something supernatural from a 1500 mAh battery - the device is quite enough for a day of moderate operation.
I was especially pleased with the operating system running the new "Android 5.1", while the aforementioned respondents did not rise above version 4.4. Also, it will not be superfluous to note the democratic price of the model - only $ 80.
Microsoft Lumia 430
Microsoft unveiled several compact lines of smartphones last year. One of the first appeared "Lumia 430" with a very reasonable price tag of $ 80. The screen of the gadget is quite typical for its segment: 4 inches with a scan of 800 by 480 pixels.
A good dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM are responsible for the performance of the smartphone. For storing user data, about 5 GB out of 8 are available (3 GB is reserved for system files). You can expand the volume using CD-cards, and quite decently - up to 128 GB.
We can say that the camera in the device is implemented "for show". The 2 megapixel matrix is simply not physically capable of taking a good photo, but for avatars and Instagram it will do quite well.
Battery life is also modest with a 1500mAh battery. If you do not overload the gadget, then it should be enough for about one day.
Microsoft Lumia 532
The model turned out to be noticeably faster than its predecessor and more expensive (about $ 80). The device differs from the 430 series by a doubled number of processor cores (4 instead of 2) and a significantly improved matrix (up to 5 Mp) of the main camera.
The amount of RAM has not changed - 1 GB, as well as the space for storing user data (5 GB out of 8). The model similarly supports CD-cards up to 128 GB and has a Lumiya-specific appearance.
The diagonal of the screen along with the resolution remained unchanged: a 4-inch display with an 800 by 480 pixels scan. The battery, although it added in capacity, but insignificantly - only 1560 mAh, so the gadget also does not have a high battery life and is approximately on par with other state employees.
Apple iPhone SE
The model can be called a kind of reincarnation of the famous "iPhone" of the fifth series with the prefix S. The device SE (special edition / Special Edition) has become the cheapest gadget with an apple on the case. The base model starts at around $ 400. Naturally, compared to other respondents in our survey, this is a very significant amount. But the cost includes more than just the chic and the brand name: the device could well claim to be "the most powerful small screen smartphone."
By its appearance, the device resembles a miniature copy of the "iPhone 5S", while the filling of the gadget came from the 6th series, which is good news. Basically, the SE model is small (4 inches with a resolution of 1136 by 640 pixels).
Features of the device
The top-end A9 chipset is responsible for the performance, instead of the outdated A7, which automatically adds a couple of points to the speed of the smartphone. The amount of RAM was increased to 2 GB, and the space for storing user data varies from 16 to 64 GB, depending on the specific model (of course, without any CD-lotions).
The main camera has very attractive characteristics: 12 megapixels, autofocus, "smart screen" and much more. The main thing is that she takes pictures, if not exceptional, then close to this indicator. It is also possible to shoot video in high resolution with the imposition of all kinds of filters and other entourage.
Despite the small capacity of the 1600 mAh battery, the battery life of the iPhone SE is noticeably higher than the devices based on the Android platform.
Summarizing
Unfortunately, almost all of the above compact models are entry-level. An exception can be made only for the "apple" gadget, where the manufacturer not only created a compact device in all respects, but also provided it with a powerful and high-performance filling. Of course, Apple's price tags have never been democratic, but the owner, at least, was sure that the performance of the device was performed at a very high level without a share of defects and critical flaws.
The rest of the reviewers can satisfy only those users who do not make serious claims to the advanced functionality and do not work with "heavy" applications. Such devices are quite suitable for those who are just starting to get acquainted with mobile gadgets and want to hold in their hands a relatively modern entry-level device. Fans of powerful hardware are unlikely to be interested in such devices, so it is better for them to pass by.
Of course, you can find more or less compact smartphones with better specifications, but they all have a diagonal of more than 4.7 inches, and this is no longer our case.
5.5-inch devices have become the norm for the entire market. Few manufacturers are already trying to think about people who don't like big smartphones. And the Galaxy S8, which at the start of sales did not seem very tiny, today feels quite compact against the background of other flagships.
Samsung Galaxy S8
By the way, since we're talking about the S8, it's worth starting with it. The device is quite compact for its 5.8 inches. In addition, due to the aspect ratio of 18.5: 9, it is really convenient to hold the device in your hands. The device has one of the best cameras on the market and is equipped with a high-performance processor and fast memory.
iPhone 8
Yes, this is not an Android device, but the dimensions of the smartphone are still quite good. Today it is rare to find a 4.7-inch modern flagship device with a powerful filling and a good camera.
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
Of course, due to the bezels at the top and bottom and sharp edges, the device will not lie very well in the hands, but the small display does its job. In addition, the smartphone is equipped with a Snapdragon 835 processor. Imagine the performance of the gadget at HD resolution. In addition, the device supports slow motion shooting at 960 frames per second.
P10
Huawei's 5.1-inch flagship isn't bad. It can hardly be called the best on the market, but it definitely ranks in the top 10. The smartphone received a Kirin 960 processor, 4 GB of RAM, a dual camera and a 3200 mAh battery. Nice compact flagship for Huawei lovers.
LG Q6
A fairly new solution from LG, which is popular at least in Russia, according to Twitter users who share data on sales of retailers' devices. The feature of the smartphone is a 5.5-inch display and no bezels.
Based on materials from phonearena
