Note the defining parameters of compact smartphones keep changing though. Some years ago, a phone with a 5.2-inch display was compact, but such a smartphone hardly exists any more. Outside of the Apple iPhone world, it is hard to find a sub-6-inch flagship-level smartphone any more. Anyway, I eventually was able to narrow down my search of powerful compact smartphones to just eight models.
The Top Compact Smartphones To Buy in 2022: My Recommendations
Remember that the following phones are my recommendations. There are more compact smartphones by other brands, e.g. Realme, out there, but they are not widely available, as they are mostly restricted to a region. My list offers you models that you can find to buy in multiple locations in the world.
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
The Nord 2 has a 6.43-inch display, and comes to 158.9 x 73.2 x 8.3 mm in size. It has a decent Dimensity 1200 chipset, 6-12 GB of RAM, and a 4500mAh battery with 65W fast charging. It is also the most affordable compact smartphone on this list. Prices start from $390 in the US, £329 in the UK, €350 in Europe, 29,999 Rupees in India, and ₦260,000 in Nigeria.
Xiaomi 12X
Xiaomi’s “Lite” flagship has a 6.28-inch display, is 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm in size. The Snapdragon 870 5G chipset is solid, and has 8 and 12 GB of RAM options. Battery size is 4500mAh and there is 67W fast charging to go with it. Prices start from €600 in Europe.
Xiaomi 12
Like the 12X, Xiaomi 12 has a 6.28-inch display, and is also 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm in size. The processor gets an upgrade to Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, also coupled with 8 and 12 GB of RAM options. Battery size is also 4500mAh and there is 67W fast charging to go with it. So, it is essentially the 12X with a more powerful processor and much poorer battery life. Personally, I would pick the 12X, if I had to choose. Prices start from €1040 in Europe.
Samsung S22 5G
The Galaxy S22 5G comes to the game with a 6.1-inch display, and 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm dimensions, making it one of the most compact flagship Android smartphones available today. It has 8 GB RAM, an Exynos 1200 chipset, a smallish 3700mAh battery, and a poorish 25W fast charging. Prices start from $700 in the USA, £770 in the UK, €817 in Europe, 73,000 Indian Rupees in India, and ₦469,000 in Nigeria.
iPhone 13 Mini
The 13 Mini is the smallest of the regular lineup of iPhones, and it fits the traditional definition of a compact smartphone from years ago. It has a 5.4-inch display, is 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm in size. It is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chipset, and has 4 GB of RAM. Battery size is 2438mAh and there is 18W fast charging to go with it. Both are disappointing, but it won’t stop you if you want the phone. Prices start from $675 in the US, €719 in Europe, £619 in the UK, 65,000 Indian Rupees in India, and ₦480,000 in Nigeria.
iPhone 13
Build a 6.1-inch display and a 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 she’ll around the A15 Bionic chipset, 4 GB RAM, and a 3240mAh battery, and what you have is the iPhone 13. There’s poorish 23W fast charging to top up the smallish battery too. Prices start from $729 in the US, £729 in the United Kingdom, €779 in Europe, 73,900 Indian Rupees in India, and ₦534,000 in Nigeria.
iPhone 13 Pro
The iPhone 13 Pro maintains the same 6.1-inch display size, the same dimensions, and the same chipset as the 13, but upgrades the RAM to 6 GB, and downgrades the battery capacity to 3095mAh. Sigh. You still get 23W fast charging, though, and an upgrade in the rear camera. Prices start from $999 in the USA, £949 in the UK, €1,016 in the European Union states, 119,900 Indian Rupees in India, and ₦785,000 in Nigeria.
iPhone SE 2022
Apple’s budget model of the year, iPhone SE 2022, has a 4.7-inch display, the smallest on this list, and is 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm in size. The Apple A15 Bionic chipset is top-notch, and there is 4 GB of RAM. Battery size is where things go south, with 2018mAh capacity, and there is bottom-of-the-barrel 20W fast charging to go with it. Prices start from $429 in the United States, £419 in the United Kingdom, €509 in Europe Union countries, and 44,000 Indian Rupees in India.
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