With most of the latest Android smartphones going all out on display sizes, offering 5 and 5.5-inch displays as standard, we round up the best Android smartphones with compact dimensions for those who can't live with large (and heavy) Android phones.
The lines between smartphones and tablets continue to blur and what used to be the “Phablet” segment not so long ago is slowly becoming mainstream with 5 and 5.5-inch Android devices being launched as flagship phones. While the market moves towards large screen devices, there is a sizeable chunk of consumers looking for manageable smartphones that are easy to use and carry and offer a fine balance of performance, features and portability.
Here’s a list of Android smartphones with manageable screen sizes and compact dimensions for those who still prefer phones that look like phones.
Motorola Moto X
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Screen size and resolution: 4.7 inches, 1280×720 pixels
Street Price: Rs. 23,999 (16GB)
Core Specs:
• 1.7 GHz Snapdragon dual-core processor
• 2 GB RAM
• 16 GB inbuilt memory
• 10 MP camera with flash
• 3G, Wi-Fi
• Android 4.4 KitKat
After the tremendous success of the Moto G in India, the Moto X is Motorola’s salvo at the mid-range segment. In many ways, the Moto X is the perfect smartphone for those of you yet to be enticed by the call of the 5-inch and above Android smartphones that have flooded the market. The Moto X looks great, is very well built and sports a beautiful 720p AMOLED screen. Its performance is also excellent and usability is smooth as silk. To top it all off, the latest powerful dual-core Snapdragon processor and 2200mAh battery ensure that the battery life is very good.
Motorola Moto G
Screen size and resolution: 4.5 inches, 1280×720 pixels
Street Price: Rs. 13,999 (16GB)
Core Specs:
• 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 8/16 GB inbuilt memory
• 5 MP camera with flash
• Dual Sim, 3G, Wi-Fi
• Android 4.3 (Upgradable to v4.4.2)
Motorola has made a comeback to the Indian market with the Moto G and for its price it offers a great combination of performance and specifications. It has been Motorola’s highest selling smartphone till date and it is still one of the hottest selling smartphone in India today. In terms of performance, the Moto G aces and beats almost every smartphone in its price category.
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Screen size and resolution: 4.3 inches, 1280×720 pixels
Street Price: Rs. 33,799
Core Specs:
• 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor
• 2 GB RAM
• 16 GB inbuilt memory, expandable via microSD
• 20.1 MP camera with flash
• 3G, Wi-Fi, HDMI, NFC
• Android 4.3
• Waterproof and dust-proof
Manufacturers have been launching a mini version of their flagship smartphones, but Sony has done it right with the Xperia Z1 Compact. It borrows the same hardware and performance from the Xperia Z1 in a small form factor and in our opinion it is the most powerful smartphone available in the sub 4.5 inch design. Oh and did we mention that it is waterproof and dust-proof as well?
HTC One Mini
Screen size and resolution: 4.3 inches 1280×720 pixels
Street Price: Rs. 26,131
Core Specs:
• 1.4 GHz Snapdragon 400 dual-core processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 16 GB inbuilt memory
• 4 MP camera with flash
• 3G, Wi-Fi
• Android 4.2.2
HTC launched the One mini right after launching the HTC One. It is a compact version of the One and shares the same brilliant design. However it isn’t what you call a powerful device as it features a dual-core processor. But, HTC has a pedigree of making some elegant looking smartphones, and the One mini is a great example.
Sony Xperia ZR
Screen size and resolution: 4.55 inches, 1280×720 pixels
Street Price: Rs. 24,655
Core Specs:
• 1.5 GHz Snapdragon quad-core processor
• 2 GB RAM
• 8 GB inbuilt memory, expandable via microSD
• 13.1 MP camera with flash
• 3G, Wi-Fi, HDMI, NFC
• Android 4.1 (Upgradable to 4.3)
• Waterproof and dustproof
The Xperia ZR was a great smartphone and is still better than most of the upcoming compact smartphones in the market. The Xperia ZR is primarily a downsized Xperia Z and (just like the Z1 compact) it has almost the same hardware features as the Xperia Z.
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini Duos
Screen size and resolution: 4.3 inches, 960×540 pixels
Street Price: Rs. 19,000
Core Specs:
• 1.7 GHz Snapdragon 400 dual-core processor
• 1.5 GB RAM
• 8 GB inbuilt memory, expandable via microSD
• 8 MP camera with flash
• 3G, Wi-Fi, dual-SIM, NFC
• Android 4.2.2 (Upgradable to 4.3)
After launching the Galaxy S4, Samsung followed the mini path by launching the Galaxy S4 mini. Again it shares its looks with the original Galaxy S4 in a smaller and much a more easy-to-handle form factor. It isn’t impressive in the specs department, but it is a worthy smartphone in the compact range.
Google Nexus 4
Screen size and resolution: 4.7 inches, 1280×768 pixels
Street Price: Rs. 23,947
Core Specs:
• 1.5 GHz Snapdragon quad-core processor
• 2 GB RAM
• 8/16 GB inbuilt memory
• 8 MP camera with flash
• 3G, Wi-Fi, NFC
• Android 4.2 (Upgradable to 4.4)
We know that the Nexus 4 is now an old Android device, but it is the last of the Nexus devices to feature a display smaller than 5 inches. Comparing to most of the compact Android smartphones, the Nexus 4 has a good set of specifications and not to forget the quick Android updates. Availability can be an issue for the Nexus 4, but you can still buy it online from stores like SnapDeal and
Xolo LT900
Screen size and resolution: 4.3 inches, 1280×720 pixels
Street Price: Rs. 16,899
Core Specs:
• 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 8 GB inbuilt memory, expandable via microSD
• 8 MP camera with flash
• LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, NFC
• Android 4.2
If you don’t mind spending your buck on an Indian brand, then you can look at the Xolo LT900. It has some decent specifications and looks and also comes packed with support for 4G LTE connection.