The best compact smartphones of 2022

Technological progress does not stand still, and allows manufacturers to create more and more innovative and improved electronic devices. And phone models are completely changing, their appearance is rapidly developing, and the internal stuffing is becoming more nimble, and the amount of memory is increasing.

It's hard to believe that 20 years ago there were cute, tiny and compact phones with a small black and white screen in the top. Over time, the devices began to increase in size and functionality, turning into a smartphone. Many companies, competing with each other for the title of the best manufacturer, are trying to update and release a gadget with improved features and functionality as quickly as possible.

Some are trying to reduce the cost of the device by releasing compact and budget devices, albeit with weak hardware and a nondescript design for an inexperienced user.Nevertheless, the struggle for leadership and for an honorable place in the ranking of high-quality and top-end smartphones allows users not only to choose a flagship or a small smart phone with a diagonal of up to 5 inches, but also to get a reliable, productive device at a reduced price.

This review is dedicated to the top ten compact smartphones of 2022, collected by the number of positive reviews from active users and high-tech fans.

The main trends of compact smartphones in 2022

If some 15-20 years ago, manufacturers fought to reduce the screen of a mobile phone and for a smooth, rounded design, now the displays are getting bigger and flatter. If earlier a device with a 5-inch display, occupying 60% of the front face area, was something fantastic, now you will not surprise anyone with a screen that occupies almost 80%.Moreover, the developers are trying to turn the entire front panel into a screen, reducing the frames.

The increase in hardware performance is associated with an increase in camera resolution for professional shots, more demanding games and programs. Also, the power of the filling and the amount of memory is necessary for the continuous operation of the operating system, which is updated relatively quickly.

A separate topic is the appearance of the case, although it was mentioned in the first paragraph, but it is worth adding a design change and fashion for a glass block with aluminum inserts. Despite the fact that only flagships in general could boast of such a luxurious and cool to the touch case, now compact phones of the middle price segment can also afford it.

An increase in the power of the filling for active games is more than an obvious expectation. Since a phone with the parameters of a stationary computer will not surprise anyone with good performance.

Durability and moisture protection of the device. A good smartphone is an expensive pleasure and it is highly undesirable to break it. Therefore, developers are trying to protect the device in all possible ways: with an aluminum frame, tempered glass or oleophobic coating. Also, in many phones, all slots and carriages are almost hermetically embedded. This method of protection draws on high water resistance and impact resistance.

The best compact 3-inch smartphones

This category includes the smallest mobile devices, the screen size of which does not exceed 3.9 inches.

Palm Phone PVG100

This is a miniature model that most technical people call one of the best compacts in the last couple of years. One of the key features of the smartphone is its size.The device is an elegant and attractive device, which is comparable in size to a bank card. The phone can easily fit even in a small pocket.

At the same time, this smartphone, which has a bright and rich 3.3-inch display, is endowed with all the functionality needed for a modern gadget. The device has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of ROM, which makes it possible to interact with @mail, instant messengers, communicate via video calls, connect fitness trackers and install the necessary programs.

The display of the model is protected by high-quality glass Gorilla Glass, and is also resistant to dust and water according to the IP68 standard. There are 12-megapixel rear and 8-megapixel front cameras for taking photos. The smartphone is charged via a symmetrical USB-C slot. In mixed mode, the battery charge will be enough for a day. This phone is designed for users who lead an active lifestyle.

The device with a miniature body has a special "Rest" mode, which allows you to reduce the amount of time spent viewing content on social networks and not be distracted by constant notifications. At the same time, this mode makes it possible to return to the online world by unlocking the display in the face.

• light weight, so the phone will be an excellent option for sports and walking;
• compactness - easily fits into the pocket of a jersey or sportswear;
• high-quality display;
• high assembly reliability;
• pretty good photographic capabilities of both cameras.

• low autonomy.

DIGMA FIRST XS350 2G

This model is small in size and light in weight. It runs on OS Android 2.3.The 3.5-inch screen with a matrix made using TN technology has a resolution of 480x320px. The screen displays colorful colors even in direct sunlight. The model stands out against the background of analogues with good picture quality and wide viewing angles.

The smartphone operates using a 1-crystal chip Spreadtrum SC6820, running at 1.2 GHz clock frequency. The model has 256MB of RAM, which ensures excellent performance even when working with demanding programs. The size of the ROM is 512MB.

• lightness;
• small sizes;
• excellent offline performance;
• the strong case is made of high-quality materials;
• the ability to use 2 SIM cards.

• the outdated version of the Android operating system is 2.3.5.

Samsung Galaxy Fit GT-S5670

The developers of the South Korean corporation Samsung rarely come out with smartphones, the design of which is not similar to its predecessors. This model, from the point of view of experts, should not be ranked among a number of similar gadgets. She has her own, though not entirely exclusive, but attractive appearance with thoughtful ergonomics.

The device has no sharp corners. It stands out against the background of similar devices due to its compactness, since the dimensions of the model are only 110.2 x 61.2 x 12.6 mm, as well as its lightness - 108 g. The back cover has a corrugated surface, which eliminates the possibility of the gadget slipping out of hands. With a 3.31-inch diagonal, the resolution is only 240x320 pixels, which provides a pixel saturation of 121 DPI. The pixels on the screen of this smartphone are visible even to the naked eye.

The model has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1350 mAh.The manufacturer claims that in standby mode, the smartphone will work for about 642 hours (when using 2G), as well as about 421 hours when using 3G networks. In talk mode, the battery lasts for 11 (2G) and 7 hours (3G), respectively.

• balanced ratio of price and quality;
• excellent work of Wi-Fi;
• sufficiently productive chipset;
• large screen;
• The camera has macro capability.

• low screen resolution;
• does not pull demanding applications.

Samsung Wave II GT-S8530

This smartphone is a traditional touch device that has a large display and mechanical buttons underneath. The key located in the center is large, which was not appreciated by all users, however, if we take into account the fact that this button is responsible for only 1 action (pressing), then this minus can hardly be called objective.

The display has a resolution of 800x480 pixels. The model has a 3.7-inch screen, which is pleasant and convenient to interact with. Of course, if you take into account the large size of the control components located on the display, then the device is pleasant to use. In general, the display is excellent, but it has one drawback - energy consumption is higher when compared with screens whose matrices are made using SuperAMOLED technology.

The model has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1500 mAh. According to the manufacturer, it guarantees about 7.5 hours of talk time and approximately 400 hours of standby time.Under the conditions of using European networks, the gadget lasted almost 2 days with 1 hour of communication on the phone, sending a certain amount of SMS per day, a small amount of time working with @mail, listening to music and radio for 3 hours, as well as receiving emails every 2 hours. For people who surf the Web all the time, this gadget can provide only a day of work. The time to fully recharge the battery is approximately 2 hours.

• reliable assembly;
• high-quality display;
• durable housing made of high quality aluminum;
• good performance;
• there is a software store.

• no traditional speed dial;
• there is a gap on the central button;
• long activation of GPS.

Samsung Wave GT-S8500

This is a very attractive model. At the same time, it has a rather cold and restrained design. The developers of the South Korean corporation Samsung definitely tried to satisfy the wishes of an extremely wide audience. The materials from which the case is made differ from most analogues in high quality. Most of the surfaces, including the battery cover, are made of metal. In the lower part (the place where the antennas are) there is an insert made of high quality plastic, which is similar to glass. This type of plastic is highly resistant to scratches. The fastening of the battery cover is simple but good.

The display matrix of the gadget is made using SuperAMOLED technology. This is an improved modification of the ordinary AMOLED. The absence of an air gap between the layers of light emission and the protective glass allowed the manufacturer to increase the brightness reserve of the display and improve its durability.At peak brightness levels, the display is legible even when exposed to direct sunlight.

The smartphone has a battery with a capacity of 1500 mAh. The manufacturer claims that the model will work 7 (3G) or 15 (2G) hours in talk mode, as well as 550 (3G) or 600 (2G) in standby mode. In movie mode, the phone will last approximately 9 hours, and when playing tracks with the display turned off - 32 hours 11 minutes, which is quite a good result.

• the body is made of high quality materials;
• good display;
• oleophobic coating that "repels" fingerprints;
• one of the best 5 MP cameras on the mobile market;
• excellent performance;
• full integration of the list of contacts with social networks;
• practical multimedia player with high quality sound;
• thoughtful radio;
• the ability to view unconverted videos;
• comfortable app store.

• few programs when compared with Android OS;
• uncomfortable and unfinished Twitter client, as well as the lack of analogues.

Functions	Palm Phone PVG100	DIGMA FIRST XS350 2G	Samsung Galaxy Fit GT-S5670	Samsung Wave II GT-S8530	Samsung Wave GT-S8500
OS	Android 8.1	Android 2.3	Android 2.2	bada 1.2	bada 1.2
Display	Diagonal: 3.3", resolution: 1280x720	Diagonal: 3.5", resolution: 480x320	Diagonal: 3.3", Resolution: 320x240	Diagonal: 3.7", Resolution: 800x480	Diagonal: 3.3", Resolution: 800x480
materials	aluminum and glass	plastic	plastic	metal and plastic	Not specified
Color	white, black, gold	White black	Not specified	Not specified	Black
Camera	Main: 12 MP F/2, Front: 8 MP	Primary: 0.30 MP	Primary: 5 MP	Main: 5 MP, Frontal: yes	5 MP, autofocus, geotagging, LED backlight, video recording (1280x720/30p).
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940 (8 cores)	Spreadtrum SC6820 (1200 MHz)	Qualcomm MSM7227, 600 MHz (1 core)	ARM Cortex-A8, 1000 MHz (1 core)	Samsung S5PC110A01 based on ARM Cortex A8 core, clocked at 1 GHz;
video processor	Adreno 505	Not specified	Adreno 200	PowerVR SGX540	integrated PowerVR SGX540 video accelerator
Memory	RAM: 3 GB, ROM: 32 GB	RAM: 256 MB, ROM: 0.5 GB	RAM: 280MB, ROM: 160MB	RAM: 512 MB, ROM: 2 GB	RAM: not specified, ROM: 2 GB
Connectors	USB Type-C	USB	USB, mini jack 3.5 mm	mini jack 3.5 mm, USB	microUSB, 3.5 mm headphone output
SIM	nano SIM (1x)	Dual SIM	Plain (1x)	Plain (1x)	Plain (1x)
Connection	GSM 900/1800/1900, CDMA 1900, 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A Cat. 4, Bluetooth 4.2, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, Bluetooth, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, Bluetooth 2.1, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, Bluetooth 3.0, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, Bluetooth 3.0, USB
WiFi	WiFi 802.11n,	WiFi 802.11n	There is	There is	There is
Navigation	A-GPS, GLONASS, GPS	Not specified	A-GPS, GPS	A-GPS, GPS	A-GPS, GPS
Audio	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA	MP3, FM radio	MP3, FM radio	MP3, FM radio	MP3, AAC, WMA, FM radio
Battery	800 mAh	1200 mAh	1350 mAh	1500 mAh	1500 mAh
Dimensions	50.6x96.6x7.4mm	62x113x12mm	61x110x13mm	60x124x12mm	56x118x11 mm
The weight	62 g	78 g	Not specified	135 g	118 g
average price	17990 rubles	1890 rubles	16590 rubles	16990 rubles	14990 rubles

The best compact 4-inch smartphones

This category presents the best miniature mobile devices, the screen size of which does not exceed 4.9 inches.

Apple iPhone SE 2020

This is a very nimble model, made in a traditional design.The device successfully harmonizes thoughtful ergonomics and high speed. The model is powered by Apple's high-performance chipset - A13 Bionic - and amazing cameras. In addition, the smartphone has successfully implemented support for wireless charging.

The device pulls demanding game projects with ease. All this unsurpassed performance is complemented by a high level of security of the case, which meets the IP67 standard. The model records video in 4K format with stereo sound. The QuickTake option guarantees a smooth transition to movie shooting from photo mode - all you need to do is hold down the shutter button. Touch ID technology makes it possible to very quickly and safely perform the process of unlocking the device. This smartphone is an improved modification of the popular SE gadget.

• compactness: fits perfectly in the hand and easily fits in a pocket;
• high performance;
• thoughtful iOS3 operating system with useful software;
• many compatible accessories;
• attractive appearance.

• short battery life.

MAXVI MS401

Ideal form factor, lightweight and compact dimensions for the ultimate in ease of use. This is a smartphone in which the appearance is thought out to the smallest detail. The device operates on the basis of a 4-core chipset, which guarantees fast and smooth operation. 3G Internet will enable the owner to always stay in touch, use common instant messengers, social networks and flip through the pages of websites. The gadget has support for flash drives up to 128GB, which allows you to store a large number of your favorite tracks, pictures, videos and other user files.This model integrates GPS and GLONASS navigation modules, which guarantees the clearest indication of the user's geolocation.

Bluetooth version 4.2 transmits information at maximum speed, and also allows you to pair with wireless headphones, cars, portable speakers and other gadgets. The rear 5-megapixel camera allows you to save bright moments, and the front camera allows you to take selfies and comfortably communicate via video calls.

• lightness;
• small sizes;
• balanced ratio of cost and quality;
• fairly large display;
• high performance.

• poor sensor response.

DIGMA LINX A453 3G

This model with a 4.5-inch display guarantees convenient use due to the options and technologies that the manufacturer has successfully implemented in it. In addition, this smartphone differs from most analogues in its compactness, which makes it possible to hold the device and control it with one hand. To store user data, there is 8GB of ROM, but if this volume is not enough, then it can be increased by installing a flash drive.

For video and photography, there is a 5-megapixel camera with digital zoom support, as well as a large number of photo modes and options that make it possible to take exquisite shots. The model has a battery with a capacity of 1800 mAh. Thanks to it, the device is able to function for 24 hours. Good smoothness and high performance in programs was achieved thanks to the installation of 1GB of RAM, as well as a 4-core chipset operating at 1.3 GHz.The smartphone has a tray for two SIM cards, which allows the owner to choose the most suitable tariffs in order to organize convenient communication with different subscribers. The display matrix is ​​made using TN technology, which contributes to displaying pictures in a resolution of 854x480 pixels.

• low cost;
• high assembly reliability;
• excellent performance;
• high-quality display;
• Ease of controls.

• unfinished software;
• slippery body.

Fly FS408 Stratus 8

This smartphone will be a great purchase for people who are used to using portable technology. Due to the miniaturization of the screen (5 inches), the smartphone stands out against the background of similar devices with its small dimensions, which are equal to 64 × 123.5 × 10.3 mm. The weight of the model is also small and is 109 g. This device will be an excellent option for intensive use and constant conversations.

The model supports DualSIM. A stable mobile Internet connection is due to the presence of a 3G module, and a Wi-Fi module is integrated into the device. For installation of programs and the location of other files, there is 8GB of ROM. If this volume is not enough, then you can install a 32 GB microSD flash drive (maximum). The case of the device is painted in traditional black - this solution contributes to ease of use.

• compactness: it fits comfortably in the hand and is tactilely pleasant;
• responsive display;
• a good margin of brightness - the screen is readable at minimum levels even when it is exposed to direct sunlight;
• Dual SIM support;
• excellent volume reserve;
• low cost.

• mediocre camera;
• a lot of ads in the interface;
• a large number of useless pre-installed programs.

Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact

A smartphone with a 4.6-inch screen and a resolution of 1280 x 720, a decent front camera and a powerful eight-core processor. Available in four colors to choose from: blue, white, pink and black. The front panel is covered with a special tempered glass Gorilla Glass 5, and the sides and back are made of metal.

The penultimate generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with built-in task parallelization and power overclocking, which is well suited for demanding games. Therefore, the device satisfies well the selection criteria of gamers and fans of various weighty applications.

The camera is one of the useful features of this device, in addition to the main one - 19 Mpx and with optical stabilization, a decent front camera with a cool portrait function is built in.

• Selfie camera;
• Modern processor;
• colorful screen;
• Color selection;
• Stylish design.

• Inflated price tag;
• Weak battery;
• Combined memory card and sim card.

Functions	Apple iPhone SE 2020	MAXVI MS401	DIGMA LINX A453 3G	Fly FS408 Stratus 8	Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
OS	iOS 13	Android 7.0	Android 7.0 Nougat	Android 6.0	Android 8.0 Oreo
Display	Diagonal: 4.7", Resolution: 1334x750	Diagonal: 3.97", Resolution: 480*800	Diagonal: 4.5", Resolution: 854x480	Diagonal: 4", Resolution: 854x480	Diagonal: 4.6", Resolution: 1280 x 720
materials	aluminum	plastic	plastic	Plastic	glass Gorilla Glass 5 + metal
Color	Black, white, red	Black, gold	black	Black	black, blue, pink and silver
Camera	Main: wide-angle 12 MP F/1.80, Front: 7 MP	Main: 5 Mpx, Front: 2 Mpx	Main: 5 MP, Front: 2 MP	Primary: 2 MP	main - 19 Mpx, f/2.0, frontal – 8 Mpx, f/2.0
CPU	Apple A13 Bionic, 2500 MHz	SC7731C (4 cores, 1.2 GHz)	Spreadtrum SC7731, 1300 MHz (4 cores)	MediaTek MT6570, 1300 MHz (2 cores)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 - 8 core, 2.45 GHz
video processor	Not specified	Mali-400 MP2	Mali-400 MP2	Mali-400 MP2	Adreno 540
Memory	RAM: 3 GB, ROM: 64 GB	RAM: 1 GB, ROM: 8 GB	RAM: 1 GB, ROM: 8 GB	RAM: 512 MB, ROM: 8 GB	RAM: 4 GB, ROM: 32 GB
Connectors	Lightning, USB	mini jack 3.5 mm, USB, micro-USB	mini jack 3.5 mm, USB, micro-USB	mini jack 3.5 mm, USB, micro-USB	USB Type C, nanosim, 3.5mm
SIM	2x nano SIM+eSIM	2x normal + micro SIM	dual sim	2x normal + micro SIM	mono SIM
Connection	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, VoLTE, Bluetooth 5.0, USB, NFC	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, Bluetooth, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, Bluetooth, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, USB	3G, 4G, Bluetooth: 5.0
WiFi	WiFi 802.11ax	Wi-Fi 802.11g, Wi-Fi Direct	WiFi 802.11n	WiFi 802.11n	802.11ac
Navigation	GLONASS, GPS	Not specified	GPS	No	GPS, Glonass, Beidou
Audio	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, stereo speakers	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, FM radio	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, FM radio	FM
Battery	1812 mAh	1350 mAh	1800 mAh	1300 mAh	2700 mAh Quick Charge 3.0
Dimensions	67.3x138.4x7.3mm	64.5x123.8x10.3mm	67x133.5x11mm	64x123.5x10.3mm	65.0 x 129.0 x 9.3mm
The weight	148 g	101 g	129 g	109 g	143 g
average price	34890 rubles	2760 rubles	2899 rubles	3490 rubles	34990 rubles

iPhone 8

The body of this model is protected from moisture and dust, thanks to tempered glass and well-embedded connectors. The display is 4.7 inches with an IPS matrix, covering about 85% of the front panel of the device. The side frames are a bit thick. A useful feature is supported - Always On Display, which allows you to display the necessary information on the inactive screen.

Apple runs on a modern processor - Apple A11 Bionic, which allows you to continuously play the latest in the gaming industry. The 1821 mAh battery with fast charging function saves a lot of time. Yes, it lasts about 12 hours.

The camera is the highlight of this flagship. As mentioned above, the device has built-in camera modules - 12 and 7 Mpx. With a good depth of field and optical focusing, it creates not only professional pictures, but very high quality with fine detail. Pictures look alive and voluminous at any time of the day. See sample photos below.

How to take pictures during the day:

How to photograph at night:

• Stylish smartphone;
• Modern processor;
• Good camera;
• Excellent focus.

• Non-removable battery;
• No SD slot.

ASUS ZenFone Go ZB452KG

Before you decide which budget smartphone is better to buy, you should pay attention to ASUS ZenFone Go. On the one hand, an unremarkable and inexpensive phone, on the other hand, a good design and fairly good characteristics and a rich palette of bright colors: black, white, red, yellow, gold and silver.

The configuration of the device is quite simple. The block is packed in a dense box with a logo. Further, it comes with: good headphones, a key clip, a user manual, a usb cable, a cord length of 1.5 meters, along with a charger.

Appearance is quite simple and without any frills. The monoblock is made of durable plastic, matte and pleasant to the touch. The screen is covered with a glossy protective glass. The edges of the device are smoothed, and there are no rough rough edges, as is typical for inexpensive Chinese models.The unlock button is in the usual place, so users of older models will not need to get used to it.

The 4.5-inch screen occupies about 80% of the front panel of the phone. The side frames are slightly narrowed. Built-in Tianma IPS-matrix with an extension - FHD +. The color scheme is quite pleasant and varied, from bright and juicy tones to the right balance of yellow and blue hues.

The uninterrupted operation of the device is provided by the processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 and RAM - 1 GB. Almost all games run on medium settings and the device does not lag.

The camera is the most ordinary, nevertheless, it takes good pictures, maintains color balance, photomodules have decent optical stabilization. The battery is quite capacious - 2070 mAh.

• Acceptable price;
• Good camera;
• Capacious battery.

• It is difficult to transfer many programs and applications to an external drive.

iPhone 7

According to users, the model came out really worthwhile. The developers really tried to introduce new features without removing, but even improving the old ones. The first thing worth noting is the six-lens photomodule of the rear camera, and a powerful optical stabilizer is built into it, thanks to which you don’t have to be afraid of a trembling hand while shooting. The pictures are clear and with good sharpness.

The second update is a powerful speaker, now the sound quality will be much clearer and more spacious, like high-quality stereo speakers.

The 4.7-inch display occupies about 75% of the front panel. Also protective glass - Gorilla Glass, increases the degree of protection against moisture and impact resistance up to IP67.

Iron and autonomy are not weak.A powerful new generation processor - 4-core Apple A10 Fusion and a considerable amount of permanent memory - 64 GB, RAM - 4 GB. A non-removable battery with a capacity of 1980 mAh will allow the device to work autonomously at medium loads for about 12 hours.

• Six-lens rear camera lens;
• Optical stabilization;
• Good performance;
• Moisture protection at a high level;
• Protective glass of the penultimate generation.

• Non-removable battery;
• There is no possibility to connect an SD card;
• No radio.

iPhone SE 32GB

A budget model with good external and internal performance for connoisseurs of Apple products. Outwardly - a standard iPhone, but differs from other models in a variety of color palettes: pink, silver, gold, white and black.

The monoblock is made qualitatively, without any joints. The model is small enough to easily fit in your pocket. Standard design, nothing special. Iron - medium power: 2-core Apple A9 and 2 GB of RAM. The camera is unpretentious - 12 and 8 Mpx, although the pictures are still on top.

The screen is 4 inches, with a rather weak resolution and large side inserts. Weak lithium battery - 2500 mAh. How much does this iPhone model cost? Its average cost is 20,990 rubles.

• Manufacturers keep the quality bar;
• Rich color palette;
• Good camera;
• Beautiful appearance.

• Weak battery;
• Unusual connectors for cable and headphones;
• Wide side frames.

Digma LINX ATOM 3G

Super budget model from Chinese manufacturers. Despite the weak performance and low cost, the monoblock has its advantages. One of them is a well-made case. Smooth plastic and protective glass.

Weak display, but with an IPS-matrix.Maybe it conveys not such juicy and bright colors, but their palette is quite diverse. Another advantage is the presence of two SIM cards and clear sound.

Iron and the camera are rather weak. The processor Spreadtrum SC7731, and RAM - 512 MB will not pull new games, but Android 8.1 and its components will be able to ensure smooth operation. In general, the phone is suitable for those who use it mainly for networking, checking mail and making calls.

• Low price;
• Not a bad feature;
• Good quality;
• Dual sim support.

• Iron performance;
• Weak camera;
• Dim screen.

Functions	iPhone 8	ASUS ZenFone Go ZB452KG	iPhone 7	iPhone SE 32GB	Digma LINX ATOM 3G
OS	iOS 11	Android 8.1 Oreo	iOS 12	iOS 12	Android 8.1
Display	diagonal: 4.7, resolution: 1334 x 750	diagonal: 4.5, Resolution: 854 x 480	diagonal: 4.7, resolution: 1334 x 750	diagonal: 4.0, Resolution: 1136×640	diagonal: 4.0, Resolution: 800×480
materials	glass + metal	glass + plastic	metal + glass	metal + glass	plastic + glass
Color	pink, white and black	black, white, red, yellow, gold and silver	black, obsidian, pink, gold and silver	pink, metallic, gold and black	red, blue, grey, black and blue
Camera	main - 12 Mpx, f/ 1.8, frontal – 7 Mpx, f/2.0	main - 5 Mpx, f/ 2.0, frontal – 0.3 Mpx, f/2.0	primary: 12 Mpx, f/ 1.8 frontal: 7 Mpx, f/1.8	main: 12 Mpx, f/ 2.2, frontal: 8 Mpx, f/2.2	main: 2 Mpx, f/ -, frontal: 1 Mpx, f/ -
Video	3840 x 2160: 30 fps	2592 x 1944: 30 fps	3840 x 2160: 30 fps	3840 x 2160: 30 fps	1280 x 720: 30 fps
CPU	Huawei Kirin 970-8 core, 2. 36GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 - 4 core, 1.2GHz	Apple A10 Fusion-4 core, 2. 34GHz	Apple A9 - 2 core, 1.9 GHz	Spreadtrum SC7731 - 4 core, 1.3 GHz
Memory	RAM: 2 GB, ROM: 64 GB, SD: -	RAM: 1 GB, ROM: 8 GB, SD: 64 GB	RAM: 2 GB, ROM: 32 GB, SD: -	RAM: 2 GB, ROM: 32 GB, SD: -	RAM: 512 MB, ROM: 4 GB, SD: 32 GB
Connectors	Apple Lightning, nanosim, 3.5mm	USB Type C, nanosim, 3.5mm	Apple Lightning, nanoSIM	Apple Lightning,	USB Type C, 3.5 mm
SIM	Dual SIM	Dual SIM	1 (nano SIM)	nanoSIM	nanosim,
Communication and Internet	3G, 4G, Bluetooth: 5.0	3G, Bluetooth: 4.0	3G, 4G, Bluetooth: 4.2	3G, 4G, Bluetooth: 4.2	2G, 3G, Bluetooth: 2.1
WiFi	802.11ac	802.11ac	802.11ac	802.11ac	802.11n
Navigation	GPS, A-GPS, Glonass	GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Beidou	GPS, A-GPS, Glonass	GPS, A-GPS, Glonass	GPS
Radio	No	FM	FM	No	FM
Battery	1821 mAh	2070 mAh	1960 mAh	2500 mAh	1200 mAh
Dimensions (mm)	67.3 x 138.4 x 7.3	66.7 x 136.5 x 11.2	138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1	123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6	125.0x64.6x10.5
Weight (g)	148	125	138	113	129
Average price RUB / KZT	48 000 / 274 025	5 000 / 28 544	35 000 / 199 810	20 990 / 119 248	3 000 / 17 043

The best compact 5-inch smartphones

In this category, miniature models of phones are considered, whose screen diagonal does not exceed 5.9 inches.

Apple iPhone 12 mini

This is a very productive model in an ultra-compact form factor. Inside the small case there is a whole range of innovative options. Apple's very nimble chipset - Bionic 14 - impresses with unsurpassed performance. The high-quality Super Retina XDR screen is liked by users due to the saturation of the image. The camera system is pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the photo, and MagSafe-type charging eliminates the hassle of wires.

Dolby Vision video recording is a competitive advantage of this device. Rollers are quite natural.You can process them directly on your phone using the iMovie program. The Face ID identification system works very well. All in all, it's a compact model with incredible features and is a great buy for the dynamic user.

• lies comfortably in the hand;
• amazing photographic opportunities;
• stable communication quality;
• smooth image;
• high performance.

• not identified.

ZTE Blade L8

This is a small-sized smartphone that has a curved back cover, which makes it as practical as possible to use. This model is equipped with a screen diagonal of 5 inches. The aspect ratio is 18:9, which makes it possible to fully immerse yourself in what is happening on the screen. In addition, this solution accommodates more content, which increases and completes the visual experience while reading or surfing the web. The quad-core chipset, running at 1.3GHz clock speed, provides good performance, as well as nimble and smooth interaction with the interface.

The battery, which has a capacity of 2000 mAh, is equipped with a smart power saving mode that analyzes the habits of the owner and the frequency of using programs to guarantee the most optimal performance. Programs that consume a lot of energy, the device closes automatically.

• sufficient amount of ROM;
• lack of pre-installed useless programs;
• quality camera;
• balanced performance;
• Excellent value for money and quality.

• It is difficult to find protective glass for sale.

INOI 5X Lite

This model is equipped with a dual rear camera, which consists of an 8-megapixel and a 0.3-megapixel sensor. All this makes it possible to take pictures with the bokeh effect and record videos in FHD format. Since the phone supports Hi-Res audio format, the owner can plunge headlong into the world of incredibly high-quality sound.

The screen, the matrix of which is made using IPS technology, pleasantly amazes with bright and saturated colors. The model provides a tray for installing two SIM cards, which allows the user to choose the most suitable tariffs of mobile operators. The integrated GPS navigation module eliminates the possibility of getting lost in an unfamiliar area. This model supports the installation of flash drives up to 32GB, which makes it possible to store a large amount of multimedia content on the device.

• attractive design;
• high-quality display;
• during the day, the camera takes good pictures;
• low cost;
• Sturdy housing made from high quality materials.

• a small amount of RAM;
• low quality night shots.

texetTM-5076

The dimensions of this smartphone are perfect for comfortable placement in the average hand, so interacting with the gadget is not only comfortable, but also pleasant. The productive 4-core Spreadtrum SC9832E chipset guarantees high speed of the device, and also allows you to operate the model in multitasking mode. The OS version - Android 8.1 Go Edition - gave the manufacturer the opportunity to improve battery consumption, as well as make navigation easier.

Special versions of Google apps now take up less memory and open much faster. The model is equipped with a screen, the matrix of which is made using TN technology.The display diagonal is 5 inches. The mobile device is equipped with 2 cameras: rear 5 MP and 2 megapixel front.

The widescreen 18:9 aspect ratio is a great option for viewing pictures and videos or video calling. Inside the device is 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of ROM, which can be used to organize a media library directly on the phone. If this volume is not enough, then it can be expanded using the available port for flash drives in the microSD / microSDHC format.

• high-quality display;
• good cameras;
• clear sound;
• high performance.

• small amount of RAM.

Alcatel 1

 Good and decent budget smartphone model. Lightweight and thin body, compact size. Rectangular block with rounded edges, smooth and pleasant to the touch.

The screen is normal and without any special additions. Diagonal - 5 inches and resolution - 960 × 480. Covered with protective glass and a special coating that protects against dust and dirt.

The iron is simple, the smartphone is based on the MediaTek MT6739 processor, 4-core and 1 GB of RAM. Most modern games and applications, of course, will not pull, but they will ensure uninterrupted operation. The camera is simple, if there is no special requirement for a professional photo, then it is quite suitable for itself.

• Appearance;
• Price;
• High-quality display;
• Not a bad camera.

• Weak iron.

Functions	Apple iPhone 12 mini	ZTE Blade L8	INOI 5X Lite	texetTM-5076	Alcatel 1
OS	iOS 14	Android 9 (Go edition)	Android 8.0	Android 8.1	Android 8.0 Oreo Go
Display	Diagonal: 5.4", resolution: 2340x1080	Diagonal: 5", Resolution: 960x480	Diagonal: 5.5", Resolution: 1132x540	Diagonal: 5", Resolution: 960x480	Diagonal: 5", Resolution: 960 × 480
materials	aluminum and glass	polycarbonate	plastic	Plastic	plastic + glass
Color	Black, white, green, red, blue, purple	Blue, black	black	Black	Black
Camera	Rear: 12MP ultra-wide 2x F/2.40, 12MP wide-angle F/1.60, Front: 12MP	Main: 8 MP F/2.80, Front: 5 Mpx	Rear: 8 MP, 0.30 MP, Front: 8 MP	Main: 5 MP, Rear: 2 MP	main: 5 Mpx, f/ 2.0, frontal: 2 Mpx, f/1.8
CPU	Apple A14 Bionic, 2990 MHz (6 cores)	Unisoc SC7731E, 1300 MHz (4 cores)	MediaTek MT6580, 1300 MHz (4 cores)	Spreadtrum SC9832, 1400 MHz (4 cores)	MediaTek MT6739, 1280 MHz (4 cores)
video processor	Not specified	Mali-T820	Mali-400 MP2	Mali-T820 MP1	PowerVR GE8100
Memory	RAM: 4 GB, ROM: 128 GB	RAM: 1 GB, ROM: 32 GB	RAM: 1 GB, ROM: 8 GB	RAM: 1 GB, ROM: 8 GB	RAM: 1 GB, ROM: 8 GB
Connectors	Lightning, USB	mini jack 3.5 mm, USB, micro-USB	mini jack 3.5 mm, USB, micro-USB	mini jack 3.5 mm, USB, micro-USB	mini jack 3.5 mm, USB, micro-USB
SIM	2x nano SIM+eSIM	2x nano SIM	2x nano SIM	dual sim	2x nano SIM
Connection	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, LTE-A, VoLTE, Bluetooth 5.0, USB, NFC	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, Bluetooth 4.2, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, USB	GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, USB
WiFi	WiFi 802.11ax	WiFi 802.11n	WiFi 802.11n, WiFi Direct	WiFi 802.11n	WiFi 802.11n, WiFi Direct
Navigation	BeiDou, Galileo, GLONASS, GPS	GLONASS, GPS	A-GPS, GPS	GPS	A-GPS, GPS
Audio	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, stereo speakers	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, FM radio	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, FM radio	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA	MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, FM radio
Battery	2227 mAh	2050 mAh	2850 mAh	2200 mAh	2000 mAh
Dimensions	64.2x131.5x7.4mm	67.5x137.3x10.5mm	68.6x139.1x9.4mm	67x137x9.8 mm	65.7x137.6x9.8 mm
The weight	135 g	143 g	152 g	126 g	134 g
average price	59705 rubles	3765 rubles	5090 rubles	5140 rubles	4650 rubles

Phone Tips

Before you choose a model that suits you and not make a mistake, you need to consider a few points:

• No need to rush to the number of megapixels of the camera, its resolution and other advertised characteristics. In photography, stabilization, minimum viewing angle and depth of field play a big role.
• The same applies to the processor. Clock speed and bit depth are fine, but it's also important to consider the generation, graphics chip, and amount of RAM.
• It is best to purchase a modern gadget, as technologies change quickly and new items appear every six months and updates are written for them.
• It is better to see the device live, “climb in it” and feel it. Despite the fact that many people buy smartphones in online stores, because this is a place where it is quite profitable to buy goods, it is still worth testing the device in the store before ordering.

This review smoothly comes to an end. The article listed the best compact smartphones in 2022, collected by the number of positive comments from active users. Now everyone will be able to choose a model according to their needs and financial capabilities. Also, the necessary advice was given before buying the device.

There are many companies and models of smartphones at the moment and the market is quite diverse. Therefore, before buying, it is best to look at additional reviews, and which company is best to purchase a model, everyone decides for himself.