It's quite crazy that S23 is considered "small" nowadays.

Small phones are in a crisis right now. I'm still holding on to my Galaxy S7. If you want something newer there's the Pixel 4a or the Asus Zenfone 9 if you have money to spend. Zenfone 10 is coming soon and so far it's THE only small phone planned for release this year

I just got a Unihertz Atom XL - it's great at 4". It does feel a bit like a phone from 2013, back when screen sizes were like that... but honestly holding my "old" phone in my hand (which was a moto g7) feels CRAZY. I can't get my thumb across the whole screen and my hands aren't small. With the phone protector I had on my last phone they were about the same thickness, too.

In general, when I was doing my research, it seemed like there was a couple niche manufacturers like Unihertz that make phones that are smaller than 6" - other than that, yea the Pixel was being mentioned on "Smallest phones in 2023" lists

I've literally just bought a Pixel 5 because it was the smallest high-spec phone I could afford.

Although this thread is a month too late for me, I'm glad to have found it - I honestly felt like I was the only person in the world who didn't want a big phone.

No, but you're not alone in this hunt: https://smallandroidphone.com/

There's a discord for it and everything. I'm hoping it makes it to production

I have the Asus Zenfone 9, I love this thing

The Zenfone 9 is one of the only and best small phones on the Android side. It's a really solid phone but do your own research to see if it is okay for your needs. If you are going to buy I would recommend waiting until June 29 when it is rumoured that the Zenfone 10 will come out so you can either get the new version or get some good deals on the Zenfone 9.

Zenfone 9 is relatively small, fast and beautiful Android phone.

Its either Galaxy S21/22/23, Asus Zenfone 8/9 or Sony Xperia 10 or 5 Series. Unfortunatly it doesn't get smaller without landing firmly in gimmick phone land (like the Unihertz Jelly)

Also if don't mind older hardware there is the really compact Sony Xperia XZ2 compact.

I feel the pixel 6a and 7a sizes are still very reasonable, I'm using a 6a at the moment and it's just that little bit bigger than the 5.

I also own a 7 pro which is stupidly big...

unihertz jelly 2. unihertz also some other small phones. also has a headphone jack, fm radio, wrist strap, customizable LED, programmable hardware button.

Zenfones are expensive AF. Zenfone 9 for example will not get Android 15. So very pricey and bad support. Also if you are into accessories than again, avoid Asus.

Options are iPhone minis (not Android lol), S22/S23 and pixel 7a (which is larger than the Pixel 5).

Galaxy S10e is smaller than almost everything these days. I've bought a back up one since I haven't seen any new small phones I like.

Im with you man, i hate that phones all went for large blank rectangle. Google Pixels and folding phone might be the only alternative. I had the pixel 4a for that reason. Upgraded to 6a and sadly they made them bigger.

Sony used to have their compact line which was so great. Wish they still had that line.

The Zenfone 9 is amazing. I've had one for around a year. It's slightly smaller than the Pixel 5 and has absolutely amazing battery life. Mostly stock android with a lot of little QOL improvements sprinkled all around the system.

Galaxy S21/22/23, if you dont mind shutter lag

Zenfones, if you dont mind 3 times more faulty hardware than other brands, shit software support, bad software optimization, meh camera and bad VFM

Xiaomi 12, if you dont mind MIUI or installing custom ROM

Xperia phones if you dont mind remote control aspect ratio, shit software updates, meh camera and insane price

Pixel 8 if you dont mind waiting, it should be under 70/150mm judging by display size

cries in moto x (2013)

Also looking for a new small phone. I had the last two Xperia 5's and they never felt premium enough to justify the price. Holding out for the Zenfone 10, Asus is pretty consistent with their Q2 releases.

I'm loving my Asus Zenfone 9.
Great battery life
3.5mm headphone jack
Great specs
5G

There's a Japanese company who released a quirky 4.9 inch Android phone last year but AFAIK it's only available in Japan.

https://www.xda-developers.com/balmuda-phone-review/

Maybe import that one?

Edit: Mr Mobile did a review too: https://youtu.be/Tx6GqiSipy8

I find my Z Fold 4 easier to hold in one hand due to being more narrow than other phones when folded. Slightly narrower than the Pixel 5.

NOT Pixel 7! I got one because the Pixel 7 Pro was gigantic, but it's just such a mediocre phone and totally not worth what they charge for it.