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When it comes to smartphones, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, there’s a growing trend towards smaller, more compact phones that still pack a punch in terms of performance and features. If you’re in the market for a new Android phone but don’t want something that’s too bulky or cumbersome, you’re in luck.

In this article, I’ll show you some of the best small Android phones in 2023 and help you choose the right device for your needs. So, whether you’re looking for a phone that’s easy to use with one hand, fits comfortably in your pocket, or just looks sleek and stylish, there are plenty of options available that are perfect for you.

  • What Are the Best Small Android Phones in 2023? Samsung Galaxy S23 Google Pixel 6a Asus Zenfone 9 Sony Xperia 5 IV Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

What Are the Best Small Android Phones in 2023?

There’s a small smartphone for everyone, depending on personal preferences and priorities. While there are many large-screen phones available, small Android phones are gaining popularity because of their small size and powerful features. Here are some of the best small Android phones for 2023, whether you’re looking for a high-end model or an Android phone that fits your budget.

Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung Galaxy S23: Specs - 1

Samsung S23 – the overall best small Android phone in 2023

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the overall best small Android phone in 2023, with a 6.1-inch Dynamix AMOLED 2X display and a slim frame. Its slim bezels, flat display, and lightweight design make it easy to use in everyday situations. The S23 has the best smartphone performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. It comes with 8GB of RAM and internal storage options of 128 or 256GB. The camera system is dependable and versatile, with small enhancements over the 50 MP primary, 12 MP ultra-wide, and 10 MP telephoto cameras found on the S22.

The resolution of the front-facing selfie camera has also been increased to 12 MP. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is still the best small phone from Samsung despite its inconsistent camera technology and 25W wired charging. You can read our unboxing and review .

Google Pixel 6a

The Google Pixel 6a is another option among the best small Android phones in 2023 - 2

Since the introduction of the series, Google’s Pixel A-series has consistently been a value leader. While most A-series phones have been on the small side, they frequently pair their modest size and pricing with equally small specs. This time, however, the Pixel 6a may be classified as a “value flagship” phone that also serves as the best small phone available.

The Pixel 6a provides a premium camera experience with sophisticated features similar to those found in the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Thanks to Google’s Face Unblur technology, its Tensor engine provides crystal-clear images. This Android 13 phone also has excellent cameras, IP68 dust, and water resistance, is compatible with all US carriers, and has the greatest haptics available. So, if you want a compact phone made with Google’s top-notch standards, look no further.

Asus Zenfone 9

The ASUS Zenfone 9 also makes it to the list of the best small Android phones in 2023 - 3

Asus Zenfone 9 is one of the best small Android phones in 2023

The ASUS Zenfone 9 is a small and pocketable 5.9-inch AMOLED smartphone with a one-handed design. Its small size and rectangular sides make it seem sturdy in the hand. Although games like Genshin Impact and Apex Legends run smoothly on the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, its smaller screen and lack of heat dissipation keep it from being ranked among the top gaming smartphones.

With additional capabilities like fingerprint scanners, the Zen UI gives a stock-like experience and is lightweight. Camera performance is generally decent, with good white balance, strong autofocus, and HDR performance. However, some results are variable, especially in low light, and the six-axis gimbal is ideal for taking videos on the go. Overall, the Zenfone 9 is an intriguing option for anyone looking for a small-screen Android phone.

Sony Xperia 5 IV

Sony Xperia 5 IV is also among the best small Android phones in 2023 - 4

Sony Xperia 5 IV is one of the best small Android phones in 2023

The Sony Xperia 5 IV is another small Android phone with a 6.1-inch display, similar to the Galaxy S23, but it seems smaller in the hand due to its longer 21:9 form factor. The display is a 120 Hz FHD+ OLED panel that is bright enough for outdoor use. The phone boasts a high-quality design, with a strong metal frame and Gorilla Glass Victus. The Xperia 5 IV also has front-facing stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone port, and a 5,000mAh battery with a four-hour battery life at 120 Hz.

Although the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor has heat dissipation issues, the device’s camera technology produces exceptional images with excellent color accuracy, white balance, and natural details. The device can shoot 4K/120fps within the Photo Pro app. Even though it could offer more Android upgrades and security patches, it is a great choice for those looking for a small yet impressive device.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is yet another one of the best small Android phones in 2023 - 5

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 offers a 6.7-inch 1080p screen in the smallest pockets, making it a remarkable device. Despite its high price tag, the clamshell foldable design offers a unique and impressive experience for those seeking a smaller phone. Although the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is not a small phone in the normal sense, its foldable design makes it easy to carry. With a 6.7-inch display, it’s 3.3 inches when folded, making it perfect for pocket, bag, or purse storage.

The Z Flip 4 is a unique and fun device with software touches like Flex mode, which allows hands-free front-facing camera use, and a digital trackpad for app scrolling. While it is powerful and supports 5G, it lags behind traditional Galaxy phones in camera performance and battery life. However, it’s a foldable option for those who love having a big phone that can be a small phone when needed.

Small Android phones have become increasingly popular among consumers who value portability and convenience without sacrificing functionality. The suggestions above offer a perfect balance between size and performance, catering to users who prefer smaller devices.

Ultimately, the best small Android phone for you will depend on your personal preferences and priorities. Feel free to check out our other purchasing guides to make the best decision on your next smartphone or accessory.

Author:Joan Agie

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Looking for mobile phones with aptX Adaptive can be a tedious job. I know, because I am forever hunting for them each time I have to replace my smartphone. Why is this so? Why are aptX Adaptive phones so hard to find? And why are they even more so extremely difficult to find in the USA?

Similar to the way cable Internet is more reliable and stable than wireless Internet, Bluetooth audio has traditionally delivered inferior audio quality compared to what you get via wired headphones. aptX Adaptive is a Bluetooth audio codec designed by Qualcomm Incorporated to fix this problem and bridge the gap, so you can enjoy low latency, top quality audio via your Bluetooth headphones or earbuds when listening to music or watching video. And they succeeded.

In simple, layman’s terms, aptX Adaptive audio is one of a number of Qualcomm technologies that deliver sound quality that is comparable to what you get using wired headphones. This is fantastic news, and you would expect that many smartphone manufacturers would jump on it. Unfortunately, that is not so. At least, for now. Only a handful of aptX Adaptive phones exist and it is my opinion that the manufacturers who shy away from the codec do so to avoid paying licensing fees.

The major phone brands are trying to corner the market with their own homegrown solutions or already invested in alternative solutions. Apple has AAC and uses that in their iPhones. Samsung is using AAC and Scalable Codec. LDAC, developed by Sony, is really great at streaming high quality audio but thankfully Sony is well involved with aptX Adaptive.

aptX Adaptive audio is a good balance between compression and audio quality and delivers solid sound quality. This is why it is the recommended codec to look for when choosing a smartphone and Bluetooth headphones or earbuds for music lovers. Let’s dive into the lists of mobile phones with aptX Adaptive.

Cell phones with aptX Adaptive in 2023 and 2024 - 6
  • Nokia Phones With aptX Adaptive
  • Sony Xperia Phones With aptX Adaptive
  • Asus Phones With aptX Adaptive
  • TCL Phones That Have aptX Adaptive
  • BlackShark Phones With aptX Adaptive
  • Samsung phones with aptX Adaptive
  • Apple iPhones That Have aptX Adaptive
  • Google Pixel Phones With aptX Adaptive
  • OnePlus aptX Adaptive phones
  • Motorola phones with aptX Adaptive
  • 2024 aptX Adaptive Phones

Nokia Phones With aptX Adaptive

  1. Nokia XR21
  2. Nokia G50
  3. Nokia G60 5G
  4. Nokia X30 5G
  5. Nokia XR20
  6. Nokia X20
  7. Nokia G400 5G
  8. Nokia G100
  9. Nokia X10
  10. Nokia 5.4
  11. Nokia 3.4

Sony Xperia Phones With aptX Adaptive

Despite being behind LDAC, Sony is moving strong with aptX Adaptive. Here are some phones with aptX Adaptive from Sony:

  1. Sony Xperia 1 IV
  2. Sony Xperia 5 IV
  3. Sony Xperia 10 V
  4. Sony Xperia 10 IV

Asus Phones With aptX Adaptive

Asus is heavily invested in aptX Adaptive audio codec, especially because they make phones targeted at gamers and music lovers.

  1. Asus Zenfone 10
  2. Asus Zenfone 9
  3. Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
  4. Asus ROG Phone 7
  5. Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro
  6. Asus ROG Phone 6
  7. Asus ROG Phone 5s
  8. Asus ROG Phone 5 Ultimate
  9. Asus Zenfone 8
  10. Asus Zenfone 8 Flip
  11. Asus Zenfone 7 Pro
  12. Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders
  13. Asus Zenfone 7

TCL Phones That Have aptX Adaptive

  1. TCL 20 5G

BlackShark Phones With aptX Adaptive

  1. BlackShark 5 Pro

Samsung phones with aptX Adaptive

There are no aptX Adaptive phones from Samsung at this time. Not even any of their Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 premium flagships.

Apple iPhones That Have aptX Adaptive

There are no iPhones that have aptX Adaptive audio. See our related article on Bluetooth Codecs in Apple iPhone 13 .

Google Pixel Phones With aptX Adaptive

Unfortunately, not one Google Pixel phone supports aptX Adaptive audio at this time.

OnePlus aptX Adaptive phones

  1. OnePlus 8T.

OnePlus has products with aptX and aptx HD , but only one model has the more groundbreaking Adaptive – the 8T from some years ago. It looks like OnePlus experimented with the codec that one time and decided it wasn’t worth their time.

Motorola phones with aptX Adaptive

Motorola seems to have fully thrown in their lot with aptX Adaptive, as they have a fairly large catalogue of aptX Adaptive phones.

  1. Motorola Edge+ 2023
  2. Motorola Moto G50
  3. Motorola Moto G Power 5G
  4. Motorola Moto X40
  5. Motorola Moto Razr 40 Ultra
  6. Motorola Moto G53 5G
  7. ThinkPhone by Motorola
  8. Motorola Edge 30 Neo
  9. Motorola Edge 30 Fusion
  10. Motorola Moto S30 Pro
  11. Motorola Moto X30 Pro

The above-listed 42 aptX Adaptive phones are not exhaustive, as new phones are being released every other week. I might not be able to keep up with all of them for the purpose of updating these lists. However, from the above lists, you can tell which phone manufacturers to look to for aptX Adaptive support. Asus is one, Nokia is another, Motorola, and last but not the least, Sony.

A caveat : Qualcomm is the source of the information used in drawing up this list. However, I cannot guarantee that the list is 100% valid. For example, I own a Nokia 5.4 and I dived into the settings to confirm whether aptX Adaptive is supported. I found the option grayed out, with a footnote saying that a grayout means the feature is not supported. I find that odd. I am not sure what is behind that, but if I do find out, I will update this article. In the meantime, take the above lists of supported phones as a guide and ask your own questions when shopping.

PS : if you love aptX Adaptive, you will love aptX Snapdragon Sound .

2024 aptX Adaptive Phones

Here is a list of some notable aptX adaptive phones that were released in 2024.

  • ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro+
  • ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro
  • Xiaomi 14 Ultra
  • Redmi K70 Pro
  • Vivo S18
  • Nubia Z60 Ultra
  • ASUS ROG Phone 8
  • ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
  • Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro
  • Vivo X Fold3
  • Vivo X Fold3 Pro
  • Motorola Moto G24
  • Motorola Moto G24 Power
  • ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra
  • Sony Xperia 10 VI
  • Sony Xperia 1 VI
  • Vivo X100 Ultra
  • Xiaomi MIX Fold4
  • Xiaomi MIX Flip

The paradox here is that most of the aptX Adaptive smartphones being released into the market in 2024 are not officially available in the United States, though aptX is a product of Qualcomm, an American company.

Author:Mister Mobility

Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004