8 best compact smartphones of 2023 for every budget

Nokia 2660 Flip (Rs 4,449)

(Image: Nokia)

We could’ve talked about the features of this dumbphone but Nokia has already described it in the best possible manner. “It can make calls, send texts, and take pictures. It’s even got a torch and an FM radio, and… that’s about it,” reads an excerpt from its microsite. Plus, it’s even got a 0.3 MP camera.

Beyond that, the Nokia 2660 Flip is your typical Nokia that opens and shuts with a satisfying snap. And no, there’s no cutting-edge foldable screen inside, just a 2.8-inch panel on one end and a T9 keyboard on the other for an authentic 2000s experience.

Moto G14 (Rs 8,499)

(Image: Motorola)

Ask for an entry-level smartphone at a store and chances are you’ll be pointed toward a rather uninspiring brick burdened by its massive battery. Not so for the Moto G14, though. This Unisoc Tiger T616-powered phone comes in at just 8 mm thick and weighs 177 grams, with a display size of 6.5 inches.

We get it, 6.5 inches doesn’t exactly qualify as a compact phone. But compared to the 6.67-inch giants in the sub-10K arena, this handset is the best you can get. As a bonus, it still retains the Rs 5,000 mAh battery its competitors pack despite its size.

iQOO Z7 (Rs 18,999)

(Image: iQOO)

A truly compact smartphone, the iQOO Z7 carves a niche of its own with its dimensions of 158.9 x 73.5 x 7.8 mm and weight of just 173 grams. The 6.38-inch AMOLED display has a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1300 nits. The phone is also powered by the Dimensity 920, whose performance is a notch above the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2.

OnePlus Nord 2T (Rs Rs 28,999)

(Image: OnePlus)

The year is coming to an end and so is the hope for a Rs 30K phone with a screen smaller than 6.3 inches for the Indian market. We truly scoured the internet looking for a handset of the sort but to no avail.

But if the calendar is flipped back to 2022, you do get this 6.43-incher in the form of the OnePlus Nord 2T. This phone is powered by the Dimensity 1300, a fairly powerful chip even by today’s standards and features cool specs like a 32 MP selfie camera and 80W fast charging. The refresh rate of 90Hz is a bit of a bummer, though.

If you’re looking for something more recent, we suggest giving the Motorola Edge 40 (Rs 26,999) a look. Its 6.55-inch panel doesn’t exactly come off as compact, but the weight of 167 grams should offer a rather comfy grip.

Samsung Galaxy S22 (Rs 49,999)

(Image: Samsung)

We are officially entering flagship territory now. A model from last year, the Galaxy S22 was the last before Samsung switched to what it likes to call the “floating camera” design. The screen size of 6.1 inches strikes the perfect balance between offering one-hand operability and letting you watch your favourite movies without squinting.

Besides this, the Galaxy S22 has emerged as one of the most value-for-money flagship mobile experiences around. Expect snappy performance with the Exynos 2200 and excellent photography with the 50MP triple camera setup.

Google Pixel 8 (Rs 75,999)

(Image: Google)

It’s a phone by Google – the search engine giant with massive resources to back its AI ambitions – so there’s no surprise in the fact that it’s absolutely brimming with AI features, whether it’s Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser, or the upcoming Assistant with Bard.

The 6.2-inch handset is a bit hefty for its 6.2-inch screen size at 187 grams, but some would appreciate the reassurance and the touch of premium this gives. Be sure to read our review to decide if this one’s worth the money.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 (Rs 99,999)

(Image: Samsung)

Another flip phone on the list, but this time it comes with a foldable display and can actually run Instagram. Thanks to its unusual 22:9 aspect ratio, the phone’s 6.7-inch display barely feels the size. But the real magic happens when the phone is snapped shut, cutting the size by half such that you’ll barely feel it in your pocket – and turning on the 3.4-inch cover display.

Beyond the standout design, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, making it the most powerful Android on this list, and features a dual 12 MP setup at the back.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro (Rs 1,34,900)

(Image: Apple)

The 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro is for those who want the best of Apple in a compact form factor. It isn’t as hefty as its predecessor at 187 grams, thanks to a significant weight reduction brought about by a switch to a titanium frame. The handset is also powered by the first ‘Pro’ chipset on any iPhone – the A17 Pro features performance improvements across the board, especially in the neural processing department.