The Best Compact Smartphones of 2025: iPhone SE 4, Pixel 9A, and More

Apple iPhone SE 4 is rumored to launch this week; however, as per leaks, it is rumored to be a big phone with similar looks to the iPhone 14 with a 6.1-inch display, contradictory to the previous SE models known for their smaller form factor. I have a detailed explanation of Apple’s decision on the iPhone SE 4 and how Apple’s mini phone attempt has failed, killing the end of smaller phones from Apple.

However, keep your hope alive if you want smaller form factor mobiles. Contrary to Apple’s decision to end its mini version, many Android makers are rumored to launch a mini version of smartphones this year. These include Vivo, OnePlus, Oppo, and Google iterations of the Pixel series, which can be considered a reliable, compact smartphone option, especially for people looking for a compact smartphone.

In addition to the smaller formats, there will also be a new version of slim smartphones; Samsung officially confirmed its existence with the Galaxy S25 Edge, which was announced at the Unpacked event this year along with its flagship S25 series. Apple is also expected to launch a slim version, rumored to be called iPhone 17 Air, which will debut against the S25 Edge this year along with the standard iPhone models.

So, 2025 will be a big year with plenty of options, especially on the Android side, including mini smartphones. In this guide, I will cover all the rumored mini versions of smartphones in the coming days, which one you should be excited about, and how likely they will make it into the product you can buy and enjoy the smaller form factor.

Best Compact Phones of 2025: Mini Flagships & Upcoming Releases

iPhone SE 4

This upcoming iPhone SE 4 will no longer have a small form factor design; as per leaks, it is rumored to feature 6.1 inches (Still more compact than most smartphones), similar to the iPhone 14, falling under the compact category. We have been tracking iPhone SE 4 leaks and rumors in a separate post.

To sum it up, the smartphone is expected to launch in the coming days with a 6.1 display. It will look very similar to the iPhone 14, with a notch but a single rear camera, powered by an Apple A18 Bionic chip, and it might also feature the latest Apple Intelligence features. With the launch just around the corner, we can expect official specifications in the coming days. For more details, visit the rumored post about the iPhone SE 4 for the latest updates.

iPhone SE 4 specifications:

Google Pixel 9A

In an unsurprising leak, Google Pixel 9A is confirmed and follows an iterative update cycle every year. Google Pixel 9A is expected to launch in the coming months. According to the Android headlines, the Google Pixel 9A is expected to launch on March 19, 2025, and will feature a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, following the trend towards larger displays.

For your reference, Google Pixel 8A has a 6.1-inch display (Pixel 8A review: 4/5), a major selling point, especially for compact users looking for an affordable Android. However, the increase in the display on the Pixel 9A is on par with the flagship Pixel line Pixel 9 Pro and the existing iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models. However, Pixel 9A is more affordable and has a similar form factor, typically falling under a compact smartphone size between 6.1 and 6.3 inches.

As per other specifications, Pixel 9A is expected to feature a Google Tensor G4 processor with 128GB/256GB storage and 8GB RAM. It is also expected to feature a 5100mAh battery, a big jump from the Pixel 8A, which has around a 4,500mAh battery. It now supports 23W wired and 7.5W wireless charging, and of course, it is expected to have a better camera system on that budget.

Pixel 9A will have a dual-camera setup with a flat design, and it is anticipated that the primary will be a 48-megapixel wide sensor and an additional megapixel telephoto lens. For selfies, it is expected to include a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. The Android headlines leak suggests the Pixel line will be available in four color variants: black, white, pink, and purple. It will be priced around $500 for the 128GB variant and $600 for the 256GB variant.

Google Pixel 9A specifications:

Oppo Find X8 Mini

Next, all the major smartphone makers of BBK Electronics are rumored to bring a mini version of the smartphone this year, starting with the Oppo Find X8 Mini, which is anticipated to launch in March 2025. It is rumored to feature a 6.3-inch OLED display, similar to the Pixel 9A. However, unlike mid-range specifications, the Oppo Find X8 mini is a proper mini flagship smartphone with high-end specifications. 

Since it is Oppo, cameras will be this smartphone’s biggest highlight. According to the leaks, Oppo Find X8 Mini is expected to include a triple-camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel main camera sensor with Sony IMX X9 series with optical image stabilization. A new periscope telephoto lens, another 50-megapixel lens, will offer up to 3.5X optical zoom. Also, there is going to be a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens.

As for the performance, the Find X8 Mini is expected to be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9400, similar to the standard flagship Find X8 series. The battery is expected to include about 5600mAh. In addition to these features, the Oppo Find X8 Mini is also expected to include a new three-stage button, which will replace the traditional alert slider. Also, Find X8 is expected to support wireless charging.

Overall, the Oppo Find X8 Mini will be a proper flagship similar to the Find X8 series but with a smaller compact size model featuring 6.3 inches, similar to the other smartphones in this price range. The smartphone is expected to launch in the coming months.

Oppo Find X8 Mini Specifications:

Vivo X200 Pro Mini

Vivo X200 Pro Mini, already available in China for purchase, is expected to launch globally and in India between April and June 2025. Like the Oppo Find X8 Mini, the Vivo X200 Pro Mini features a 6.31-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate (These are official specifications). It is powered by the Dimensity 9400 chipset, featuring a triple rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel main camera, an ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 3X optical zoom periscope camera. It also includes a 5700mAh battery, which supports 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. You can see the full, detailed official specifications of the Vivo X200 Mini below.

However, there is no official confirmation from Vivo. Some rumors have suggested that this model will only be available in China for now, with no plans for a global launch. However, a few reports suggest it might soon launch globally, including in India as the Vivo X200 Pro Mini. Since it is an official product and already available for purchase, plenty of reviews suggest that it is a great smartphone featuring all the necessary specifications.

Vivo X200 Pro Mini Specifications:

OnePlus 13 Mini

In a surprising move, OnePlus is rumored to launch the OnePlus 13 Mini, its compact smartphone, competing against the Vivo and Oppo Find X series. As expected, it is also from the BBK Electronics group, which means this might be a relaunched or revamped version of the Find X8 Ultra. Generally, OnePlus phones in this category share specifications similar to those of the Find X series.

OnePlus 13 Mini is expected to feature a 6.31-inch display. However, it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor instead of the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 in the Oppo Find X8 Ultra Mini. Also, there is going to be a change in the camera configuration. It is rumored to have a 50-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 50-megapixel periscope lens with 3X optical zoom. However, there are no further details apart from this about the OnePlus 13 Mini and no official launch timeline for the smartphone. Rumors have indicated that the OnePlus 13 Mini is expected to launch in April 2025.

OnePlus 13 Mini Specifications:

These are the four new smartphones expected to launch in 2025. All these rumored mini versions of smartphones are expected to have a compact size between 6.1 and 6.3 inches, on par with the existing models featuring display sizes up to 6.3 inches. However, all these mini versions of the flagship series offer budget and flagship-level features similar to the standard models. Also, there will be a new slim version of smartphones, which you might also like because they feel compact in hand with a slimmer form factor.

Best Existing Compact Smartphones

It’s better to position mini versions of smartphones as the compact versions since many smartphones, including the upcoming mini versions now, have at least 6.3 inches, which is similar to already existing compact smartphones, including S25, Google Pixel 9 Pro, iPhone 16, and 16 Pro, and more. If you are looking for a compact smartphone, these smartphones might also be a better option since they are officially available to purchase now.

Samsung Galaxy S25

The S25 is the latest flagship smartphone for 2025 from Samsung, and it features a 6.3-inch display size, similar to plenty of other compact smartphones. While it’s not a big upgrade from its predecessor, it is still a great option if you are looking for a compact-sized smartphone.

For a compact user, it comes with a 7.2 mm thickness with 163 grams of weight, which is compact and comfortable for single-hand usage. You get a 6.2-inch display, which is more compact than any other smartphone in the compact category, even the upcoming mini versions. As per performance, all the models this year are powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, which offers flagship-level performance for all tasks.

You also get a versatile camera setup featuring flagship-level cameras with a 50 MP main camera, optical image stabilization, a 10 MP Telephoto that can offer up to 3x optical zoom and supports OIS, and a 12 MP Ultrawide lens. On the Front, it comes with 12 MP.

However, this year, Samsung is not forward enough to use the lithium-ion battery, which has better technology and made many 2025 flagships compact while featuring a massive 6000mAh battery. With the Samsung Galaxy S25, you get a 4000mAh battery, which might not last a full day if you are a power user. As a bonus, you also get reliable AI features, from object remover to useful OneUI 7 flagship features, and plenty of customization features from Samsung apps to improve the experience.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Specifications:

Apple iPhone 16/16 Pro

If you are looking for an iPhone, you can look for the upcoming Apple SE 4, which is compact and affordable compared to other iPhones. If you want reliable performance and a modern design, the iPhone 16 is also a great option. However, you have plenty of options to choose from. You can also choose the high-end iPhone 16 Pro, which offers better cameras, features, and performance and still has a 6.3-inch display.

iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch display with an Apple A18 Bionic processor, capable of handling any task. It has a dual-camera setup featuring a 48MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera. As per battery, the iPhone 16 features a 3561mAh battery with fast charging support and Qi2 wireless charging, where you can attach MagSafe accessories such as battery packs and more. It is available in multiple colors, including black, white, pink, and ultra, making it one of the top options.

If you’re looking for a compact iPhone and can afford the iPhone 16 Pro flagship, you get better cameras, build, and battery life than the standard iPhone 16.

Apple iPhone 16/16 Pro Specifications:

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Since the Google Pixel 9A shares similarities with the Google Pixel 9 Pro, the flagship smartphone is a great option if you prefer the best performance, best camera, and overall best Android smartphone with the Pixel experience for a higher price.

It has a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 2K resolution and up to 3,000 nits brightness. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 processor, featuring up to 16GB of RAM and incredible rear cameras. It includes a 50-megapixel main camera and a 48-megapixel telephoto lens offering up to 5X optical zoom under the front. It also comes with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, making it a powerhouse of flagship cameras, offering flagship camera performance.

The battery is slightly increased from its predecessor with a 4700mAh battery, which supports wired fast charging and 20W wireless charging. It comes with Android 14 out of the box and promises up to 7 years of software updates. It also comes in different colors, including Rose, Obsidian, and others, making it one of the best-looking Pixel smartphones on the market.

It differentiates itself with a few unique Pixel-exclusive features, including useful AI features and monthly (may vary) feature drops that add new features to the smartphone. It also includes incredible software support, making it the best compact smartphone for users looking for a pure-stock Android experience with Google features.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Specifications:

Those are the best compact and mini smartphones launching in India this year. Despite the increasing size of the iPhone SE4, it is still more compact than any other smartphone, meaning just a 6.1-inch display. There are several options if you want to pick an Android smartphone. To make it easy, here are the display sizes of all the smartphones we have discussed and ranking them to help you pick the right one.