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Every year, the list of handy smartphones gets smaller and smaller. Thankfully, there is a small group of cell phone brands that are still committed to the compact phone size. They include Apple, Samsung, Sony, Google, and Asus.
I have compiled for you the list of the top small smartphones of 2024. All of the phones in the list below are the latest premium flagship models of their respective brands, so you are getting the best build materials and quality, the best processors, and the best cameras you can find in smartphones this year.
Table of Contents
Asus Zenfone 10
The Zenfone 10 is the “oldest” of the top small smartphones of 2024. It was released in June 2023, but it is still as up-to-date as can be. It has a 5.92″ Super AmOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with up to 16GB RAM.
For photography, you will have to do without a telephoto lens. Like all the others, it has stereo speakers. The 4300 mAh battery has 30W charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wired charging. Battery life is good, not exemplary.
Sony Xperia 5 V
The Xperia 5 V arrived in September 2023, sporting a 6.1″ OLED screen and 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with 8GB RAM.
Its camera configuration lacks a telephoto lens, but it has stereo speakers, a 5000 mAh battery, 30W charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. The battery life is superb, if that’s a top factor for you.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple’s iPhone 15 range was released in September 2023. The 15 Pro sports a 6.1″ Super Retina display with 120Hz refresh rate. Keeping things running smoothly is an Apple A17 Pro chipset.
The iPhone 15 Pro has a comprehensive camera setup that includes a telephoto lens that offers 3x optical zoom. The battery is 3274 mAh in capacity, and there is Apple’s creepy-crawly Power Delivery 2.0 charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wired charging. Battery life is not close to being very good.
Apple iPhone 15
Also released in September 2023, the non-Pro model sports the same 6.1″ screen size but no higher refresh rate. That means you are stuck with 60Hz. Also, the processor is downgraded to an Apple A16 Bionic chip. You also will have to do without a telephoto lens; sorry.
At the battery end, you get 3349 mAh capacity with Power Delivery 2.0 charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reversed wired charging. Don’t expect superb battery life here either.
Google Pixel 8
The Pixel 8 was released in October 2023 and comes to the fight with a 6.2″ OLED screen and 120Hz refresh rate. The chipset is a Google Tensor G3.
Unfortunately, it lacks a telephoto camera in the photography department. Other features include stereo speakers and 27W charging for the 4575 mAh battery. There is 18W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging as well. As things go, its battery life is about the worst on the top small smartphones list.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Released in January 2024, the Galaxy S24 is the newest device on this list and has a 6.2″ Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the USA, Canada, and China, and by the Exynos 2400 everywhere else.
You also get stereo speakers, a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, a 4000 mAh battery, and Samsung’s creepy-crawly 25W charging. There is 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging included. The battery life isn’t anything fantastic.
Which Of The Top Small Smartphones Is Your Choice?
If you want superb battery life among the top small smartphones of 2024, go for the Xperia 5 V.
If you must have a telephoto lens camera, the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 are the two top small smartphones you want to consider.
Ask your carrier for availability and prices. You will also be able to buy the above phones from Amazon, Best Buy, and other online retailers.