In recent years, small smartphones have become increasingly rare. Sales of devices with smaller displays have fallen sharply. Apple, among others, decided to remove the compact Mini model from its range and instead offer a larger Plus model. Asus is now also relying on a larger design with the Zenfone 11. The YouTuber MKBHD provides a more in-depth analysis of why small smartphones are no longer produced.
The only thing left for fans of small smartphones: consider older models. Because there are still some recommended 5-inch smartphones that are also a good choice in 2024. In this article we introduce you to three of these models: the iPhone 13 Mini, the Asus Zenfone 10 and the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact. Read on to learn more about their features, advantages and disadvantages.
Recommended 5-inch smartphones in 2024
There are many older smartphones with smaller screens that can still be used today. However, few of them have the technical capabilities and updates that make them truly recommendable in 2024. The following models offer a good balance of performance, freshness and compactness. Despite their age, they are still up to date and offer a solid user experience. Here are three 5-inch smartphones that are good choices in 2024:
iPhone 13 Mini
Features
- Display: 5.4 inch Super Retina XDR OLED with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and 476 PPI. Supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, but only 60 Hz refresh rate.
- Processor: A15 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine.
- Cameras: Rear: 12 MP f/1.6 wide angle and 12 MP f/2.4 ultra wide angle. Front: 12 MP f/2.2 TrueDepth camera with support for Face ID and various modes such as portrait and night mode.
- Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.
- Battery life: Approximately 4-5 hours of screen time.
- Operating system: iOS 15, upgradeable to newer versions.
- Special features: 5G support, MagSafe, IP68 water and dust protection.
Advantages
- Compact size: Easy to use with one hand and fits easily into smaller pockets.
- Powerful processor: The A15 Bionic offers excellent performance and energy efficiency, comparable to larger and more expensive models.
- High-quality camera: The cameras offer excellent image quality, especially in low light conditions, and support 4K video recording.
- Display quality: Sharp and true-color OLED display that supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
- Software: Regular software updates and access to new iOS features, increasing the longevity of the device.
Disadvantages
- Battery life: Shorter battery life compared to larger models, which can be problematic with intensive use.
- Refresh rate: Only 60 Hz, which can be seen as a disadvantage compared to many modern Android devices that offer 90 Hz or 120 Hz.
- Notch design: The large notch for Face ID is still quite noticeable compared to newer designs and can be distracting when consuming media.
- Price: Despite its size and some limitations, the price is still relatively high, especially when compared to similarly priced Android devices that offer more features.
Asus Zenfone 10
Features
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
- Display: 5.9 inches, 144 Hz (only for gaming), otherwise 120 Hz, LTPO display.
- Camera: 50 MP with improved hybrid gimbal stabilization. Front: Improved software zoom capabilities, but no telephoto lens.
- Battery Life: Excellent battery life with 7-8+ hours of screen time.
- Charging: Wired: 30 watts. Wireless: 15 watts.
- Design: Improved durability of the back with new material. Various color options: Eclipse Red, Blue, Green, Black, Comet White.
- Ports: Retains the headphone jack.
- Software: Clean and near stock Android experience, ability to customize the software experience. Additional features such as battery health features and edge tool shortcut.
Advantages
- Performance: Outstanding performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
- Battery life: Very long battery life that lasts all day.
- Camera: Improved stabilization and software zoom capabilities resulting in sharper photos and videos.
- Design and durability: Improved materials on the back prevent rapid wear.
- Ease of use: Intuitive and customizable software, almost stock Android.
- Headphone jack: Retaining an increasingly rare feature.
- Price-performance ratio: Attractively priced for the features and performance offered.
Disadvantages
- Camera: Missing telephoto lens and a noticeable frame around the front camera.
- Software support: Only two years of guaranteed software updates, which is short compared to other manufacturers (e.g. Google, Samsung).
- Display usage: 144 Hz only available for gaming, otherwise 120 Hz.
- A few small things: The Edge Tool function only allows apps to be displayed in windows, not full screen mode. Wireless charging with only 15 watts compared to higher values on competing products.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Features
- Display: 5.0 inch IPS LCD, 1080 x 2160 pixels, HDR support.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.
- Camera: Rear: 19 MP, f/2.0, 4K HDR video recording. Front: 5 MP, f/2.2.
- Memory: 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal memory, expandable via microSD.
- Battery life: 2870 mAh, supports quick charging (Quick Charge 3.0).
- Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, no 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Operating system: Android 8.0 Oreo, upgradeable to newer versions.
- Design: Plastic back, aluminum frame, IP65/68 water and dust protection.
- Audio: Stereo speakers, no headphone jack.
Advantages
- Compact size: Easy to use with one hand and ideal for users who prefer smaller devices.
- Powerful processor: The Snapdragon 845 will continue to offer solid performance for everyday tasks and multimedia applications in 2024.
- Camera quality: Good main camera with 19 MP and 4K HDR video recording, which delivers impressive photos and videos, especially in daylight.
- Long-lasting battery life: The 2870 mAh battery offers good running time and supports fast charging, which makes everyday life easier.
- Waterproof: IP65/68 certification provides protection against water and dust, increasing the longevity of the device.
Disadvantages
- No headphone jack: The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack may be inconvenient for many users due to the need for an adapter or switching to wireless headphones.
- Plastic back: The design with a plastic back feels less premium than glass or metal backs of other smartphones.
- Old OS: Shipped with Android 8.0 Oreo, which is outdated for a device in 2024 even with updates available.
- Thick build: At 12.1mm thick, the device is chunkier than many modern smartphones, which may be unattractive for some users.
- Mediocre front camera: The 5 MP front camera does not offer the same quality as modern selfie cameras, which is a disadvantage for users who value selfies a lot.
