Once upon a time you could get a small android device with good specs.
https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xz1_compact-8610.php
It’s still my favourite phone, even though it’s been retired and is only used as an MP3 player with AUX in the garage nowadays.
I realize that for most people the phone is now a device to consume media through and that the larger screens are helpful there, but having a smart phone that is fully usable with one hand is still something I miss. Often.
Considering that modern androids have about 85% to 90% of their size as display size then a phone with the size of the xz1 compact should get a screen size of ~5 inches instead of the old 4.6 inches.
With the SoC advancements I don’t even feel that the phone would require a flagship SoC to interest me. Put a Snapdragon 6, as much battery as you can fit and an AUX input in it and I’m game.
What would make you guys interested in a smaller phone today?
Xperia 10 is what you’re looking for, it’s a tall phone, but it’s 68mm wide, which is what mostly counts in phone size feel. I use an S23 and I’m happy with the size. It’s still one-handable enough for me and I have small hands. Otherwise you can look at Asus’ Zenfone lineup from 8 to 10, but I would only recommend the 9 and 10 because the 8 sucked
Yeah, I’m using the Sony Xperia 10 IV right now and while it is better than many phones I’m reminded of how much better the XZ1 Compact feels in my hand everytime I use it to startup some music.
129mm vs 153mm in height and 65mm vs 67mm in width - it’s amazing how much a difference those 2.4cm in height does for me.
https://github.com/evanman83/OURS-project
I know it’s boxy, but it’s totally open source, you could slap a small screen in there and then figure out how to jigsaw the rest of the pieces into a smaller form factor!!
I’ve given up trying to find a small phone with decent support. I picked up a Smasnug Flip4 on sale and I’m converted to flip phones now. I loved my Sony XA2 for it’s size, but the software support was atrocious.
My ideal phone is something closer to the Blackberry Bold or the q10, but I realize that’s a market segment of 1 so I’ll never get it again.
Pixel 9 pro has a smaller model and it’s great.
Smaller phones do still exist, such as the Unihertz Jellystar or upcoming Jelly Max.
Definitely smaller, but how’s Unihertz track record regarding security updates? That’s the last part of the puzzle for me, I want a phone that’s safe. Otherwise I could still use my old XZ1 Compact. :)
Not great. You’d probably want to flash lineage os on it for security, which apparently works okay.
