this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2025
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Compact Phones

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Phones are too big. We've come to accept that 6" phones are normal, and we're mis-sized. But just a few years ago, people hated big phones. We complained that they were uncomfortable to hold, didn't fit in our pockets, and that these phones were "clumsily oversized." Now big phones are all you can buy. Why? Did everyone's hands and pockets get magically bigger? Are phones big because manufacturers want us to drop them?

Whatever the reason, we know what we want: We want small phones!

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[–] FlowerFan@piefed.blahaj.zone 9 points 1 month ago

Don't even have to update it. Just open source the device tree etc and I'll make the effort to port LineageOS myself.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Wouldn't Moto Razr and Samsung Flip both fall into that space?

[–] mulcahey@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This is likely to be different for every person, so no judgements, but I don't think a flip phone can ever qualify as "compact."

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I'm confused then.

  • Moto Razr (when closed) is 103,295 cubic mm in volume
  • Jellymax (a phone your graphic labels as compact) is 126,975 cubic mm in volume

Moto Razr (again when closed) is substantially smaller than Jellymax at its largest dimension (88mm for Moto vs 128mm for Jellymax)

What is the criteria here for a "compact phone" then?

[–] mulcahey@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I don't know, but it's closer to the one on the right

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

I don’t know, but it’s closer to the one on the right

So that one on the right looks like the Razr V3 (circa 2004) with the dimensions of 98 x 53 x 13.9 mm. By that measure the Jellymax you're labeling as a "compact" phone doesn't qualify as compact as it has a significantly larger largest dimension and total volume that either the modern android Razr or the 2004 Razr.

So I'm still confused what you definition of compact is for a phone, but you and others here clearly know what you want even if I can't figure it out. I'll leave you to it.

[–] noodles@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

It depends on why you want a compact phone. If it's to fit into small pockets then the flip phones do great, but if it's because modern phones are too large to comfortably hold and use for your hands, or because you want a smaller screen (for less distraction or for better battery life) then the flip phones are pretty bad.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Small enough to hold in hand and small screen like this?

[–] noodles@slrpnk.net 1 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Didn't realize the outer screen was fully featured now, that does make them a lot more intriguing!

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago

I can't say I use the outside screen a ton (because my eyes are getting old and a larger screen helps that so I unfold to use for longer periods), but I do use it for quick checks and media controls for streaming apps often. I've only run into one app that I've tried that doesn't work on the outside screen and that is Microsoft Authenticator (MFA app) as it requires a separate type of screen unlock instead of the normal screen unlock challenge. Gmail, cal, chrome, firefox (Ironfox) all work on the outside screen. Another nice thing is, on the outside screen you can get the full on-screen keyboard for typing too, but it takes up about half the real-estate when its up.

[–] Mac@mander.xyz 3 points 1 month ago

I miss my Droid Mini. :(

[–] vga@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I just heard of Bluefox, and they do have Android 15. But I guess they'll most probably have Android 15 in 2030 also.

https://aiphor.com/products/bluefox-nx1-4-0-android-smartphone?variant=54544491315273 pretty neat though, I'm tempted.

Can I root NX1?

Yes, the NX1 can be rooted.

[–] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

Not an Apple fan but their SE gets updates for a good amount of time, about 1cm bigger length and width than their first SE but it might fit your criteria.

Samsung Flip is a compact clamshell that becomes a regular sized phone.

The ASUS Zenphone 10 is on the smaller size but barely qualifies as a small phone so up to you, expecting updates to 2027.

[–] curiousaur@reddthat.com 1 points 1 month ago (2 children)
[–] mulcahey@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Sony hasn't made a compact in the US in years...

[–] Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 month ago

But Sony unfortunately is not really known for decent support timespan...

[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

My Pixel 5 is small, do they not make a small one anymore? In inches it's about 3" across and 5.5" long.

[–] roserose56@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 month ago

You forgot nothing phone.

Send with nothing phone 3a pro.

[–] jimmy90@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

highly recommend the refurbished market

lots of pixel 4a 128 (not 5G) with healthy batteries that support Lineage OS knocking about

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I want the opposite: a foldable with a 10" inner screen, thinner or as thin as the Fold 7, but with no comically large camera bump (and without sacrificing image quality).

Also a microSD slot, two day battery life, seven years of updates, and front cameras hidden under the screens (going back to to the hole punch was the dumbest decision Samsung has ever made.)

But most importantly of all: an unlocked bootloader.

[–] duhlieluh@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] Psythik@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

You're*

And no, I prefer blow.

[–] duhlieluh@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

all i was saying is that your desires are extremely unrealistic for the forseeable future.

[–] duhlieluh@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 month ago

lmao its perfectly readable without the apostrophe. you arent supposed to start a sentence with and 🤓