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?
Potential fragility aside, I think flip smartphones (at least the cheaper ones without a proper outside screen) solved the problem for me since I was never really a one-handed user of my XZ1 Compact. I liked the smaller size because it fit into every pocket safely and the smaller screen was more annoying to use and therefore less addictive. Flips have a similar barrier in terms of having to physically open the device to use it. It’s a shame that even the cheaper models are getting the bigger outside screens now, though. It just makes these devices more addictive and more fragile.
I’d love a foldscreen flip that would open into a Pixel 6 size, but was half that size folded. Most of the time I break my screen is when it falls out of my shirt pocket and being closed would just scuff the outer case, and that’s usually because I can’t do up the button on the pocket because the phone is too damn tall. I like the extra screensize but would prefer a compact phone.
If I put it in pant pocket, it just gets scratched with keys/pocket knife, and I’m fairly active so I’ve broken them in my pant pocket by lifting something that presses against it or folded it jumping in a piece of equipment without adjusting the location. Never had problems with a phone that was 4.5" or less but that’s impossible to find now.
I really like this as a modern compromise to get a good size screen with a small phone body. I’m giving a serious look for my next phone.