Smartphones keep getting faster and faster with each passing generation. This is something unanimously agreed upon as a good thing. However, a topic that’s a bit more divisive is size. And with today’s phablets rocking screens upwards of 7 inches, it feels like we’re living in an era in which small phones no longer exist.
Don’t get us wrong — massive phones certainly have their place as productivity, gaming, and media consumption powerhouses. But they’re hard to fit in your pocket and objectively more difficult to use one-handed if you don’t have giant hands.
It may come as a surprise, but there are actually plenty of small phones available for sale in 2020. But due differences in bezel thickness, you can’t simply rely on screen size. Instead, we want to look for overall dimensions less than 6″ (h) x 3″ (w). Join us as we look at some of the best small phones that you can get today for $400 or less!
Table of Contents:
iPhone SE 2
We’ll start with the (dwarf-sized) elephant in the room: iPhone SE 2. When the second-generation iPhone SE (2020) launched earlier this year, reviewers unanimously praised its top-notch specifications at an affordable price. Packing an A13 Bionic processor, 3GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of internal storage; the SE 2 is quite a beast. However, to say that the iPhone SE 2 is only good because it’s fast and cheap ignores its other key benefit: size.
With an MSRP of $399, the iPhone SE 2 is certainly within reach for a lot of people. However, if you play your cards right, you can actually get it for a lot less. Buying gently used on Swappa can save you as much as $70 — that’s nearly 20% less than what you’d pay at the Apple Store for a current generation iPhone with flagship specs! Get your iPhone SE 2 on Swappa today, starting at just 330!
iPhone SE 2 Features and Specs:
| Dimensions | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm) |
|---|---|
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD with True Tone (750 x 1334 resolution at 326ppi) |
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic with Third-Generation Neural Engine (6-core) |
| Primary Camera | 12MP f/2.8 wide angle with Quad-LED dual-tone flash and Smart HDR |
| Selfie Camera | 7MP 4/2.2 with Portrait Mode with Advanced Bokeh and Depth Control |
| Memory | 3GB RAM |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB internal storage |
| Battery | 1821mAh with 18W Fast Charging and Qi Wireless Charging |
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iPhone 8
What if you want something that looks nearly identical to the iPhone SE 2 but is even more affordable? Enter iPhone 8. Built on the same chassis, the iPhone 8 offers many of the same benefits of the iPhone SE 2 for less. And although it came out in 2017, it still packs quite powerful internal specifications that are capable of getting you through even the most intensive games and apps.
Originally launched at an MSRP of $699, the iPhone 8 wasn’t exactly cheap when new. But today, you can get the iPhone 8 for as little as $215 on Swappa! That’s a massive 70% savings over the original price for a phone that still can hang with the latest and greatest. Sounds like a winning formula to us!
iPhone 8 Features and Specs:
| Dimensions | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm) |
|---|---|
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD with True Tone (750 x 1334 resolution at 326ppi) |
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic with Third-Generation Neural Engine (6-core) |
| Primary Camera | 12MP f/2.8 wide angle with Quad-LED dual-tone flash and HDR |
| Selfie Camera | 7MP 4/2.2 |
| Memory | 2GB RAM |
| Storage | 64GB or 128GB internal storage |
| Battery | 1821mAh with 15W Fast Charging and Qi Wireless Charging |
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iPhone X
The iPhone SE 2 and iPhone 8 are fantastic phones, and undoubtedly the best choices for quite a few people. That said, their 4.7-inch Retina HD displays may leave some longing for more. If you want a phone with a bigger screen that doesn’t add too much to the overall size, the iPhone X is a great option. And although the iPhone X originally started at an MSRP of $999, it can be found today on Swappa for as little as $375.
Thanks to its nearly bezel-free, all-screen front face; the iPhone X packs a massive 5.8-inch Super Retina HD OLED that is not only substantially larger but also much more vibrant and rich than the iPhone 8 or SE 2. Additionally, the iPhone X heralded Apple’s transition to a purely gesture-driven user interface, devoid of any physical home button. And thanks to a powerful sensor array hidden inside the notch, you also get Face ID authentication for device unlocking and purchases.
iPhone X Features and Specs:
| Dimensions | 5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 inches (143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm) |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD OLED (1125 x 2436 resolution at 458ppi) |
| Processor | Apple A11 Bionic with Neural Engine (6-core) |
| Primary Camera | 12MP f/1.8 wide angle, 12MP f/2.4 telephoto with 2x optical zoom |
| Selfie Camera | 7MP 4/2.2 |
| Memory | 3GB RAM |
| Storage | 64GB or 256GB internal storage |
| Battery | 2716mAh with 15W Fast Charging and Qi Wireless Charging |
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iPhone XS
Rounding off the iPhones on this list, we have the iPhone XS. Released in 2018, the XS is the successor to the wildly popular and innovative iPhone X featured above. It carries over the same external enclosure and phenomenal 5.85-inch Super Retina HD OLED screen, while bumping internal specifications. With the iPhone XS, you get the faster A12 Bionic chip with Second-Generation Neural Engine, as well as 4GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. In addition, you get improved IP68 water and dust resistance, as well as a slightly longer battery life due to advances in processor technology.
While the iPhone XS originally launched at $999 MSRP, it can now be found for as little as $400 on Swappa. While this means that the XS only barely scrapes its way into our list, prices will inevitably fall over time, meaning that you will be able to find one for even cheaper in the coming months — especially after Apple launches the next generation iPhone.
iPhone XS Features and Specs:
| Dimensions | 5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 inches (143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm) |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD OLED (1125 x 2436 resolution at 458ppi) |
| Processor | Apple A12 Bionic with Second-Generation Neural Engine (6-core) |
| Primary Camera | 12MP f/1.8 wide angle, 12MP f/2.4 telephoto with 2x optical zoom |
| Selfie Camera | 7MP 4/2.2 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM |
| Storage | 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB internal storage |
| Battery | 2658mAh with 15W Fast Charging and Qi Wireless Charging |
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Google Pixel 4
If you’re looking for a flagship Android phone that doesn’t break the bank and can easily fit into your pants pocket, look no further than the Google Pixel 4. Released in late 2019, this Google flagship showcases some of the very best that the Android ecosystem has to offer.
With the Pixel 4, you get a 5.7-inch “Smooth Display” with a 90Hz refresh rate, a powerful Snapdragon 855 processor with Pixel Neural Core, 6GB of RAM, and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. And as we’ve grown accustomed to over the years, the Pixel carries the photography baton by delivering some of the best quality images out of any smartphone currently available with its 16MP telephoto and 12.2MP dual-pixel rear cameras with Dual Exposure Controls, Motion Sense, and Frequent Faces.
Although the Pixel 4 is a current-generation flagship device, you can still pick one up at a reasonable price thanks to the power of Swappa. Current prices for the Pixel 4 start at just $389 — that’s more than 50% off of the original retail price of $799! So what are you waiting for? Get a great deal on a Pixel 4 today!
Google Pixel 4 Features and Specs:
| Dimensions | 5.79 x 2.71 x 0.32 inches (147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2 mm) |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.7-inch P-OLED with 90Hz Smooth Display (1080 x 2280 resolution at 444ppi) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (8-core) |
| Primary Camera | 12.2MP f/1.7 dual-pixel wide angle, 16MP f/2.4 telephoto with 2x optical zoom |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 |
| Memory | 6GB RAM |
| Storage | 64GB or 128GB internal storage |
| Battery | 2800mAh with 18W Fast Charging and Qi Wireless Charging |
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Samsung Galaxy S9
The Galaxy S9 was Samsung’s flagship phone for 2018. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, its front face prominently features a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED with an 84% screen-to-body ratio. Under the hood, you get the powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. And thanks to the 3000mAh battery, you have more than enough juice to make it through a full day of heavy use. As with all Samsung flagships, the S9’s 12MP f/1.5-2.4 dual-pixel camera with OIS and super slow motion video recording takes great photos and video.
Being a former Samsung flagship, the Galaxy S9 launched at the relatively high price of $720. But with a little bit of Swappa magic, you can now get the Galaxy S9 for as low as $188. That’s an unbelievable 74% savings over the original retail price, on a phone that still offers one of the best Android experiences available thanks to its speedy processor, stunning display, and excellent camera.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Features and Specs:
| Dimensions | 5.81 x 2.7 x 0.33 inches (147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5 mm) |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.8-inch Super AMOLED (1440 x 2960 resolution at 570ppi) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (8-core) |
| Primary Camera | 12MP f/1.5-2.4 dual-pixel wide angle |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/1.7 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM |
| Storage | 64, 128GB, or 256GB internal storage |
| Battery | 3000mAh with 15W Fast Charging and Qi Wireless Charging |
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Samsung Galaxy S10
Although the Galaxy S9 is certainly an amazing phone for most people, those looking for the best Samsung phone under $400 should look no further than the Galaxy S10. Released a little over a year ago, the S10 is Samsung’s previous generation flagship.
Compared with the S9, the Galaxy S10 showcases a dramatic visual redesign thanks to its Infinity-O display. The S10’s all-screen, bezel-free front face has an insanely high 88% screen-to-body ratio, and tucks away an ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the screen. But the S10 isn’t just pretty; it packs top-notch specs such as the Snapdragon 855 processor, 8GB RAM, and up to 512GB of internal storage. And in typical Samsung fashion, it features one of the best cameras you will find on an Android phone thanks to its triple camera setup with a 12MP wide angle, 16MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom.
With a launch price of $899, the Samsung Galaxy S10 was undoubtedly out of reach for the majority of smartphone consumers. But by buying gently used, you can find a Galaxy S10 on Swappa for as little as $349.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Features and Specs:
| Dimensions | 5.9 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches (149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8 mm) |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity-O display (1440 x 3040 resolution at 550ppi) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (8-core) |
| Primary Camera | 12MP f/1.5-2.4 dual-pixel wide angle, 16MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 12MP f/2.4 telephoto with 2x optical zoom |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/1.9 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 128GB or 512GB internal storage |
| Battery | 3400mAh with 15W Fast Charging and Fast Qi Wireless Charging |
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Although extremely large phones have somewhat become the norm, there are still plenty of great small phones available today. So which one of these is the best? It really depends on you and what you value most in a phone. If you want the fastest budget-friendly iPhone available, the iPhone SE 2 is your best bet. If you want something with a more modern UI that’s nearly as fast and has a better screen, the iPhone X and iPhone XS are your best bets. If you want something that looks like the SE 2 but costs less, the iPhone 8 is worth a look. And if you’re an Android fan, you can’t go wrong with either the Google Pixel 4, Galaxy S9, or Galaxy S10.
Whichever smartphone you choose, you’ll always get the best deal on Swappa. And since all of our listings are reviewed before they go live by our expert moderation team, you can rest assured knowing that you’re getting a fully functional device that’s ready for activation. So what are you waiting for? Click on the button below to get the best deal on a newish phone today!
