Suggestions for a very compact android phone - under 5.5 inches ...

[alicat]

Hi all

Hoping I can pick your brains. I know it's not strictly about cycling; however I use my phone while out cycling and I trust your collective wisdom .....

My iphone 12 mini's battery is failing. I've never really got on with the Apple way of doing things and a health scare has nudged me to treat myself to things that gladden my heart.

I have decided to revert to an Android phone (I'm willing to try any non-Apple operating system if necessary). I have had a leather phone case for a few years that I really like and would like to keep. I can live with the camera being in a different place to the hole in the camera case (top middle). The phone does not have to be new.

Please could you give me suggestions for a decent phone that will fit in my existing case? The iphone is 64.2mm x 131.5mm x 7.4mm. The phone case belongs to an earlier phone so the phone could be a few mm bigger in any direction. EDIT: ideally the camera would be in the top middle because that's where the hole is for the first mobile phone that I had so I wouldn't have to cut the case or remove the phone every time I want to take a photo. I don't mind s/h if it looks new or almost new.

I'm treating the budget as c. £200 just to keep my options open but preferably would spend no more than £150 unless the replacement phone is good for a few years. EDIT: although I would prefer to buy as cheap a phone as possible so that I don't have to worry about it being pinched, I'm recognising that prices have moved on since I last bought one s/h so the budget is unlimited without paying 'silly money'.

I'm willing to buy a folding phone; however it would need to be as slim as possible to fit in the case.

I don't suppose it's possible to convert my iphone to an alternative operating system but if it were I would be willing to do that since s/h ones are available at acceptable prices.

Thanks for any recommendations or alternative solutions.

Alison

 

[Sharky]

Have you considered just getting a replacement battery?

 

[annedonnelly]

I can't help with the choice of phone but I bought second hand from the Big Phone Store last year. There was an issue with the battery but they took it back and replaced the battery. I was happy with the service I got.

It's a pain getting small phones. I also didn't want a huge thing like most people seem to carry around.

 

[Dadam]

Phone cases are generally made to fit the specific model snugly. Any other phone that will fit in it will have be smaller in all dimensions so is likely to be held insecurely. You don't want it falling out.

If you're treating yourself to nice things (and why not), treat yourself to a new case at the same time.

 

[vickster]

Friend of mine has a small Samsung - S24 I think but may well be over budget even used (6.2" screen).

Google Pixel 8a is compact but you'll likely still need a new case and around £200-250 used. Still a 6.1" screen

Any folding phone will be well over budget unless totally knackered

Your OS choices are Android or iOS these days

 

[a.twiddler]

It's a sad thing that however much you might like or dislike a particular phone, they're all transient and disposable. I remember my first phone, a great brick of a Motorola in the 1990s with an extending aerial. I thought it was great at the time to be able to make phone calls and send messages on a tiny monochrome screen. There was a trend for them to get smaller and smaller, bigger screens, folding phones etc but battery life hasn't really improved. The trend nowadays seems to be for bigger phones again with all sorts of whizz bang features and the assumption that everyone will have one to access the most everyday things like banking and shopping. The all pervasiveness and need to replace them regularly isn't a great feature for someone like me who for years bought things and made them last. I tend to use my wife's hand me down phones to try and temper this rampant consumerism, with a sim -only contract.

So by all means change your phone, and there are decent used phone suppliers about with good deals and guarantees, but try and get a decent case with it as trying to get a phone to match an existing case most likely will end up with poor fit, frustration and disappointment. The mobile phone racket has such a rapid turnover that even a 5 year old phone is "old" and might have issues with slowing down, difficulty in getting a case or screen protecter etc.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Hi all

Hoping I can pick your brains. I know it's not strictly about cycling; however I use my phone while out cycling and I trust your collective wisdom .....

My iphone 12 mini's battery is failing. I've never really got on with the Apple way of doing things and a health scare has nudged me to treat myself to things that gladden my heart.

I have decided to revert to an Android phone (I'm willing to try any non-Apple operating system if necessary). I have had a leather phone case for a few years that I really like and would like to keep. I can live with the camera being in a different place to the hole in the camera case (top middle). The phone does not have to be new.

Please could you give me suggestions for a decent phone that will fit in my existing case? The iphone is 64.2mm x 131.5mm x 7.4mm. The phone case belongs to an earlier phone so the phone could be a few mm bigger in any direction. I'm treating the budget as c. £200 just to keep my options open but preferably would spend no more than £150 unless the replacement phone is good for a few years.

I'm willing to buy a folding phone; however it would need to be as slim as possible to fit in the case.

I don't suppose it's possible to convert my iphone to an alternative operating system but if it were I would be willing to do that since s/h ones are available at acceptable prices.

Thanks for any recommendations or alternative solutions.

Alison

Have you ever used www.gsmarena.com. You can build some very decent searches in there:

• $250 Max (No £ sorry)
• 5.0 - 5.5 Inches
• 2022 or newer
• Android

https://www.gsmarena.com/results.ph...splayInchesMin=5&fDisplayInchesMax=5.5&idOS=2

You can even select the exact size you want if you have things like a case you want to keep.

 

[geordie458]

Hi all

Hoping I can pick your brains. I know it's not strictly about cycling; however I use my phone while out cycling and I trust your collective wisdom .....

My iphone 12 mini's battery is failing. I've never really got on with the Apple way of doing things and a health scare has nudged me to treat myself to things that gladden my heart.

I have decided to revert to an Android phone (I'm willing to try any non-Apple operating system if necessary). I have had a leather phone case for a few years that I really like and would like to keep. I can live with the camera being in a different place to the hole in the camera case (top middle). The phone does not have to be new.

Please could you give me suggestions for a decent phone that will fit in my existing case? The iphone is 64.2mm x 131.5mm x 7.4mm. The phone case belongs to an earlier phone so the phone could be a few mm bigger in any direction. I'm treating the budget as c. £200 just to keep my options open but preferably would spend no more than £150 unless the replacement phone is good for a few years.

I'm willing to buy a folding phone; however it would need to be as slim as possible to fit in the case.

I don't suppose it's possible to convert my iphone to an alternative operating system but if it were I would be willing to do that since s/h ones are available at acceptable prices.

Thanks for any recommendations or alternative solutions.

Alison

The budget and the size constraint together make this tough. Folding phones like the Razr or Z Flip are slim when open, but they are very tall, so they won't fit a case designed for a Mini. It's a shame manufacturers stopped making truly small handsets

 

[Electric_Andy]

You might struggle to find new, as most newer models, even cheap ones, have larger screens. You can go on Amazon through the department filters and filter for screen size. Make sure you look for new, not "Renewed" if you actually want a new one

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Have you ever used www.gsmarena.com. You can build some very decent searches in there:

• $250 Max (No £ sorry)
• 5.0 - 5.5 Inches
• 2022 or newer
• Android

https://www.gsmarena.com/results.ph...splayInchesMin=5&fDisplayInchesMax=5.5&idOS=2

You can even select the exact size you want if you have things like a case you want to keep.

Which is where I went when the question was asked, but truly compact phones just aren't a thing anymore, and even the real compacts like Sony X series compact are very long in the tooth.

My advice would probably be to stay Apple and upgrade to an SE at extra cost over budget, but knowing it'd last a good number of years.

 

[Dan Lotus]

Phones have been growing and growing for some time, 6.7" or above is pretty much the standard these days.
I popped your request into co pilot, and this is what it spat out - not very encouraging :-(

If this is an absolute must, personally I'd be looking for a model that you, or someone can change the battery on in the future, as otherwise in 3-4 years time you may have an even more difficult search.

Best of luck.

✅ Key reality check (important)​

• Almost no modern Android phones ≤5.5" are sold new in the UK anymore.
• The best options under £300 are refurbished flagships or older compact models.
• All models below are commonly available from UK retailers (Amazon Renewed, Back Market, CEX, MusicMagpie, Argos Clearance).
  
  
  

• ✅ Best options (≤5.5", under £300)​

  ⭐ Strongly recommended (refurbished – best balance)​

  Phone	Screen	Typical UK Price	Why it’s still good
  Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact	5.0"	£130–£180	True compact flagship, excellent performance for size
  Google Pixel 3a	5.6" (just over)	£120–£160	Outstanding camera, clean Android
  Samsung Galaxy S10e	5.8" (borderline)	£180–£250	Small feel, flagship build, very capable

• 
  
• The Xperia XZ2 Compact is the best true “small phone” Android ever made and still holds up well in 2026.
• 
  

• ✅ Still valid “true ≤5.5 inch” models (older but usable)​

  Phone	Screen	Typical UK Price	Notes
  Sony Xperia X Compact	4.6"	£90–£130	Very small, lightweight
  Nokia 6.1	5.5"	£80–£130	Solid build, Android One
  Nokia 5.1	5.5"	£70–£110	Basic but reliable
  Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)	4.7"	£70–£120	AMOLED, compact

• 
  

• ✅ My top 3 picks (honest recommendation)​

  1. Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact (Refurbished)
     ✅ Best true compact Android phone ever made
  2. Samsung Galaxy S10e (Refurbished)
     ✅ Small feel, modern performance
  3. Google Pixel 3a (Refurbished)
     ✅ Best camera in this size bracket

  ---

  ✅ Where to buy safely in the UK​

  • Amazon Renewed
  • Back Market
  • CEX (Grade B or A)
  • MusicMagpie
  All offer warranties (6–12 months).

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Actually, looking at the iPhone SE, it's in budget:

https://www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/...8dcc39b3?l=10&pickerClicked=true#scroll=false

 

[wakemalcolm]

Phones have been growing and growing for some time, 6.7" or above is pretty much the standard these days.
I popped your request into co pilot, and this is what it spat out - not very encouraging :-(

If this is an absolute must, personally I'd be looking for a model that you, or someone can change the battery on in the future, as otherwise in 3-4 years time you may have an even more difficult search.

Best of luck.

✅ Key reality check (important)​

• Almost no modern Android phones ≤5.5" are sold new in the UK anymore.
• The best options under £300 are refurbished flagships or older compact models.
• All models below are commonly available from UK retailers (Amazon Renewed, Back Market, CEX, MusicMagpie, Argos Clearance).
  
  
  

• ✅ Best options (≤5.5", under £300)​

  ⭐ Strongly recommended (refurbished – best balance)​

  Phone	Screen	Typical UK Price	Why it’s still good
  Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact	5.0"	£130–£180	True compact flagship, excellent performance for size
  Google Pixel 3a	5.6" (just over)	£120–£160	Outstanding camera, clean Android
  Samsung Galaxy S10e	5.8" (borderline)	£180–£250	Small feel, flagship build, very capable

• 
  
• The Xperia XZ2 Compact is the best true “small phone” Android ever made and still holds up well in 2026.
• 
  

• ✅ Still valid “true ≤5.5 inch” models (older but usable)​

  Phone	Screen	Typical UK Price	Notes
  Sony Xperia X Compact	4.6"	£90–£130	Very small, lightweight
  Nokia 6.1	5.5"	£80–£130	Solid build, Android One
  Nokia 5.1	5.5"	£70–£110	Basic but reliable
  Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)	4.7"	£70–£120	AMOLED, compact

• 
  

• ✅ My top 3 picks (honest recommendation)​

  1. Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact (Refurbished)
     ✅ Best true compact Android phone ever made
  2. Samsung Galaxy S10e (Refurbished)
     ✅ Small feel, modern performance
  3. Google Pixel 3a (Refurbished)
     ✅ Best camera in this size bracket

  ---

  ✅ Where to buy safely in the UK​

  • Amazon Renewed
  • Back Market
  • CEX (Grade B or A)
  • MusicMagpie
  All offer warranties (6–12 months).

Joking aside, I went through the same whilst looking for a rugged smartphone last year.

I returned 2 Ulephone X32s which were an ideal size but just couldn't seem to be set up to run with anything in the background whilst running Google maps in the foreground.

In the end, I compromised on size and bought a Motorola rugged phone. It's free of bloatware and as a brand have never really let me down.

 

[Dan Lotus]

I suspect another issue a lot of people will have, probably intentionally by the manufacturers, is that older phones won't have the relevant updates, latest OS etc, and stuff simply won't be compatible with it anymore.
I don't know enough about handsets to workout if you can hack a new OS onto one to be fair.

 

[classic33]

View attachment 803480
Joking aside, I went through the same whilst looking for a rugged smartphone last year.

I returned 2 Ulephone X32s which were an ideal size but just couldn't seem to be set up to run with anything in the background whilst running Google maps in the foreground.

In the end, I compromised on size and bought a Motorola rugged phone. It's free of bloatware and as a brand have never really let me down.

Did you consider Doogee handsets?