Over the past few years, flagship smartphones have gotten a lot better, but they have also gotten progressively bigger. Recently, I bought a Google Pixel 9 Pro instead of the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL. So, I would argue in favor of smaller-sized flagship smartphones.
Relatively compact and pocketable
People nowadays prefer to use bigger phones. But that’s not the only reason flagship phones are big. Larger real estate is needed to add bigger camera systems, bigger batteries to power high-resolution displays, and cooling systems to cope with powerful processors.
But there are still many people like me who prefer smaller phones. They’re compact and fit better in my pocket – in fact, that’s the beauty of modern flip phones! I find them much easier to use, especially with one hand.
The weight is also okay (which is a relief for my carpal tunnel syndrome-afflicted wrists). Also, a lot of women prefer smaller phones because they often don’t have pockets big enough to hold them in their clothes.
Cheaper than the larger variant
This should be obvious but it highlights how much more value is offered in the smaller variant. The Pixel 9 Pro XL we reviewed costs $1,099 in the US, but you get almost the same internals in the Pixel 9 Pro for $999. There is a clear difference in screen size and battery – however, battery life is similar in both cases as the smaller screen consumes less power.
I mostly opt for the top variant in the series, such as the Pixel 8 Pro in 2023. The Pixel 8 didn’t work for me as its camera capabilities were significantly reduced. This year, since Google launched the Pro version in two size options, I chose the Pixel 9 Pro (instead of the 9 Pro XL) because, apart from the other reasons for preferring smaller phones, it also saved me a couple of hundred dollars.
Fewer distractions mean you stay focused
Contrary to claims justifying bigger screen sizes, a smaller phone makes me more productive. Hear me out.
Yes, a larger phone makes media consumption or gaming enjoyable. The word “immersive” is often used in this context. But this immersive experience also drags us in for longer periods of time. I want to focus on getting my work done on the phone and move on to the other great things in life — instead of doomscrolling on social media or wasting time scrolling through YouTube recommendations.
A smaller phone doesn’t keep you occupied for longer. So, it makes me more productive and reduces my screen time without conscious effort on my part.
While many brands offer relatively small phones, they are mostly entry-level variants in their flagship lineups — like the Pixel 8 or the Galaxy S24 or S24+. Companies usually reserve the best camera setups and other cutting-edge features for the larger-sized flagship models.
I hope most phone makers take a cue from Google and offer mini flagships for those who prefer compact smartphones. Of course, they won’t sell as well as their larger variants, but companies can keep their customers happy by giving them options instead of forcing them to buy a bigger phone to get flagship features.