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Which phone size should I choose?

Published: Feb 17, 2021, 9:01 AM

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You already know what are the cutting edge phones: the iPhone 12 Pro Maxes and the Galaxy S21 Ultras of this world, but those phones are also gigantic devices that are actually way too big for many people.

Having these extra large devices that everyone talks about but that might not have the ideal size for the average person, inspired us to do this breakdown of the most popular types of phone sizes these days for those of you who want not just the most powerful phone, but one with a size that suits their lifestyle best.

After analyzing what's on the market right now, here are the four types of phone sizes you can pick from:

Types of phone sizes

Extra large phones like the iPhone 12 Pro Max will not suit everyone

Front view
Side view

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

Dimensions

6.33 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches

160.84 x 78.09 x 7.39 mm

Weight

8.03 oz (228 g)

Samsung Galaxy S21+

Dimensions

6.35 x 2.98 x 0.31 inches

161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm

Weight

7.13 oz (202 g)

Google Pixel 5

Dimensions

5.7 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches

144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm

Weight

5.33 oz (151 g)

Apple iPhone 12 mini

Dimensions

5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29 inches

131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm

Weight

4.76 oz (135 g)

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

Dimensions

6.33 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches

160.84 x 78.09 x 7.39 mm

Weight

8.03 oz (228 g)

Samsung Galaxy S21+

Dimensions

6.35 x 2.98 x 0.31 inches

161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm

Weight

7.13 oz (202 g)

Google Pixel 5

Dimensions

5.7 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches

144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm

Weight

5.33 oz (151 g)

Apple iPhone 12 mini

Dimensions

5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29 inches

131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm

Weight

4.76 oz (135 g)

Compare these and other phones using our Size Comparison tool.

*An extra large, large, smaller and a super compact phone walk into a bar...

Extremely large phones (6.7" or larger) - such phones offer the best battery life and most advanced cameras and features, but are uncomfortable to carry in a pocket and quite heavy (examples of this size are the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Note 20 Ultra, OnePlus 8 Pro, etc)
Large phones (around 6.5") - such phones still offer a spacious screen and a big battery, but don't go to the extreme and are usually much lighter and more comfortable in a pocket (examples of such phones are Galaxy S21+, OnePlus 8T, etc)
Smaller phones (around 6.1") - these phones will best suit average users looking for a more traditionally sized phone that can be used with one hand and can go almost unnoticed in a pocket. The battery on these phones will typically get you through the day with average use, but not much more (examples of such phones are the iPhone 12 / 12 Pro, Galaxy S21, Pixel 5, etc)
Super compact phones (below 5.8") - back in the first days of the smartphone era all phones were super compact, but these days such a size is hard to come by. The rare phone of this caliber is super lightweight but makes some big sacrifices in battery life and will often need to be topped up before the end of the day (examples are iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone SE 2020, and foldable phones like the Galaxy Z Flip)

With this in mind, let's take a deeper look at each of these categories...

Extremely large phones

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

Dimensions

6.33 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches

160.84 x 78.09 x 7.39 mm

Weight

8.03 oz (228 g)

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Dimensions

6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 inches

165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm

Weight

8.04 oz (229 g)

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Dimensions

6.49 x 3.04 x 0.32 inches

164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm

Weight

7.34 oz (208 g)

OnePlus 8 Pro

Dimensions

6.51 x 2.93 x 0.33 inches

165.3 x 74.3 x 8.5 mm

Weight

7.02 oz (199 g)

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

Dimensions

6.33 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches

160.84 x 78.09 x 7.39 mm

Weight

8.03 oz (228 g)

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Dimensions

6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 inches

165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm

Weight

8.04 oz (229 g)

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Dimensions

6.49 x 3.04 x 0.32 inches

164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm

Weight

7.34 oz (208 g)

OnePlus 8 Pro

Dimensions

6.51 x 2.93 x 0.33 inches

165.3 x 74.3 x 8.5 mm

Weight

7.02 oz (199 g)

Compare these and other phones using our Size Comparison tool.

As phone makers race to make the most advanced phones with best cameras and best battery life, the category of extra large phones has emerged in the past few years and these devices are indeed extreme and despite offering the best features, might actually not be the best fit for everyone because of that size.

For example, the recent iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with flat sides and that combined with its wider frame makes it very hard to grip and hold comfortably unless you have the hand of a professional basketball player. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is narrower but it is an incredibly heavy phone with its weight tipping to the top which again makes for a use experience that is not the most comfortable one.

Also quite importantly, such phones also often rock sky-high prices of way above the $1,000 mark.

Extra large phones battery life comparison:

	Browsing test 60HzHigher is better	Browsing test 120Hz(hours)Higher is better	Video Streaming(hours)Higher is better	3D Gaming 60Hz(hours)Higher is better	3D Gaming 120Hz(hours)Higher is better
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max	14h 6 min	No data	8h 37 min	8h 1 min	No data
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max	12h 54 min	No data	8h 58 min	7h 30 min	No data
Apple iPhone XS Max	8h 33 min	No data	5h 25 min	No data	No data
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra	16h 7 min	14h 43 min	8h 52 min	8h 40 min	5h 3 min
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra	11h 57 min	9h 33 min	7h	7h 17 min	5h 9 min
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G	12h 23 min	10h 2 min	10h 29 min	9h 12 min	7h 43 min
OnePlus 8 Pro	10h 54 min	10h	9h 15 min	10h 33 min	No data

View all

On the other hand, dealing with the inconveniences of larger phone sizes buys you the convenience of the best battery life you can get. At these extreme sizes, battery cells of 5,000mAh are not uncommon and the phones in this class will usually have charge left after a full day of heavy use, and sometimes can even go two full days off the charger.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

$1000 $1199 ⁹⁹ Buy at Samsung View price Buy at Amazon $199 ⁹⁹ $1199 ⁹⁹ Buy at Verizon

$399 ⁹⁹ $1199 ⁹⁹ Buy at AT&T $499 ⁹⁹ $1199 ⁹⁹ Buy at T-Mobile $1199 ⁹⁹ Buy at BestBuy

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

$1099 ⁹⁹ Buy at BestBuy

$1099 ⁹⁹ Expired

$1099 Buy at Apple

$1099 ⁹⁹ Buy at Verizon

Large phones

*Average weight: 190g

Front view
Side view

Samsung Galaxy S21+

Dimensions

6.35 x 2.98 x 0.31 inches

161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm

Weight

7.13 oz (202 g)

OnePlus 8T

Dimensions

6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 inches

160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm

Weight

6.63 oz (188 g)

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

Dimensions

6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 inches

159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm

Weight

6.70 oz (190 g)

LG Velvet

Dimensions

6.58 x 2.91 x 0.31 inches

167.2 x 74 x 7.9 mm

Weight

6.35 oz (180 g)

Samsung Galaxy S21+

Dimensions

6.35 x 2.98 x 0.31 inches

161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm

Weight

7.13 oz (202 g)

OnePlus 8T

Dimensions

6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 inches

160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm

Weight

6.63 oz (188 g)

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

Dimensions

6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 inches

159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm

Weight

6.70 oz (190 g)

LG Velvet

Dimensions

6.58 x 2.91 x 0.31 inches

167.2 x 74 x 7.9 mm

Weight

6.35 oz (180 g)

Compare these and other phones using our Size Comparison tool.

If you want a phone with a large screen that is not extremely big and heavy, you have a huge variety to pick from. But do keep in mind: while these phones usually don't compromise much on battery life and screen quality, you might not be getting the most advanced camera system available.

For example, the Galaxy S21 Plus is a phone that feels much more reasonable to use than the extremely big S21 Ultra, but it lacks the 10X zoom periscope lens and doesn't have the Ultra's mind-blowing zoom quality.

Large phones battery life comparison:

	Browsing test 60HzHigher is better	Browsing test 120Hz(hours)Higher is better	Video Streaming(hours)Higher is better	3D Gaming 60Hz(hours)Higher is better	3D Gaming 120Hz(hours)Higher is better
Samsung Galaxy S21+	12h 11 min	10h 50 min	8h 27 min	8h 36 min	6h 5 min
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE	12h 28 min	10h 2 min	9h 9 min	8h 29 min	8h 15 min
Samsung Galaxy A71	11h 32 min	No data	11h 38 min	12h 46 min	No data
Samsung Galaxy A51	11h 35 min	No data	8h 35 min	6h 40 min	No data
OnePlus 8T	10h 54 min	No data	8h 48 min	No data	5h 15 min
LG Velvet	11h 7 min	No data	8h 35 min	9h 56 min	No data

View all

In terms of battery life, these phones are a slight step down from the previous category, but not by much and what most users will care about is that these larger phones will still get them through even more eventful days on a single charge.

There are some nuances here, though, so do take a look at each of the battery categories that we test to be informed about that.

Samsung Galaxy S21+

$449 ⁹⁹ $999 ⁹⁹ Expired

View price Buy at Amazon $0 $999 ⁹⁹ Buy at Verizon

$199 ⁹⁹ $999 ⁹⁹ Buy at AT&T $299 ⁹⁹ $999 ⁹⁹ Buy at T-Mobile $999 ⁹⁹ Buy at BestBuy

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

$599 ⁹⁹ Buy at Samsung View price Buy at Amazon $499 ⁹⁹ $699 Buy at BestBuy

Smaller phones

*Average weight: 160g

Front view
Side view

Apple iPhone 12

Dimensions

5.78 x 2.81 x 0.29 inches

146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm

Weight

5.78 oz (164 g)

Samsung Galaxy S21

Dimensions

5.97 x 2.8 x 0.31 inches

151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm

Weight

6.03 oz (171 g)

Google Pixel 5

Dimensions

5.7 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches

144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm

Weight

5.33 oz (151 g)

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

Dimensions

5.67 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches

144 x 71.4 x 8.1 mm

Weight

6.63 oz (188 g)

Apple iPhone 12

Dimensions

5.78 x 2.81 x 0.29 inches

146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm

Weight

5.78 oz (164 g)

Samsung Galaxy S21

Dimensions

5.97 x 2.8 x 0.31 inches

151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm

Weight

6.03 oz (171 g)

Google Pixel 5

Dimensions

5.7 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches

144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm

Weight

5.33 oz (151 g)

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

Dimensions

5.67 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches

144 x 71.4 x 8.1 mm

Weight

6.63 oz (188 g)

Compare these and other phones using our Size Comparison tool.

Today's smaller phone category of devices would easily qualify larger phones just a few years ago, but times have changed and our perception of a smartphone has too. These devices are much more reasonably sized, you can use them with one hand and they are way lighter and can be carried in a pocket without causing a discomfort.

Smaller phones battery life:

	Browsing test 60HzHigher is better	Browsing test 120Hz(hours)Higher is better	Video Streaming(hours)Higher is better	3D Gaming 60Hz(hours)Higher is better	3D Gaming 120Hz(hours)Higher is better
Apple iPhone 12 Pro	12h 35 min	No data	6h 48 min	6h 46 min	No data
Apple iPhone 12	12h 33 min	No data	6h 38 min	6h 46 min	No data
Apple iPhone 11 Pro	8h 41 min	No data	6h 27 min	6h 38 min	No data
Apple iPhone 11	11h 26 min	No data	7h 13 min	7h 37 min	No data
Apple iPhone XR	11h 8 min	No data	5h 50 min	4h 35 min	No data
Apple iPhone XS	7h 49 min	No data	4h 42 min	No data	No data
Google Pixel 5	12h 40 min	No data	8h 49 min	6h 51 min	No data
Samsung Galaxy S21	9h 6 min	7h 47 min	7h 36 min	7h 9 min	4h 14 min
Samsung Galaxy S20	12h 12 min	7h 45 min	10h 20 min	7h 43 min	No data
Samsung Galaxy S10	8h 9 min	No data	7h 18 min	5h 35 min	No data

View all

If you go with this category, you are getting big gains in comfort, but also battery life drops in a way that is noticeable. Smaller phones will still get you through your average day with one charge, but if you record a lot of videos or play some games, you will have to charge them up in the afternoon, so do keep that in mind.

Of course, there are differences within this class, and some phones in particular punch above their class. For example, the small Pixel 5 outclasses even some large-sized phones in battery life, but it is more the exception rather than the rule.

Apple iPhone 12

$829 Buy at Apple $799 ⁹⁹ Buy at Verizon $799 ⁹⁹ Buy at AT&T

$779 ⁹⁹ Buy at T-Mobile

Google Pixel 5

View price Buy at Amazon $599 ⁹⁹ Buy at BestBuy

Super Compact phones

*Average weight: 140g

Front view
Side view

Apple iPhone 12 mini

Dimensions

5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29 inches

131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm

Weight

4.76 oz (135 g)

Apple iPhone SE (2020)

Dimensions

5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches

138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm

Weight

5.22 oz (148 g)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

Dimensions

6.59 x 2.9 x 0.28 inches

167.3 x 73.6 x 7.2 mm

Weight

6.46 oz (183 g)

Apple iPhone 12 mini

Dimensions

5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29 inches

131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm

Weight

4.76 oz (135 g)

Apple iPhone SE (2020)

Dimensions

5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches

138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm

Weight

5.22 oz (148 g)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

Dimensions

6.59 x 2.9 x 0.28 inches

167.3 x 73.6 x 7.2 mm

Weight

6.46 oz (183 g)

See the full Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone SE (2020) vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip size comparison or compare them to other phones using our Size Comparison tool.

Finally, we have the almost extinct category of the Super Compact phones that Apple single-handedly brought back to life in 2020 with the launch of first the iPhone SE (2020) and then later in the year, the iPhone 12 Mini. These devices are so disarmingly compact and comfortable in the hand that many of us involuntarily smiled while picking one up for the first time.

Super Compact phones battery life

	Browsing test 60HzHigher is better	Browsing test 120Hz(hours)Higher is better	Video Streaming(hours)Higher is better	3D Gaming 60Hz(hours)Higher is better	3D Gaming 120Hz(hours)Higher is better
Apple iPhone 12 mini	10h 56 min	No data	5h 10 min	5h 10 min	No data
Apple iPhone SE(2020)	9h 5 min	No data	4h 45 min	4h 59 min	No data
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip	8h 26 min	No data	6h 40 min	7h 46 min	No data

View all

Still, benchmarks and real-life use both show that these phones while comfortable in size, can be quite uncomfortable in battery life. Pushing them harder with camera use and gaming is not a good idea unless you have a charger around, and even on an average day, chances are you will need to top up before the end of the day. And while this may not be that much of an issue in the first year of using such a phone, you will start feeling the battery squeeze a lot more after that.

Apple iPhone 12 mini

$699 ⁹⁹ Buy at Apple $699 ⁹⁹ Buy at Verizon $699 ⁹⁹ Buy at AT&T

$699 ⁹⁹ Buy at T-Mobile

Conclusion

So... what is your preferred phone size?

Which is your preferred phone size?

Extremely large (iPhone 12 Pro Max, S21 Ultra, etc)

14.49%

Large (Galaxy S21+, S20 FE, OnePlus 8T, etc)

16.1%

Smaller (iPhone 12, Galaxy S21, Pixel 5, etc)

44.01%

Super Compact (iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone SE 2020, Z Flip, etc)

25.4%

View Full Bio

Victor, a seasoned mobile technology expert, has spent over a decade at PhoneArena, exploring the depths of mobile photography and reviewing hundreds of smartphones across Android and iOS ecosystems. His passion for technology, coupled with his extensive knowledge of smartphone cameras and battery life, has positioned him as a leading voice in the mobile tech industry.