Back in the early 2010s, we used to dread smartphones that are getting larger. At most, we could tolerate phones between 5 to 5.5 inches as our daily drivers — making it the sweet spot that fits our hands, pockets, and clutches.

Phablets were considered enormous with their insanely humongous screens sitting between 6.5 to 7 inches in size. But a decade later, we see it as the norm and compact phones have become a rare Pokémon in the wild.

But something shifted in the new decade as more smartphones, once again, started arriving in compact sizes. Although the definition of compact varies from one brand or manufacturer to another, smaller size phones coming back made me giddy. Goes to show that there’s a market to serve. As someone who constantly complained about the hefty, colossal smartphones with humongous screens, I am very much part of it.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra | Photo by MJ Jucutan

I actually enjoy the technology and smart features in large phones like the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, OPPO Find X3 Pro, and the Mi 10T Pro. As wonderful as they are, they came with an inconvenience that a handful of people can relate to. Too big for smaller hands, too heavy to carry, too huge and bulky inside the pocket — the list goes on.

Bigger isn’t always better, at least for me

Yes, you read it right. Bigger isn’t always better, at least in my case. I had a lot of people (and egotistical friends) preached to me how they like the biggest and the largest smartphones available because of three reasons:

1. It’s the most expensive which shows how much they can shell out for a gadget.
2. They’re the best in a smartphone lineup because again, they’re the most expensive and the biggest.
3. They have the most features that you can enjoy.

Not gonna lie, I somewhat agree. Like how the S-Pen is compatible with the Galaxy S21 Ultra but not with the base edition. Although, at the end of the day, these features are nice to have but not a must-have.

All the exact features you need to make your smartphone experience enjoyable are shared across the product lineup. It’s a lineup for a reason. Don’t let other people tell you otherwise.

Unlike the reasons listed above, I’m not looking for the best, or the biggest, or the ones that I can brag about in mirror selfies. I want the right one. The right fit for my tiny and frail hands.

I want to hold it while I’m on the street without worrying about it slipping off my hand or dropping it accidentally. Or fit in my pocket without bulging. I want it to be just enough for my day-to-day life.

The product of listening

In 2021, a lot of handsets stuck to their usual sizes — mostly 6.5-inch and above. Only two flagship phones embraced a compact size and remained true to their promise: the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the ASUS Zenfone 8.

To pack so many features in a compact body is a great feat and a mindful one — because they actually listened to what a handful of users desire. Even though we’re in the minority, Samsung and ASUS listened, and that my friend is how you make a loyal customer. Keyword: listened. (Error 404: LG Mobile not found.)

To my disbelief, I particularly enjoyed the Zenfone 8 more than the Galaxy S21. It’s made of glass, kind of curved, and it’s much easier for one-handed use.

Though it’s just a bit smaller and lighter than Samsung’s flagship, overall, the Zenfone 8 had me glued to my phone once more. Don’t get me wrong: I still like both phones (and compact phones that are yet to come), but I had more fun using the no-frills Zenfone 8.

I realized what people claim to dislike about compact phones during are also the exact reasons why I like it. Another way of saying this is “what you take for granted is what someone else wishes for.”

The misconceptions and why they’re wrong

Liking compact phones is subjective. But there are common misconceptions regarding compact phones, mostly coming from those who prefer using large phones. Or those who have unrealistic standards when it comes to the latest smartphones marketed as “small and compact.”

Some say it’s not ideal for binge-watching, but I found myself watching more shows — on YouTube and Netflix — on the go frequently. When a phone is small and light, it makes it easy for your arms to lift for a longer time and not put a strain on your hands and fingers. This works especially when you’re unwell in bed and you just want to lie down and watch something.

Also, having a smaller screen doesn’t make it hard for me to watch a video unlike other people claim. Having an AMOLED display is enough: I can delight in a visual spectacle especially when you couple it with a magnificent audio experience. Don’t believe people when they say they need to squint their eyes when watching on a smaller screen.

On the topic of working remotely, some would prefer a bigger screen — and I adamantly feel the same. It’s better for writing and doing heavy work that you need to finish as quickly as possible.

But since my work requires checking designs and monitoring social media activities, I need to be able to take a glance and be on my toes. This means being ahead of any crisis, being able to jump on sudden turnarounds even if I’m on a sidewalk or I’m heading to a restaurant for my next lunch meeting.

In my experience, the ASUS Zenfone 8 served me well. I’ve gone to several lunches and dinners, and in between meetings I was able to respond and deliver my work — all done with just one hand while my other hand carries a Starbucks cold brew.

Though having a compact phone gave me a 2010-like experience that I can enjoy in 2021, a lot aren’t still sold with my experience for one, specific reason: the current compact phones aren’t small enough.

That small isn’t small enough?!

Some friends said the Zenfone 8 isn’t small enough. But are we looking for another iPhone 12 Mini — which is cool and cute by the way — whose production ended due to a low number of sales?

I started wondering: Up to which extent are we going to force smartphone manufacturers to produce a smartphone that fits our ideals? Samsung and ASUS did it right, technically speaking. Both companies made strides to pack the smartest and best features for their lineup in a phone so small, that the only limitations I encountered were its batteries.

To which, I still think, is something that both companies should continue to work on if they decide to press forward with compact phones. Nonetheless, it’s discourteous to discredit both companies from doing their best. It’s like telling someone that their best efforts aren’t good enough.

Like it or not, compact phones are here to stay. And if the “compact” size they can do right now is a 5.9-inch, then so be it. Maybe it’s the right size, maybe it’s the new sweet spot. Only time and numbers will tell.

For now, I’ll enjoy this phone that fits my tiny hands. And I don’t think you should worry about my opinion as well. At the end of the day, the best phone that you can have is the one that fits your hands and obviously, the one that you can afford without breaking the bank. C’est la vie.