Small Android phones could become a regular thing again

Small Android phones are back! The Sidephone offers modularity and privacy, the Ikko: Mind One combines a square display and a 50MP foldable camera, and the Bluefox NX1 brings an affordable option. These phones reduce passive usage and offer different approaches to compact mobility.

Photo: AIPHOR

Small Android phones could become a regular feature this year. Lesser-known manufacturers are increasingly offering truly portable smartphones that trade large screens for focused features and convenience. The new generation includes modular solutions, square screens and affordable models that maintain basic smart features while reducing the tendency to constantly use them. Among them, the Sidephone, Ikko: Mind One and the inexpensive AIPHOR Bluefox NX1 are worth highlighting.

The Sidephone is a slim, privacy-friendly phone that sits somewhere between a premium feature phone and a minimalist smartphone. It offers a curated collection of apps (Proton Apps, Firefox, Vivaldi, Signal, Uber) without full access to the Play Store. But its specialty is its modular add-ons: keyboard covers, a dial pad, and even a quirky multi-letter keyboard module. The Sidephone truly changes the way you use your phone in your pocket and interact with your device.

Ikko: The Mind One is a small Android smartphone with access to the Google Play Store and a larger square screen that improves touchscreen usability. The phone can be inserted into a keyboard case and acts as a display. The case also includes a 50MP pop-up camera that can also be flipped forward for selfies and video calls. The Mind One appeals to those who want a compact device but need standard Android apps.

The AIPHOR Bluefox NX1 is a cheap option. It costs 126 euros for the 64 GB/4 GB version and 164 euros for the 128 GB/8 GB version. The Bluefox phone offers an LCD screen, a 20 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front camera, no fingerprint reader, a microSD slot, an IR interface and a programmable side button. It is the most ordinary small phone compared to the other two, as it allows full access to the Play Store and a standard screen aspect ratio.

Small phones offer advantages in terms of usability, modularity, and price range. However, they also require compromises in terms of app compatibility, performance, and some advanced features. This means they're not for everyone.