Decent 4-4.5" smartphone options?

[Inconcinnity]

I currently have an iPhone 4S and it's really starting to feel chunky, slow and with too small a screen. I'm not interested in Apple's later offerings, and I don't need a flagship model droid (I don't play mobile games and I'm not a heavy app user so I'm comfortable with second tier performance, but I would like it to feel snappy for normal tasks). I do take a lot of photos for work, but they don't need to be high quality (the 4S's camera is more than good enough).

My biggest issue is that modern phones are too damn big. I think a screen size of 4 inches or slightly bigger is probably ideal for me (even 4.5" makes me hesitant). I often have to crawl into small spaces for work so my phone can get a hard time in my back pocket, and I've always felt like I would run into issues with a big phone (the current iphone 6 bending fiasco is not helping to allay those fears). Plus I just don't find them comfortable to use.

I've shortlisted the Galaxy S5 mini or HTC one mini 2, but they're on the tipping point of being too big. Can anyone recommend some other options that might suit me? I've ruled out the Sony Xperia Z1 compact as I don't like the way it looks and it has a glass back like the 4S which gets scratched to hell at work.

Thanks in advance

 

[breadnatty08]

Welcome to the forums, Inconcinnity!
What is stopping you from a 5S?
Android wise, in that size category, I'd recommend the Moto X 2013. However, while the camera "can" take some decent shots, it's not all that great. The Moto G 2013 is a great small phone but the camera is honestly terrible.

 

[chanchan05]

The mistake a lot of people get is that screen size equates to phone size. Remember that Apple phones tend to have huge bezels. What happens usually is that an S3 with a 4.7inch screen actually handles the same way as a 5s, or very close to it. An S3mini is about as big as a 4S with a bigger screen, and S4mini is about the same size as a 5S with a bigger screen as well. Best bet probably for you would be to get an older flagship, like an S4 or S3.

 

[kate]

Hi Inconcinnity, I moved your thread to the Device Comparisons forum

I've shortlisted the Galaxy S5 mini or HTC one mini 2, but they're on the tipping point of being too big.

Have you looked at the Galaxy S4 Mini? It's a little smaller then the S5 Mini.

 

[mrnyjet]

moto g/lte. $200 w/o contract. can use at&t or t-mobile or any of their mvno networks. 4.5" hd 720p screen and quad core. camera inproved after ota updated.

 

[Inconcinnity]

Looks like the 2013 Moto X would be perfect for me, but the only ones I can get in Australia are white. In my line of work it probably won't be white for long. Really wish review site size comparisons included the Galaxy and One minis so I could get a feel for their physical size. Brick and mortar retailers here don't keep them so I can't get a hands on.

 

[andruoid]

Sammy Alpha looks nice, 4.7" is a perfect size IMHO.

 

[chanchan05]

GSMArena has a compare function on phone specs. The details include phone dimensions. You could stack it against your 4S using that.

 

[CafeKampuchia]

This is helpful too, if you want to compare chassis & screen sizes:

Visual Phone Size Comparison | phonearena.com

 

[Inconcinnity]

This is helpful too, if you want to compare chassis & screen sizes:

Visual Phone Size Comparison | phonearena.com

Wow that's awesome, thanks!

 

[Inconcinnity]

Thanks for your help everyone, in the end I went with the Xperia Z1 Compact that I initially ruled out, it seemed to be by far the best value for the money out of the phones that are actually available in Australia, and the only one I could get a hands-on before I bought it. I hope replacement rear panels are available because if it's anything like the 4S it's going to be a scratch magnet...

 

[cliff2]

I would recommend the HTC One. It is a really advanced smartphone and worth the high price tag.

 

[cliff2]

Some decent smartphone recommended to you, they're pretty good with long battery life, you can pick one form one of these
Best Smartphone with long battery life 2014

 

[icemanchilled]

Sammy Alpha looks nice, 4.7" is a perfect size IMHO.

Or the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact at 4.6" display which has a microsd card.

Both good options.