The Best Small iPhone
Apple stopped making genuinely small iPhones, so "best small iPhone" now means choosing between a refurbished mini, the smallest current model, or the last home-button phone. Here's how to decide.
Data last updated June 2, 2026 · Dimensions from Apple.com · Prices are June 2026 estimates
The three best small iPhones, compared
Each wins a different category. Sizes are official; prices are June 2026 estimates.
| Model | Height | Screen | Unlock | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini | 131.5 mm | 5.4" | Face ID | Absolute smallest |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | 138.4 mm | 4.7" | Touch ID | Home button / cheapest |
| iPhone 16e | 146.7 mm | 6.1" | Face ID | Smallest new / best battery |
The picks
1. iPhone 13 mini — the absolute smallest
131.5 × 64.2 × 7.65mm · 5.4" · 141g · Face ID
If "small" is the whole point, nothing modern beats the 13 mini. At 131.5 mm you can reach the top of the screen one-handed without shuffling your grip, and it still has Face ID, an OLED display, and a genuinely good dual camera. Apple discontinued the mini line after 2021 and hasn't hinted at a return, so this is as compact as a modern iPhone gets.
The trade-off is battery — a small body means a small cell. It's only sold refurbished now, typically around $320, which is the smart way to buy a discontinued model anyway.
Find a refurbished 13 mini →2. iPhone SE (3rd gen) — best with Touch ID
138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3mm · 4.7" · 144g · Touch ID
The last iPhone with a home button and Touch ID, and the cheapest path into current iOS. If you dislike Face ID, want a fingerprint reader, or are buying a simple first or backup phone, the SE is the pick. The A15 chip keeps it fast despite the dated design.
The 4.7" LCD feels small for video and the single camera is basic, but for calls, texts, and apps it's plenty. Buy it refurbished — around $180 — since it's no longer sold new.
Find a refurbished SE →3. iPhone 16e — smallest you can buy new
146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8mm · 6.1" · 167g · Face ID
It isn't truly compact, but at 146.7 mm the 16e is the smallest iPhone Apple still sells new, and it's the right small pick if you want a warranty, the latest iOS features, Apple Intelligence, and far better battery life than a mini or SE — about 26 hours of video playback.
Think of it as "as small as new gets" rather than "small." If one-handed use is non-negotiable, go for the 13 mini instead.
See iPhone 16e prices →Where to buy a small iPhone
Compact models are mostly refurbished now — here's where to find them.
Which should you pick?
- •Smallest possible, modern phone: iPhone 13 mini.
- •Touch ID / home button / lowest price: iPhone SE (3rd gen).
- •New, with warranty and best battery: iPhone 16e.
FAQ
What is the best small iPhone in 2026?
It depends on your priority. Absolute smallest: iPhone 13 mini (131.5 mm), refurbished. Smallest new: iPhone 16e (146.7 mm). Small with Touch ID and a home button: iPhone SE 3rd gen (138.4 mm).
What's the smallest iPhone you can buy new?
The iPhone 16e at 146.7 mm, narrowly smaller than the iPhone 16. Apple discontinued the SE and never replaced the mini, so the smallest genuinely small iPhones are now refurbished minis.
Is the iPhone 13 mini still worth buying?
Yes if one-handed use is your priority. It runs current iOS with an OLED screen, Face ID, and a good camera in a 131.5 mm body, around $320 refurbished. Smaller battery is the trade-off.
Which small iPhone has the best battery?
The iPhone 16e, by a wide margin (~26h video), because it uses a full 6.1" chassis. The 13 mini and SE have noticeably shorter battery life.
Want the full compact breakdown?
See every small iPhone measured side by side, plus what happened to Apple's mini line.