Smallest iPhone in 2026: Complete Guide
Last updated
Apple no longer sells a compact iPhone. Every current model starts at 6.1 inches. If you want something that actually fits in your hand, here's the full picture — what's still available, what the dimensions actually are, and what you'll be giving up.
Dimensions from Apple.com official specifications
The short answer
Smallest iPhone in Apple’s current retail lineup (September 2026): The iPhone 17e at 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm. It has a 6.1″ OLED display — the same physical size as the iPhone 16 and 16e.
Still sold new outside Apple’s primary lineup: The iPhone 16e matches the 17e footprint (146.7 mm tall) and may appear from carriers or retailers while inventory remains. It is not a smaller phone — only a lower-priced 6.1-inch model.
Smallest iPhone you can buy used: The iPhone 13 mini at 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.65 mm — 5.4″ OLED, Face ID, 141 g. Available on the used and refurbished market. Apple supports it on current iOS releases; Apple does not publish a fixed end-of-support date.
How much smaller is the 13 mini vs the 16e? 15.2 mm shorter, 7.3 mm narrower. The mini's footprint is roughly the size of a credit card. The 16e is closer to a standard TV remote.
Will Apple release a new small iPhone? No compact slab iPhone launched in 2026. The iPhone Duo has a 5.4″ outer screen, but at 84.1 mm wide, 254 g, and 11.3 mm thick folded, it is wider and heavier than any standard iPhone — a foldable, not a mini.
What is the smallest iPhone currently available?
The smallest iPhone in Apple’s current retail lineup is the iPhone 17e, at 146.7 mm tall and 169 g. It replaced the 16e in Apple’s primary new-phone lineup while keeping the same 6.1-inch footprint — not a return to the mini form factor. The iPhone 16e (167 g, identical dimensions) may still be sold new by some retailers while stock lasts.
If you want the smallest iPhone overall — the most pocketable phone you can actually buy today — it is still the iPhone 13 mini at 131.5 mm, widely sold refurbished and used. It is 15.2 mm shorter and 7.3 mm narrower than the 17e or 16e. There is no small iPhone in the current new lineup the way the mini once was.
Data last verified: September 13, 2026
Apple retail lineup smallest model: iPhone 17e (146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm, 6.1″ OLED, 169 g). Smallest iPhone at any price: iPhone 13 mini (131.5 × 64.2 × 7.65 mm, 5.4″ OLED, 141 g), sold refurbished and used. The iPhone Duo has a 5.4″ outer screen but is not a compact slab replacement.
Full dimensions — all compact iPhones
Sorted from smallest to largest. iPhone 17 Pro Max included as a reference for scale.
| Model | Height | Width | Thickness | Screen | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini | 131.5mm | 64.2mm | 7.65mm | 5.4″ OLED | 141g | Used only |
| iPhone 12 mini | 131.5mm | 64.2mm | 7.4mm | 5.4″ OLED | 133g | Used only |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | 138.4mm | 67.3mm | 7.3mm | 4.7″ LCD | 144g | Used only |
| iPhone 17e | 146.7mm | 71.5mm | 7.8mm | 6.1″ OLED | 169g | Apple retail |
| iPhone 16e | 146.7mm | 71.5mm | 7.8mm | 6.1″ OLED | 167g | New stock may remain |
| iPhone 16 (reference) | 147.6mm | 71.6mm | 7.8mm | 6.1″ OLED | 170g | Sold new |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max (largest) | 163.4mm | 78.0mm | 8.75mm | 6.9″ OLED | 227g | Sold new |
What the sizes actually look like
Proportional to actual dimensions. All aligned to bottom.
12 mini
131.5mm
13 mini
131.5mm
SE 3
138.4mm
16e
146.7mm
17 Pro Max
163.4mm
The jump from the mini line to the 16e is a 15.2mm height increase. That's roughly the width of your thumb.
What happened to small iPhones
Apple discontinued the mini line after the iPhone 13
The iPhone 12 mini (2020) and 13 mini (2021) were the last compact iPhones with full-screen OLED displays and Face ID. Apple never made an iPhone 14 mini. The reason was sales — the mini models accounted for a smaller share of iPhone revenue than Apple expected, and the battery life trade-offs (both mini models had noticeably shorter battery life than their standard counterparts) made them hard to recommend without caveats.
The SE line ended without replacement — until the 16e
The iPhone SE 3rd generation (2022) was the last truly compact iPhone Apple sold new. Its classic design — thick bezels, Touch ID Home button, 4.7″ LCD — was from the iPhone 6 era. Apple finally retired it in 2025 with the iPhone 16e, but the 16e is a full-size 6.1″ phone. SE fans who wanted a small, affordable iPhone got a price cut but not a compact form factor.
Every iPhone sold new in 2026 is 6.1 inches or larger
The current Apple retail lineup includes the iPhone 17e (6.1″), iPhone 17 (6.3″), iPhone Air (6.5″), iPhone 17 Pro (6.3″), and iPhone 17 Pro Max (6.9″). The smallest of these — the 17e at 146.7 mm — matches the 16e footprint and is still about 15 mm taller than the iPhone 13 mini. The iPhone 16e may still appear from some sellers at the same size while inventory remains.
The iPhone Duo is not a mini replacement
Apple announced the iPhone Duo in September 2026 with a 5.4″ outer display — the same diagonal as the 13 mini. But folded it measures 84.1 mm wide (vs 64.2 mm on the mini), weighs 254 g (vs 141 g), and costs far more. It targets foldable buyers, not anyone looking for a pocketable slab phone.
The iPhone 16e: not what SE fans were hoping for
Size: The 16e is 8.3mm taller and 4.2mm wider than the SE 3. It's within 0.9mm of the standard iPhone 16 in every dimension. Your SE 3 cases will not fit — the button positions, camera location, and chassis shape are completely different.
What it gained: The 16e has a 6.1″ OLED display (vs the SE's 4.7″ LCD), Face ID (vs Touch ID), the A18 chip, and a 48MP 2-in-1 rear camera system. Its launch MSRP was $599, lower than the standard iPhone 16’s launch MSRP. For buyers who do not mind the size, it is a practical option.
What it lost: The Home button. Touch ID. The pocketable form factor. If you specifically needed a small phone — for one-handed use, small hands, or pocket comfort — the 16e doesn't solve your problem. It's the SE in positioning, not in dimensions.
Buying an iPhone 13 mini in 2026: what you need to know
iOS support: buying time, not buying forever
The iPhone 13 mini’s remaining software support should be weighed alongside its size and battery trade-offs. Apple does not publish fixed end-of-support dates. If you buy one, compare the live listing’s condition, battery information, warranty, and price before deciding.
Battery life: the honest truth
Battery life was the 13 mini's biggest weakness when it was new. A three- to four-year-old used unit will have 80–85% of its original capacity. For heavy users, that means charging before dinner. If you buy from Apple Certified Refurbished or eBay listings that disclose battery health above 85%, you'll get through a normal day. Ask about battery health before buying — this is not a phone where you can ignore it.
Where to buy and what to pay
Used iPhone 13 mini listings vary by storage and condition. Review battery information, activation-lock status, warranty or return terms, and the live price before buying. Avoid listings that cannot verify activation-lock status.
What the 13 mini still does well in 2026
The A15 Bionic chip inside the 13 mini is still fast by any practical standard — it's the same chip as the iPhone 14 series. The camera system (12MP wide + 12MP ultrawide, optical image stabilization) handles everyday photography well. Face ID is quick. The 5.4″ Super Retina XDR display is sharp and bright for its size. In 2026, compare its older hardware and battery condition before buying.
Buying a compact iPhone, or selling your current one?
Browse current compact-iPhone listings or open Apple’s trade-in estimate flow for the phone you are replacing. Some links may earn us a commission (disclosure).
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) in 2026: compact, but compromised
The SE 3 is 6.9mm shorter and 4.2mm narrower than the 16e. Its body is smaller. But its 4.7″ LCD display with thick bezels means the phone body isn't much smaller than mid-size Android phones from 2020 — the bezels eat up most of the space advantage.
iOS support: The SE 3 runs current iOS releases. Apple does not publish a fixed end-of-support date; compare its current compatibility and battery condition with a current 17e or 16e purchase.
What it's good for: If you specifically need Touch ID (for medical or dexterity reasons) or a Home button, the SE 3 can still be a practical option. Compare live used or refurbished listings by condition, battery information, warranty, and price, and account for its older hardware and battery condition.
Is the iPhone 16e usable one-handed?
Reachability helps, but doesn't solve it
iOS has a Reachability feature (double-tap the bottom of the screen) that slides the UI down so the top half is accessible with one thumb. On a 6.1″ phone, this helps — but it doesn't make the phone feel small. You're still palming a 146mm device. If you have smaller hands, you'll likely be using two hands for anything in the upper third of the screen.
The mini as a benchmark for one-handed use
The iPhone 13 mini at 131.5mm fits most hands well for full one-handed operation. That's a meaningful difference from the 16e's 146.7mm — 15mm might not sound like much, but it's the difference between your thumb reaching the opposite corner of the screen and not. People with average or smaller hands will notice it every time they try to reach the top-left corner of the display.
Which small iPhone should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 13 mini if…
- One-handed use is non-negotiable
- You have smaller hands or wrist issues
- Pocket comfort matters more than screen size
- You’re okay trading less remaining iOS support for size
- You are comfortable comparing live used or refurbished listings
Buy the iPhone 17e if…
- You want the smallest model in Apple’s current retail lineup
- You need a new phone with full Apple warranty
- Budget matters but you can accept a 6.1-inch body
- You want OLED and Face ID at the entry price
Buy the iPhone 16e if…
- You find remaining new 16e stock at a better price than the 17e
- You accept the same 6.1-inch footprint as the 17e
- You are upgrading from an SE 3 and size is not the priority
- You want a lower launch price than the standard iPhone 16 had
Buy the SE 3 if…
- You specifically need Touch ID or a Home button
- You only need the phone for a short remaining period
- You want the smallest possible iPhone body
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest iPhone in 2026?
The smallest iPhone in Apple’s current retail lineup is the iPhone 17e at 146.7 mm tall. The iPhone 16e shares that footprint. The smallest iPhone available at any price is the iPhone 13 mini at 131.5 mm, sold refurbished and used.
What is the smallest new iPhone you can buy?
The iPhone 17e (146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm, 6.1″ OLED) is the smallest model in Apple’s current retail lineup. The iPhone 16e matches its dimensions and may still be available from some sellers.
What is the smallest iPhone with Face ID?
The iPhone 13 mini and 12 mini (131.5 mm) are the smallest Face ID iPhones ever made. Among new models, the 17e and 16e are the smallest at 146.7 mm. The compact iPhone SE used Touch ID, not Face ID.
Did Apple stop making small iPhones?
Yes. Apple discontinued the mini line after the iPhone 13 mini (2021) and retired the 4.7″ iPhone SE in 2025. Every iPhone sold new in 2026 has a 6.1-inch or larger display.
Is the iPhone 13 mini still worth buying in 2026?
For one-handed use it is a strong option. Compare live refurbished listings by condition, battery information, warranty, and price. The trade-offs are battery life and less remaining iOS support.
Will Apple release a new small iPhone?
No compact slab iPhone launched in 2026. The iPhone Duo has a 5.4″ outer screen but is 84.1 mm wide and 254 g folded — not a mini replacement. See our iPhone Duo specs for full dimensions.
Compare relative size side by side
Use the size comparison tool to place any two iPhones next to each other at accurate relative proportions (not calibrated life-size on screen).
Related comparisons & tools
- Complete iPhone size chart — all models, all years →
- iPhone screen size comparison →
- iPhone 12 mini vs 13 mini: which small iPhone? →
- iPhone SE (2022) vs iPhone 13 →
- Overlay 13 mini vs 17e at relative scale →
- Estimate your current iPhone's trade-in value →
- Which iPhone should you buy? (Full buying guide) →