While smartphones are getting bigger in size, there’s still enough demand for compact devices. According to Counterpoint Research’s latest consumer survey in India, 74% of respondents show a strong preference for compact smartphones that don’t compromise on power. Unsurprisingly, Samsung is one of the top choices for consumers looking for compact and powerful smartphones.
Survey reveals powerful compact smartphones have a high demand
Over 2,000 young professionals and early jobbers in India participated in a survey about consumer preferences for smartphones. The survey reveals that smartphone buyers will happily pick a small phone if it is powerful enough. 88% of respondents are likely to purchase a compact smartphone in the future if it offers flagship-level performance. For over half of them, they won’t compromise on processor performance and battery life.
Users prefer compact smartphones over larger phones due to several benefits in practical use cases. With a large-screen smartphone, users encounter difficulties in one-handed use, uncomfortable grips, and an increased risk of accidental drops.
55% of respondents buy compact smartphones for one-handed usability, while 49% choose them due to the greater comfort during extended use. Smartphones’ appearance also plays an important role, with 71% of respondents wanting a good in-hand feel, while 69% make purchase decisions based on the look and feel of the smartphone.
“Consumers are increasingly seeking compact smartphones that provide a seamless and comfortable one-handed experience for use cases like taking selfies, typing messages, and gaming. However, while prioritizing ease of use, a key concern remains the potential trade-off on battery life and processor performance when buying a compact device. This highlights the need for compact smartphones that balance portability with high-performance capabilities,” a Senior Research Analyst, Arushi Chawla, said.
When choosing a compact phone, consumers prefer top brands like Samsung that offer a small form factor without compromising on features. Speaking of the ideal display size for a compact phone, 60% of respondents prefer a smartphone with a display size of 6 to 6.5 inches.
Samsung has emerged as one of the top brands for compact smartphones
Samsung’s latest flagship offering, the Galaxy S25, shows exactly why it is the world’s largest smartphone brand. It features a 6.2-inch display that falls in the sweet spot that 60% of consumers prefer. Apart from sizes, what makes the S25 stand out is that it borrows some of the specs from its larger sibling, the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
For example, the Galaxy S25 features the same flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. That makes it a good choice for consumers looking for a combination of compact size and flagship-level performance. That’s not all, there is even no compromise on other important segments — it packs all One UI 7 AI features, a flagship-grade selfie camera, and a premium AMOLED display.
While the Ultra has its advantages, like a 5x zoom camera and 200MP primary shooter, the base Galaxy S25 is no slouch. Samsung currently offers a free storage upgrade on both models. If you pick the base model, you get the 256GB variant at the price of 128GB ($799). Galaxy S25 Ultra buyers get the 512GB variant at the price of 256GB ($1,299). These are limited-time deals, so you’d better hurry up.
